Before sizing, worth remembering this isn't an actual Vans product. It's Rick Owens' own shoe, shaped like an Old Skool, sold under his label. That matters for sizing because it doesn't follow Vans' actual size charts at all. You're sizing a https://officialrickowens.com/  shoe, not a Vans one, even though the shape looks familiar. His fit runs differently across basically every silhouette he's touched. Ignore any Vans conversion chart you find online; it won't apply here. Treat this like any other Rick Owens sneaker purchase from the start.

General Rick Owens Sizing Pattern

Rick Owens sneakers tend to run either true to size or slightly large, depending on the model. His leather pairs especially stretch a bit more than people expect after a few wears. That's partly the leather softening, partly just how he cuts the upper. Buyers who've owned multiple Rick Owens pairs usually size down half a size as a habit. First-time buyers often make the mistake of ordering their exact usual size. That usually leaves a bit of extra room, particularly around the toe box area. It's not dramatic, but it's noticeable once you've worn them a full day.

Foot Width Matters More Here

This Old Skool-style pair has a slightly narrower build than the actual Vans version. If you have wider feet, that narrower shape will feel tighter than you'd expect. Some buyers with wider feet actually recommend staying true to size instead of sizing down. Narrow-footed buyers, on the other hand, often go half a size down comfortably. It really comes down to your specific foot shape more than a fixed rule. Try to check seller photos of the toe box before deciding your size. A narrower silhouette photographed straight-on usually tells you more than any spec sheet.

Leather Versus Canvas Differences

Rick Owens makes this silhouette in both leather and heavier canvas depending on the release. Leather pairs stretch more over time, so slightly snug at first isn't a bad sign. Canvas pairs hold their shape longer and won't loosen up nearly as much. If you're buying leather, sizing your true size is usually safer than sizing down. If you're buying canvas, sizing down half a size tends to work out better. That's the opposite of what most people assume walking into this purchase. Always check the listed material before deciding, since it genuinely changes the fit outcome.

What Resale Buyers Report

Secondhand listings on Grailed often include seller notes about fit, which is worth reading closely. A lot of sellers mention these run slightly big compared to a standard sneaker size. Others say the opposite, depending on which specific release or year they're describing. That inconsistency exists because these shoes have been made across many years, not one single batch. Older pairs from the mid-2000s can fit differently than more recent versions. Always check the release year alongside the seller's fit comment before trusting it fully. One person's true-to-size pair might run different from another year's stock entirely.

Practical Sizing Steps To Follow

Start by checking whether your pair is leather or canvas construction. Then check the release year if the listing provides one anywhere. Read multiple seller or reviewer comments rather than trusting just one opinion. If most comments agree it runs big, size down half a size safely. If comments are split or unclear, order your true size and adjust later. Buying secondhand almost always means less flexibility on returns, so this step matters more. Taking five extra minutes here saves you from an awkward resale flip later.

Final Sizing Recommendation

There's no universal answer that works for every single pair out there. Leather buyers should lean toward true to size rather than sizing down. Canvas buyers should lean half a size down for a better long-term fit. Wide-footed buyers should stay cautious given the narrower toe box on this silhouette. Narrow-footed buyers generally have more flexibility to size down without regretting it. When in doubt, read seller notes twice before finalizing your order. That small bit of research usually saves you an unnecessary return down the line.