Posted on August 17 2026
Johnston & Murphy dress shoes fit true to your usual US size for most men, and the product pages do not describe them as running large or small. Start with the size you wear in other leather dress shoes. If you have a wide foot, buy the wide: the McClain and Conard come in wide sizes, and the XC4 Branning adjusts across two widths. If the fit is off, we exchange sizes; see our shipping and returns page for the current terms.
Do Johnston & Murphy shoes run big or small?
Not in our experience. The pages for the shoes we stock list standard sizes (7 through 15 depending on the model) plus a Wide option on several, and none of them say to size up or down.
So the staff answer is simple. Order your usual dress shoe size. If you only know your sneaker size, go down a half size, since sneakers are cut roomier than a leather oxford. If you are between sizes and the shoe comes in Wide, take the shorter length in Wide rather than the longer size in regular. Leather gives a little over the first weeks, so snug across the ball of the foot is fine. A tight toe is not.
What sizes and widths do you carry?
Most models run 8 to 12 in regular width, and a few go further. The Johnston & Murphy - Gibbons Plain Toe - Black ($245 CAD) is listed from 8.5 up to 15. The Johnston & Murphy - Conard Cap Toe - Black ($225 CAD) runs 7 to 13 plus Wide sizes up to 14 Wide. The Johnston & Murphy - McClain Cap Toe - Black ($225 CAD) is stocked 8 to 13 with a Wide run from 9 to 13W.
Sizes sell through quickly, so check the dropdown before you settle on a model. If yours is sold out online, email us and we will try to bring it in.
Johnston & Murphy XC4 vs classic: which should I buy?
Buy the XC4 if you walk a lot, commute in bad weather, or stand all day. Buy a classic like the McClain or Conard for the office, weddings, and events. The classics cost less and look sharper up close.
The Johnston & Murphy Shoes - XC4® BRANNING CAP TOE Black ($249.99 CAD) uses the brand's XC4 waterproof extreme-comfort technology: a full grain waterproof upper with seam-sealed construction, a molded footbed and midsole, a removable memory foam insole, and a high density rubber sole. It also has dual width adjustability, which helps wide-footed customers when their Wide size is gone. It reads as a dress shoe across the room but feels closer to a walking shoe underfoot. The trade-off: a rubber sole will never take a mirror shine.
The classics are the McClain (tumbled full grain leather, sheepskin lining, removable sheepskin covered insole, flexible leather and rubber sole) and the Conard (calfskin upper, padded footbed, EVA midsole, rubber outsole). Both are comfortable for a full office day. Neither is waterproof.
Which Johnston & Murphy leather is best?
For everyday wear, full grain leather is the practical choice. For a shoe you will polish and wear to weddings and formal events, Italian calfskin gives the finest finish.
- Tumbled full grain (McClain): a lightly textured surface that hides scuffs and softens quickly. Buy this if you are hard on shoes.
- Calfskin (Conard): smoother and finer grained. Polishes up well for a wedding or an interview.
- Full grain waterproof (XC4 Branning): sheds water, with sealed seams. For a Toronto winter commute, this is the leather.
- Hand finished Italian calfskin (Ellsworth): the top of the range. The Johnston & Murphy - ELLSWORTH CAP TOE - Brown Italian Calfskin ($395 CAD) is crafted in Italy for the Johnston & Murphy Collection, with a hand stained upper, tapered toe, and leather sole with rubber insets.
Which model for which occasion?
Office five days a week: McClain Cap Toe in black. The wide sizing covers most feet and the tumbled leather forgives a scuff. Weddings, funerals, and interviews: Conard Cap Toe in black. A black cap toe oxford is the safest formal shoe a man can own.
Something for navy and grey suits that also works with jeans: the Johnston & Murphy - Conard Saddle - Tan/Brown ($185 CAD), a two tone suede and calfskin saddle with a rubber sole. Wet weather and long walks: XC4 Branning. Your best pair, for a big client dinner: Ellsworth in brown Italian calfskin with a navy or charcoal suit.
If you can only buy one pair, buy black. Brown is the more interesting shoe, but black works with every suit and every dress code.
Common questions
Are Johnston & Murphy shoes true to size?
Yes, for most men. The product pages do not flag them as running large or small. Order your usual dress shoe size, or a half size down from your sneaker size.
Do Johnston & Murphy shoes come in wide widths?
Several do. The McClain and Conard cap toes are stocked in Wide, and the XC4 Branning has dual width adjustability built in. The Gibbons is regular width only but runs to size 15.
What if the size is wrong when it arrives?
Try them on indoors on carpet, keep the box, and email info@edsfineimports.com with your order number and the size you need. Current exchange and return terms are on our shipping and returns page.
Do you sell Johnston & Murphy belts to match?
Yes. Match the belt to the shoe (black with black, brown with brown or tan) and browse the belts collection.
Next step: pick your usual size from the Johnston & Murphy collection and check out. Shipping is free over $75 in Canada and the US. US orders may attract duties on arrival, since these shoes are imported. Or come see us in Markham and try three models side by side.
Read next: how to shine dress shoes properly, our wedding guest style guide for men, and our wedding suit packages.
