Shein vs. Temu vs. AliExpress: Who Wins the 2026 Sizing War?

If you don't have time to read the full breakdown, here is the cheat sheet for the current market.

• Best for Consistency: Shein. Their 2026 proprietary 'TrueFit' data aggregation has stabilized their sizing. If you buy a CN38 here, it's likely a CN38 across their sub-labels.

• Best for Niche/Wide Fit: AliExpress. They remain the winner for customization and specific seller communication. You can find distinct 'wide' variants that simply don't exist on the other two apps.

• Best Price-to-Value: Temu. It is still the Wild West, but if you stick to their 'verified' factory stores, the cost-per-wear ratio is unbeatable for trendy, single-season items.

• The 'CN41' Danger Zone: Across all three, the CN41 size remains the most problematic for Western feet, often straddling the line between a US 8.5 and 9 with insufficient width.

The biggest mistake my clients make is treating these three platforms as if they use a universal standard. They don't. While they all root their sizing in the millimeter-based CN system, their implementation varies wildly.

Shein: The Standardized Approach

By 2026, Shein has effectively become the Zara of the digital space. They have centralized their sizing charts. When you browse their 'Cucocoo' or 'MOTF' lines, the sizing is surprisingly rigid. They have moved away from the vague S/M/L shoe logic of previous years. Now, a CN40 is strictly pegged to a 250mm foot length.

The Win: Predictability. Once you dial in your Shein size, it rarely fluctuates more than 3mm between pairs.

Temu: The Aggregator Chaos

Temu operates differently. Because they pull from thousands of disconnected factories with less centralized inventory control than Shein, a CN40 on one listing might be 250mm, while on another it's 245mm. You cannot rely on the filter alone.

The Fix: You must check the specific size chart per item. Never assume your size carries over from one sneaker to a boot.

AliExpress: The Seller Relationship

AliExpress is old school. You are dealing with individual storefronts. This sounds tedious, but it's actually a superpower. Many top-tier sellers on AliExpress now offer custom measurement services. If you message them your foot width, they will tell you exactly which CN size to order.

The Reality: High effort, high reward. This is where you go for complex footwear like over-the-knee boots where calf circumference matters.

Data reflects Q1 2026 logistics and policy updates.

Let's talk about the specific pain point that floods my inbox: the elusive CN41. In the US market, a woman's 9 or 9.5 is a common size. In the Chinese domestic market, sizing traditionally capped at CN40 (approx 250mm).

As these brands expanded westward, they added CN41, CN42, and CN43. However, many factories simply elongated the last (the mold the shoe is built on) without widening the toe box.

The Result: A CN41 often fits like a very long, narrow US 8.5 rather than a true US 9.5.

If you are shopping for heels, checking the Heel Height Guide is mandatory because as the shoe scales up to CN41/42, the pitch of the arch changes. If the brand hasn't adjusted the shank for the larger size, you'll be walking on your toes with zero balance. Shein has largely fixed this in their premium lines, but Temu's cheaper vendors still struggle here.

We aren't just looking for shoes that fit; we want shoes that don't disintegrate.

Shein has pushed heavily into 'PU Leather' blends that mimic the grain of real leather better than the plastic-y feel of the early 2020s. Their 'Cuccoo' line offers decent breathability for the price point.

Temu is still the king of EVA foam and knitted uppers. For 'slide' style sandals or knit sneakers, they are fantastic. But avoid their faux leather boots—in 2026, they still tend to have that strong chemical odor that takes weeks to off-gas.

AliExpress is the only place where you can reliably find real leather (sheepskin and cowhide) for under $80. If you use our Shoe Size Converter (Intl) to confirm the fit, you can score genuine leather loafers that rival $200 department store pairs.

If you are chasing the look of high-end kicks without the resale price tag, the strategy changes.

• The Drop Market: Shein creates 'inspired by' designs that are legally distinct enough to avoid lawsuits but capture the vibe. They release these in waves. Check our Sneaker Drop List to see when new 'chunky sole' collections hit.

• The Tech: Don't expect Nike Air technology. You are buying the aesthetic, not the performance. For walking around the city? Fine. For running a 5K? Absolutely not.

AliExpress is where you find the '1:1' replicas, but be warned—sizing on replicas is notoriously erratic. A 'CN44' in a replica Jordan-style shoe might fit like a US 10 one month and a US 11 the next.

Fit is theoretical until you try it on. This is where Shein wins the 2026 war hands down. They have established robust domestic return centers in the US and Europe. You can return an ill-fitting CN39 just like you would an Amazon package.

Temu has adopted a 'keep it' policy for low-ticket items (under $15), issuing credit rather than paying for return shipping. This sounds great until you have five pairs of plastic shoes cluttering your closet that don't fit.

AliExpress remains the hardest to return. Shipping a box back to China often costs more than the shoes. Only buy on AliExpress if you are 95% confident in your measurements.