A local shop had 30% off all Vans plus 10% off everything, so 40% off some new Vans Skate Sk8 Low were too good to pass up. * Yes that is such a mouthful to say, Skate Sk8 Low shoes, but I had been eyeing them off for a while now.
Anyway, shoes arrived today, just put them on to stand in them for a minute and just didn't take them off, so more than half a day later, after wearing them and even having a bit of a skate in them, I can say they are amazing and definitely a great upgrade from the older Vans Pro range that I have had, these ones being so supportive right from go, no issues with blisters or feeling uncomfortable and I didn't change out a single thing with the insole or anything, which is very surprising for me.
A couple of things to note, I go between 11 (too tight) and 12 (too loose) in the fit, but I think the older I get the more the 12 fits better than the 11. In Australia, there are no half sizes but I have bought lots of 11.5 over the years from US shops, which are a good in between size for me.
These Sk8 low shoes are 12 and don't feel overly big at all, with a good amount of toe room, not tight or uncomfortable in any area at all, no heel rub, no pinky toe squish and no issue with my usually painful big toe nails if the shoe is too tight in length or height, so I was pretty happy.
Given the old Vans Pro range were fairly snug but so very soft overall, I just fit ok in 11 only after stretching, but then the 12 were so big and floppy on me right from go and only got worse as they aged, I was more keen on the tighter shoes, but the new Skate range are way more snug and a tougher shoe than the Pro, so maybe try a half size up from your usual size in the Vans Skate range and the shoes might fit a whole lot better on you than what you might have bought.