Trying on boots in-store usually means working with a floor model that has a toe-cap, making it hard to know if the fit works for you until you get a pair to take home.
Alternatively, buying boots online is a total toss-up, and you never know what you’ll get. Plus, it takes so much time and energy to return a pair of missized online boots, and there’s no guarantee that you’ll get the right size the second time around.
Finding the right size boots shouldn’t be a complicated chore. It should be simple and to the point, but lately, it can seem like it’s anything but that. use the Boot Size Chart to Find Your best fit
Once you understand how boots are really supposed to fit and what a standard size chart consists of, you’ll be able to gauge boots better for fit, whether online or in stores.
In this article, we’re covering exactly how a good boot should fit and sharing considerations to make when looking for the perfect boot. Then, we’ll break down a basic boot size chart so you can quickly find the right size for you.
How Boots Should Fit
If you put a boot on and it feels good, that’s a positive indication that it might be the right fit, but the initial shoe feel can be misleading. Here’s what to look for when trying to find boots that fit correctly:
- Snug Fit – You want your foot to feel supported and snug in every place, EXCEPT for the heel. Your heel should always slip a bit when trying on a new boot, and that will disappear once you break the shoe in. If it’s snug from the start, it can cause blisters when breaking them in. learn more on How to Break in a New Boots The Best Way
- Wiggle Room for Toes – Everyone’s feet swell in the evening, and sometimes we push our toes forward when we walk as well. Hopefully, there’s some extra room up front to allow for that.
- Wide Alignment – Is the widest part of your foot at the widest part of the boot? This is where the ball of your foot should be, so you have enough range of motion width-wise.
- Room for Socks – Most of the time, you wear thick socks with boots. Make sure you try them on with thick socks on to ensure the fit is right. If you try them on bare-footed or with thin socks, the rest of your evaluations might be off.
Are Your Boots Too Big?
If you are wearing boots that are too big, you’ll be facing some consequences. While it might be true that a boot that is too big is better than a boot that is too small, there are still some unwelcome effects on your health and overall comfort.
When you wear a boot that is too big for your foot, your foot won’t be bending at the point in the shoe where it’s supposed to bend, called the breakpoint.
The sole of your foot won’t be getting the arch support it needs, which can then lead to flat feet, inflammation, or even plantar fasciitis.
It could also lead to corns, which are hardened patches of dead skin that form on the foot from consistent pressure and repetitive rubbing.
Then, they grow deeper and can even attach to soft tissue, making them much harder to remove.
Large boots can also lead to Achilles tendonitis, which can then damage your ankle ligaments. These both are long-term health problems that might require a doctor’s intervention.
Are Your Boots Too Small?
Boots too small are no better. Tight-fitting boots are one of the leading causes of ingrown toenails, which happens when your toenail is pushed inward into your skin. They’re very painful to remove.
On the other hand, a too-tight boot could also do the opposite, lifting your toenails and letting microorganisms like bacteria enter and lead to inflammation.
Another issue you have to worry about if your boots are too small is athlete’s foot, which happens when your feet don’t get enough air circulation.
This issue is hard to cure, so your best bet is to avoid it altogether with shoes that properly fit.
BASIC BOOT SIZE CHART DESCRIPTION
While different brands will usually offer their size chart specific to their shoes, you can get a good idea with a general boot size chart.
To start, you should measure the length of your foot.
FOR MEN’S BOOTS
| LENGTH MEASUREMENT (INCHES) | LENGTH MEASUREMENT (INCHES) |
|---|---|
| 9 ¼” | 6 |
| 9 ½” | 6.5 |
| 9 ⅝” | 7 |
| 9 ¾’’ | 7.5 |
| 9 15/16” | 8 |
| 10 ⅛” | 8.5 |
| 10 ¼” | 9 |
| 10 7/16” | 9.5 |
| 10 9/16” | 10 |
| 10 ¾” | 10.5 |
| 10 15/16” | 11 |
| 11 ⅛”, | 11.5 |
| 11 ¼” | 12 |
| 11 9/16” | 13 |
FOR WOMEN’S BOOTS
| LENGTH MEASUREMENT (INCHES) | LENGTH MEASUREMENT (INCHES) |
|---|---|
| 8 3/16” | 4 |
| 8 ⅜” | 4.5 |
| 8 ½” | 5 |
| 8 ¾” | 5.5 |
| 8 ⅞’’ | 6 |
| 9 1/16” | 6.5 |
| 9 ¼” | 7 |
| 9 ⅜” | 7.5 |
| 9 ½” | 8 |
| 9 11/16” | 8.5 |
| 9 ⅞” | 9 |
| 10” | 9.5 |
| 10 3/16” | 10 |
There are further size charts available for the width of the feet available online or from your specialty retailer as well.
HOW TO FIND BOOTS THAT FIT PERFECTLY
Now that we’ve covered a basic size chart and the risks of wearing a boot that is either too large or too small for your foot, let’s learn more about how we can find boots that fit us the way they should.
WHEN MEASURING
The first step to getting a good fit is measuring correctly. If your measurements are off, you’ll either be wearing shoes that are slightly too large or too small.
It might seem like just a tiny difference, but even 1/16 of an inch can put you in a completely different size.
When measuring your feet, stand on a hard surface wearing the same socks that you plan to wear with your boots. Then, place a ruler next to your foot on the ground.
Align the ruler so that your heel is at the lowest end of the ruler and your toes are higher up. Find the spot where your big toe ends, and read what number is there.
Then, you should use this measurement with our size chart above to find the proper size.
When measuring for width, you want to measure from the widest point of your foot.
Usually, this is at the ball of the foot just below the large toe joints above the pads of your feet.
TIPS
Here are some additional tips that may help you find the right size easier:
- If you’re a woman, simply subtract a size and half from your current style, and you can purchase that size in men’s boots for a good fit. If you wear a ladies’ size 9.5, then you’d wear a men’s size 8. Women Boots Trends
- Are you in between sizes? When in doubt, always size up. You can make up the difference with inserts or socks.
- You may have different measurements from your left foot and right foot. If that’s the case, choose the boot size that is the largest.
- It’s best to measure in the afternoon or evening, as our feet swell throughout the day. This factors in swelling to your size.
- Have doubts still? An in-person shoe store can help you get a more exact measurement.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If there were a one-size-fits-all option for boots, that would sure make things easier.
Unfortunately, there’s not, and it comes down to careful measurement if you want to ensure a proper fit.
Luckily, with a boot size chart and understanding of how to measure, you can find the perfect fit every time.