Cowboy Boot Size Chart Your Best Fit Guide

Most people can tell you their shoe size right off the top of their head with no hesitation. Cowboy boots, however, fit differently than your regular adjustable shoes. Also, unlike typical sneakers, there are no laces to adjust the sizing.

So, when you are buying a new pair of boots, you do not want to guess your sizing based on your sneakers. Instead, you want to measure your feet correctly.

Even if you have previously bought several pairs of cowboy boots, it is highly recommended that you remeasure your feet every year. Though your feet may have stopped growing lengthwise, there are environmental factors that can affect your foot’s length and width.

Accurately Measuring Your Foot Size

An improperly sized boot can wreak havoc on your poor feet. So if you don’t want to walk around in blister-covered misery, you want to be sure that you are buying the right size boots. To do this, you need to have your feet properly measured.

With cowboy boots (best brands on pages 22–23), this means measuring both the length and the width of your feet. Since there is no give in the leather, the width designation of your feet matters just as much as the boot size.

Measuring Your Foot Size In-Store

You always have the option of going to the store and having your feet measured by one of the sales associates. This is, of course, the easiest way to do things.

The sales associate will use a Brannock Device to measure the length and width of your foot. This device is the standard measuring tool in the footwear industry. You have most likely encountered one on your many trips to the shoe store.

The Brannock Device can accurately measure your foot with ease. The sales associate will know how to convert the measurements to the proper sizing in their brand.

Things To Consider When Measuring At Home

There are some things you will want to consider when measuring for shoe size and width at home. While some of these may also apply when shopping in-store, you will likely have a sales associate to help you each step of the way.

• It is always better to have someone else do the tracing for you when measuring your foot size and width at home. It can give you more accurate markings and so more accurate measurements.
• If you don’t have someone else to make the marks for you, don’t worry. You can still accurately measure your foot on your own.
• Your feet have a tendency to swell during the day. This is especially true if you work on your feet. While it may seem more logical to measure when your feet are at their “normal” size, this is actually not the best idea.
• You want to account for the swelling in your feet. If you don’t, then you will struggle to comfortably fit your boots when swelling occurs. Feet tend to be at their biggest in the afternoon, so this is your best time to measure (or get measured in-store).
• You should always wear socks when measuring for cowboy boots. If you don’t include the extra padding the socks give to your natural foot measurements, then your boots will be entirely too snug with socks on.
• Unfortunately, not every boot will be available in every width. Brands carry their own selection of sizes and widths. If you do not see your width designation available, there are options.
• If your feet are more narrow, then you will want to buy the boot in your regular size with a medium width. You can add an insole to adjust for the discrepancy. It is not recommended that you go down a half size or so.
• If you have wider feet, then you will want to order the boots a half size larger than your regular size at the next widest option available.

Choosing a Cowboy Boot Toe Shape

There are a few different toe shapes available for cowboy boots, but the standard ones are squared, rounded, pointed, and broad squared. There are some subcategories for these as well. For instance, a snip toe is a type of pointed toe boot.

While the toe shape of your cowboy boots will not affect the boot size or width designation, it can affect the wearer’s comfort. You should understand the different toe shapes and how they affect the fit before making any decisions.

• Squared Toe. The square toe cowboy boots are more modern but are still considered a traditional look. These offer a little more room and can be more comfortable for those with wider feet.
• Rounded Toe. The round toe cowboy boots have a shape similar to more traditional shoes. They provide a more comfortable fit and are often recommended for everyday use or for use as working boots.
• Pointed Toe. Cowboy boots with a sharp (needle toe) or rounded (snip toe) toe shape are the more traditional style of cowboy boots. Boot makers account for this narrowing and add additional room at the toe to accommodate. The fit may be a bit more snug, but it won’t feel like your feet are being crushed together.
• Broad Square Toe (or Wide Square Toe). Similar to the squared toe, the broad square toe shape provides additional room. These provide more comfort for wider feet.

Trying On Your New Cowboy Boots

Now that you have properly measured your feet and determined the correct boot size and width designation, you can start trying boots on in-store or purchasing them online. You need to consider a few things once you’ve reached this stage.

• The instep should fit snugly. The leather cowboy boots are manufactured with will soften and loosen up over time. So, you want the initial fit to be a bit snug to accommodate this movement later.
• When you first put your new cowboy boots on, there should be an audible pop as your foot snaps into place.
• There should be heel slippage. For the right fit, you will want your cowboy boots to fit snugly everywhere except the heel. There should be heel slippage in a properly fitting boot. As the leather wears and softens, it will mold to your foot better.