Before buying a pair of boots (2024)

FAQs

Before buying a pair of boots? ›

Generally speaking, there should be about one finger's width of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. Another way to check this is to slip a finger between the heel of your foot and the heel of your shoe. There should be just enough space for your finger to fit nice and snugly.

Generally speaking, there should be about one finger's width of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. Another way to check this is to slip a finger between the heel of your foot and the heel of your shoe. There should be just enough space for your finger to fit nice and snugly.

If your feet are a narrow width (and no narrow sizes are available to purchase), you may need to order a 1/2 size smaller than your normal size. If your feet are a wide width (and no wide sizes are available to purchase), try ordering a 1/2 size larger than your normal size. Your feet may be two different sizes.

HOW ARE BOOTS SUPPOSED TO FIT? Boots should not be too loose or too tight on your foot. The best fit should be snug (but not tight) around the whole of your foot, with enough room to move your toes and a maximum of a quarter to a half-inch of slippage at the heel.

Sizing Your New Boots

New work boots should fit snugly, but not too tight, especially around the ball of your foot. Leather boots do stretch out a bit when you break them in, but the fibers will only lengthen so much.

Summary. As with most things, when you're buying football boots, you get what you pay for. Premium models will naturally offer supreme materials, manufacturing processes and performance, but that certainly doesn't mean you can't compete on a tighter budget.

Foot Health: Wearing the same shoes daily can lead to the accumulation of moisture and sweat inside the shoes, creating a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. Alternating shoes allows them to dry out and reduces the risk of foot-related problems.

Length: The length of your foot determines your boot size. However, don't assume your boot size is the same as your normal shoe size; it can vary between different boot brands and boot types. Width: Width is often overlooked but is equally important for comfort.

How to tell if boots fit right? ›

Your toes should also feel secure in the toe box, but still have about an inch of wiggle room. The sides of the boots should fit snugly, not too loose or too tight. Your feet shouldn't feel any pressure or constriction from the leather.

Always measure both feet because the left and right are occasionally different sizes. Additionally, shop for shoes in the late afternoon or evening as feet swell a little after a full day of activity. To guarantee that the boots are comfortable even with socks on, use socks while trying a pair on.

The width across the ball of your foot should be comfortably snug, but not tight. The width will stretch slightly over time. There may also be some space in the toe of the boot. There may be some heel slip in a new boot, especially with a stitched construction.

Checking the toe room

The rule of thumb is about a thumb width between the end of the toe and the end of the boot. Check the little toe carefully. It has a key role to play in balance and walking and needs room for mobility.

As a rule of thumb (or toe), you should have about 3/8″ to 1/2″ of room from the tip of your longest toe to the end of the shoe. Your big toe is not automatically your longest toe. Pick the shoes that match your foot shape.

If you don't remember the size, look inside the shaft of the boots or on the inside bottom. If this is your first pair of workboots, normally start with 1/2 a size down from your normal shoe size. If you are between sizes, order 1/2 size up.

New boots should fit quite snugly, keeping in mind that boots “pack out” a bit as they break-in; width and volume will change slightly during, but length does not. Find the appropriate length and then try to get the snuggest fit that is comfortable. If a boot squeezes at the ball of your foot, it is too tight.