Common Projects’ Chelsea boots are stylish, sensible and durable. They make casual clothes into sophisticated ones.
With these excellent features comes a hefty price tag, but the price tag is worth it for the quality and versatility—they work for both day and nightlife.
But, at such a price, you don’t want to waste time sending them back and forth—or worse, having them altered.
Ensure you have the perfect fit before you hit that buy button or walk out of the store with your new Common Projects.
Common Projects’ Chelsea boots sizing is usually a size large. For this, we recommend you go down a size down when buying a pair. You don’t want to risk getting or stretching an ill-fitting shoe at this price and excellent quality.
Do Common Projects Fit True to Size?
Common Projects’ Chelsea boots are no exception from the rule of changeability. Many customers have stated they need to size down when purchasing Common Projects footwear. However, if you currently wear a half size, you can go down by half. Common Projects doesn’t have half sizes.
All shoes are different. When making a brand or model, the manufacturers use different molds of feet to size their footwear. Because of this changeability, you never know if the shoes or boots you buy will fit adequately.
One customer stated they wear a 43.5–44 (EU sizing) but a 43 in Common Projects’ footwear. This translates to 9.5–10, with 9 (US) being a perfect fit for Common Projects’ Chelsea boots.
Do Chelsea Boots Run Big or Small?
Like most Common Projects footwear, Chelsea boot Common Projects run a size large. Go down by a size or half size when you’re trying them on, and work from there.
But be aware that peoples’ feet differ, just like Common Projects sizing. If you have wider feet, your usual shoe size may fit. If you have very narrow feet, you may need to size down twice.
Sizing is difficult to get right, so make sure you wear the boot around the store before purchasing in person. When buying shoes online, ensure it’s from a store that accepts returns.
To protect yourself further, make sure the store accepts returns or enhances, too. You may not have had adequate time to get a feel for the size in the store. Or, perhaps you changed your socks, and the boots no longer fit.
Are Chelsea Boots Common Projects Worth It?
Chelsea boots Common Project shoes are pricey. They’re more expensive than competitors—Blundstone has several pairs for under $200. But, keep in mind, the price often reflects the quality.
Let’s put Common Projects against a competitor.
Blundstone
Blundstone Chelsea boots are fashionable; there’s no doubt about it. They’re also built for all weathers, including the summer.
Yet, many Blundstone Chelsea boots look quite clunky, with their thick, durable soles. Their often-bulbous toe boxes don’t help with this, either.
As a result, these chic boots are often best left for the winter or casual and party occasions.
Common Projects
If you look at Common Project Chelsea boots, they have something more sophisticated about them.
Flexibility
The Chelsea boots Common Projects are versatile options for parties, formal events and everyday wear. They add sophistication to every outfit but aren’t too snobbish to wear shopping or to the dentist.
Durability
While the price may indicate that you should keep them for events and parties only, their durability begs to differ.
The uppers are leather or suede—and only the best of these materials. Expect full-grain leather from the Chelsea boot Common Projects edition.
And, despite being thin and supple, the soles are durable. Again, at their price point, so they should be.
The soles are crepe, which isn’t often repairable or replaceable. Because of this, how long they last is all down to how much you wear them.
Your boots should last years if you wear them mainly indoors. The soles will eventually wear out, but more so on rough terrain. But, chances are you won’t be doing an hour-long walking commute on the road in them every day.
Also, keep in mind that thicker crepe soles will last longer than thinner ones. Despite being thinner than most Blundstone Chelsea boots, Common Projects’ boots feature soles thick enough to withstand a lot of wear, but not thick enough to resemble winter boots.
Comfort
The crepe sole also provides ample cushioning in the Common Projects Chelsea boots.
Crepe soles are light, flexible rubbery latex. This ensures that the boots move with your gait, never restricting your movement.
Supple leather or suede uppers help with flexibility, too. These are far from supportive garments and work well if you want to feel like you’re barefoot but with added comfort and support.
As well as this, all the materials Common Projects uses (soles included) are light and gently cushioned. So, even on hard ground, your feet should be ache-free.
Sizing
Their comfort level also impacts their sizing.
While it’s true that all shoes should be correctly sized, ill-fitting sneakers will be more painful than ill-fitting Common Projects Chelsea boots.
Sneakers are tools for stability, with flexible soles but sturdy sides. This leaves you with no wiggle room with wide feet or large toes.
In contrast, suede and full-grain leather used in boots have more give. So, if the Common Projects boots fit perfectly lengthways but you have wide feet, they may feel tight, but not painful.
If they are painful, you need to size up. If they become too large, you can browse our guide on how to wear shoes that are too big.
Common Projects Sizing Chart
Check out this Common Projects sizing chart to get the right conversion or fit for you.
Common Projects is an Italian brand. Therefore, the shoes come in European sizes.
| Common Projects’ Stated Size | US Size | UK Size | Size You Should Choose |
| 39 | 6.5–7 | 3.5–4 | 38 |
| 40 | 7.5–8 | 4.5–5 | 39 |
| 41 | 8.5–9 | 5.5–6 | 40 |
| 42 | 9.5–10 | 6.5–7 | 41 |
| 43 | 10.5–11 | 7.5–8 | 42 |
| 44 | 11.5–12 | 8.5–9 | 43 |
| 45 | 12.5–13 | 9.5–10 | 44 |
Ensuring a Perfect Fit
Although you may have the right size and boots feel fine, you can do more to make sure your Common Projects Chelsea boots fit better than a glove:
Room in Front of the Toes
A shoe doesn’t necessarily fit if you can wiggle your toes, and they sit neatly in the toe box, touching the tip of the shoe.
You need some room in front of your toes in case your feet need to shift around. For this, aim for an inch to half an inch of room in the toe box.
Here’s a rule of thumb: if you press your thumb down on the shoe’s tip, you shouldn’t hit your toes.
Finger in the Heel
You don’t want so much room that the Common Projects boots flap and tap you when you walk. But, you need space around the collar for your natural foot and ankle movements.
Slide your finger in by the back of your heel. If you can do this without issue, then the shoes should fit adequately.
No Chafing
It’s safe to assume everyone has experienced blisters caused by a pair of ill-fitting shoes. A lot of people will assume it’s the shoes, not the size.
Don’t let that be the case with your Common Projects Chelsea boots. Common Projects puts too much effort into shoes for you to blame the brand.
Instead, chaffing is a sign that your shoes don’t fit correctly.
Maybe you could get your index finger in and slide it all around the collar without a problem. That’s great. But there may be something else at play, meaning you need a little extra room around the collar in these shoes.
Consider sizing up if the shoes are causing any blisters, whether they’re on the toe, ankle, heel or anywhere less common.
Allow for Swelling
Socks
The above rules dictate a well-fitting shoe, but take into account that you won’t always wear the same socks.
It’s no secret that these Common Projects boots don’t feature much insulation. In winter, you’ll want to break out your thick, cozy socks.
But, if your socks make the boots too small, it’s a problem. So, when you’re trying on the shoes, try them on with both your thickest and thinnest socks.
Shoes that fit with thick socks but become too loose with thin socks aren’t ideal, either. You want a happy medium.
Natural Swelling
If you find that your feet swell after a long day of walking around, you’re not alone. But, because your feet swell throughout the day, try your shoes on in the evening.
Sizing yourself up for the Common Projects boots when your feet are at their largest is intelligent practice. It ensures you won’t become increasingly desperate to remove what should be comfortable footwear as the day goes on.
Allowing for swelling is also smart in case of injury or pregnancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Wear With Chelsea Boots?
With sleek Chelsea boots, you can wear anything with them. Consider fashionable garments that exude a mix of smart, classy and casual. For classy, try a shirt tucked into dress pants, perhaps with a waistcoat. For casual, a roll-neck sweater over jeans, paired with a blazer.
What Are Chelsea Boots Used For?
Chelsea boots have a rich history. They’re unisex footwear that people used for walking, although some say their purpose was horse riding. Today, they’re mainly used for versatility.
Do You Tuck Jeans Into Chelsea Boots?
Although it’s up to you, never tuck your jeans or dress pants into your Common Projects Chelsea boots for the best look. However, don’t wear something so long that they shield the boots from view. Aim for pants that end just as the boot begins, or perhaps an inch or two longer if you’re squatting and your pants rise.
Why Are Chelsea Boots So Popular?
Chelsea boots are so popular for their versatility. They can take you to an office, a bar crawl or that dinner party you forgot about. That’s a fantastic achievement for a single pair of boots. The clean elegance of their design makes them footwear for any occasion.
If the Boot Fits
Common Projects footwear, including Chelsea boots, run large, so go a size down when you’re buying them.
These fantastic boots will last you for many events over a few years, so make sure they fit well.
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