Are you looking to buy a pair of Timberlands but unsure about the size? Or maybe you’ve owned a couple in the past and are now wondering if the proportions have changed. Today, we’re answering the question: do Timberland boots run big?
Timberland introduced its first waterproof boots in 1973 and has since become a cultural icon. Its wheat-colored boot has had several famous wearers, including Beyoncé and Jay-Z, despite its work-intended origins.
This iconic boot is on many wishlists. Before buying, thorough size research can save you a lot of returning troubles.
Timberland Sizing Charts
Timberland has come a long way from those waterproof work boots. It’s now offering footwear for adults and children in a variety of sizes. Timberland engineers its lines according to American size standards—so you may have to convert to EU or UK.
Fortunately, the Timberland website offers its own size chart conversion guide. You can find listings of regular adult sizes here, children’s charts here, as well as Timberland PRO Footwear here and custom sizes here.
In each chart, you’ll get an overview of the dimensions available in corresponding US, EU and UK sizes. There’s also a comparable inch and centimeter guide, so you know which size fits you.
How to Size Your Feet for Timberlands
Timberlands are the essence of comfort and style, but only if they fit right. Below we’ve included some directions for you to follow to find your perfect fit. We’ll be measuring from heel-to-toe and we recommend that you wear a pair of socks that you’d normally wear.
Here’s what you need:
- Your favorite pair of socks.
- A wall.
- Hard floor.
- A piece of paper (preferably one that’s larger than your foot, otherwise, tape two together).
- Scotch tape.
- Ruler.
- Pencil
This is what you’ll need to do:
- Using the Scotch tape, attach the paper to the floor directly in front of a wall. This prevents it from moving around while you’re measuring.
- Put on your sock and place your foot on the paper. Your back and heel should be against the wall.
- Grab the pencil and mark where the longest part of your foot touches the paper.
- Remove your foot and use the ruler to measure from that mark to the heel end. Jot down the length.
- Repeat with the other foot.
Pro Tips
- If you intend to wear a variety of socks differing in thickness, choose the thickest pair for measuring your foot. Doing this ensures the shoe fits even while you’re wearing your winter socks.
- Enlist the help of a friend or partner to make a full outline of your feet. Precision is key when sizing shoes, so the more measurements, the better.
- Leave the measuring until the late afternoon or when your day is over. Your feet are likely to be more swollen in the afternoon than in the morning.
- Measure the width, too. Some people have wide feet while others have narrow—for the best fit, don’t neglect the width.
Do Timberlands Run Big, Small or True to Size?
When carrying out our research, we found mixed reports. Some wearers noted that their boot was true to size without being too snug or loose. Others, however, said that they had to buy one size down and vice versa.
How Do Timberlands Fit?
We will say that Timberland offers a lot of shoes in various styles, and not all are uniform. Some will be wider or narrower than others. Here are four examples to give you a general idea:
- The Courmayeur Valley 6” Boot for women is an excellent example of a Timberland shoe true to size. According to buyers, 85 percent claimed that it fitted as expected.
- Earthkeepers Glancy 6” Boot for women, however, seems to be more tight-fitting, especially around the arch and toe. You can combat this by buying a wider size.
- The White Ledge Men’s Ankle Boot is true to size. Although, most customers say that they bought one size up to fit a thicker sock or insole.
- An example of a snug Timberland shoe is the Men’s Groveton LTT Chukka Sneaker. Many recommend buying a wide-fit or going one size up.
General Tips
To ensure you get the right fit for you, we’ve included some general tips that apply to all Timberland shoes:
- Avoid assuming your size. Even if you wear a size 11 shoe, measure both feet again before buying your Timberlands. Consider that certain factors, like pregnancy or high blood pressure, can cause swollen feet, meaning you’ll need a bigger size.
- If you’re using a medical device such as orthotics, include that into the equation while you’re measuring. Some may add an inch or two, making the shoe too tight.
- Recognize the signs of a poorly fitting shoe. Don’t always assume that snug shoes will loosen over time—this depends on materials and some can leave you in unnecessary pain. The same applies if it’s too loose and slides around while you’re walking—this can lead to blisters.
For more information on how boots should fit, we suggest you read our in-depth guide, which you can find here. The article covers both lace-up, pull-on boots, among others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Timberland Women’s Boots Fit True to Size?
Although Timberland has a big focus on men’s shoes, the options for women are growing. Its boots are perfect for pairing with jeans and a t-shirt for a casual-chic look.
For women’s boots, Timberland offers a range of sizes, running from a size 5 to 11 US Some of its boots are available in a “wide” option, for example, a size 7 wide, which is broader than a regular 7.
Upon our research, it seems that Timberland heels are significantly narrower than its boots. If heels are what you’re after, and shoes usually feel snug, consider a Timberland with a wide size option.
Just as with men’s shoes, we suggest that you measure your feet before buying. Even if you already own an old pair, don’t assume the size is the same. Some shoes stretch or loosen with time.
What Size Timberlands Should I Get?
We suggest following the tips above regarding measuring your feet as well as our general advice.
Size also depends on the shoe or boot you’re interested in. As we mentioned earlier, some Timberlands tend to be wider and others are more snug.
One example is the PRO Series. These run bigger, so it’s recommended that you buy half a size smaller than your usual sneaker size. For its casual lines, such as sneakers and heels, the shoes seem to run narrower.
Are Timberlands Supposed to Sit Loose?
Wearing loosely tied Timberlands has been a fashion statement probably since the 90s. The popularity of the laid back street style of wearing baggy clothing with the oversized Timbs is slowly starting to come back.
One thing we need to clear up is that you should never buy oversized shoes, not even Timberlands. Dragging your poorly sized boots on the pavement isn’t a good look, and as we’ve seen, it can lead to blisters. The better solution is to tie the shoelaces differently, giving them a loose appearance.
For a Timberland shoelace tutorial, you can watch this video.
Do Timberland Boots Need to Be Broken In?
Timberland’s lines of synthetic and leather boots, plus hiking shoes, can be stiff and do require a break-in period. One example is the PRO Pit Boss boots, which we explain further in our in-depth article here.
If you’re going to use them for a long walk, make sure you wear them a lot before your trip.
Pro Tips
Breaking in Timberlands isn’t much different than with other shoes and boots. Although, keep in mind that the way you break-in your shoes, determine how well they’ll perform throughout their lifespan. Here are some pro tips you can follow:
- Wear your Timberlands around the house and treat them as you’d do while working or hiking. Even while doing regular tasks, this helps to loosen them up. As they begin to feel more comfortable, wear them for longer periods.
- When you’re walking around, pair them with the socks you’re going to use while away. Also, try to tie them as you would while hiking.
- Go for walks around the neighborhood with your boots on to speed up the process.
- Once they feel better, wear them when running errands or go for a longer walk. Not only will this soften the shoes, but you’ll be conditioning your feet to wear them for longer.
- Bend the soles back and forth with your hands repeatedly to further the process. But be gentle, there’s no need for rough handling.
- Performing a round of squats while wearing the boots can also soften the sole.
- Per Timberland’s recommendations, you may be able to apply a leather conditioner. This will soften the material, eliminating some pressure on your toes. Consult the care instructions for your particular model.
Conclusion
So, do Timberlands run big? Yes and no. Its boots and PRO Series are on the bigger side, but casual wear, like sneakers and heels, don’t.
Timberlands have been a statement piece for many years, worn by several famous faces. Naturally, it’s favored among many. But before you buy your Timbs, always measure both your feet and recognize the signs of a poorly fitted shoe.
If you’re looking for boots, try half a size smaller than what you’d wear in sneakers. And don’t forget to break them in before wearing them on a trip or a long workday.
We hope you found our guide to Timberland sizes helpful. If you have any questions or experiences to share, we’d be happy to see them in the section below.
