How To Measure Foot Size For Boots (Step By Step)

The Expert’s Guide For Measuring Foot Size For Boots

If your work boots are not fit to the feet correctly, it will inevitably affect your productivity and more importantly, it will cost you comfort and health. You can wear in different sizes to find a perfect fit for yourself but that’s not practical, in case, you want to shop online.

Some boots are exclusive to the online buyers. Moreover, it’s always cheaper at online outlets. The standard sizes might not fit you, in the case; you are a big guy or a person with overweight or you have some personal preferences. Different brands mean different rules that lead to differences in sizes. But that is not to say that it’s a blind game or daunting to find your foot-match. This article explains each and everything for how to measure your foot size for buying leather boots.

You don’t need to be a professional but the guide is created for the layman people.

Although I am focused around work-boots but you can use the same strategies before buying a ski, danner or a cowboy pair.

Let’s jump into it.

Why Should You Measure Your Foot Size before Buying the Boots?

Your question is legitimate, as there are already some standard-charts that manufacturers follow while sizing their product range then why should you be worried about measuring your foot?

In the real senses, a boot size can be represented with your foot size but your foot size cannot be represented with a standard boot size.

Reason being, every manufacturer has set a “Tolerance Limit” for the size approval. There is no standard “Tolerance Limit” in the footwear industry. That differentiates the inter-brand sizes.

Also, different brands use different “Lasts”( A wooden frame for sizing) that causes minute or noticeable differences in sizes.

•  There are about 26 bones, 19 muscles, 33 joints and 107 ligaments in a human foot. Their development differs person to person. That’s why; two people do not meet the same standards, regarding foot sizes.

• There are anatomical differences between men and women, so the same level measurement chart doesn’t work for the both genders.

• The right foot is always larger in length than the left foot. The difference is also there regarding width. So it’s must to pick the size according to the larger foot.

• As the day advances, the foot swells up and gets bigger and larger. It’s always wise to measure your size at noon or at a later time during the day but before the night as the foot starts shrinking again by then.

But that’s not all. There are many anatomical and geographical aspects that make it impossible that a standard measuring chart is suitable for everyone.

If you fail to get a good fit for your feet, you might end up with:

· Blisters and Wounds, if the footwear is too tight. Also, the foot sores.

· Ankle Sprain or Pain in the Foot-Arch, if the size is too loose.

· Too tight or too loose, both will lead to difficulty in walking.

· If you regularly wear, a bad fit will sooner or later deform your foot shape.

· A bad fit means you will get it damaged earlier than it’s expected life that ends up changing the pair too often.

Isn’t that’s scary enough?

Here’s How To Measure It Step By Step

You just can’t rely on any generic sizes and have to choose a boot made for your foot. It’s even more important when you are purchasing the pair online. Although, most brands do not offer custom made boots but, still, they offer good support and finding your size and a perfect pair is not a daunting task. Let me show you the step-by-step process.

Step 1: Take A Base Measure

It is the easiest step. Although the boots, manufactured by different brands, differs in sizes they have one standard in common, and that is US Sizing Chart. They provide the buyers with a short description that how much the difference is against the US Sizing Chart measurements.

You can choose a local shoe house, a road-side cobbler or print this chart on paper to find your size on US Sizing Standards. Use this number as a baseline for finding the right fit out of your favourite maker. Just tell the maker your measured size and he will suggest you if you need a bigger or smaller piece.

Step 2: Use Your Current Pair

In today’s competitive scenario, brands are providing their fans with great customer experience. You can send your current boots to them so as they measure the inner cavity and suggest you the right size. Don’t worry; a legit manufacturer will ship your old pair back once it’s measured.

It needs some experience finding the size with the old pair yourself. Either go to a local shoe store or find a roadside cobbler. They are well-versed figuring it out. But make sure that it is your current pair that you wear every day. It should not be an old, used and stored footwear, or it won’t help. Our foot changes it’s size as we grow older so we can’t rely on an old pair. The difference could be as large as by 1 inch.

Step 3: Draw A Foot Outline

If an old pair is not helping you much or you want the accurate measurement or it’s not applicable in your case, you need to draw your foot on paper. You will require a blank paper that is large enough to trace the foot, a pen or a pencil or a bold marker and a ruler or tape for measuring. Do not draw some abstract line but follow the right process such as:

· First of all, we have to gauge the length of both feet. For getting the correct figures, do follow the given process:

◦ Take a seat on the chair or table.

◦ Take the blank paper and place it on the hard floor.

◦ Rest your right barefoot on the paper.

◦ Take a pen or pencil and make a dark mark at the end of the heel. Make sure the pencil is perfectly vertical while doing so.

◦ Now place a mark at the tip of the toe.

◦ Get the figures between the two marks using a ruler or measuring tape.

◦ Now turn the side of the paper and repeat the same procedure with the left foot. You can also put a new paper instead of using the same.

· Now it comes down to measuring the actual width of the feet. Although, if you found a correct length you need not worry much about the width as it’s pretty much standard. But if you are over-weight, a standard pair won’t fit the width. Find it the same way, just place your feet, one by one, on the paper and mark with a pencil. Remember, mark around the widest part of the ball of your feet. That is just behind the toe joint.

Tip

As a general rule of thumb, the boot size should be larger to 10mm-15mm than your foot size so as the toes could wiggle. But that’s not the case when you measure with a pencil as the radius of the pen serves the purpose.

Measuring Advanced Numbers

In some rare cases such as you have some abnormality or you are overweight, some additional measurements are required for measuring the instep height, girth, foot proportions and arch height. Let me guide you through that.

· Girth:The Circumference of the Foot. For some big guys, measuring the girth is the must. It is a simple task. Just take a measuring tape, round it around the foot, unwrap the tape and note down the length. Measure and note the girth size behind the little toe and over the joint of the big toe.

· Arch Height:The Section Between the ball and the heel of the foot. The arch height shows the concave bottom area between the ball and heel of the foot. For measuring it:

◦ Step on the sand at a beach or home. You can also place your foot on a concrete floor with the wet foot or around a swimming pool.

◦ A narrow foot will indicate a high arch between the ball and heel of the foot. A flat or low arch foot will create a stable area from ball to the heel. A regular arc has a concave side foot connecting the ball and the heel. It looks like a classic footprint look.

· Instep Height:The Upward Sloping of the Foot Top. The instep height refers to the top of the foot sloping upward from the toes to ankle. One can have ankle-deep instep, thin foot or steep instep or a thick foot. Thus, instep can impact on the fitting.For measuring the slope, the best way is to click a shot of your foot and measure the silhouette.

· Toe differences: Some people do have larger toes than the typical length. A larger toe takes an extra space, and the ball doesn’t fall at the right spot. It affects the alignment of the foot with the pair. You might have to reject a good fit boot just because you have a larger toe. Although it’s rare yet measure your toes individually to be on the safer side.

Now you can see how many factors affect the fitting of a boot. In general, the footwear manufacturer follows the best practices so as to cater to the feet of the majority. These are some special cases when you need to measure your feet intensively and order a custom pair. If that’s the case, I recommend seeing a professional to meet your needs.

Don’t Make These Mistakes While Measuring Your Boot Size

· Don’t Measure Without Your Socks: If you wear the boots with some socks, make sure you are wearing the same at the time of measurement. Failure in doing so might end up with the situation to replace the pair. In general, work socks are thick enough to create a difference for the fitting.

· Measure the Right Foot At Right Time: I reiterate, our right foot is always larger in length and so in the width. In the same way, feet are bigger and wider during the noon or in the evening than morning. So choose a pair according to the larger foot and measure them at the noon or in the evening.

· Take A Pencil Or A Ball-Pen: The pencils and pens are OK in radius, but the bold marker is a lot thicker. Preferably avoid using a bold marker. In case, you have to use it, deduct 0.20 or 0.25 inches or 0.50 centimetres from the numbers measure.

Tip

Even if you get a perfect size for your feet, still, a new pair of boots might feel a bit uncomfortable. Don’t mistake that you have got a wrong size as a new pair takes a little to adjust according to your size. You foot takes a few days to break in the leather boots. That’s normal buddy, dont fret.

Final Advice

Congrats! For now, you know more than an average person regarding how to measure the boot size. Most of the reputed brands provide excellent customer support service. Do your rough work and send it over to them. Book a call with their representative and he will help you choosing your perfect size. It is the best way to find a perfect match for your feet.

Having a perfect pair of boots is necessary as it directly relates to the comfort and health. A good fit also increases your productivity and performance at the workplace. Besides, if the boot size is chosen on hypothesises basis, it will only lead to dissatisfaction and loss of money. You should be extra careful, in case, you are trying a new brand. So choose wisely and stop guessing. Hope, that helped.

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