How can I tell if my boots fit right?

“Newbie question. Maybe I wasn't smart in the way I did this, but I saw some sundowners on sale a couple weeks ago at a small store at the MoA (Mall of America for you non Twin Citiers). I didn't exactly know what to feel for in a good fit, so the sales person simply measured my foot size, and brought out the corresponding pair. I am not totally sure I have the right fit. Suggestions? Little tricks to tell? Thanks - I'm hopeless. =8-|”

“sheesh, it's so hard to tell because some boots take a long time to break in and by then, of course, it is too late to return 'em, but I digress...

All I can say is, the fact that you entrusted some mall-chick(the MALL!?!) salesperson's advice on HIKING boots...well...WHAT, ARE YOU NUTS?!?

hope this helps. :o)”

“For winter hiking 50lbs or more, Two fingers in the rear of the boot with 1/3 of the lace snugged. This is for the mountains. The ball of your foot should corespond to the ball in the boot. My boot seem big to me but, they work in the backcountry. 2000 miles and one blister, the first time out. Yosemite. Sundowners.”

“Try putting them on with full socks. Are they tight? loose? They should be slightly snug but not tight. Loosen the laces a bunch and force your foot foreward until your toes touch the front. How much distance is there between the back of the boot and your heel? Should be a tight two fingers width. Try rocking your ankle back and forth. IS there enough support for you? Fill up your pack and just stand in them with the weight added. Walk a little around the house. Even though they aren't broken in you should be able to get a fell for how they will fit you.”

“It is better to have them just a tad too big to start with because you feet will begin to swell after a few hours of hiking. You don't want your feet to feel too constricted. Inhibiting blood flow can lead to other problems. Tight spots may become hot spots.

I normally buy boots a half size larger or more then my shoeware and foot size. Try on several pairs of the same make and size and then try a half size larger if you have problems deciding. If you have fat(wide) feet you may be force to get the longer size because not every manufactures makes DD's or EEE's

Why I also like them a little bigger is so I can put comfy'er insoles in them. Nothing will make those boots feel grander than a cushy insole. After market Insoles will chew up space so take that into consideration if you like cushy insoles. Make sure your toes have plenty of wiggle room more than thumbs width between the tip of your big toe and the front of the toe box.

Hopefully you tried them on with the socks/liners you normally wear when hiking or aleast something similiar. Never buy a boot without have a thicker pair of socks on.

Sundowners from my experience require very little break in time.

Suggest learning how to tie the boot properly in order to get the proper fit so the foot moves as little as possible when walking the hills.

Return them if you are unhappy!!!! Just make sure they show no signs of wear on the sole.”

“oldie, your salesperson is a nincompoop. You should definitely try on the boots with the socks you will hike in.

Then there is a rule of thumb about how big your boot should be. Unfortunately, I don't remember. I think it should be one size larger. Does anyone out there know?

You should NEVER buy boots that are your regular size. I did that once when I was a newbie. I wore the boots twice. Try on many boots to feel which one suits your feet best. Try to buy lightweight boots. Find out the statistics on them & compare.”

“When trying on boots...try to mimic hiking situations like going upslope (does your heal lift up from the back of the insole?...it shouldn't!), downslope (does your foot slide toward the front of the boot?...it shouldn't!), contouring a slope (does your foot slide sideways within the boot?...it shouldn't!).

I've seen some "rock-like stepping-on things" in some outfitter shops that mimic slopes, and are used for testing the fit of boots. Also, you really have to try on lots of boots before you can "get the feel" and notice subtle differences between them in order to get a good fit....you'll know it when you try on the one boot that fits the best.”

“Better to go big?? (well, bigger is ALWAYS better)

I got Asolos on sale for $20 at Sierra Trading Post outlet store in Cheynne a few years back (otherwise $160 boots). Ends up they were on the big side. No problemo. I wear two pairs of socks. And lace'm up real snug.

Also, as mentioned above, finally I got a SuperFeet insole for them and it took up a bunch of space.

I love my boots. They're great! When hiking I notice how it is snuggly laced in the upper portion to the top of the foot and how that keeps my foot where it's supposed to be. My toes do NOT migrate to the front of boot hiking downhill.

Guess I happily lucked out!!”

“Like the man said: "If the boot don't fit, you must acquit".”

“Generally start one size larger than your street size, but with these new padded boots you may even end up larger than that.
N.C.R.R.”

“Showin' my newbie skin. They feel right with my liners and socks, but it sounds like that may be too small. I'll try to return them tomorrow. If that doesn't work, does any want to buy a not-broken-in pair of size 11.5 Sundowners?”

“kick the toe of the boot into something, if your toes hit the boot, there too small and on down hills your toes will bunch up and you will have blisters up the waszzzoo.”

“i see that NCRR laid off the hooch, today.

thank you.”

“You can tell if the fit is proper if you dont cry from wearing them.”

“About the only thing I can add to all the excellent advice is that a good outdooors store normally has a ramp. It's not that high or long, but allows you to simulate downhill walking, which is the test of any serious boot. You didn't mention if you climb. If so, your boots ought to be somewhat tighter than pure hiking boots - it's a trade-off thing and difficult to judge, particularly for winter or alping conditions. Happy trails.”

“Contrary to what Tea says, you will only have blisters on your feet and toes, which is probably worse.”

“Lz brought up a good thought, the lacin. Should be evenly spaced 1inch from the toe to the mouth of the boot! You should be able to wiggle yer toes freely!2cents”

“As a know-nothing newbie, I bought my boots mail order (the same size that I wear for shoes). I think that I got a little lucky because they fit pretty well, and I haven't had any blisters (small hot spots sometimes). I haven't done anything longer than a dayhike yet, though. I think they are just a bit short (my toes jam in the front a little going downhill). My heels used to pull up, but that stopped when I bought the superfeet. The goretex seems to work, my feet stay dry after going through big puddles.”

“There seems to be the assumption that any particular brand of boot runs "true" to your "normal" size. I may wear anything between 8 1/2 and 9 1/2 depending on the brand. With increased size overall often comes increased width at ball and heel, the latter of which may not be addressed well by changes in lacing. Some boots are narrow in the heel, though most seem to be a bit wide.

When I bought my new boots, I ended up with my "street" size of 9, yet if I wore my street socks they would be too big by far. With my normal hiking socks they are roomy, with heavier socks, or with a wool liner sock added, they are still good and I just don't lace as tight. The store had one of those ramps, with a pebbled surface, that let me test how much my heel and toes were affected by inclines. Two days of wearing to work proved them comfortable in general and is helping them loosen up a bit.

Remember, leather will stretch a bit. And your feet are bigger at the end of the day than in the morning -- so try shoes on in the late afternoon or after you've been walking a fair bit.”

“Oldie, don't take it as gospel that you have to buy boots in a size too big, especially in a softer boot like the sundowner. Test the fit as the others have described -- put them on with a liner sock and a thick hiking sock, and walk around the house. Does the heel lift up? If you walk on a downslope, do your toes jam into the front of the boot? If the answer to both questions is no, they probably fit.”

“Does anyone know what to do about pain in the top of the foot, a couple of inches behind the toes? My feet (esp. the right one) always hurt there after walking a few miles no matter what boots/shoes I wear. It's not from chafing or rubbing, because the skin is not irritated, more of an achy sensation. I notice that it's not as bad if my shoes are really flexible, but most boots are fairly stiff. I always wear good socks (Smartwools or other cushy wool socks) with liners when hiking.”

“OmaHiker;

Could be bone spurs between your toes. I got em. Get an xray from a good podiatrist.”

“Bone deposit sounds like a good call..... have you ever broken that foot or any of the toes before?... is that foot a tad fatter than the other. Maybe loosen the laces a little more over that one area. Do you have a history of arthritis in the family?

Does it happen at the crease?.....is there more of pain when your foot is flexed(bent).... say standing on your toes.”

“I still haven't found a way to protect my toes completely from banging the front of my boots on steep downhills. Lots of patience and a willingness to go from store to store is very difficult when your money is burning a hole in your pocket and you know an emergency is going to happen that will take your money away - but it must be done. The better they fit from the beginning, the fewer black toe nails you will 'enjoy'. Happy trails.”

“Boot leather not going to stretch. That leather is thick and hard as heck. Shoe leather will stretch at your foots expense. Regular shoes need to be stretched by a shoe repair place.”

“Once you have your boots picked out, consider getting orthotics instead of using the standard (or Superfeet) insoles. They add a lot to the quality of fit not to mention better foot placement. --Those puppies can run ya a few hundred bones though.”

“Sundowner boots should be the same size as your regular shoes. The boots are made to accomodate thicker socks.”

“Boots are fitted to the ball of you foot. Toe aches are common in the correct size of boot, due to how and where the sole applies pressre to the toe section. IMHExperience.”