5 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Fit for Your Boots

They say that when your shoes are uncomfortable, you’re never going to wear them. That adage is probably most true when it comes to boots. Many people have a pair of boots they bought thinking they would “break them in.” You know — that one pair of boots that has been sitting in the back of their closet since they bought them, never to be seen again.

Here at Boot Country, we hate the idea of our customers buying boots that they won’t wear, so we’ve put together our top five tips for choosing boots that will fit you perfectly:

1. Always measure your feet, especially your instep. Cowboy boots are held in place with a snug fit around your instep, and unlike sneakers, they don’t have laces and will not be as forgiving of a bad instep fit. The instep should hold your foot, but it shouldn’t be tight. Look for boots where you can pinch the leather up just a little, because it is important that you don’t feel pressure here.


2. Don’t forget about your socks! When shopping for new boots, bring the same kind of socks you plan to wear with your boots. Boots are made to hug your feet, so a small difference in sock thickness might make a big difference in how the boots fit.


3. Look at where your foot sits within the boot. You want the ball of your foot to be at the widest part of the boot. If the ball of your foot is further forward than the boot’s widest part, get a bigger size. If it’s behind this spot, opt for a smaller size. The boot should be secure here too, but if you feel pressure, you need a different size.


4. Try to wiggle your toes. This may be the most important part of making sure your boots fit, because the toe box does not stretch. Find out how the toe box fits in the store, since it will feel that way for the lifetime of the boot.



5. Finally, it’s time for the walk test. Walk around on a carpeted area and see how your feet feel. This may seem counterintuitive, but you actually want your foot to slip in your boot. Slipping between 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch means that the boot fits well — more or less than that and you’ll need to find a different size. Don’t worry — you’ll stop slipping once the leather at the heel has broken in enough for it to conform to your foot.

Of course, as important as fit is, don’t forget to choose boots that look good. At Boot Country, we carry some of the best-looking boots on the market today. Check out our selection of men’s cowboy boots, cowgirl boots and cowboy boots for kids. Orders of $49 or more ship for free, so you can be sure to find the boots you want at a price that fits. Do you have a favorite pair of boots? Tell us about how they fit!