Cowboy Boot sizing

[SouthernGent46]

Hi there! I wear Size 10 1/2D in Ostrich Cowboy Boots and I wanted to buy another pair but only size they have are 11D. How would they fit compared to 10 1/2D? Should I take a risk? Southern Gent46

 

[suitedcboy]

I own and wear lots of western boots. Sizes vary but if these are 11D from the same maker as the 10 1/2D then they will be bigger. Boots are less finicky about fit since the heel counter is not responsible for keeping them on as with slip on shoes. Is the 10 1/2 D already a loose fit or does the length just barely allow slipping foot in that last bit for bottom of heel to go home? If the fit of 10 1/2 is already a loose fit then the 11 may be too large. If the 10 1/2 is snugthen you may find the 11 to be more comfortable due to being looser. I thought I should wear conforming boots for a long time. At one store the salesperson looked at my boots and suggested he measure me and then said I needed 1 full size larger. I agreed if return after being worn was possible. He said they would take them back if they were not to my liking in fit. I have since always bought my boots 1 size larger than what fits well in dress shoes.

 

[DWFII]

I have since always bought my boots 1 size larger than what fits well in dress shoes.

Well, you're not fit in one or the other. And I suspect in neither.

 

[DWFII]

...

There is no universal standard of sizing among last makers. Or from one model of last to another.

Manufacturers generally have, and use, a particular model of last and, often but not always, the sizing on that last will be consistent with all the other models of last used in the factory. Other manufacturers almost certainly will not use the same last and as a result the fit will almost certainly not be the exactly same.

The only way to get the same fit as you're used to...or wanting...is to try the boots on.

 

[suitedcboy]

I think my comment is more pointed to the person not really knowing what the proper fit is. I like dress shoes snug as that seems to me to be the proper comfortable fit. Using my dress shoe fit as the model likely had me buying several boots that really didn't fit. I think a poster one of the boot companies or maybe the boot industry council made and distributed that shows the heel can slip up and down is ignored by many as it is not the way their shoes have always fit.
What is your description of what a proper boot fit feels like to the wearer? I know that custom boots like you make can be fitted proper for anyone's foot since you are not tied to standard lasts with no adjustment like factory made footwear. I would love some day to have a custom pair of boots made by an artisan like yourself.

 

[DWFII]

What is your description of what a proper boot fit feels like to the wearer?

Well, since the western boot has no laces it has to fit exactly right.That means snug around the foot and snugly holding the foot back into the heel stiffener.

Yes, the foot will often (usually) come up a bit (less than a quarter inch) esp. at first. There are two reasons for this: First, and foremost, the stiffener in pull on boots is not cupped like it is on a shoe. If it were your heel would hang up on the top of the stiffener when you tried to pull them on. Second, and related, the outsole is stiff and until it breaks in, as who should say, it will not follow the foot as it bends. But none of that precludes the boot fitting snugly. No one benefits from a loose shoe unless you have nerve damage.

When wearing the boots and with weight on, you should not be able to chase surplus (loose) leather across the top of the foot anywhere fron the ball of the foot to the instep.

A well fit boot should require a certain amount of effort to pull on...not eye-popping effort but the foot ought to hang up inside the tops with the heel of the foot about two+ inches above foot area (say four/five inches above the insole) of the boot and then with a little more pull, pop through to the vamp.

These are just the most superficial indicators of fit...length and heel to ball being considerations for a really good fit.

The foot can feel one -sixteenth of an inch discrepancy in circumference. And if the ball joint is not seated properly and at a proper distance from the heel stiffener, foot problems and discomfort can develop over a period of time--the length differnce beteeen a 10-1/2D and an 11D is not to be dismissed or deemed inconsequential even if you don't notice any issues at first.

 

[SouthernGent46]

Well, since the western boot has no laces it has to fit exactly right.That means snug around the foot and snugly holding the foot back into the heel stiffener.

Yes, the foot will often (usually) come up a bit (less than a quarter inch) esp. at first. There are two reasons for this: First, and foremost, the stiffener in pull on boots is not cupped like it is on a shoe. If it were your heel would hang up on the top of the stiffener when you tried to pull them on. Second, and related, the outsole is stiff and until it breaks in, as who should say, it will not follow the foot as it bends. But none of that precludes the boot fitting snugly. No one benefits from a loose shoe unless you have nerve damage.

When wearing the boots and with weight on, you should not be able to chase surplus (loose) leather across the top of the foot anywhere fron the ball of the foot to the instep.

A well fit boot should require a certain amount of effort to pull on...not eye-popping effort but the foot ought to hang up inside the tops with the heel of the foot about two+ inches above foot area (say four/five inches above the insole) of the boot and then with a little more pull, pop through to the vamp.

These are just the most superficial indicators of fit...length and heel to ball being considerations for a really good fit.

The foot can feel one -sixteenth of an inch discrepancy in circumference. And if the ball joint is not seated properly and at a proper distance from the heel stiffener, foot problems and discomfort can develop over a period of time--the length differnce beteeen a 10-1/2D and an 11D is not to be dismissed or deemed inconsequential even if you don't notice any issues at first.

What do you think if American alligator boots?

 

[DWFII]

What do you think if American alligator boots?

If by "American alligator" you are referring to the leather...I like it and use it. Been using it for nigh onto 50 years. It comes from several domestic sources.

If you are referring to some "American" brand...I don't have an opinion.

 

[SouthernGent46]

If by "American alligator" you are referring to the leather...I like it and use it. Been using it for nigh onto 50 years. It comes from several domestic sources.

If you are referring to some "American" brand...I don't have an opinion.

Are they better than caiman

 

[DWFII]

Are they better than caiman

By an order of magnitude. Caiman is considered the lowest quality of all the crocodilians.

Caiman belly is characterized by brittle bony inclusions in the center of each tile, which make the skin less flexible than alligator. The tiles can even break in certain situations.

Caiman skins are also a lot smaller, generally, and almost always have to be pieced together to make a vamp. Such piecing is both structurally weak and a natural pathway for moisture.

 

[SouthernGent46]

F dg o you like Justin alligator boots

 

[DWFII]

F dg o you like Justin alligator boots

I don't comment on the quality of other makers...whether they are hand-made or manufactured.

 

[SouthernGent46]

So I really like these boots but the only size they have is 9D and 11D. I wear 10 1/2D. What do you think?

 

[DWFII]

I'm not surprised. That's the way manufacturers do it. Standard size lasts are generally turned in sizes 4 to 14 including half sizes. And widths of A, B, C, D, and E. (And, if necessary, can be turned in wider, narrower and longer sizes, as well.) 4-14/A-E of any one model is considered a 'run,' and a bare minimum for a 'bespoke' maker.

But manufacturers don't carry all these sizes...not even close, as a rule. The business model stipulates that stocking more sizes costs more than the demand will justify.

But, when you come right down to it, last sizes are just numbers. There is no universal agreement on what a 10-1/2D should look or measure like. The only way to determine if an 11D will suit is to try the boots on.

If you can't do that or can't objectively determine if the boots fit (because you want caiman/alligator boots so bad you're effectively blinded), send the money to me rather than throw it down the toilet. That will save you a lot of regret and potential discomfort. Consider it a fee for services rendered.. ?

 

[SouthernGent46]

I'm not surprised. That's the way manufacturers do it. Standard size lasts are generally turned in sizes 4 to 14 including half sizes. And widths of A, B, C, D, and E. (And, if necessary, can be turned in wider, narrower and longer sizes, as well.) 4-14/A-E of any one model is considered a 'run,' and a bare minimum for a 'bespoke' maker.

But manufacturers don't carry all these sizes...not even close, as a rule. The business model stipulates that stocking more sizes costs more than the demand will justify.

But, when you come right down to it, last sizes are just numbers. There is no universal agreement on what a 10-1/2D should look or measure like. The only way to determine if an 11D will suit is to try the boots on.

If you can't do that or can't objectively determine if the boots fit (because you want caiman/alligator boots so bad you're effectively blinded), send the money to me rather than throw it down the toilet. That will save you a lot of regret and potential discomfort. Consider it a fee for services rendered.. ?