First pair of boots - how should they fit?

[sygyzy]

This might sound silly but I've never owned a pair of boots before so I am uncertain of how they should fit. Should you make any allowances between your regular shoe size and boots? For example, when purchasing hiking boots/shoes, you should have room in the toebox for decents.

I just received my pair of US 9 / EUR 42 ankle boots. That's my regular shoe size. I am not certain but I don't believe they have half sizes and the smallest might be a 9 (I am hoping 8 possibly but it doesn't seem like it). Anyway, there is alot of room in the toebox. I just tried it on with athletic thin socks. Should I wear something thicker? What's appropriate boot sock wear?

I am mostly looking to figure out if I should get used to what feels like a roomy boot (in front) or if I am SOL and need to return this. Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Edit: Looks like according to conversion charts, EU 42 is actually US 8.5 so it's already "sized" down. With longer and thicker wool socks, the fit is improved. I think some of the perceived roominess has to do with the fact that the toebox does not taper asd much. It still feels a little loose though. I think I have about 1.75" from the end of my toe to the tip of the boot.

 

[j]

Really, 1-3/4" inches? That is a ton of room. What kind of boots are these?

Read this thread about fitting shoes:
http://www.styleforum.net/showthread...9882#post49882

If there's some room all over (up to about a half size) then insoles can help snug them up. I use them in a couple pairs of my boots so that they fit comfortably.

 

[sygyzy]

Well, you know how it goes. It's almost impossible to measure because you have to do it by feel. The leather is thick so I am trying to guess where my toenail ends and then I am measuring to the tip of the boot, which might not even be realistic since the toebox narrows and nobody wears shoes with that little room to spare. I measured the length of the shoe from heel to toe and it's only about a quarter inch (0.25") longer than most of my shoes (that fit well). I am not sure what the problem is. They are Neil Barrett ankle boots I am not sure if they make an 8. Apparently they also do now exchanges, only returns. I am not sure what to do

 

[j]

Well don't push down hard on the toebox, you can damage it. Does it seem like there's way too much room in there? Again, a thin insole like one of those foam Dr Scholl's can help a lot to snug it up some.

 

[grimslade]

Those aren't very tapered shoes, so it doesn't seem like you should need a lot of room upfront.

However, how do they fit throughout--on the heels, the balls of the feet, the instep? Are they loose all over? I just got the Polo Redding Chelsea boot, which has an elongated toe and so lots of empty space up there. But the rest of the shoe fits like a glove, so it doesn't bother me at all. otoh, that's a more elongated shape.

 

[sygyzy]

Originally Posted by j

Well don't push down hard on the toebox, you can damage it. Does it seem like there's way too much room in there? Again, a thin insole like one of those foam Dr Scholl's can help a lot to snug it up some.

I read about this technique as well as wearing thicker socks but is this a safe idea? I mean if the length is a problem, should I really be making the other areas tighter to compensate? I am not opposed to it, but it seems to me like a roundabout way to solve a problem.

 

[sygyzy]

Originally Posted by grimslade

Those aren't very tapered shoes, so it doesn't seem like you should need a lot of room upfront.

However, how do they fit throughout--on the heels, the balls of the feet, the instep? Are they loose all over? I just got the Polo Redding Chelsea boot, which has an elongated toe and so lots of empty space up there. But the rest of the shoe fits like a glove, so it doesn't bother me at all. otoh, that's a more elongated shape.

You're right, they don't really taper so maybe that's why the extra room seems more serious? They are not loose all over. They fit pretty comfortably when I had wool socks on. I'll probably need some new socks since most of mine are athletic and as lowcut as possible. For your Polo boots, don't you feel funny knowing you have too much extra space? Feelings aside, doesn't it make your feet look big?

Thanks everyone, keep the advice coming.