Nicks Handmade Boots Official Affiliate Thread

[adrs1157]

Proper fit is first and foremost snug at the ball (widest part of the foot). This connection "holds" the shoe or boot to the foot. The reason choosing a longer length size but more narrow width could make good sense is because that more narrow width helps produce the snugness at the ball of the foot.
A footwear last and, or a pair of shoes/boots has approximately .5" of longitude at the ball area. It's not a fixed point. So , while staying within that .5" of longitude a consumer may try on two different length sizes, as well as several width options, to find the desired snugness at the ball of the foot while also receiving ample room at the forefoot/toe area of the shoe/boot.
So, the bottom line is that a proper fit is snugness at the ball (widest part of the foot) combined with ample room at the forefoot/toe area. To achieve this it does not matter whether a consumer chooses longer and more narrow or shorter and wider. To the company's credit, Nicks makes available 7-10 widths, so achieving a proper fit is relatively easy.

This goes against my many years of wearing workboots. I'm not an expert, but others looking for fitting advice will read this and I feel like the discussion needs to be had.

"Snugness" at the ball is not comfortable. That area of the foot needs space for splay, flexing and swelling.

Areas that you want locked down to keep the boot in place is the heel, instep, arch and sometimes ankle/calf depending on the activity.

However, not the ball or toe box. You want space there, especially if you're working. Must be able to wiggle your toes and flex at the ball.

 

[DG123]

.

Areas that you want locked down to keep the boot in place is the heel, instep, arch and sometimes ankle/calf depending on the activity.

If a boot is tall enough then one may be able to use laces to get the boot stay in place on the foot reasonably well. But that is different from a proper fit.
Knowledgeable fitters always first check ball width. If there is room at the ball (widest part of the foot) then the fit will always be sloppy.
Footwear Lasts are a combination of heel width and ball width, that is the heel width is always two sizes more narrow than the ball width. For example, a D width shoe/boot Last has a medium width ball and a B width heel. The reason for this is that the human foot is wider at the ball than it is the heel.
If a brand does not offer multiple widths then a fitter will not be able to properly fit many people.
Nicks brand does offer 7 to 10 different widths, which is great for proper fitting and one of the best aspects of the company. For example, with Nicks a person concerned that their toes will be cramped can wear a longer length size (which creates space at the entire forefoot, including the toe area), but still have their foot held in place by choosing a narrow enough width so that the ball area of the foot is snug to the upper. Not tight but snug.

 

[TyrLI]

@Nicks Boots Shuyler love the new pullon!. Any chance we could pick heel stack height and overall height? All the makings of a roper are RIGHT THERE!

 

[Nicks Boots Shuyler]

@Nicks Boots Shuyler love the new pullon!. Any chance we could pick heel stack height and overall height? All the makings of a roper are RIGHT THERE!

We’ll have more options coming out as we work through additional pattern variations. Pretty heavy lift so not as much customization right now

 

[TyrLI]

We’ll have more options coming out as we work through additional pattern variations. Pretty heavy lift so not as much customization right now

It looks great though. The predator orange pair looks

 

[Cycling Sasquatch]

Lovely surprise and a bitchin' upgrade to my EDC loadout. Many thanks to everyone at Nicks!

 

[montanamike]

Day 1 in the waxed flesh zone

 

[BG1976]

Looking good, are those Urban Loggers?
I've got a pair of ULs in the same leather, one of my favorite boots. I'm almost at the point of a perfect, suction-like fit when I put them on.

 

[montanamike]

Looking good, are those Urban Loggers?
I've got a pair of ULs in the same leather, one of my favorite boots. I'm almost at the point of a perfect, suction-like fit when I put them on.

Yeah.. 8" which for me is maybe not perfect for anything but great for almost everything

 

[BG1976]

Yeah.. 8" which for me is maybe not perfect for anything but great for almost everything

8 inch boot is the best compromise that I've found between ankle support, looks, ease of getting into, etc.
Sadly, the only 8" ones that I currently have are black Overlanders and cxl #8 Roberts. Two new pairs on order are also 8s, and most of my future orders will be as well.

 

[Nicks Boots Shuyler]

Yeah.. 8" which for me is maybe not perfect for anything but great for almost everything

8 is aesthetically the best, in my opinion, as well.

 

[BG1976]

8 is aesthetically the best, in my opinion, as well.

Especially in larger sizes like 12s or bigger, the proportions of a 6 inch boot just don't look quite right to me.

 

[Big-Stetson]

Lovely surprise and a bitchin' upgrade to my EDC loadout. Many thanks to everyone at Nicks!

View attachment 1966809

Would you mind taking a photo after a few months of wear? Excited to see how it ages!

 

[Cycling Sasquatch]

Would you mind taking a photo after a few months of wear? Excited to see how it ages!

For sure!

(You’re not Nick from Nicks any chance, are you?)

 

[TyrLI]

Riverfronts at work today