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Footwear Buying Guide

Footwear Buying Guide

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Footwear Fitting


There is no substitute for having your new boots professionally fitted in store and all our staff are highly trained in measuring and fitting footwear. Other services include boot modification and custom footbed moulding – call for information.

Of course we understand that this is not always possible, so here are a few points to bear in mind when trying a new pair of boots.

Footwear Lasts

These are the "formers" which manufacturers use to create the shape of their footwear. They vary enormously in overall length width and volume and even for the same size from different brands. We stock a wide variety of brands to not only give a comprehensive selection by style and usage but also by shape and fit. If in doubt call us for more advice before placing your order.

Socks

This choice is important. An old worn sock will never be as comfortable as a fresh new pair; they will probably be thicker too. So a new pair of boots deserves a new pair of socks – so do your feet. It is also worth considering a liner sock. They won't affect the fit but will give the added comfort if a wicking layer helping to keep your skin dryer therefore less fragile.

Length, Width and Volume

The first check is for length. Getting this right will avoid the classic misfit problem of bruised toes on downhill stretches. Check this by slackening the laces and easing your foot forward until your toes just touch the end of the boot, there should be a gap behind your heel about the thickness of your forefinger.
Now ease your heel firmly back and lace the boots.
A comfortable grip across the ball of your foot (at the boot's crease point) rather than pinched or loose enough for lateral movement is fine. If there seems to be room above your foot at this point, spare volume can be taken care of using a volume reducer.

Lacing

This should be firm but not over tight. Loose lacing will result in your foot being free to move within the boot with uncomfortable consequences.
It is possible to vary the conventional lacing system to relieve pressure along the line of lacing – Give us a call for a quick tutorial!

Crease point

All boots (with some exceptions) have a natural crease point, as do your feet at the first toe joint. It's important that these coincide so that the boot upper crease is nearly over the joint rather than creasing over your foot or toes.

Now it's time to try the boots around the house. Take your time and don't be afraid of being critical. Once you're happy with the fit, then now's the time to try your boots on your next walk.

If the fit is good then breaking in should be fairly painless, although it may take time for you to become accustomed with the feel. Why not try them for a few short walks then build up to a full day use.

Now click here to link to some general care/cleaning/proofing advice for your new boots

Happy Walking!