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Cowboy Boot Buying Guide

This guide is designed to help insure that you purchase the perfect cowboy boots for your feet. Below you will find some great tips to follow when considering which size to buy and what to expect from a well fit boot.

When cowboy boots are fitted properly, your feet should feel good. All cowboy boots fit differently. Certain factors that play a part in a well fitting boot would be brand, toe style and heel style.  For example, a cowboy boot from Boulet in size 8 will fit differently than an Ariat in the same size. This is also true when trying different styles.  A pointy toe boot might fit differently than a square toe boot. Ultimately, your feet will let you know whether the cowboy boots you just slipped on are right for them!

Getting Started

SOCKS ARE IMPORTANT:

One of the most overlooked aspects of trying on new cowboy boots is the socks that are worn when you try them on. When determining whether a cowboy boot fits, take an assessment as to the thickness of the socks you normally wear and if possible try on the boots with socks in the correct thickness. If this is not possible please allow for the socks’ thickness in the fitting process. Also if this will be your first pair of cowboy boots, you may want to buy boot socks or calf high athletic socks.

STAND UP:

Although it may be more comfortable to sit down while trying on your boots make sure you put both boots on and stand up. Some brands are made to fit snugly around the arch for better support  and you won't be able feel every area of the boot without putting pressure on the ground.

Fitting:

FINDING THE BALL OF THE FOOT:

The ball of your foot is the widest part of your foot. This should sit at the widest part of the sole on the boot. This will alleviate any undue stress on your feet. If you find that it is too far forward or too far back, you may need to try a different size.

TOE ROOM:

Next, evaluate if the boots have ample toe room. Everyone foot is different and some people have toes a little longer or shorter than others. Usually if you have at least a thumbs width between your toes and the end of the boot, this will give you enough toe room. Most boot companies put extra reinforcement in the toe area called the “toe cap”. This extra reinforcement is stiff and if the toe cap is bothering you in any way, you may need a larger size.If you are an "in-between" size, we recommend ordering the larger of the two sizes you are between

WIDTH:

To determine if the width you have is correct, you will need to look straight down at your foot while standing. The boot should be a little snug, but you should be able to see the stitching on the outsole of the cowboy boot on either side. If you do not, you may need a wider width. Selecting the width is very important in getting the right cowboy boots for your feet. If you do not select the correct width, the leather may become too loose and cause the boot to feel sloppy or if the boot is too snug it may cause discomfort and also weaken the leather causing it to come unstitched or become worn down by the outsole. If your feet are a narrow width (and no narrow sizes are available to purchase), you may need to order a 1/2 size smaller than your normal size.If your feet are a wide width (and no wide sizes are available to purchase), try ordering a 1/2 size larger than your normal size.

Standard width for a woman's boot is "B" width (which may be labeled "M" for "Medium" width). Narrow width is labeled "A". Wide width is labeled "C".

Standard width for a man's boot is "D" width. Narrow width is labeled "B". Wide width is labeled "EE" or "EW"

ARCHES:

Also, make sure that the boot shank and the arch of your foot have matching curves, this means that the arch is hitting your foot where it feels comfortable. Some people have higher or lower arches or no arches at all, so what might feel comfortable to one person may not be to another person. Keep in mind that if something is causing discomfort now, the chances are that it will not go away. So, if the boots do not feel right, they might not be the boots for you .

INSTEP:

You can determine if your boots fit across the instep by taking the leather between your thumb and index finger and rubbing your thumb across the instep. If the boots are too loose a large wrinkle will appear. A very slight wrinkle means the boots fit properly.

HEEL SLIPPAGE:

While it may feel funny that your heel slips in the back of the boot, a little heel slippage is normal. Usually about a quarter to a half of an inch is fine. The reason for this slippage is, since the boots have not been worn, the outsole of the boot is still stiff and needs to be “broken in”. After the boots have been worn and the outsole of the boot has been flexed a few times, heel slippage should stop and give you a comfortable wearing boot.

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