Shoe/Boot Sizing Frustration Rant

[soFlaNative]

If the shoe fits...

...flip it and wear it for a hat.

 

[Telecaster]

Shoe Boot? https://youtu.be/CNVF08VIYLc?si=qwNT-u-Ry3V3g3wN

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Chippewa.

Like handgun grips, should be bought locally.

 

[StrawHat]

American made shoes and boots 13, if its imported 14. If I am buying a boot its only going to be American Made. Justin just recently had elephant hide in stock, I bought two pairs. I love Lucchese, but my pocket book does not.

Be careful with Justin, they have many made in China.

Kevin

 

[zeke]

Unfortunately when younger extra wide widths weren't available to me, and had to wear larger (longer) sizes just to get em on. Spent a lot of time bare foot by choice. Even today, most stores don't stock 8 1/2 extra wides.

However it does seem with the overseas manufacturing the sizes are now more consistent. Became purchaser of Army Surplus to get good fit in quality boots and extra large warm hats. Now purchase from stretchers for good fitting sneakers, and simply don't put anything on my feet that aren't boots or sneakers.

 

[Auburn4]

I have went to the Merrell shoe. Men's and women hiking,casual,etc. I think they are the #1 hiking shoe. Free returns, that i had to do. That is all i am going to wear except Church, Tie functions.

 

[rustythread]

When I last bought a pair of boots, I looked on line at Redwing; I've had at least one pair of their boots or shoes in the closet for over 50 years. I found the style I wanted (which also came up when I added "Made in USA" to the sort criteria. Then I went to the local shoe store / cobbler--a Redwing dealer--told him what I wanted. He did the measurement and I ordered through him. Got the best of both worlds--on line and in person.

 

[ditrina]

When I last bought a pair of boots, I looked on line at Redwing; I've had at least one pair of their boots or shoes in the closet for over 50 years. I found the style I wanted (which also came up when I added "Made in USA" to the sort criteria. Then I went to the local shoe store / cobbler--a Redwing dealer--told him what I wanted. He did the measurement and I ordered through him. Got the best of both worlds--on line and in person.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

THIS !!!!

 

[LVSteve]

I think the variation is even worse in women’s. I have shoes and boots from size 8 1/2 to 10 1/2, some wide width some regular. And the best fitting pair of western boots are a men’s size 7 1/2. Clothing is worse yet.

My wife would concur with all of that. What really baffles me is how shoes in the store of the same brand and style marked with her size can be entirely different. When I saw it happen in the Coach clearance store with nice leather pumps, I was floored.

 

[jaguargolf]

I had a buddy who was a cobbler and this is what he told me about shoe sizing.
There are different "lasts" which are the basis for shoe sizing in different markets.
The 3 I run into the most often are the American, English and the European.
There are some oddballs. Back in the day Danner "Ft.Lewis" boots and Matterhorns ,which look just like them were approved as footwear in the Army. Size 14 in the Danners were shorter and narrower than the Matterhorns. I was told that it was because the Danners were built on an Italian boot last and the Matterhorns were built on a US boot last.

Yes our feet do get bigger as we age and gain weight.

 

[Kenna]

Like everyone else that has said REDWING!! Find a store or distributor.

 

[Alton]

Be careful with Justin, they have many made in China.

Kevin

That is why you click on the American made with global parts. Most are made in Mexico. I did see Justin Ropers on Amazon for $100+ That I would agree maybe built in China

 

[sniper]

My foot size has changed over the years. When I was 18 I wore a 9.5-10, now I'm 10.5 -11.

Semi - Rhetorical question. Is there a "standard sizing?

I've seen 10.5, 10.5E, 10.5R, 10.5W, 10.5EE, 10.5L, 10.5D, 10.5M,

There's even variations within manufacturers. Like a 10.5 will not fit the same from one pair to the next, at least for me.

Most stores, don't carry a selection of width variations. I get it, there'd be a lot of money tied up in inventory.

Shoes, like hi-tops are one thing, boots another, I have to get those right! My feet have gotten a bit wider like an "e" or "w", but I can't find those in what I want to wear. I have to get an 11, take out the insole, put a thicker one in and wear thicker socks. Then I have to get used to walking in a boot that's a little longer so I don't trip over everything.

Here's the strange thing, I have a pair of boots from the mid 90s that are size 10s, they fit great, but they have worn soles that are non replaceable and they hurt my feet if I walk in them too long. I got the same boot from the same company, last week in a 10.5, but it's tight on the sides with room on the top. Now I have to decide to return them or play with insoles.

Looking at the older boot, you can see that it's physically smaller but it fits great! Go figure.

Anyway 1st world problems. Thanks for reading.

I feel your pain! I was 10 1/2 in the Military, spent 2 1/2 years in Europe following that, was a 12 when I returned, and now, wear 15 Wide with orthotics! Wha' hoppen? No idea! I hope I don't get any larger.

 

[grover99]

Went shopping with my son who needed new duty boots[police]. He always looks for shoes for his son when he is in a shoe store. Grandson takes a 14.5 or sometimes a 15. Most stores don't carry sizes that large and he ends up ordering on line. In my old age I like bright colored shoes and Skechers come in a lot of neat colors. Problem is I want a red pair but none of them come in wide. Skechers seem to think everyone wears a medium who like red shoes. Like others here I started out in high school taking a 9 medium and now wear 13 wide to extra wide.