Navigating cowboy boot sizes for the first time can feel like stepping into uncharted territory compared to standard shoes. Unlike sneakers with laces or adjustable straps, cowboy boots offer a unique fit that requires a different approach to sizing. Rest assured, this guide is designed to help you find your ideal cowboy boot size, drawing from methods proven successful with thousands of customers.
It’s important to note that handmade cowboy boots, crafted by various manufacturers, can exhibit slight variations in fit. This is due to the use of lasts – foot-shaped molds made of nylon or wood – which differ subtly between boot makers. Even boots of the same size from the same manufacturer can vary due to the natural properties of leather, including thickness and strength, as well as environmental factors like humidity and the individual boot maker’s technique on any given day, and importantly the toe style of the boot.
If, after meticulously following this guide, you still find yourself uncertain about your size, we offer a personalized solution to ensure a perfect fit. You can send us a well-fitting boot that you already own, and our experts will use it to match you with the correct last and determine your precise cowboy boot size. Your reference boot will be returned to you after we’ve identified your ideal size.
Determining Your Cowboy Boot Size with Timsboots.com: A Step-by-Step Guide
Accurately measuring your feet is the key to determining your correct cowboy boot size. It is crucial NOT to guess your size or rely on your tennis shoe size or the sizing of other boot brands. Our method has proven successful for over 98% of our customers in achieving a great fit right from the start. We are committed to assisting you in finding cowboy boots that fit perfectly. The US sizing system employs numbers for length and letters for width. Shoe stores commonly use the Brannock Device for measurements in the USA. The system is linear, with Men’s size 1 starting at 7 2/3 inches in length, and each subsequent size increasing by 1/3 inch.
Widths in the US system range across 9 designations, from narrowest to widest: AAA, AA, A, B, C, D, E, EE, and EEE. For men, D width is considered “medium,” while for women, B width is the standard medium. Width increments are linear, with each width differing by 3/16 of an inch, although the actual width measurement corresponding to a D width varies depending on the foot length.
Measuring Your Foot for Accurate Size & Width
Follow these instructions to measure your foot and use the size charts provided below to find your corresponding boot size and width.
Materials You Will Need:
- Paper for tracing your foot outline (a file folder or large sheet works well).
- A regular wood pencil (avoid pens, markers, or mechanical pencils).
- A measuring tape or ruler.
- Socks you plan to wear with your cowboy boots.
Important Considerations:
- Feet tend to swell and enlarge slightly as the day progresses, so it’s best to measure your feet in the afternoon or evening.
- It’s common for left and right feet to differ slightly in size. Measure both feet and use the measurements of the larger foot to determine your boot size.
- If sending foot tracings, do not fax them as faxing can distort the size of the tracing, making it inaccurate.
- It’s helpful to have someone assist you with tracing your foot outline for better accuracy.
Step-by-Step Foot Measuring Instructions (Repeat for Each Foot):
- Sit comfortably with your foot placed firmly on a piece of paper or cardboard that is large enough to trace around your entire foot. File folders are an excellent surface for this.
- Hold the pencil vertically, perpendicular to the paper, and carefully trace the outline of your foot. Keep the pencil snug against your foot throughout the tracing process.
- Using the measuring tape or ruler, measure the length and width of your foot tracing at the points indicated in the diagram below.
- The tracing will be slightly larger than your actual foot due to the thickness of the pencil line. To compensate for this, subtract 0.2 inches (approximately 5mm) from both your length and width measurements. This adjusted measurement will provide a more precise foot size.
- Consult the Boot Length Chart to find your corresponding Men’s US size based on your foot length. Then, refer to the Boot Width Chart, locate your Men’s US size row, and find the width measurement on that row that is closest to your measured foot width.
- Also, consider your instep height (High, Medium, or Low). If you are aware of having a high or low instep, please note this. If you’re unsure, a medium instep is most common.
Alternative Measuring Tips:
- If you don’t have assistance for tracing, you can place your foot between two flat, solid objects like books or bricks and measure the distance between them for length and width. Repeat for both feet. With this method, you do not need to subtract for pencil thickness.
- When in doubt, it’s generally better to choose a slightly larger size and width. Boots that are slightly too big are easier to adjust with thicker socks or padded insoles than boots that are too small.
- Sizer boots are available for most sizes and toe/heel combinations for a separate fee if you wish to test the fit before ordering your final boots.
- If you are uncertain about your size and considering a higher-priced exotic leather boot, we recommend ordering a less expensive style first to confirm your size.
Cowboy Boot Sizing Charts
Boot Length Chart (Men’s Sizes)
- Sizes listed are Men’s unless otherwise specified.
- European sizes are typically whole numbers. This chart interpolates them to show the closest equivalent to USA men’s sizes.
- To convert centimeters to inches, divide by 2.54.
Boot Width Chart (Men’s Sizes)
- Find your USA Men’s Size on the left column. Go to that row and locate your measured width (in inches).
- The column heading indicates the corresponding width letter. To convert centimeters to inches, divide by 2.54.
