Buying Boots Size Up Or Down
Statistically, 80% of men are buying the wrong shoe size. Yeah, that number surprised us too! Here at HELM we do everything we can to get sizing right on the first pass, and we've found that with a bit of conversation and some measuring tape, buying online doesn't have to be much different than stopping by the shop. Wearing the wrong shoe size can not only be problematic when it comes to comfort, it can also cause the shoe itself to break down more quickly. As passionate boot-makers, we want every pair of HELM to stick with you for years to come, so getting you into the right size is our top priority. Consider taking our style quiz to help guide you to your next purchase.
buying boots size up or down
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With a tape measure and your traced foot outline, measure the length from your heel to toe and then the widest part of your foot (usually the ball of your foot area). Compare your measurements with the Brannock sizing chart here. Precision counts here and you'll see that even an eighth of an inch matters. The difference between full and half sizes comes down to just millimeters!
Having your sizing measurement is the first step to finding your best fit and your Brannock size is the best tool to get you in the ballpark. That's not the only thing to pay attention to though. With each design profile running a bit differently, a few other variables can contribute to fit, like manufacturing and personal preference. Our styles are manufactured in Brazil and run a half-size bigger than Brannock in D and EE width. Start by sizing down a half size, but rest assured that as always our returns and exchanges are free of charge. We will keep working with you until we get the fit just right.
Unlike boot fit, where length at the end of the toe is largely cosmetic, length at the end of a sneaker is essential for fit. In boots, you just need enough length at the end of the toe to be sure your toe is not hitting the end of the boot when walking downhill. The most important factor with boot fit is whether the ball of your foot is aligning properly with the last. Shorter toe length or longer arch might mean taking more or less room at the end of the boot in terms of length. This is why proper foot measurements can be so necessary for establishing proper fit.
Note: HELM sneakers are sized to fit in line with a HELM boot. If you know your size or have been sized and properly measured in a HELM boot, buy true to size in a HELM sneaker. We also suggest going true to your regular boot size or a half size down from your regular sneaker size.
You ski the entire mountain in all conditions with confidence. You easily make the transition from designated trails to off-piste in a variety of snow conditions including deep powder, crud, ice and moguls. You should be looking for a boot with a stiff to very stiff flex and a very precise fit. Expert level skiers sometimes intentionally downsize both in length and volume, then work with a bootfitter to make the boots comfortable. Note: Expert park and pipe skiers often prefer a roomier fit and softer flex in their boots compared to "traditional" experts.
Matching the cuff to the size and shape of your calf is an important part of your ski boot fit. The shape and height of both the shell and liner cuff can be a big consideration for women (whose calves are generally lower and proportionately larger than men) or those with very large calves. If the upper buckles on a boot are extremely tight out of the box, most boots have upper buckle ladders that can be moved to several different positions, sometimes with a screwdriver or allen wrench, to give you more adjustment range.
For those living in cold parts of the world, a quality pair of winter boots is essential. They help keep your feet warm, dry, and planted on the ground as you navigate months of snowy and icy conditions. Below we break down all of the important considerations in choosing the right winter boot for you, including warmth, height, waterproofing, weight, fit, and more. To check out our favorite designs, see our articles on the best winter boots and best women's winter boots.
This blog post will teach you how to size your child for winter boots from home so that they fit ALL winter long. We have been following these steps every year for the thousands of children who come to our store to buy winter boots. We are so sure about this method that we even guarantee that our size suggestions in-store will last the entire winter or we will replace them (ages 2+). How is that for confidence?!
Expert tip: It is really common for their foot measurement to be smaller than the size of their current running shoes or rain boots. This means that they still have room to grow! Now that you have their measurement we promise you that this was the hardest part. If you need any assistance along the way with getting their measurements please send us an email. We are happy to do as much of this step as we possibly can for you.
We know! Two full sizes up sounds insane. But hear us out! In Canada, your child's winter boots have to fit them form October to March. That is 6 months of growth room to account for! In addition, tight boots are cold boots. Your little one's foot will stay warmer when the boots are a little bit roomier because this allows air to circulate around the foot. You would also like space for a thicker wool sock for extra cool days. If you prefer boots to fit closer to size and don't mind replacing them if your child grows, please go up one size from measurement size. Sticking with measurement size for winter boots will leave you with cold feet and scrunched toes. One size will provide room for a sock and air circulation room.
Since winter boots are so insulated they often seem much larger from the outside than the inside. We will get into how to properly check for room to grow in the two sections below. But just by removing the liner or insole from your child's winter boots, you will see how misleading the outside of the boot is size-wise. This is why we suggest never holding your child's foot up to the outside of the boot to gauge sizing. This is inaccurate and will lead to too-small winter boots.
There are a few exceptions to the 2-size rule for winter boots. But we have tried to mark these on each product on our website using our handy "fit tips". So if there isn't a special fitting instruction, it is likely fine to go up 2 sizes. But what if your child measures a half-size? Go up 1.5 sizes (most winter boots don't come in half sizes). If you have a very large, fast-growing child you can always give us a call or send us an email to double-check this recommendation, because in some cases, 2.5 sizes may be safer for awesome, tall toddlers.
It is not uncommon for your child's footwear sizing to look like this for their different shoes this season: Foot measures a size 8. Running shoes at home that fit well between size 8.5 and 9. Winter boots in a size 10.
To last the season look for about a fingers-width at the end of the toes. A little bit more is okay as long as your child doesn't feel like the boots are too big. Anything less than that may lead your child to outgrow their snow boots before the season is over. The liner can also tell you a little bit about the width of the boot. If your child struggles to get the liner on and their foot is pushing on the outside seems, the boot may be too narrow. Tons of extra material? The boot may be too wide. Your child will likely complain of the boot being too tight/loose in these scenarios. To fix this you will likely have to switch models or brands, not size up/down.
Boots without removable liners such as Bogs, Kuoma, Cougar, Geox, and Keen can seem a bit trickier to check the size. But don't worry! The insoles of the boots can tell you a lot. Most boots have removable insoles that can be popped out to see how much room your child has to grow. Sometimes the insoles can be tough to get out but if you try and grab onto the fuzz/felt you can usually get them out (they aren't glued down).
Now you can kick back with peace of mind knowing that your child's feet will be warm all winter long. You can bookmark this page for next year when you need to check if your child's boots will fit for another year, or when sorting through hand-me-downs to figure out if you can pass down winter boots. Contact us if you have any questions - we are always happy to help.
There is a lot of confusion over how a pair of hiking boots should fit. Some suggest that hiking boots should be a size bigger. This post will demonstrate useful tips to help you check if a pair of hiking boots fit your feet perfectly.
Put on the hiking boots and walk on your toes to ensure there is a heel lift. And if when lacing your boots, leave the top of your feet loose and tighten up the area across your ankles to keep your heels secured. It will give you blisters if your heel slips up and down when you are walking.
If you're going to use the boots for both summer and winter, you may want to size up the boots. Since you might wear thin socks in summer and socks that are thicker in winter. And you might also add insoles in winter. Therefore, a pair of larger hiking boots can fit your different needs.
Avoid buying kids' boots that have too many buckles or straps. Even zippers can be problematic, especially when it comes to winter boots for toddlers and young children. Zippers tend to snag on snow pants and may cause rips and tears in the fabric. Also, zippered boots tend to fit snugly, which may be uncomfortable for young children.
There is an exception when it comes to buying slip-on boots, and that's when it comes to shopping for tweens and teens. Older kids in this age range may find that they prefer zippered boots because it fits their preferred aesthetic, and they don't have any problem getting their shoes on and off at this stage. Just make sure the boots they choose are insulated to keep their feet warm and dry when the weather gets harsh. 041b061a72