What Size Cowboy Boots Do I Need? Detailed Instructions

We are not kidding, if you go to any e-commerce sites, enter keywords such as “boots”, “cowboy boots”… and click on any products rated best.

Wait, take it slow, don’t click on the 5-star reviews but take a look at the 1-star reviews. You will be surprised because…

80-90% of all 1-star reviews of the best-rated products come from choosing the wrong size!

Don’t repeat those mistakes! I can help you resolve this matter, it’s pretty simple! Let’s scroll down and find the solutions together!

Here are some common questions regarding cowboy boot size:

How do you Know your Boot Size? What Size Cowboy Boots do I need?

First of all, you have to know your foot size – Find the width of your foot by measuring your soles.

Step 1:

Neatly place each of your feet on a sheet of paper or put them on the damp sand.

If you put your foot on the paper, use a marker to mark the 2 yellow spots to measure the length and 2 red spots to measure the width of your foot as shown in the picture below.

Remember to hold your pen upright at a right angle (90 degrees) to the paper.

Step 2:

Measure two green lines as in the picture to find out the length and width of your foot.

Note: Foot length must be measured from the longest toe to your heel.

If your foot size measurement is between two sizes (or after measuring the size of your feet, you realize that your two feet are not the same size), remember that always choose the larger size.

Now you think that you can choose a pair of cowboy boots that fit your foot size right away…

But, nah, I don’t think so…

Since different brands of boots have different size charts and fits. Therefore, it is difficult to come up with a single size chart or fit guide that can fit all foot sizes.

So we recommend that before purchasing any boots, you need to learn about the brand in advance. Each brand will have its own guide for you to choose the right size for its boots.

Too troublesome? Don’t worry, we are going to list some of the most popular cowboy boots brands and explain these tips here for you. In the simplest way!!!

Or when shopping on any e-commerce site, you can refer to the size chart in the product description.

However, not all size charts tell you about width, so check it out here:

Regular width size for women

Regular width sizes for men

However, it is worth noting that most cowboy boot brands do not provide us with a width chart.

So before you buy a cowboy boot, you should determine the type of your foot. Is it narrow, normal, or wide?

You can use the width chart of tennis shoes, or casual shoes to determine what your foot size and type are.

To be clear, follow the example below:

For example:

Let’s practice choosing a pair of Ariat cowboy boots!

Size chart of Ariat brand for men:

After measuring:

My foot length is 9.82 inches, foot width is 4.28 inches.

If your foot length is between 2 numbers on the size chart, take the larger number. That will make your feet comfortable.

Based on the length of the feet, I can find that my cowboy boot size is 8.

However, with boot size 8, based on the width chart of the tennis shoes I’m wearing, my feet are 4.28 inches wide – EE size, wider than normal people’s feet.

So I’ll go with cowboy boots that are sized 8-Wide.

As such, I will choose cowboy boots with these criteria:

• Length size: 9.88 inches (approximately 9.82 inches)
• Width size: EE – Wide

So, I would choose Ariat cowboy boots in size 8 wide.

However, things won’t stop here. One thing you should pay attention to is that some cowboy boots don’t run true to size.

Therefore, we strongly advise you to carefully read the reviews of previous users before buying cowboy boots. It is also important to read the product description.

Those who bought cowboy boots before you will have the real experience of those cowboy boots.

And I can guarantee their reviews are mostly about the fit of the boots. That would help you to know if you should go up a size or go down a size for cowboy boots that don’t run true to size.

Also, the product description often tells you if these cowboy boots run true to size, so please go through the details in the product description.

From my personal experience, I love to choose cowboy boot brands that have fast customer service, and Chisos or Tecovas have never let me down with this.

Just one phone call and you will be consulted or exchanged boots very quickly. Don’t put on a pair of boots that don’t fit in the first place, pick up the phone and call the brands directly.

Chisos Boots | Click Image for more info on Chisos | Image copyright Chisos Boot Company

How do you get cowboy boots to fit?

Here are three important tips to choose a pair of cowboy boots that fit you:

1. Instep

Usually, western cowboy boots have no laces. So if you choose a pair that is tight or loose at the top of the foot (instep), there is no way to fix it.

At the instep, you need to find a boot that is not tight or loose but fits snugly.

In that way, when you walk, the top of your foot (instep) can be as flexible and comfortable as possible.

Wear boots and experience. If the top of your foot (instep) is too loose, you know that the leather of the boot is soft.

When you walk, you will feel your heel slipping out over a half. That’s not good at all, because that will affect your gait in the long run.

Otherwise, if it’s too tight, you will feel uncomfortable and inflexible when walking.

2. Width – The ball of your foot area

You have enough room in the width area. You don’t want it to be too tight. It would be better if you get a bit of space in it.

Put on your boots. The test happens the same as in “The first secret: Instep” below.

However, this time, let’s touch and feel the leather of the boots at the width area. If you feel soft, then the boots will be suitable and comfortable for you.

Having the width area a bit loose does not cause a problem. That your feet won’t slip anywhere, because the top of the foot (instep) has kept your feet neatly in boots.

Of course, if the width area is too loose, it will become a different matter!

3. Heel

As you walk, the heel of the boots must be 3/8 to half an inch off the ground. The reason is that with the new cowboy boots, the sole will be a little bit stiff.

Let’s try it! Now, raise the heel of the boot 3/8 to half an inch higher than the ground. The ball of the foot is still on the ground.

If it is easy to do that, then you have got a flexible pair of boots.

Also, watch out for the “pop” sound that comes from your heels when they get inside the heels of your cowboy boots. If that pop is clear, congrats! Your cowboy boots are fitting well.

In our view, when you want to go to the store to buy cowboy boots, you should come with your friends …

And remember to use this method to compare the flexibility of different cowboy boots’ soles!

How much Room should you have in Cowboy Boots?

Ensuring that your cowboy boots provide ample space for your feet to move comfortably is crucial. Fortunately, cowboy boots are available in various toe shape options.

If you have wide feet, consider selecting a round toe or a broad square toe design for added room. Let’s delve into more detailed instructions!

• Toe box

When choosing cowboy boots, pay attention to the tip of the boots, they should be away from your longest toe from 3/4” to 1 1/2”.

This is important, as other parts of cowboy boots can stretch after use. But if the tip of the boot is too short, there’s no way that it can get longer.

• Width

To enhance a comfortable width fit, ensure that the ball of your foot has enough space to breathe rather than fitting snugly.

Should Cowboy Boots be Tight or Loose?

They should be snug, not tight or loose.

Tips: You should choose cowboy boots that you feel comfortable with from the very first time you put on them. The reason is that the leather is very sturdy, especially with less stretching after using it.

If your boots are too loose, they will affect your gait, resulting in losing the swagger of a cowboy.

The cowboy boots option is too tight, it will take quite a time to stretch as desired, and you may not be comfortable waiting for such time.

Do You Buy Boots a Size Bigger or Smaller?

If your foot size measurement is between two sizes (or after measuring the size of your feet, you realize that your two feet are not the same size), keep in mind that always choose the larger size.

What can I do if my Boots are Too Big?

If you find that your cowboy boots are too large, the best course of action is to initiate a return as soon as possible.

Alternatively, you can explore methods to achieve a snugger fit for your cowboy boots. This can be done by utilizing leather straps to tighten the wide shaft or inserting leather pads, which are commonly available at cobblers, to fill any gaps.

Be cautious of online methods claiming to make cowboy boots shrink; one thing to keep in mind is that cowboy boots cannot significantly shrink, but they do tend to stretch over time.

For more in-depth information on these methods, we have a comprehensive article that you can read. Additionally, we’ve included some straightforward yet highly effective techniques below!

Case 1: When your cowboy boots are loose at the heel

You can use heel cushions, and heel grips for narrow heels and loose boots.

This product is quite good because it helps increase the area of ​​the heel’s contact with the shoe, while still providing a sense of comfort.

This product can be used with most types of boots. It should be in the closet for people who get narrow heels. A pad may help prevent the shoe from slipping off your heels.

Case 2: The tip of your boots is too long and loose

You can insert some objects into the tip of the shoe such as toilet paper, soft cloth, paper scraps, etc.

Note that you should stuff soft things to avoid damaging the tip of the boot, or causing some negative effects on your toes.

The downside is that using it all day long will cause itchiness in your foot.

Case 3: Boots are loose at the instep and ball of the foot

When it comes to width, the ball of the foot needs space to breathe and be comfortable, so it doesn’t need to fit snugly.

However, vertically, the feet should snugly fit within the boots at the instep or the top of the foot to ensure they lie neatly in them.

Based on these criteria, I recommend the methods below!

• Method 1: Use Ball of Foot Cushions

Use a ball of foot cushions. This is a versatile pad and can be used in most areas where your cowboy boots are loose.

As a result, this will increase the contact surface between feet and boots, and you can wear boots more snugly and not loosely anymore.

In addition, many manufacturers have developed this product, besides some above-mentioned effects, the pads also help reduce leg pain if you use boots throughout the day.

• Method 2: Use thick socks

Use thicker socks or multiple layers of socks to make your feet “wider”, perhaps the simplest way.

However, the downside is that you may feel uncomfortable in the hot weather.

Image copyright Tecovas Boot Company | #CommissionEarned | Click the image for more info

• Method 3: Use an extra insole

To help your feet fit the shoe, using a shoe insole is also a great way. Moreover, the market now offers many soft shoe insoles for long-day travel.

Another function is that the insoles can dehumidify, massage the feet and make you feel comfortable wearing them all day long.

Image copyright FORM Company | #CommissionEarned | Click the image for more info

However, the disadvantage is that it cannot be added in other loose areas in boots such as “ball of foot pads”.

Read more: How to Make Cowboy Boots Fit Tighter?

If you’ve tried many methods but found no way to cure your boots.

Then you should take it to a professional shoe repair shop, they will have a solution for you. (In the worst case, the best solution is to… sell it)

Should my Toes Touch the End of my Boots?

No, of course not. It will cause sore toes.

They should be away from your longest toe from 3/4” to 1 1/2”.

It takes a long time for the boot skin to stretch because leather boots are designed very firm, especially the tip of the boots.

The bottom line

In short, before buying a pair of boots, you should pay attention to:

• Your foot size
• Size chart of the brand of boots you want to buy
• The top of the foot (instep)
• The ball of your foot area
• Heel boots
• Toe Shape
• 3/8” to 1/2”: As you walk, the heel of the boots must be 3/8 to half an inch off the ground, to test the flexibility of the instep.
• 3/4” to 1 1/2”: Distance from your toes to the tip of the boot.

And here is the most important thing: “You should choose cowboy boots that you feel comfortable with from the very first time you wear them. Because leather is very sturdy, less stretching after using.”

Jay Gatz

Howdy y’all, and welcome to From The Guest Room, your ultimate guide to all things Western! I’m Jay Gatz, a lifelong cowboy boot enthusiast with over 5 years of experience in the Western style world. I’m excited to share my knowledge with you and help you discover the perfect cowboy boots and western gear to elevate your style. Let’s explore the rich history and timeless appeal of Western fashion together!