Let’s go through how to choose your size step by step.
1. Pick your starting point
Generally, walking shoes follow the same sizing asregular shoes, so the best place to start is with your normal size. If youcan’t find boots in your exact size - for example if you usually wear a halfsize - then try the next size up. Wearing boots that are slightly too big isbetter than too small, as it gives your feet more room for swelling.
2. Put your feet in - but don’t lace yet!
Make sure you try both boots on - you never know if onefoot is going to be bigger than the other. At this stage, leave your walkingshoes unfastened and stand up. Let your feet relax into the new shoes so youcan get a feel for how they fit. You can walk around a little if you like - butbe careful not to trip on the laces! If your boots feel small or cramped now, then it’s timeto switch to a bigger size. They’ll only get smaller once you’ve laced them up.
3. Use the finger test
Once your feet have settled into the shoes, you can findout if the boots are long enough. Sit down and move your feet to the front ofthe boots so your toes touch the inside edge. Now put your index finger downthe back of your heel. Can you fit it easily? If your finger can’t fit into the gap between your heeland the back of the shoe, then you need a longer walking boot. Too much room isa problem as well, because loose walking boots can lead to trips, falls andinjury so you should be aiming for a gap of a finger-width.
4. Lace the boots
There are lots of different methods of lacing walkingshoes, and these can all affect the fit. Which way you choose is entirely up toyou, but we’d recommend that you use the method you’d most likely use when youactually wear your walking boots. Trying new methods can be useful, but makingsure your boots fit the way you’ll be wearing them most of the time should bethe priority. If your walking shoes are too big, you’ll find the lacesare loose no matter how tightly you tie them. If they’re too small, you’lllikely feel your feet bulging from inside the boot.
5. Have a walk around
Now it’s time to have a walk around with your walkingboots all laced up and ready to go, checking for any issues with the fit.Remember, it may be a discomfort you can put up with for now, but how will itfeel after walking for hours? You should also feel your walking boots to makesure your toes aren’t up to the edge and that your feet are filling the shoes. Once your walking boots have been delivered, it’s alsoworth wearing them around the house for a few days. This can help you toidentify problems you may not have noticed before, and so long as you don’ttake them outside, you should be able to return or exchange them.
