Western Boot Sizes and Tips for Finding the Right Fit

Western boots that fit correctly are snug and feel good on your feet. While they become more comfortable over time, they don’t require an extensive break-in period — they start molding to your feet within a few hours of wear. Western boots fit more snugly than other types of shoes, but they shouldn’t pinch or feel uncomfortable. If they do, the fit is incorrect.

Boot Shopping

Boot shopping is fun, but with so many choices, it’s sometimes overwhelming. When shopping online, stick with reliable websites that you trust to make your buying experience pleasant. Shopping for western boots at Russell’s will give you access to a variety of styles and sizes while ensuring that the pair you choose to purchase is of high quality.

Width and Length

When determining what size western boots you need, start with your shoe size. You’ll probably wear the same size in western boots that you do in your other shoes, but if you’re between sizes, order a half size up. Take into account the socks you plan to wear. Boot socks are thick and will affect how your boots fit, so try on your boots with the socks you intend to wear before you commit to a pair.

While shoe sizes for western boots are the same as most shoes, the way their widths are labeled is different. In women’s boots, the letter B stands for regular width, the letter C stands for wide width, and the letter A stands for narrow. If you don’t know what width you need, keep in mind that about 90 percent of the population wears a regular width, so it’s likely that a regular width will work for you too.

Comfort

If you’re not used to wearing western boots, they’ll probably feel tight the first few times you have them on, but you’ll grow accustomed to the way they feel. While western boots don’t require an extensive amount of time to break in, don’t take a long hike or wear them to work before you’ve given them a chance to mold to your feet.

While you’re breaking in your new boots, wear boot socks. Boot socks’ thickness will keep you comfortable and help prevent blisters. Your feet tend to swell in the afternoons, especially if you’re on them all day, so try to wear your boots in the mornings and switch to other shoes in the afternoons the first few times you wear them.

If you’ve never bought western boots before, it can be challenging to find the right pair. However, getting the fit right isn’t complicated, and boot shopping is more similar to buying a new pair of tennis shoes than most people realize. Western boots tend to feel tighter against your foot than other shoes, but the snug feel is necessary for a proper fit. It won’t take long for you to adapt to the way your new boots feel and once you grow accustomed to them, you may never want to wear anything else.