We’ve all been there before, realizing too little too late that your new pair of boots don’t quite fit right. And even with all the sizing recommendations and reviews suggesting they’re TTS (True to size), you can never be sure about sizing when it comes to online retailers. That’s why at Ever Boots, our return policy allows for free shipping and free returns.
But when that’s no longer an option, and you can’t be bothered to get another pair, there are a few things you can do to reconcile a pair of boots that are slightly too big or small.
If your boots are too big:
Lace your boots differently: The way you lace any pair of shoes can make a big difference in how they look and feel on your feet. You can easily relace your shoes to fit your foot shape by completely removing the laces, and redoing them with your foot inside the shoe. Be sure to wear the same socks you’d normally wear for work to get the right fit.
Double up on socks: Pretty self explanatory, you should be able to take up some of the excess space by wearing another pair of socks. Two pairs can actually help wick away moisture and keep your feet dry and comfortable. That will also help with odors. Similarly, you could opt for just a thicker pair of socks. Just depends on how much space you need to take up. But be careful with going beyond two pairs, depending on the type of sock, you could end up trapping in too much heat and end up feeling more uncomfortable.
Get thick insoles: Some insoles take up a significant amount of space in a boot, enough that some insole manufacturers recommend sizing up by at least a half size to accommodate for them. So if you already have an insole you prefer to wear, you should be taking them with you when trying on shoes. But if not, you can use an insole to help fill any gaps in a spacious shoe. It’s a win-win since you not only get a better fit, but you also get the added support. Learn more about different types of insoles here.
If your boots are too small:
Lace your boots differently: As mentioned above, the way you lace your shoes makes a notable difference in how your shoes feel on your feet. If they’re too small, try lacing them to give yourself a bit more breathing room.
Soften the leather: Conditioning the leather can help soften the boot to bend and stretch more in the areas that need it. Plus, conditioning the leather will help keep it soft and supple over time so it stays comfortable and looking good.
Break them in even more: Many shoes require a break in period before they’re actually comfortable and usable for work. If your boots are too small, you can try to stretch the leather more simply by going above and beyond during your break in process. This can include things like conditioning the leather, and using them around the house while wearing an extra pair of socks. You can find more of our break in tips here.
However, we don’t recommend trying these things if the sizing is significantly off. As in, you can barely get them on your feet or there’s more than two fingers worth of excess space in the heel. In those cases, you’re better off getting a new pair for your own safety. But hopefully you’d realizing a sizing disparity like that before the return policy expires.
Hopefully you won’t find yourself in this position, but if you do it’s good to know there are a few ways to make your boots work for you without breaking the bank. Having boots that fit is extremely important, not only for comfort, but also when your footwear is vital to your safety on the job. Take the time to make sure your boots really fit so you can get the most out of your investment.
Learn more about the styles and features of EVER BOOTS products here
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