Have you experienced getting sore feet and tired legs while walking in the park or hiking on a trail?
One possible reason for that discomfort is with the shoes you are wearing and how it fits your feet.
Do you know how to tell if hiking boots are too big, too small, or just right? Any ill-fitting shoes can cause a lot of discomfort in our daily activities.
You can check our guidelines on how should hiking boots fit for added information. We will also be checking other information about hiking boots and how they should fit you.
Should Hiking Boots Be Bigger by a Size?
Generally speaking, one size bigger hiking boots are recommended by most hikers as well as shoe store personnel. This is to avoid any feeling of discomfort while on the trail.
They base their argument from some hikers who like to wear multiple socks when donning their hiking boots to keep their feet warm.
Another plausible reason is to protect your toes from being pushed to the end of the shoes as they slide when you go downhill.
Your feet will also swell as you continue hiking for long periods, so it is better to give your feet enough space as it expands.
Hiking shoe designs with a narrow toe box are one more reason for you to buy a bigger size, so your feet stay comfortable during the activity.
Buying hiking boots that are bigger by at least one size is more advisable.
It gives you more options in terms of the kind of socks you want to wear or if you are going for a short walk or go on a long-distance hiking trip.
Tips When Buying Hiking Boots
Before you go and buy those hiking boots that you have been eyeing for the longest time, we will give you some tips to make sure that what you are buying has the right fit.
Wearing the right-fitting hiking boots eliminates the discomfort on your feet, allowing you to enjoy the hiking activity more.
- When buying hiking boots, or any other shoes, make sure to do it in the afternoon or the latter part of your day.
This is when your feet are at their biggest due to all the activities you have made the whole day.
- Remember to bring the socks that you intend to wear on your hiking day and wear them before trying on the boots.
In this way, you can be sure that you’re buying boots that fit you right.
- Some shoe stores have inclined planes where you can stand and allow your feet to move and adjust according to the shape of the ramp simulating the hill.
Make sure that your feet stay comfortable as you do this.
How to Tell If Hiking Boots Are Too Big
The right sized hiking boots should feel comfortable even if you venture on long-distance hiking.
Sometimes, the hiking boots that felt comfortable in the store cause sore spots and blisters on your feet after walking for a mile or two.
When that happens, it only means that the size of your hiking boots is too big for your feet, allowing it to move around inside the shoes and causing you discomfort.
Here are some ways to help you determine if your hiking boots are the right size for you:
- While trying on a pair of hiking boots, wear both shoes and lace them up, then stand up and start moving your toes.
Your toes should be near the toe box but not as near that they are touching the front of the boots.
- There’s an unwritten rule that says if your thumb fits the space between the front of the boots and the big toe, it indicates that the shoes are too big for you.
- Your heels should not be moving up and down inside the boots as you try to roll your toes forward and backward.
Doing this confirms that you are wearing the right size as well as prevents feet discomfort and blisters.
- If your heels are moving inside your boots and toes are pushing down the toe box when you walk up and down an inclined ramp, it is an indication that the shoes are too big for your feet size.
- Try walking around while wearing the hiking boots.
If you feel any foot discomfort, such as hotspots, rubs, or pinches, it means that you are wearing the wrong shoe size.
What to Do When Hiking Boots Are Too Big
Sometimes, the hiking boots you thought that perfectly fits you when you bought it suddenly feels too big, making it unreliable during hiking.
You can try some of these tips so that you can still use the oversized hiking boots.
- Wearing several pairs or thicker socks is the most uncomplicated technique to try if you still wish to wear your big hiking boots.
- You can put an insert in the toe box to protect your toes from injury and to stop it from sliding down to the front.
You can use newspaper, water-wicking cloth, or a sponge as an insert.
- Tying the shoelaces tighter is another way too secure and stabilize your feet inside the hiking boots and prevent it from continually moving as you walk.
- If you are not comfortable with the full insole, you can opt for smaller cushioning devices.
You can use ball-of-foot pads or heel strips, which can also fill the extra space for a better fit.
- You can also try shrinking the boots by spraying it with plain water and drying it by either using a hairdryer or letting it dry under the sun.
However, this technique is only applicable for some shoes.
- Gel insoles can vertically reduce the space inside the hiking boots by increasing the level of your feet, which can add comfort to your steps.
How to Measure Your Feet Size
So, we have listed some tips on how to try on hiking boots when buying one in the shoe store, but what if we want to buy it online?
Most online shoe stores provide a sizing chart for their customers so that they can indicate their shoe size when placing an order.
However, if you don’t have any idea about your actual feet size, the sizing chart is useless and will only be a bunch of numbers for you.
To avoid the hassle of returning the shoes to the seller if it does not fit you, you should be aware of what your feet size is
Use the following tips to find out.
- Trace one foot on a piece of paper by firmly stepping on it.
Follow the outline of the foot using a pen.
- Using the same marker when you traced the outline of your foot, get a ruler to draw a straight line on each side of the traced foot.
Do this until you have connected each corner, creating a rectangle in the process.
- Take note of the measurement from top to bottom using the ruler or a tape measure.
That will be your actual shoe size.
The measurement from the left side to the right side is your foot width.
- For accuracy, deduct 3/16 of an inch from each of the measurements you have recorded previously.
Then, look for those numbers in the sizing chart to know your actual shoe size.
Conclusion
The most important thing to pay attention to when buying hiking boots is your comfort when wearing it.
If you do, you can be sure that you’d enjoy your next hiking adventure with your new pair of boots.
Thankfully, you now know how to tell if hiking boots are too big, as well as different ways you can still wear oversized shoes.
In the end, what you need to keep in mind is that shoe sizes differ for men and women, and each shoe brand may have a slight difference when it comes to its interpretation.