Who wears Timberlands? A little help, please?

[Iggo]

Would you say their sizes are right on, they run a little big, or they run a little small?

(I want to buy a pair online and I'm trying to put myself in a better position to avoid having to send them back, dontcha know.)

EDIt: Mid-rise Hiking Boots.

[wcast]

1. Look them up in the Eastbay catalog online.

Eastbay always gives recommendations of whether shoes run too big, too little, or right on. I have found them to be accurate with their recommendations.

[Iggo]

7. I'll take a look, thanks!

[get the red out]

2. I had to buy

a half-size larger than normal in my boots.

[Iggo]

8. That seems to be the consensus. Thank you!

[Wellstone ruled]

3. Wonderful fit,

usually order or buy full size in extra wide widths. My boots are close to ten years old and look like heck,but still my go to boots.

[Iggo]

9. Wides. That was my next question.

In old-man athletic shoes, or whatever New Balance and Skechers are (cross-trainers?), I wear wide widths.

If the sizes are expressed as a choice between 9.5M or 9.5W, I have to get the 9.5W, or everything forward of the middle of my foot gets squeezed.

Do you wear wides in all kinds of shoes? Or do you just like to get your boots that way?

[Wellstone ruled]

13. Bought my at Big Bear in

Bozeman Montana ten years ago,was able to get these in 3E at the time. Yah,I got Water Ski feet. Great for stamping out grass fires though.

[Runningdawg]

4. I buy a 1/2 size larger

To accomodate a good pair of Dr Scholls arch supports and thick socks. They are going to still feel tight and stiff, not as hard to break in as Docs, but it will take some wear.

[Iggo]

10. Good to know, on both points.

I always change the insoles in my shoes and I always wear thick socks.

I never wore docs. At the time I was going to boot-wearing gigs, I was a general warehouse/construction worker and so I always had a decent pair of steel-toes. But I hear you on the break-in period.

(And reading the above, it appears I always like to say always....lol.)

[Major Nikon]

5. The best way to buy boots online is to start with your measured size

Shoe sizes change by both length and width. So often people will upsize to accommodate width and just accept a length that is too long. Often people will go by their athletic shoe size which isn’t a good idea either.

Unless you have access to a Brannock device, the best thing to do is stand up straight and have someone trace around your foot while wearing the thickness of socks you intend to wear with the boot. The best way to do this is by using a butter knife held flat and plumb against your foot.

You then go by size charts for your largest foot. Often boots will feel tight at first and then loosen up as they break in and your foot sinks into the midsole.

[Iggo]

11. I had to google Brannock Device, but thanks for the advice and the instructions!

Without even moving from my chair I can see the butter-knife thing makes a ton of sense. That's a very good idea.

[Major Nikon]

14. I've bought a lot of boots online

My feet are pretty average, but that’s not the case for some. Some peoples feets are wide, or have a high arch, or flat, or have a high instep, or several other irregularities. That’s why some shoe/boot manufacturers will make different lines made with different lasts, which is kinda the mold on which the footware is manufactured. Footware manufacturers generally (although not always) fit to standard sizes, but the last used might fit you personally better if upsized or downsized. That same last might fit someone else better going the other way.

A good shoe salesman will always start by measuring both of your feet and then correct from there based on the last and any irregularities your feet have to insure the best fit. There’s lots of references you can find on teh google to measure at home. One of your feets will always be larger than the other, so it’s best to measure both.

Buying online is always hit and miss unless you know how that manufacturers’ last fits your particular feet. Always check the return policy.

Good footware has a midsole that molds to your foot as it breaks in. Footware that is tight in the instep at first may feel perfect after break in. So you kinda have to allow for this. It’s not as much of an issue with lace up boots.

A good pair of boots never needs an aftermarket insole unless you are trying to correct for foot irregularities or an improper fit. Not all lasts fit all feet. I like buying footware from manufacturers that use the same lasts indefinitely. That way when I find a good fit, I can always duplicate that fit. This is true for Allen Edmonds, Alden, and mostly true with Redwing and a few others. I’ve never owned Timberland.

[deurbano]

6. I don't know, but they make my son (already 6'3") seem REALLY tall.

He has a nice dark gray pair.

[Iggo]

12. I'm hoping I get to 5'10", 5'10-1/2".

I'm under six feet, so I'm still allowed to use fractions.