Boot & Shoe Fit is more than the Size!
Although we always think of size when we go shopping for footwear, we find that size is only one factor determining boot comfort and that comfort of boots or any footwear results from the combination of many variables.
SIZE & SHAPE:
The size number is obviously important. However, since every manufacturer uses a different "last" the initial comfort of the boot is primarily dependent upon how the total proportional fit of the last conforms with your foot proportions and that is why shape is equally important as size. (Note: The "last" is the wood or fiberglass shaped form over which the leather is stretched when making a boot to control the proportions of the overall length, heel-to-ball length, width, toe box height, arch position, instep volume, etc.)
Fortunately, footwear made from leather will adapt and accommodate changes to the original boot shape during a break-in period. Leather is fibrous and when warmed and moistened by your foot perspiration softens and molds to your foot outline over a relatively short time thereby eliminating any minor discomfort that might have been present when the boots were first purchased. Leather boots will "break-in" to conform with minor width variations of your foot often caused by bone spurs, corns, bunions etc but boots will not change in length. It is therefore very important that your length sizing be primarily established by your foot's heel-to-ball measurement which should then match the boot flex length that is controlled by the rigid shank support built into the boot.
STYLE:
Boot styles vary by design and can affect the comfort of users based on style differences such as slip-on, lace-up, sandal, clog, different heel height, heel and toe proportions, etc. Obviously, slip-on styles must be fit more precisely than a lace-up for which the laces can be tied to accommodate foot variation and an extremely high thin heel may not be as comfortable as a flatter heel.
FLEXIBILITY:
It is estimated that an average adult walks approximately 3 miles per day which means that a pair of feet flexes at the ball about 8,000 times a day. (Note: 8000 steps x 2 foot stride = 16000 feet = approximately 3 miles). The resistance to this flexing of your foot resulting from the construction of the boot is reflected by the tiredness and comfort of your feet at the end of the day.
Boot flexibility involves the outsole, insole, vamp materials and the construction of boot. Boot companies generally use leather soles in their better dress boots, rubber soles in their work boot styles and composition soles in their popular price boots.
Leather soles generally have high flexibility but have lower wear durability, especially in wet weather; rubber soles have low flexibility, especially in cold weather when rubber gets hard, but high wear durability; and composition soles are a middle ground compromise for both flexibility and durability.
WEIGHT:
The heavier the boot the more your legs have to work to lift them on each step which can thereby reduce your comfort. A difference of only 4 ounces in the weight of a boot can make a one-ton difference in your daily leg-lifting load, which significantly increases your foot fatigue and strain. (Note: 8000 steps x 4 oz = 32000 oz = 2000 pounds = 1 ton).
Rubber sole boots tend to be heavier than leather sole boots. Boots with vamps or uppers made from Ostrich and Kangaroo leathers, that are stronger leathers and therefore made thinner, are usually lighter than boots made with vamps or uppers made from cowhide leathers.
VAMP OR UPPER MATERIALS:
The vamp or upper material contributes to foot comfort in proportion to its weight, breathability and softness. Breathability is the leather's property to maintain a comfortable humidity level within the boot when considering your foot's perspiration.
A hot moist boot is not as comfortable as a cool dry boot. Certain leathers made from animals that do not have mammal properties that create porosity, such as hair follicles and sweat glands tend to be less comfortable (example: boots made from sharkskin do not breath as well and are hotter, wetter and less comfortable than cowhide boots). Softer leathers tend to feel much more comfortable than rigid hard leathers (example: calf skin or deertanned cowhides are more comfortable than heavy bullhide leathers.)
SHOCK ABSORPTION:
When walking on hard non-resilient surfaces, such as concrete or asphalt, the feet of an average adult weighing 175 pounds results in approximately 700 tons of foot shock on a daily basis. (Note: 175 lbs x 8000 steps = 1.4 million pounds = 700 tons).
Boot comfort is improved by internal boot cushioning provided by insoles or shock absorbing air chambers within the boot heel or just wearing properly cushioned boot socks.
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