Do Work Boots Run Larger Than Tennis Shoes?

Do Work Boots Run Larger Than Tennis Shoes

It is normal to wonder whether the same size of boots and shoes will fit your feet well. The fact of the matter is manufacturers never make the same size to fit both types of footwear. One is always larger than the other and vice-versa.

If a size 10 tennis shoe fits you well, chances are the same size may be small for work boots. The reason being tennis shoes run smaller than work boots. However, a point to note here – many times work boots and tennis shoes reverse roles when it comes to the size. This mainly depends on where your boots were manufactured, because in some country’s feet size runs smaller than in the US.

It is very rare to find work boots that are not made true to size. Therefore, while looking to buy work boots you can go for your usual correct size. Of course, make sure to try them on before finalizing.

How to be sure of your foot size?

Measure Shoe sizeWhen going to a store to buy footwear, all you need to do is simply wear them to see if they fit right. However, the same is not the case when venturing out to the online market. It can be tricky when buying any apparel or footwear from e-commerce websites.

To be sure of what size to buy online, measure your feet at home and refer to the size guide chart that is available in the product description to help you decide. Even after that if they do not fit you well, shopping websites have a seamless return and exchange policy in place.

When measuring your foot at home, you can do so by wearing socks and drawing an outline of the foot on a piece of paper with a pencil. Then draw lines on the outline making sure they touch the widest and longest part of your foot. This way you will get a more accurate measurement of your foot and be able to make a better judgment while buying boots online.

Reasons why you should always buy the correct size work boots

1.) Comfort: One should always be comfortable while working. There are specific work boots available for all types of jobs. While some jobs do not require you to be on your feet all day, some do. In the latter case, imagine being fidgety through the working hours because your feet hurt. Constantly having to take breaks, which results in the loss of hourly wage. It is imperative for you to choose the right fit consciously to be able to be productive. 

2.) Posture: Wearing the appropriate boot size aids in good posture. It is very important to pay attention to how your posture is while at work. Sometimes, when we wear boots that are too small or too large can directly affect how we stand, walk, or sit. A bad posture can lead to serious problems in the long run, and nobody wants to put their body through years of pain.

3.) Blisters or bunions: Every individual has suffered from a serious case of blisters or bunions on their feet at some point. Even while trying to break into a new pair of footwear, we put our feet through agony. When our feet feel suffocated in a very tight pair of boots, with no room to breathe, blisters are inevitable. The same is the case with loose fitting boots, as they rub against the back of your feet constantly causing painful sores and blisters.

4.) Healthy feet: To have healthy and happy feet, one should wear the correct size work boots. If we wear boots that do not fit right, our feet can go through a rigorous amount of problems in the years to come. The structure of the feet can get affected when wearing the wrong size. Apart from that, it can also lead to getting flat feet, inflammation, and plantar fasciitis. Joint and back pain are among the other problems that can occur by wearing the incorrect size boots.

Points to note when scouting for the right size of boots

There are several things to keep in mind when shopping for the right pair of work boots.

right iconIf you are at the store trying on different boots, make it a point to wear socks as they add an extra layer to our feet. This will help you get the right size as opposed to trying them on without any socks.

right iconThere should be some wiggle room for your toes. If there is none, you can move on to one size bigger, as work boots should have a snug fit but not to the extent of cramping up your toes.

right iconSimilarly, if there is extra space left between your feet and walls of the boots, you should go for a size smaller.

right iconWhen trying on boots, always wear them both together for more surety of the size. As most of us have two different feet sizes.

right iconWalk in the boots to see how comfortable they are. If your feet are slipping out of them or feeling too suffocated, they are not the correct size.

right iconMove your feet in a circular motion to make sure the material is not digging into your skin or giving you any kind of discomfort.

right iconOnce you take the boots off, check to see if any red spots have developed on your skin. If yes, then the boots were exerting too much pressure on those particular areas, which means you need to go for another size for maximum comfort.

Once you have checked all of the above boxes, you will be able to make a more informed decision on the right sized pair of work boots.

Wrapping up

Whenever you decide to buy a new pair of work boots, remember to only buy ones that fit you perfectly. Even if this means not being able to buy the ones that you had your eye on. Work boots can be expensive therefore, you should not compromise on an ill-fitting pair. Our feet are one of the most vulnerable parts of our body as we are on them throughout the day. So, remember to treat them with the utmost care.

Stephen Luettgen
I have 12+ years of experience in construction, inspections, handy work, and currently working as a Construction Site Manager. In today’s day we spent a significant part of our time at workplace and a right work gear can have significant impact not only on your safety but also work quality.

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