Do you know which parameter of a boot decides the exact length of your foot?
The answer is…
It is the insole!
Yes, it is the insole of a boot that should match the shape and size of your feet for the boot to give you the perfect fit.
Measuring the insole for the correct length of your feet is not a difficult job though, yet it becomes a bit difficult when the insole of the boot is unremovable.
In case, the insole is removable, take it out from the boot, place it on a piece of paper and mark the topmost and the bottom end of the insole. Then join the two dots and measure with a scale to know the exact length of the insole.
Remember, the length and width of the insole should always exceed 1cm to 1.5cm from that of the measurement of your foot.
That is not all, as I have said, if the insoles are fixed to the boot, measuring them can be quite a hectic job.
But don’t you worry, your friend Stephen is here to help you out regarding all the ways to measure the insole of boot.
Insole length VS Foot length
The general rule of Thumb is that, the size of the insole should be 1cm to 1.5cm longer than the actual length of your foot. Let us consider the chart below for reference of how the insole length and the foot length varies:
| US | UK | FOOT LENGTH | FOOT WIDTH | INSOLE LENGTH |
| 5.5 | 3.5 | 22.5cm’8.9” | 8-8.5cm/3.2-3.4” | 23.5-24cm |
| 6 | 4 | 23cm’9.1” | 8.5cm/3.4” | 24-24.5cm |
| 6.5-7 | 4.5 | 23.5cm’9.3” | 8.5-9cm/3.4-3.5” | 24.5-25cm |
| 7.5 | 5 | 24cm’9.5” | 9cm/3.5” | 25-25.5cm |
| 8 | 5.5 | 24.5cm’9.7” | 9-9.5cm/3.5-3.7” | 25.5-26cm |
| 8.5 | 6 | 25cm’9.8” | 9.5cm/3.7” | 26-26.5cm |
| 9 | 6.5 | 25.5cm’10” | 9.5-10cm/3.7-3.9” | 26.5-27cm |
| 9.5-10 | 7 | 26cm’10.2” | 10cm/3.9” | 27-27.5cm |
| 10.5 | 7.5 | 26.5cm’10.4” | 10.5cm/4.1” | 27.5-28cm |
Insole width v/s foot width
For the perfect size and shape of the insole, only knowing the correct insole length isn’t enough. You need to know the insole width as well and compare it with the width of your foot:
| FOOT WIDTH | INSOLE WIDTH |
| 8-8.5cm/3.2-3.4” | 9-9.5cm |
| 8.5cm/3.4” | 9.5cm |
| 8.5-9cm/3.4-3.5” | 9.5-10cm |
| 9cm/3.5” | 10cm |
| 9-9.5cm/3.5-3.7” | 10-10.5cm |
| 9.5cm/3.7” | 10.5cm |
| 9.5-10cm/3.7-3.9” | 10.5-11cm |
| 10cm/3.9” | 11cm |
| 10.5cm/4.1” | 11.5cm |
See also: Best Memory Foam Insoles for Work Boots
How to measure the insole of boots (for removable insoles)?
Measuring the length and width of removable insoles is in fact quite easy. You just need to follow the steps below:
1.) Take a sheet of paper, a measuring scale or tape and a pen or pencil
2.) Remove the insole from the boot and place it on the piece of paper
3.) Mark the edges of the insole (top and bottom) on the paper using the pencil. This will give you the length of the insole
4.) Now mark the edges of the widest parts of the insole. This will give you the width of the insole
5.) Join the dots length-wise and width-wise respectively in straight lines
6.) Now measure the length and the width of the lines using the measuring scale or the tape
How to measure the insole of boots (for fixed insoles)?/How do you measure the inside of shoes?
It can be really troublesome to measure the exact length and width of the insoles if they cannot be removed. Still, the task is not impossible if you put a little effort:
1.) Open the laces of the boot
2.) Pull out the tongue so that it is easy for you to insert your hands till the end of the boot
3.) Take the measuring tape and hold the “0” mark of the tape with your fingers
4.) Put the tape inside the boots touching the inside end (toe box area)
5.) Place the other end of the tape touching the inside walls of the heel side of the boot
6.) Bring out your hands and watch the measurement on the tape. This will give you the length of the insole
For measuring the width of the insole, you need to insert the measuring tape again inside the boots and measure the widest part of the boot. This is generally the part where your toes begin in the foot.
See also: How Often Should You Swap the Insoles of Your Boots?
How to measure the length and width of your feet for knowing the correct insole size?
1.) Take a blank sheet of paper
2.) Place your foot on the paper
3.) For getting the exact measurement take a pencil and put a mark on the top of the longest toe and the other at the end of the heel to measure the length
4.) Next, for measuring the width mark on both the sides of the feet where the toe starts
5.) Now, join the points and measure with a scale to get the exact measurement
How should shoe insoles fit?
Now you know how to measure the length and breadth of your feet and that of the insoles of the boots.
So, after measuring the length and width of your feet, either match it with the table above for the length and width of the insole matching the measurement of your feet and if you are buying from the store, you can carry your measurements from the old boots and ask for the same.
Coming to the fitting of the insole, the length and the width of the insole should exceed at least 1cm to 1.5cm from that of the measurement of your foot.
This extra space of the insole will help your feet to move freely inside the boots without feeling cramped or getting rubbed against the walls of the boots and can save your feet from pain, blisters, calluses, etc.
If the insole will measure the exact length and width of your foot, then you will experience extreme tight fit inside the boots which will not at all be comfortable for you to wear for the entire day at work.
And it’s a wrap!
Hope you enjoyed reading this article.
But remember that it is very important to find the perfect measurement of your feet and match it with measurement of the insole in the size chart of the boots if you are buying boots online, else it could affect your feet. Your feet might get cramped, develop blisters, get chaffed, etc.
That’s all folks for today’s article! Hope to see you soon in the coming post, till then take care and have a great day ahead!
