How to measure for Riding Boots

Thistle

When you measure your calf for riding boots, I assume you should flex your foot so the calf muscle pops.

Once you have this measurement, do you then look for boots with at least that large of a circumference, or do you go for a bit smaller for the stretch element so it keeps a good fit? Or, do you look for a bit larger for jeans and such?

Not that I think I would wear boots over jeans as I primarily want them for skirts, but the option might be nice.

12 years ago

Shopping

17 replies

Latest reply was from K. Period.

ManidipaM

Veteran

I want to know too!

12 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

I don't know, but I would try some on, see what feels good, and then measure it (the boot).

12 years ago

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

I add a 1/2 inch to my calf measurement. My calf doesn't seem to get bigger when I flex - anyway, if you have large calves like me you probably won't be able to try a lot on in stores, if any. I've ordered a pair in the past that was just my exact calf size and can't tuck jeans in them. If there is a very large stretch panel, you could probably still tuck with your actual calf size, but not with just those small gussets that are usually on the sides of tall boots. Zappos and 6pm.com have searches by calf circumference.

12 years ago

Liz A.

Veteran

I'd say try to get as close to that measurement as possible, since most boots do stretch out.

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It's a mystery. I think they measure them all differently. I would pick as many as you an order for free and just try them. Honestly -- as far as I can tell it is the only way. Same goes for height. The height measurements are quite inaccurate at times. The same height that supposedly didn't fit me, does fit me, in a different boot. Argh. Actually -- I think I know what it is. If the boot is too wide the shaft will seem taller. If it's too narrow, the shaft will seem shorter (if you can get it done up at all.)

12 years ago

pil

Veteran

Suz makes a good point. i thought my tall boots would be too tall - but they're not.

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yes -- if you "fill the boot out" you can take a taller shaft. If you don't, it will stick up oddly or gap in the wrong place, even if it's technically not too tall.

And with width -- it depends where it hits on you whether you'll need it wider or not. Because it's the relationship between height and width that is at issue.

No wonder tall boots are as bad as bras to fit!!

12 years ago

maggiemae

Active Member

check out duoboots.com. They've got a video on how to measure. And Zappos has both circumference and height which they call shaft measurement. One thing I did learn is to ignore equestrian sites - riding boots should fit differently if you actually intend to get on the horse.

12 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

So, I tried stopping after work for boots, and no luck. The "mall" doesn't carry wide shaft boots. And I hope the sales clerk scalds her tongue on hot cocoa. I like my calves, thank you very much, and if your store doesn't sell something in my size, well, that is what the internet is for!!

After my escapade, I bit the bullet and ordered numerous pairs from Zappos. A couple of things I learned from spending 2 hours boot shopping:
1. Wide width means NOTHING. It is 15 inches in one brand, 18.5 in another.
2. The higher end the brand, the skinnier the calves. No Aquatalia, Cole Haan, or Kate Spade coming my way. No Uggs, either *sniff* *sniff* Love my leather Uggs and hoping the cobbler can stretch them.
3. Within the same brand, there is WIDE variation. Well over an inch in different styles.

Once I have some of these in my hands, I will try to give a good review on them. Boot shopping is hard, but maybe I can make it easier for someone else.

12 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

I think this is why I have never owned any tall boots. It seems like such an ordeal. What dobyou wear when you go shopping? A skirt outfit? Take boot socks? And boots are big packages to wrestle with if you order online, and all that stuffing to pull out.
I need to get a grip and try, though.

12 years ago

Diana

Veteran

I go for the actual measurement of my wider calf or a little wider for slouchy looks. Since I only buy leather they do stretch. Something else to consider though is that the widest point of the boot may not hit at your widest point, in which case they will bunch in funny ways. And some companies / sites measure the opening rather than the actual calf. Unfortunately no good way to tell but to try on.

My calf is 15" and these days that's not so hard to fit. My problem is ankles, which are 7.5-8" (narrower than most esp When you take into account the borderline wide calf) and nobody gives ankle measurements!

12 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

You are right! They only give the opening measurement. Grrrr. I hadn't thought of that!

Well, I have numerous wide calf pairs to try on the way. I will report back. I figure free shipping and returns with Zappos. I will also try to take some decent measurements. Might help other Zappos customers as well as the ladies here.

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for doing this, Thistle.

I would concur with your judgements so far -- as someone who needs a slightly narrower calf, I quickly learned that ONLY the higher priced brands had a hope of working. Except most of those are also too tall for short me. I guess they are building their boots for racehorses.

It's ironic, too -- I used to think I had wide calves. It turns out that was because of the height/ width ratio. My calves were simply wide at the wrong places for the too-tall boots.

I sympathize about that sales clerk. I don't know how many times I endured EYE-ROLLING from SAs when I couldn't do up boots on my calves. No joke. It was so humiliating and infuriating. I have not purchased anything in those stores since, needless to say. It makes my current boot woes trifling in comparison.

12 years ago

AnnieMouse

Veteran

Thistle, Allie at WardrobeOxygen recently had a great post for those of us with sturdy calves, also, if the items you've ordered don't work out quite right!

12 years ago

Isis

Veteran

Thistle, I would use the published widths as only a guide. Another complicating factor is that the width will go up as the shoe size increases. For example, it'll be wider for a size 10 boot than a size 6 boot. But sites only measure one size (typically an 8, I believe)......so just be prepared to order and return a lot!

12 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

*cries* I am starting to think these may be harder to find than jeans!!

12 years ago

K. Period.

Veteran

Thistle, I think they are harder to find than jeans! At least with jeans you can walk into most stores and they'll carry a wide selection. For women with wide calves (mine too! and I love my curvy legs too!), it can be distressing. I don't know how wide your calves are, but I've found that JCrew boots fit my wide calves in their normal width (i.e., I don't buy extended calve size). Their wide calves version was much too wide for me! I just checked a pair online and they are 15 1/4" wide. Don't know if that would work and don't know if that is accurate. But it gives you another option. I've found their boots to be exceptionally high quality. Here's the one I was looking at:
http://www.jcrew.com/womens_ca...../04187.jsp

12 years ago

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