shearling linings

Lesley

Talk to me, people who have experience with buying shearling linings for your boots!

I have waited for the perfect pair of shearling-lined boots to come along, but often my favorite boots are not, or come with faux. Someone on here once said to just buy your own liners and put them in. Would you size up, in that case? I'm not sure if I should buy some liners first, so that I have them in the house when a pair of boots arrives to try on, or buy bigger boots first and then get the liners. A little chicken-or-egg problem.

2 years ago

Shopping

9 replies

Latest reply was from Jessikams

Irina

Veteran

I once bought shearling liners for my Converse but they didn’t work - they made Cons fit too small. So, I think that to use them, one needs to size up at least a half the size.

2 years ago

LaPed

Veteran

I use shearling liners and also alpaca felt liners. The boots I use them in would be too high-volume without the liners. The shearling does compress with wear, so it’s okay if it feels a little snug at first. Good to look for models that have a removable insole; taking that out will give you a little extra space. I size up in anything I plan to wear in the winter, because I also want to be able to wear two pairs of socks when it’s really cold (like today!). And I shop the men’s section because men’s models are almost always higher volume. I find a shearling footbed adds a really incredible amount of warmth, and they feel great underfoot.

2 years ago

nemosmom

Veteran

I have to size up in boots if I want space for the liner AND a thick hiking-weight sock (note: I am able to add a liner to boots I already own, I just have to wear a thin sock).

I buy liners larger so I can trim them to fit. I get them on Etsy from the same seller as my favorite winter socks.

2 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I haven’t tried the liners that go all the way around your foot, almost like socks that fit the boot, but I have used the footbeds. You could move them from one pair of shoes to another, but only if they are shaped the same—having your toes stick over the end-side really isn’t comfortable. They add comfort and warmth, but of course also extra volume.

2 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

I had boots that came with sheepskin insoles and I took them out! I didn’t like the furriness between my toes. I think a substantial felted wool insole would be ideal. I don’t know if they exist. Maybe I just invented them.

2 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

JAileen, I don’t know if they’re wool or not, but cozy thick felt insoles are easily available here.

2 years ago

Anonymous

I haven't but would size up. Besides, you want room for thicker winter socks too!

2 years ago

LaPed

Veteran

Yeah, when I say liner I just mean an insole. Outside of mukluks, pac boots, or loose-fitting wellies designed to be worn with an insulated insert, I don't think I'd be able to fit a full bootie inside much of anything!

JAileen -- you can definitely buy or make a piece of wool felt to use as an insole. I've made my own from wool roving, and also bought sheets of alpaca felt (supposedly warmer than sheep's wool) and cut it to fit by tracing the shoe's original insole. The felt is nice in that it ages a little better than shearling does, lasting longer and conforming to your foot a bit like a cork footbed would, without the squishy feeling of shearling. Etsy has tons of options in different thicknesses: https://www.etsy.com/market/alpaca_felt_insoles

2 years ago

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

I tried them and thought they felt so good. But they made my boots too small.

2 years ago

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