Size Down in Doc Martens? - YouLookFab Forum

Within the past couple of years I've had to give up 'pretty" shoes in favour of wide width flat shoes. So far, my Merrell hiking shoes are the most comfortable shoes I own for walking in, but hard to get away with at work. For the last year, I've had basically one pair of work shoes -- black chisel-toe Blundstones.

After reading so many posts on YLF about Doc Martens, I started to think they might make a passable alternative for me. So, this weekend, I bought a white pair at Famous Footwear (they appear to be made specially for them, and are not roomy in the toe as the 1460s, but I figured they were an affordable way to test the Doc Martens waters, so to speak..

THEN today I found a yellow pair of 1460s, and I bought those, too.

As I've been wearing both pair around trying to decide which to keep, I've started to wonder if I need to size down. I bought both in size 8, which is my new usual size (I was a 7 1/2 until the podiatrist told me I needed to bump up).

It frankly didn't occur to me to try on a 7 as I have NEVER worn a 7. I guess I will go back out there tomorrow and try on the smaller size, but I am curious -- what's your experience? Have you needed to size down?

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by CarolS

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4 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It depends. Docs are usually sized as per UK sizes, which are different from US (or EU, or AU) sizes. The size translations are not perfect going from one system to another so depending on the shape of your particular foot, you may find you need to change sizes. Also, different styles within a brand can sometimes be sized differently or have a different last, so fit differently.

Since you are struggling with fussy feet, I would try on everything you can to ensure you're as happy as possible.

CarolS

Thanks, Suz. I tried on the smaller white ones at Famous Footwear this afternoon and they are definitely too small. One difference between the less expensive white ones and the yellow ones is that the yellow are much roomier in the toe box, giving me room for an insole.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

EXACTLY, what Suz said. And super cute Docs. My fingers are crossed for you.

Thanks, Angie! I'm crossing my fingers too. My Blundstones are great, but I need variety!!!

Runs With Scissors

Yes, I think that many find they need to size down 1/2 to one full size in Doc Martens. I am a US women's 11 / UK 9, and ideally would wear a US 10.5 in DMs (but they don't make half-sizes -- why??). I can wear a US women's 10 / UK 8 with thin or no socks (and I live in a warm place so I prefer that to padding with extra thick socks).

There are different "flavors" of 1460 too, which vary in width though usually not length --1460 is widest, 1460W is a bit narrower, and 1460 "Pascal" are narrower still. The Pascals are often made of more supple materials that make them easier to break in, but some don't like the tendency of these leathers to wrinkle more.

Thank you, Runs With Scissors! I didn't know there were different kinds of 1460s. I just checked the box, and mine seem to be the widest kind. Which is probably good from my podiatrist's perspective, as her main criteria for my footwear is that it be WIDE. I might still try on the 7 in the 1460s just to compare, but with an insole I think they could be ok. I used to love a refined pointed toe boot with a slight heel... this is a loooong way from that!

DonnaF

Last month, I bought my first pair of Docs. If they came in half sizes, I probably would have tried 1/2 size down. Instead, I have experimented with various inserts and heel lifts. I actually find this better because I wear anything from tights to thick socks and prefer a more aggressive arch than the Doc inserts.

FWIW, I normally wear a US7 in boots and bought the UK5.

Zappos

Dr. Martens Dr. Martens1460 Pascal Wild Botanics

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Jaime

I prefer my boots a bit big so I can customize with inserts, wear thick socks, etc. as needed. I really am a UK 4.5 but would go for a 5 rather than a 4 in boots.

Cute boots, DonnaF. Such fun! Are you enjoying wearing them? I think I agree with you that I'd rather have room to play with insoles, orthotics, heavy socks, etc. I am a US 8, and these boots are a UK6.

shevia -- I've eliminated the 7 in the smaller-cut white docs. Next weekend I'll get out and compare the US 7 in the wider cut 1460s, just to satisfy my curiosity. I've got an insole in the 8's right now for testing them out around the house and it seems to be working pretty well.

Thanks to both of you for the boost!

Bijou

Carol you may need to go down a size. I wear Docs with orthotics and have bought them in my "regular" non-orthotic size - EU 39. I have low volume feet, so these work beautifully with my orthotics. I hope these are a great success for you. I bought my Docs 3 years ago when I hurt my ankle and needed walking shoes with support. Since then, they have been a firm favourite because they are super comfortable and stylish. Definitely well worth the hassle of breaking them in.

by Bijou

LaPed

I'm a pretty consistent EU40/US9 in shoes and boots, and I need width at the toe and forefoot. I prefer Doc Martens in a UK7. I've had a couple pairs in size 6, but could only wear them with thin socks and always ended up passing them on because they just weren't comfortable enough. Finally tried a size size 7 and my feet are sooo much happier. Like Shevia, I add an insole liner to customize the volume and add warmth. I use pieces of wool or alpaca felt trimmed to size to make my own liners; bonus is that they enable me to wear uninsulated boots on mild winter days.

Thanks for weighing in BIjou and La Pedestrienne. Hearing from experienced wearers is really helpful!
The Docs are bigger than any of my sneakers but comparable to my everyday pair of winter boots, so that doesn't tell me enough! Jury will be out until I get back to the mall for a try-on.
(Oh, and cute boots, Bijou! Those are killer.)

Well, this is a taunt. I went to try on the yellow 1460s in the smaller size today, and they do seem like a better fit and they feel much tidier on my feet. BUT (there's always a but) - not sure I would be able to fit an insole into them (leather is so still I couldn't get an insole into them to test. I've been using a Sole insole in my black winter boots and they have been a life saver.)

So, I still have the larger pair. And some uncertainty. I did try on a black Doc 1460W in an 8 and it is almost identical to the 1460 size 7.

I miss the days when buying shoes was easy.

Update. I returned the white Docs to Famous Footwear. The 7 is too small for sure, and the 8 feels big. Rather than spend more time hemming and hawing, I decided to just step away from those for a while. I exchanged the yellow 1460s for a size down and I think it will be better. I can't get a much sock or insole into it, but it feels much tidier while not cramping my toes.

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