ResourcesWork Boots’ Width ExplainedWritten by James BlakeLast Updated 30 Apr 2023Rated Are Your Feet Killing You After a Long Day? You Might Need to Reconsider the Width of Your Work Boots. If You Don’t Know Where to Start, We’ll Tell You Exactly What It All Means & Why You Should Be Paying Attention. Keep Reading to Discover a World of Comfortable Work Boots… There’s more to work boots than simply walking into a store and picking a size. Your work boots’ width is also an important factor to consider before buying your next pair. Through this article, you’ll discover: Finding the right fit when it comes to work boots is incredibly important for so many different reasons. To help you better understand this, the My Best Work Boot team has compiled this handy guide. What Does Work Boots’ Width Mean? The term work boots’ width means exactly what the name implies, the width of the work boot that you choose to wear. No 2 feet are the same, and the width of your foot is certainly a factor to consider when it comes to your work boots. The width of your chosen work boot needs to properly fit the width of your foot. If it doesn’t, you may find yourself in a world of pain and discomfort. Because only you know what’s best for you, it’s hard to recommend a size that works for everyone. Some people like a wide fit, and some people like something looser around the ankle. Comfort is subjective and is really an individual decision. But did you know… More than 90% of the population wears normal-width work boots.1 If you don’t know your width, chances are you wear normal width most of the time. If the size is listed in numbers only, it means that the size is only available in normal width. Work Boot Width Designation by Letters Work boot width designation by letter helps the average customer better understand the different sizes available. In the United States, shoe widths are labeled as AAA, AA, A, B, C, D, E, EE, and EEE.2 Narrow and wide shoes are also divided into sizes, with other letters indicating even narrower or wider. Not all shoe brands offer different widths, so finding shoes that are wider or narrower than average can be challenging. The width also differs between men’s and women’s shoes. Let’s take a quick look at the most common widths: B: Extra narrow C: Narrow D: Regular E: Wide EE: Extra wide EEE: Triple wide Unless you’re in a specialty shoe store, most shoes on the shelf are normal width. A visible stretch or protrusion outside the front or sides of the work boot is a good indication that more width may be needed. Health Consequences of the Wrong Boot Size There are many health consequences associated with wearing the wrong boot size. Basically, wearing the wrong shoes can cause neuropathy, which is a condition in which the feet feel numb.3 This condition is painful and sometimes irreversible. The sad truth is that many people often need to wear the wrong size shoes for comfort or style without being aware of it. That’s not all Another side effect of wearing ill-fitting shoes is deformed feet. These can include hammertoes, corns, and calluses. Finally, not wearing the right shoes can cause wear and tear and reduce movement. Having a professional measure your feet is a good way to lower your risk of getting these conditions. If you have any questions about shoe size or think you’re experiencing 1 or more of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to talk to a podiatrist. How to Determine Your Boot Width To determine your boot size, you need to understand how to measure your foot. This will assist you in finding the right shoes as well as reducing injuries and preventing foot problems. We have a few easy steps to help you determine your work boot width: Wrap a measuring tape around the broadest part of your bare foot. Keep your feet firmly on the ground. Mark the width of your feet in millimeters. These 3 easy steps will help you determine the right width in record time. Of course, even after measuring your foot, it may be tricky to determine if you are wearing the right size. We have a few helpful pointers to ensure that you’re on the right track: What’s the Right Boot Fit? When it comes to the right boot fit, the first thing you need to know is that your work boots shouldn’t be too tight. The best fit should be snug (but not tight) around your entire foot, with plenty of room to wiggle your toes and some slight movement around the heel. How to Tell if Your Boots Too Big In front of the boot, there should be enough room to move your toes up and down without them slipping too much. Also, the boot should fit snugly around the ball of your foot and not fall off or change position when you move your foot. Common Questions How Do I Know if My Boots Fit Properly? To know if your boots are properly fitted, the first thing to know is that work boots shouldn’t be too tight. The best fit should be snug (but not tight) around your entire foot, with plenty of room to move your toes. How Much Room Should Be in a Boot? The amount of room that should be in a boot should allow you to move your toes inside the toe box (front of the shoe). To see if you have enough room, step your foot forward so that your toes just touch the bottom of the shoe without the laces. How Tight Should Boots Fit at First? When it comes to determining how tight boots should fit at first when wearing socks, your work boots should fit well but not be too tight. However, new boots will need to be broken in, especially if they are genuine leather. How Much Room Should Be in the Toe of a Boot? When it comes to how much room should be in the toe of a boot, the general rule is that there should be about an inch of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. Another way to check this is to run a finger between your heel and toe. How Should Boots Fit Around the Calf? When it comes to how boots should fit around the calf, most boots fit best when they fit snugly around your calf; too much space spoils the shape of the shoe. Making sure your boots fit well is also important for the health and comfort of your feet. In Conclusion The width of your work boot is an important factor to consider. Not only does it contribute to a comfortable workday, but it also puts your health first. So the next time you are shopping for boots, why not take a bit more time and look into wider-fitting boots? You’ll be surprised by the difference that they’ll make to your work boot experience. People Loved Reading These Articles Everything You Need to Know About Work Boot Designs Can You Wear Your Safety Footwear & Still Look Trendy?
