|
VERY VERY VERY IMPORTANT!!
- SIZING INFO. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY.
To avoid getting badly fitting
boots! BECAUSE
SIZE DOES MATTER!!
Make sure you order the correct size boot. This is not quite as easy
as it may seem as there are a number of different sizing systems in the world and one or two traps for the unwary, but I will
try to make this as easy as possible for you and get you a nicely fitting pair of boots.
Blundstones, Redbacks, etc. use Australian sizes.
Australian men's (and unisex) and UK (unisex)
sizing is the same though a lot of UK manufacturers now use width measuring systems which are similar to those that US makers
have used for years. Australian boot makers do NOT use a US-type system but use half size to denote a wide version
of the full size boot. Australian boot lengths, therefore, only increase in full sizes.
Australian and American women's sizes are similar but this
can vary between makers and styles and some women find that they can need up to a size or more larger in a Blundstone
women's style than in some other makes.
It is ALWAYS wise to cross check, or, better still, try on
some Blunnies, etc. As a general rule Redbacks are wider than most Blunnies (but about the same as Blundstone 200 or
550) but they have a higher instep than the somewhat flatter Blundstones so they can sometimes feel tighter if you
have flattish feet.
Blundstones (EXCEPT FOR WOMEN SPECIFIC STYLES) are measured
in Australian mens' sizes - even though nowadays they are truly unisex styles and are nearly as popular with women as
with men. Blundstones men's/unisex styles tend be quite generous in size and fitting.
ROSSIS are generally a narrower fit than the others but remember a half size in a Rossi (say
an 8 1/2 ) is about the same width as a whole size (8) in most Blundstones. I
do not recommend Rossis to anyone with very wide feet.
STEELBLUES, on the other hand (foot?), are the widest of the brands I sell and the opposite applies
- they are not suitable for anyone with a very narrow foot and a half size (wide fit) should only be considered by anyone
with a very wide foot.
SHEEPSKIN BOOTS are made for wearing without socks (Why? - Because you can! The sheepskin acts
like a woollen sock.) so if you so intend wearing socks as well, remember to allow a little extra room. They do stretch
a bit with wear so it is fine if they are snug when new. If you buy from any of the companies that I recommend please
make sure you know what size scale they are working in and follow any advice they may give with conversions.
Australian men's size is about one size smaller than
the equivalent U.S. men's size (for example, U.S. men's 10 usually equals Australian men's 9) and is generally about 2
to 3 sizes smaller than the equivalent U.S. women's style, however this can vary depending on the make and style of the US
boot or shoe.
Never
EVER assume!
Half sizes (where available) in Australian and UK sizes are
the same length as the equivalent whole number size but are WIDER and have a greater cross section. For example,
8 1/2 is the SAME LENGTH as 8, but is for a wider foot.
Extra care is, therefore, needed when converting from US
half sizes as these are longer AND wider than full sizes - if your toes are close to the end of your US half size boots then
you will probably need to forget converting to a smaller number Aussie size and just decide whether you need a wide (half
size) or not.
For example if you wear a US 81/2 and your toes are nearly touching the ends then an Aussie/UK 8 would almost certainly
be best (or 81/2 if your feet are wide).
Remember, there is a general tendency for women's feet
to be narrower than men's, especially at the heel.
Almost every manufacturer
does their measuring just a little bit differently from each other and sometimes there are small variations between styles
even with the same maker so using the tables and conversions supplied is not foolproof, just a guide.
Half sizes needs a bit of checking due to the different way Aussie and US sizes progress through
the sizes. Australian boots are ALWAYS marked in UK/AU sizes regardless of where they are sold.
An Aussie (UK) half size is a wide fitting version of the full number size whereas a US half size
is half way between the two full numbers and you then differentiate width by the letter fitting system (D, E etc).
So, for example, a US 10 1/2 could convert to anywhere between 9 and 10 1/2 Aussie size.
However, it isn't as hard as it seems, so bear with me! What you need to determine is if your
toes are almost at the end of your US shoes or if there is plenty of spare room. If there is plenty, a 9 or 9 1/2 will
be OK but if your toes are right at the end of your shoes then you need to go up to 10 or 10 1/2.
A Blundstone 500 series (or Baxter) standard fit is about
a D so if that is OK then stay with the whole number, 9 or 10. If you need an E or wider then go for the half size,
9 1/2 or 10 1/2.
A Blundstone 200 or 550 or any Redback is wider (standard
is about DD to DDD, half size is EE) and most Rossis are narrower (standard is about CC and half
size is about DDD) - the Blundstone 059/063 are similar in width to the 500 in the middle of the foot but become
noticeably narrower towards the tapered toes which make the total length longer than other Blundstones as a result.
SteelBlues are the widest of all the boots I sell and are unsuitable for very narrow feet (standard is E and half size is
about EEE).
Crazy world, eh? But don't give up - we can
beat the system!!
To view my SIZE CONVERSION CHART click here - remember this is a ONLY A GUIDE - I cannot
guarantee that this will be an accurate conversion from all makes and styles. DO NOT USE IT FOR SHEEPSKIN BOOTS. There
are other conversion tables around that come up with some different numbers and they're not necessarily wrong - they are just
starting from a different brand or style - I told you this was confusing!
CONVERSION FROM
U.S. WOMEN'S SIZES is especially tricky as NO EXACT conversion exists - sometimes you'll need to move up or down a size
or half size. In fact, there is no internationally accepted standard for shoe sizing - even Euro sizes vary in
some countries (especially France and Spain).
Then there are Mexican, Russian, Ukranian and Japanese
sizes - ask me if you need a conversion from one of these and I'll try to work it out.
I really recommend measuring your feet before you order or
even establishing your size in mens' sizes (which are generally more consistent for some reason).
Or, if you know your Euro size (not France
or Spain) at is usually an easier conversion.
If stuck, email me for advice - I'm here to help.
If you are possibly able to - try on a pair of Blunnies, Redbacks or
whatever before ordering to check your size as that would limit the chance of an error - though make sure it is the same
or similar style to the one you need. (That's ALWAYS the best check, if it is possible).
If
you still get it wrong I can replace them for you - but a few minutes spent checking now could save you and me weeks of delays
and frustration later on.
Still not sure of your size? Try this....Wear
the same type of socks that you will be wearing with your boots, place your larger foot (most people have one foot longer
than the other) on a sheet of paper, and press down with your normal weight on it. Now, get someone to trace your footprint
(with an upright pencil just touching your foot) and measure the longest distance on it.
Then, check the size you need from my Size Chart by clicking here or email me for my interpretation of the result.
|
