Military boots – How to choose the right size? - Guides

Too small military boots can restrict blood circulation and cause painful blisters and abrasions. On the other hand, too large ones do not provide proper foot stabilization, and excessive looseness causes the foot to move inside the footwear, increasing the risk of ankle sprains, tripping, and loss of balance. Read our guide to learn how to properly measure your foot and choose the right size of military boots.

How to measure your foot to fit the shoe size?

Many people rely solely on the size they usually wear daily when choosing footwear online. This is a big mistake. Differences between manufacturers and the specificity of military boots mean that each fitting requires an individual approach. Below we present a proven measurement method that will allow you to accurately determine the dimensions of your foot and choose the right size of military boots. Foot measurement instructions:

Required items:

A piece of paper longer than your foot (e.g., A4).
A long ruler or a centimeter tape (e.g., tailor's).
A pen or pencil.
Socks that you plan to wear daily in military boots.

Step 1: Preparing the foot for measurement

Put on the socks you usually use in military boots.
Place your foot on the paper, evenly distributing your weight on both legs so that the foot is naturally spread.

Step 2: Outlining the foot

Outline the contour of the foot with a pen or pencil.
You can ask someone for help to make the line more accurate or do it yourself.

Step 3: Measuring foot length

Measure the distance from the heel to the end of the longest toe (it's not always the big toe). Check both feet because often one is slightly larger than the other – it's this size that should determine your choice of boot size.
Record the result in centimeters – this will be the basis for choosing the correct military boot size.

Watch this video to see how to correctly measure your foot!

Additional tips:

It's best to measure your feet in the late afternoon or evening. Measuring at this time will help choose shoes that won't be too tight after a full day of wear.

Military shoe sizes - sample table

After accurately measuring your foot, you can match the obtained dimensions to a specific shoe size. Below is one of the military shoe size charts that we use in our store.

EU Size	UK Size	Foot Length (cm)
40	6.5	25.2
41	7	25.6
41.5	7.5	26
42	8	26.5
42.5	8.5	26.9
43.5	9	27.3
44	9.5	27.7
44.5	10	28.1
45	10.5	28.5
46	11	29
46.5	11.5	29.4
47	12	29.8
48	12.5	30.2
48.5	13	30.7
49.5	14	31.5
51	15	32.4

Using the table is very simple, just find the length of your foot (which you measured earlier) and match it to the appropriate size. If your measurement is exactly between two sizes, always choose the larger one. It's better to have a little extra room than shoes that are too tight.

Important note: always check the size chart for the specific brand you choose before purchasing, as shoe dimensions from different manufacturers can vary greatly.

EU, UK, and US shoe sizes – what are the differences?

In many stores, you may encounter shoe sizes provided in the European (EU), British (UK), or American (US) system.

European system (EU)

In European sizes, shoe numbers are defined by a two-digit number assigned to the foot length in centimeters. This system is based on a unit called the "Paris point," where one point corresponds to 2/3 of a centimeter (approximately 6.67 mm). For example, EU size 42 corresponds to an insole length of about 27 cm.

British system (UK)

The British measurement system is based on inches, not centimeters. To ease the purchase of footwear from the UK, you can apply the measurement converter: 1 inch equals exactly 2.54 centimeters.

American system (US)

The American system is very similar to the British one and also based on inches, but it has significant differences in numbering. US sizes are usually about 0.5-1 larger than their corresponding UK sizes.

Sample shoe size conversion table
EU Size	UK Size	US Size
40	6.5	7.5
41	7	8
42	8	8.5
43	9	9.5
44	9.5	10
45	10.5	11

How to choose the perfect military boot size? - additional tips

Poorly fitted footwear is one of the most common causes of blisters, abrasions, and foot injuries. To choose the right size of military boots, it is worth remembering a few key principles.

Foot measurements are best taken in the afternoon or evening when they are slightly swollen. This is the state closest to the conditions experienced during prolonged marching or hiking with a load when feet naturally increase in volume. Measuring feet in the morning may result in choosing a size that is too small.

Always measure the length of both feet, as in most cases one foot is slightly larger than the other. When selecting footwear, you should follow the larger measurement, even if the difference seems small. This will provide adequate space for the toes and reduce the risk of pressure and injuries.

Additionally, it's worth trying on shoes with the socks you plan to use in the field, preferably thick, trekking, or military ones. After putting on the footwear, ensure that the toes have a small amount of extra space.

Military, outdoor, and other shoes in the MILITARY offer

Now that you know how to measure your foot properly and read the size chart, it's time to choose your perfect military boots. Do not choose a size based on shoes you already own. Sizes from different manufacturers can vary, which may result in the need for a return.

In our offer, you will find a wide range of footwear: military, outdoor, and for everyday use. We work with renowned brands such as Lowa, Brandit, Columbia Sportswear, and Pentagon. Available models vary in shaft height, color, and purpose.

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