Question about Dubarry Clare boot fit?

[Fox_Wood_Farm]

I was gifted a pair of Dubarry boots. I wear a 9N in dress shoes. Most boots (ariats) I end up with 8 1/2. Thin ankles and 14" calves And I am 5’9". European sizes, I usually get 39. After reading all the reviews I could find, I decided on the Clare. Based on the size comments, I ordered size 40. They are easy to get on, no boot pulls required. Hubby pulled them off easily.

BUT… They are the tiniest bit snug around my foot. My thought was they will be perfect after breaking in. But all the reviewers say they don’t need to break in.

So, I ordered a pair of 41. (Thanks to Smartpak for the free shipping, and return on which ever ones I send back.) My feet were swimming in them, and my heel slipped up and down. I think more than I would ever be comfortable with.

Now wearing the 40s around the house. They are comfy. But snug. For anybody out there with any Dubarry boots, do they actually break in a little bit? Stretch just a bit? I mean they are leather and leather stretches…

I know im gonna send the 41 back. But don’t want to make a very expensive mistake with the 40. Help me decide!

[WNT]

I have tried Dubarrys and I have the same problem with them I have with EVERY European sized shoe: I’m a U.S. 8-1/2 and it does not correlate with a Euro size. Period. Your best bet may be to try an insole in the 41; something like an Ariat ATS or Cobalt insole. Dubarry makes one as well that generally gives you a half size, but the Ariat ones are more substantial.

Are they snug across the arch or are your toes hitting the end? Snug across the arch usually stretches out, but short in the toes will never stretch.

[Fox_Wood_Farm]

[QUOTE=WNT;8136665]
I have tried Dubarrys and I have the same problem with them I have with EVERY European sized shoe: I’m a U.S. 8-1/2 and it does not correlate with a Euro size. Period. Your best bet may be to try an insole in the 41; something like an Ariat ATS or Cobalt insole. Dubarry makes one as well that generally gives you a half size, but the Ariat ones are more substantial.

Are they snug across the arch or are your toes hitting the end? Snug across the arch usually stretches out, but short in the toes will never stretch.[/QUOTE]

Thanks WNT for your comments. It’s not really the arch or the toes. I was getting gouged at the back of my ankle. If they break in a bit, and I am very careful with boot trees, or something stuffed down in the ankle area, they will probably be ok. I put a pair of dr. scholls gel insoles in the size 40 boots and they actually lifted my heel enough to make the ankle gouging go away. I didn’t feel pain or rubbing anywhere. It just feels like a snug fit around my foot. I say it feels snug, but really may just be normal. Since I have skinny feet and ankles, most regular boots are NOT snug and so maybe I just don’t recognize an actual good fit!

[mjs8]

I’ve had a pair since mid-March and I find that they fit now like they were made for me, but the first couple wears I worried that they’d be too snug. I’m also in a 40 and am normally 8.5 or 9 in US sizes. Hope this helps!

[WNT]

I work at a store that sells a lot of Dubarry, so I’ve gotten to help folks many times where the fit is not quite perfect. It sounds like you’ll be happier in the long run with the 40. I always remind myself when I’m helping someone, leather will probably stretch, it will never shrink!

[173north]

I work at a tack store, sell a lot of Dubarry and have a pair myself!

They break in over the top of the foot (the way your paddock boots do - a bit of stretch over the arch, a nice wrinkle right before your toes) and the ankle stretches/drops a bit as well. That resistance in the ankle when putting them on goes away after a week or two.

Because they’re made in EU sizes, which don’t correlate exactly with US sizes, the vast majority of US customers feel one size is a bit too small and the other size is a bit too big. I’d suggest you stick with the 40 as long as you’re not planning to wear them with a much thicker sock in the winter. If worst comes to worst, you can always eBay them!

[Marla_100]

The first couple of times I wore mine I used the thin boot socks since the boots were very snug around the foot bed but after a couple wearings they feel great. The leather will stretch some , it just takes a few wearings.

[Fox_Wood_Farm]

Thanks everybody for the comments. So glad I’m not the only one with feet that don’t quite fit the European sizing! Pretty sure I will keep the 40 and return the 41. Will do one more test run (inside!) tomorrow with different sox and inserts!