Tall boots too big in the foot area

[mydogs]

I’m on the search for new riding boots but due to my foot size (size 5) being rather small but having a regular size calf, it is hard finding a boot that fits me just right.

In the process, I want to avoid problems I’ve had with previous boots. One of the big issue I had was that I had so much space in the foot area that the boots ALWAYS rubbed the back of my ankle if I was not wearing thick socks. I noticed that I had so much free space that I could curl my toes and still did not feel the boot on the top of my foot. This also causes my boots to feel loose when I ride without stirrups and they slip, along with some other problems.

Anyways, I want to know if 1) if this is normal, because I sure can’t imagine that it is and 2) how does one prevent having too much space?

I’ve looked at children’s boots but size 5 (36 in euro) is not easy to find in a wide and tall, to meet my needs. But, if anyone knows of one for sale, I’m in the market!

[Highflyer]

It’s not normal. OTOH, most of us struggle to find boots off the rack that fit perfectly. Maybe if you post exactly what you need calf/ height wise someone will have ideas? Have you tried adding insoles to your boots? It won’t cure your problems by any means but it might help a little bit.

[Bristol_Bay]

Buy some sport insoles. They take up a lot of room.

[mydogs]

[QUOTE=Highflyer;8189356]
It’s not normal. OTOH, most of us struggle to find boots off the rack that fit perfectly. Maybe if you post exactly what you need calf/ height wise someone will have ideas? Have you tried adding insoles to your boots? It won’t cure your problems by any means but it might help a little bit.[/QUOTE]

I haven’t tried insoles yet but will probably do so since I have a pair I can use. My calf is about 13" wide and a little under 17".

[supaflyskye]

I second the insoles, they help a lot. My boots were ordered from Europe and were a HUGE hassle to pay for/receive, so when I realized I ordered them too big, there was no way I was sending them back and dealing w all the malarky and shenanigans that would have entailed. I put insoles in them and it is hard to notice that they are a size too big.

[lesson_junkie]

OP, I feel your pain. I wear a sz 5 shoe. Anything other than custom is going to be a compromise, either in foot size or calf hight. If I have to buy 5 1/2, I use an insole and thick socks. With tall boots, I make sure to have a big box of band aids handy, too. I work condioner into the ankle, and keep working the leather so the boot falls as comfortably as possible.

God wasn’t kind to me. He gave me little feet and a big nose instead of the other way around!

[GotMyPony]

If the insole doesn’t do the trick alone, add a pair of little tennis type (ankle) socks over your normal socks, just to “pad out” your foot so it takes up more room.

[pluvinel]

[QUOTE=Bristol Bay;8189368]
Buy some sport insoles. They take up a lot of room.[/QUOTE]

I buy boots oversize just so I can have room for cushiony foam insoles. Great if you’re standing a lot, or if you do a lot of long lining.

[Ceylon_Star]

My best friend is also a 5, and while her paddock boots are for kids, she has too much leg to fit kiddie tall boots. So she went with the smallest adult foot size she could (in her case, 6.5) and added fluffy merino insoles. The merino insoles fill the extra space, add cushion, but also help keep her feet cool in summer and warm in winter.

I went a half size up in the foot with my own boots (men’s 7 when I am technically only a 6.5) to get a bit of extra ankle room, and also to allow me to put my thinline insoles in. It works well for me, but any more than a half size and I end up tripping over myself or falling out of my shoes, haha!