Boot sizing tips for "asymmetrical" feet?

[postpaper]

Hello,

I don't know what the exact term is so I thought I would explain. My right foot has an higher arch than my left foot. It is not visible to the naked eye, but it is different enough that when I wear high boot styles like engineers, top of my right foot feels noticeably tight than my left foot, and I feel pain if I wear them for too long.

I also noticed how inside of my right heel wears out. Basically the inner lining of the shoe. I have a pair of Solovair monk shoes, and there's pretty much no fabric left on my right heel while the left is pristine.

Does anyone have a similar problem? It would really help if I could get some advice because I I love boots but breaking them in has been really discouraging.

Thank you!

 

[Fifty150]

None of us are symmetrical. Right hand and left hand are different. Right foot and left foot are different. I don't know what you can do, other than buy the shoes that fit the larger foot best. You could also buy 2 pairs. One pair sized for the right foot. One pair sized for the left foot. Then wear the correct shoe on each foot.

 

[Bamaboots]

You might invest in one of these. Boot Instep Stretcher & Vamp Raiser | FootFitter

 

[8 0722]

Have you tried an insert? There's generic foam or leather inserts, then there's arch support inserts. You could also buy custom footware but that's obviously costly.

 

[postpaper]

Have you tried an insert? There's generic foam or leather inserts, then there's arch support inserts. You could also buy custom footware but that's obviously costly.

Yeah I have... The last engineer boots I got I just stretched the side that was painful, but I guess I just found it annoying about how I will have to do this all the time. I used to not like boots with laces, but I've been looking at ones with laces specifically for this reason.

 

[Goel]

I have similar issues, in the extreme cases you might want split sizing. If it's not that bad I size for the larger foot and tighten down lacing for the smaller one.

 

[postpaper]

I have similar issues, in the extreme cases you might want split sizing. If it's not that bad I size for the larger foot and tighten down lacing for the smaller one.

Any boots with laces sound good but I'm cursed with liking laceless boot styles more... lol
I did look for some laceless boot types that potentially has a wider opening or looser vamp area... I will keep searching around this forum and elsewhere

 

[Sfemet]

I have a similar issue with engineers and one foot’s instep being higher than the other. Have you tried a 3/4 insole insert? Nick’s makes some leather ones. Pedal does too but that might be too much material. The Nick’s might be thinner.

I’m currently wearing some Unsung engineers that have a little bit of extra leather at the arch on the right insole. You could probably even make something yourself from leather scraps - I’ll try to take a picture later to show what I mean.

In my case, this little bit of leather makes a difference. Pedag inserts were too much (I.e. the boot would fit my left foot (higher instep) comfortably but felt too loose on the right. But with the insert in the right foot it was way too tight.).

 

[postpaper]

I have a similar issue with engineers and one foot’s instep being higher than the other. Have you tried a 3/4 insole insert?

I had no idea these existed at all, I only new about the full soles. I will definitely check them out.

I’m currently wearing some Unsung engineers that have a little bit of extra leather at the arch on the right insole. You could probably even make something yourself from leather scraps - I’ll try to take a picture later to show what I mean.

That would be lovely! I am actually in the process of submitting an MTM order to Unsung for their Coachman, and I don't want this to be repeated again. Just from the pictures the insteps seem slightly more forgiving for me compared to engineers? But then I still want to avoid the same problem because I really like the way they look.

 

[Sfemet]

I had no idea these existed at all, I only new about the full soles. I will definitely check them out.


That would be lovely! I am actually in the process of submitting an MTM order to Unsung for their Coachman, and I don't want this to be repeated again. Just from the pictures the insteps seem slightly more forgiving for me compared to engineers? But then I still want to avoid the same problem because I really like the way they look.

You should be in good shape then! They are really good at talking through the fitting process once you get the boots. And if you mention the asymmetry to them I am sure they will have suggestions.

I haven’t tried the Coachmen - I’ve seen some pictures though that look fantastic. What type of leather are getting?

 

[postpaper]

I haven’t tried the Coachmen - I’ve seen some pictures though that look fantastic. What type of leather are getting?

I saw them first at Patina Project, and the leather was called "Badalassi Carlo Petrolio Minerva Liscio," At least in the photo it had this green undertone as the black started wearing off, and it looked really beautiful for me. I don't know if I will get the exact aging like that but I'm excited nonetheless.