When choosing warm shoes for the winter, it is recommended to pay attention to felt boots. They are made from natural wool and provide maximum comfort. The main thing is to choose the right size of the product.
Rules for choosing the size of felt boots and felt boots with rubber soles
Winter shoes should fit freely on the foot. This is the only way to ensure the movement of heat inside the boot. The foot is not pinched, blood circulates freely, so the legs are comfortable. If the fit is tight, your feet will freeze in any case, even if the shoes are maximally insulated.
Important! The size of felt boots is indicated in centimeters. It matches the length of the foot.
To choose the right winter shoes, you need to determine your size. There are several ways to do this. You can simply apply a ruler or measuring tape to your foot. A few centimeters are added to the data obtained for shrinkage. If the model has a rubber sole, then add 1 cm. If it is absent, allocate 2 cm as a reserve..
Felt boots, which are created by hand rolling, are less susceptible to shrinkage. Some even advise buying products according to exact measurements without stocking up. But it’s better to play it safe and add at least 1 cm for possible shrinkage.
To determine the size of felt boots, you need to add 12. At the same time, do not forget about shrinkage. That is, when size 23 is indicated on a shoe, then this is a standard 36. In general, when choosing felted boots, you need to check with the seller which measuring system is used.
Basic rules for choosing felt boots:
- high-quality products are lightweight;
- there should be no unpleasant aroma;
- it is better to choose a natural option, because the dyed one warms worse;
- fitting must be carried out on both legs to assess symmetry;
- it is important to feel the thickness of the boots, it should be the same in all places;
- The sole and heel require special attention; they should be denser than the other elements of the product;
- you need to take into account shrinkage, so buy models several sizes larger;
- the purchase must be made in a warm place to determine the elasticity, because high-quality felt boots quickly acquire their initial shape.
For classic models, only wool is used. Because of this, they easily allow water to pass through, although they have a fairly dense structure. Previously, this problem was solved with the help of galoshes. Now there are versions with rubber soles.
Such models shrink less, so only an additional 1 cm is added. Interestingly, felted shoes have a high density. Measurements must be taken inside, not outside. A special size table will help you understand all the nuances.
How to choose felt boots for a child in size?
Shoes for children are often chosen without their participation, so it is important to take the correct measurements in advance. First you need to measure your foot. In this case, they start from the heel and reach the toes, focusing on the most convex places.
It is better to take all measurements in the evening. Then the legs swell due to an active day, and it is possible to obtain more accurate measurements. For convenience, you can circle your foot on paper and then measure its length.
What margin should be added to the length of the foot:
- add 1 cm for possible shrinkage;
- predict the growth of a child’s legs over the winter;
- add a few millimeters to the toes.
Important! When choosing a size, you do not need to focus on a tight fit of the product to your leg. The foot should sit freely in the shoe so that warm air can circulate there. This feature distinguishes felt boots from boots.
If the length of the foot is in the range of 11.5–15 cm, then for the margin you need to take from 2 to 2.5 cm. When the measurements showed the figure 16–18 cm, then the margin is 1.8-2 cm. If the length reaches 21 cm, then 1.5 cm will be enough for the reserve.
size table
To determine the size of boots, you need to measure your foot. The data obtained is the main measure when making a purchase. This is quite convenient to do, focusing on the table by age.
An example of determining the size of a child
Let's look at a few examples of correctly determining the size of felt boots. If the length of the foot is 13.5 cm, then for reserve you need to take 2-2.5 cm. The total is 16 cm. Now we compare the data obtained with the table. It turns out that for a child you need to buy felt boots with size 16, but the baby is size 28.
If the length is 15.2 cm, then you need to add 1.8-2 cm as a reserve. We carry out calculations and get data on the length of the foot 17 cm.After comparing with the size chart, it becomes clear that the child has a foot size of 29, but felt boots are needed with a size of 17.
When the length of the foot is 18.5 cm, then for the correct determination you need to add another 1.5 cm. We get the number 20 and find out that the child has a standard size of 32 and needs felt boots with a size of 20.
How to determine the size of felt boots for an adult?
The method for determining size in an adult is similar to that for children. Just the foot is measured and rounded up to a larger value. You can trace it with a pencil and attach it to a sheet of paper. The resulting number is rounded up. You can also take measurements using a measuring tape after putting on a warm sock.
Required supply for an adult:
- a few millimeters for warm socks;
- with a growing leg, this factor must also be taken into account.
Important! When purchasing a model without rubber soles, you must add extra space for galoshes.
Felt boots are usually purchased for practical purposes by fishermen and hunters. They need to take shoes with a 2 cm margin. It will sit quite loosely on your feet, so you will additionally need to purchase wool insoles. This will increase the product's ability to retain heat.
Size chart
Determining the size of felt boots for an adult follows the same method as for children. True, adults’ legs no longer grow, so these data are not taken into account when determining the reserve.
An example of determining the size of felt boots
As an example, we can consider 2 ways to determine the correct measurement. In the first option, the foot size is 27 cm. To these data we add 1 cm for margin and we get the number 28.
The second method of calculation involves using the total shoe size.First, a standard measurement is determined that is used when purchasing all types of shoes. For example, let’s take 44. Now you need to subtract a factor of 13 from it. It turns out that you need felt boots of size 31.
Tips for choosing the size of felt boots
To avoid discomfort when walking, it is important to select shoes according to the parameters of your feet. Felt boots have their own characteristics. They are characterized by lengthwise shrinkage. At the same time, they wear out in width. When choosing a product, it is necessary to measure the lengths inside the model. The fact is that the thickness of felt varies from product to product.
The adult size is determined quite quickly and simply. You need to subtract 13 from the standard foot size. This rule can also be applied to the choice of children's shoes. But the child is constantly growing, so it is better to measure the length of the foot and perform the calculations in the standard way.
Tips for choosing felt boots:
- if an industrial product without a sole, then it is better to take it 2 cm more, and with a sole - one;
- manual models can be purchased without adding extra centimeters;
- It’s better to try on shoes before buying, then the risk of making a mistake is minimal.
How do you know if the felt boots are chosen correctly?
Properly selected felt boots should not be butted. They should fit freely on the leg. Shrinkage is typical for natural materials. Gradually, the shoes will automatically adapt to the foot. This will only take a few days.
Characteristics of properly selected felt boots:
- lack of zippers, Velcro, laces, as these elements can ruin the shoes;
- no seams, as the products are felted from natural wool;
- lack of additional insulation, because the product already retains heat as much as possible;
- The windrow should be dense with a shaft thickness of approximately 5–8 mm.
Important! Felt boots are not divided into right and left boots. When worn, the products themselves take on the shape of the owner’s foot.