How to Size Your Foot and Find Hiking Boots Online || REI

Shop for hiking boots while at home so you’re ready to go when trails reopen! Miranda walks you through how to size and choose hiking footwear… and yes, there is more cat content 😉
Shop Hiking Footwear: www.rei.com/c/...
Learn about hiking boot basics: www.rei.com/le...
Learn how to break in boots: www.rei.com/le...

[@justalurkr]

The cat could not possibly care less, bless kitty's fuzzy little heart.

[@warrenphilips8441]

I called the REI customer service line and told them I wanted to send a pair of your favorite hiking boots in your size to "Miranda in the pacific northwest," they said they didn't know you personally I needed to be more specific. They also mentioned that they're not qualified to offer counseling and I should stop calling every day. It has been a long quarantine.

[@proudlyindian001]

BIG LIE 😂

[@specialized41]

What happens with REI? Is out of stock on too many hiking boots or don't most sizes.?? Are REI is in bankruptcy??

[@phytolyssa]

literally their website has an expert advice option and I ended up talking to my expert for an hour

[@listofromantics]

As someone who used to work in the outdoor industry: 1) I hope you're prepared to be patient. Boot buying online is a LONG process to get right, especially if you have an atypical foot, e.g. excessively narrow, wide, high arch, no arch, high volume, low volume, foot problems or medical issues, etc. 2) Be prepared to pay a LOT for shipping AND return shipping. Boots are HEAVY. 3) Be prepared to make a lot of trips to the Post Office, UPS, or FedEx to return what doesn't fit. 4) Set aside a LOT of money or use a credit card with a high limit. Good boots are expensive and dialing in the proper fit is hard. Be prepared to buy a lot of boots and return a lot of boots. 5) EVERY BOOT / SHOE MAKER HAS THEIR OWN LASTS AND MOLDS. Just because you wear a size 9 in one brand means nothing for other brands, or even boots made by the same company. It's a place to start, but... See: steps 1 to 4. 6) If you can, it would be cheaper to take a day trip to a city with an REI or other outdoor retailer to try on all these boots and sizes, in person. A few hours in a car or train can save you a fortune in shipping costs and days / weeks in shipping times. 7) Nothing beats trying on boots in store. 8) Consider ordering custom boots, if you've got the time and money. Any good custom bootmaker is booked up months in advance, ARE NOT CHEAP, and may not offer returns of custom items. 9) Once you've found the "right boot" be prepared to buy several sizes up and down from what you think you need, especially if the boot is sized in European sizes. Dialing in the proper fit is difficult; you may need a half or whole size up (most often), or down (far less often).

[@mt-nv4jd]

#5. Just sayin.

[@melissarobinson9618]

The keen and merrell brand has been good to me... wore them out of the store, never blistered, and both stood the test of time and rough use, the waterproof factor is always what sells me

[@theylied1776]

The best hiking boots I've ever owned, I had four pair, were made by Nike in the early 2000s. They stopped making them around 2005 and I haven't been able to find them anywhere. Which is odd because I can go to eBay right now and find some Timberlands that I owned in 2003.

[@clarencesmith9580]

I'm 53 and over the years I have come to find out that no two shoe manufacturer has the same size. What I mean by that is I take a 8.5 now company A I will take a 8, company B i will take a 8.5 and company C I will take a 9. So my suggestion is to wait till everything opens up again and go in and try the shoes on before you buy them.

[@AstrumG2V]

Most likely you ran into the width of your shoe. A shoe that is too narrow often feels like it's too short, while a shoe that's too wide often feels like its too long! If you're not sure, you can check the insole: if you line up your heel with the heel of the insole, and you have some space left at the front (between 1/4 and 3/4"), you usually have the right size! [edit] also check whether you're looking at the UK or US size! UK size is often much more consistent!

[@clarencesmith9580]

@@AstrumG2V LOL no if your toes hit the front of the shoe and you have to curl your toes to get your heal in I don't think it's a with problem LOL.

[@speedygonzales9993]

Agree 1,000,000%.

[@speedygonzales9993]

Toe room, width sizing, design & cut, & other factors are all important. You can't tell these factors until you actually try them on. Ordering online just won't do.

[@cmcer1995]

I found the best way to get the right boot is to go to a store that specializes in outdoor gear for me that offers a variety of boots with personnel specially trained in how to fit them to your foot for your type of hiking. I did 14ers here in Colorado in the 1990's and the 2000's. The best boot for me was the Vasque Super Hiker II by Redwing, until they decided to let China start making them, then none of them were comfortable. With the use of Super Feet, hiking socks and liner I could hike a 14er without any discomfort. I never bought another pair and had to search a very long time to find another, but nothing was ever better, bummer.

[@sfoeric]

Your cat should have her/his own channel.

[@labellaescrima1996]

Wow nice video, you know your stuff indeed, well done Merinda! Actually very helpful and informative, first time I see a video with great information and useful!1

[@rei]

She does! Thanks for watching. 😀 We hope that you'll check out some of the other videos on our channel as well.

[@peptodismal938]

She seems so basic, like your second cousin from Wyoming that's in nursing school. It's oddly comforting. Keep killing' it, Miranda. Your videos are my ASMR.

[@Whodunnit4eva]

This video blew my mind because I apparently just learned it’s a “tape measure” and not a “tape measurer”. I’m 35 🤦🏼‍♂️ #todayyearsold

[@tomek3633]

BOOTS! Gosh, I love Miranda :)

[@rei]

We love her too!

[@YankeeTankerOutdoors]

I do love these videos; however every brand measures differently. Honestly when buying online I feel that it is best to order your size and if you can a half size up and and half size down. Get them all - wear them online inside; and then return the two pairs that do not fit as well.

[@Eumusic1]

Read the reviews on zappos, amazon, shoes brand website what people say about sizing and how they fit before you buy about specific shoe. That to order 1/2 size down/up etc. 1. Buy the same brand you like so they will fit you 100% usually . 2. Look at the shoes grip if it's good and anti slip on wet surfaces. 3. Measure in cm / inches then compare most common brands like : Nike, Adidas ,Lowa, Columbia and then see the measuring chart / choosing right sizing. Know your feet size if is wide or normal. Some websites have shoe size fit predictor calculator to help you choose sizing (you select brand then your size compared to other brands) , or printout foot measurement sheet like Columbia sportswear. 4. Gore-tex are waterproof ,but they overheat inside. 5. Buy on holidays ,off season, sign up for e-mail,newsletter to save $. Hope that helps.

[@delaneybrown9999]

KITTY!

[@edwardvillate2112]

EXELENT and COMPREHENSIVE análisis , of the EXERCISE of buying BOOTS !!!! CONGRATULATIONS !!! THANKS !!!

[@eddiesmedley4785]

This is perfect, I put 3,000 miles on my boots last year and promptly grew out of them. I was gonna but a new pair but I didn’t know if I wanted to take The chance online.

[@tinetannies4637]

I'm about to get my first pair of hiking boots and am confused about something related to sizing. Some people advise getting hiking boots that fit on the snug side when they're new because they say the boots will stretch, while other people advise the opposite and advise getting hiking boots that fit on the looser side because feet will swell with heat and use. As a novice without experience this leaves me perplexed since both sides seem knowledgeable even while they're suggesting opposite things. Which is it?

[@pergal4]

I am in the same boat. Do we Size up or not?

[@tinetannies4637]

@@pergal4 I ended up sizing up slightly. My reasoning was that the footbed itself won't stretch and if it's too small the toes are likely to hit the front even if the overall fabric stretches. I think this was the right call. You can always add socks but you can't size down.

[@playmakeredition4098]

great video mate!

[@twoweeledsoto6072]

You're a 7.5. You don't go any larger to allow for foot sliding forward, or the inevitable sliding forward on downhills? Just curious.

[@everforwardhikes1452]

the major problem most of us have .. is we have wide feet and 90% of the company's don't make a wide boot with Ankle support . merrell makes a wide shoe but in only 2 of thier products .. will these company's ever learn how much more they could make by offering wide boots. you try finding a size 11 in triple E width that has ankle support and isnt all leather sweat boxes .. good luck

[@mt-nv4jd]

Thanks. Now, if only shoe manufacturers would use the same size chart, we're all set, right?

[@joshuawoolfolk7691]

buy from the rei good & used so you dont get ripped off

[@Jimbo77789]

Wouldn't getting your exact size mean your toes would go to the end if the shoe is true to size? I've worked at rei before, and was never trained to get someone's actual size for hiking boots. We almost uniformly would go half a size up unless it runs large.

[@CosyPosy]

How do I account for the "height" of my foot? I find that a lot of closed shoes don't fit my thicc ass feet. 😆

[@donnajean72]

I have the same problem. But I found several different lacing techniques that take the pressure off of the tallest part of my foot. If you're still having problems I would Google lacing techniques for hiking.

[@sanjaysbhargava27]

Nice vlog thanks, should one has to buy 1 size bigger ( winter treks , socks layers ) ?

[@stevenscott5751]

Good info

[@americandad4864]

Fantastic video , thank you 🙂🇺🇸

[@rei]

Thanks for watching!

[@lindamalcovsky]

Shouldn't you get a size larger than what you've measured..to prevent blisters..ect? Also..I have tried 2 different altras..I wanted to love them but..I cant stand the way my foot slips side to side in them..any advice..j hike very steep and rugged terrain here in western Massachusetts. TIA

[@ladyrose837]

lindamalcovsky It’s my impression that ordering a size up could lead to various foot injuries, but broken-in shoes/boots in the size measured will contain the feet and ankles to keep them secure and stabilized.

[@rei]

Hi lindamalcovsky! No, you shouldn’t get a size larger. With the addition of hiking socks and a later-in-the-day measurement, it’s possible that you will measure your foot at a half size larger than your “street shoe,” but the right hiking boot should fit your foot in without going up in size. As for the slipping and sliding, it sounds to me like Altras aren’t the right fit for you. If you have a narrower toe box, the added room in Altra shoes won’t do you any favors. Try a different brand! -Miranda

[@camilledeming4961]

What’s your opinion on trail runners for hikers?

[@chrisharder4854]

That filter and lighting makes you look like an anime character

[@moonstriker7350]

I googled hiking boots, and there they were.

[@OneDayOneMountain]

Hi miranda, pls Come to Indonesia, we have many beautiful Mountains to climb..

[@isaacbaldwin1687]

Does info apply to cowboy boots?

[@jen21ash3]

Do you have a link to a size chart? Thank you

[@rei]

Hi Jennifer! For many of the shoes that we sell, you can click on a sizing chart link on the product's page. You'll usually see it above and to the right of the shoe size choices.

[@evanosowski5274]

So question on keen boots should your big toe be right at the start of the bumper or should it be inside it a bit? Hope this question makes sense.

[@rei]

With all boots we recommend that your toes are not touching or rubbing the end of the shoe. There should be a little bit of space between your toe and the end of the boot, just in case of swollen feet, common with exertion, or worse case scenario, there's injury on the trail. We hope that helps! If not, please stop in to a store, or set-up a virtual outfitting appointment where we can discuss the nuances of your fit question (rei.com/outfitting).

[@evanosowski5274]

@@rei ok thanks I already have the boots and I think I have like a thumb width (almost 1 inch)of room if my heel is all the way back but my feet slide forward a little anyways so I was just curious if it's a good fit or if you think I'm a half size too big?

[@matthewfontoura9057]

What if i can't find shoes for flat feet?

[@bluepresley9315]

Even if we have the correct measurements of our feet, how do we take into consideration that different manufacturers can have considerably different measurements for the same size. In other words, even though I'm US 11, My keens always have to be 12; my Merrills 10.5, etc. When buying online, am I still stuck with buying 3 pair of varying sizes and returning 2?

[@carl8568]

Manufacturers sometimes have their own boot size guide.

[@MrBodhysatva]

Nice vid

[@alexswage1853]

Rei is very.limited on men's hiking boots on wide sizes!!

[@listofromantics]

That's common for the entire outdoor industry. Very few outdoor boot makers offer "wide" variants, because doing so is very expensive. Some companies naturally have "wider" boots and shoes vs. others, despite not offering a "wide" variant of a boot or shoe or widths. As someone with a very wide foot you need to look around to see who offers widths and who makes "wider" boots and shoes. It's a lot of homework, trying things on, and trial and error.

[@rei]

Hi Alex! Nero Wolfe is right - wide and narrow boots are far less common than medium width boots. That doesn’t mean you can’t find a great hiking boot; Lowa, one of my favorite brands, makes many of their most popular boots in a wide. Alternatively, check out KEEN footwear. They run on the wide side. Good luck, and happy boot searching! -Miranda

[@Dankyjrthethird]

Nero Wolfe Facts Living with super wide feet is a miserable existence

[@whitemexican3923]

Has anyone ever hiked the entire PCT/CDT in Danner Mtn Lights or Salomon boots or similar boots?

[@AccidentalHiker1]

Oh my.... I read it too fast. I read how to fine booty online.🤣🤣🤣🤣 Click...😂😂😂

[@TANGiGAMING]

You are supposed to size up from what your size is because your feet swell - REI

[@realshots3968]

Me being a reseller 👀

[@edwardmedina1594]

So what's the difference between Hiking and Backpacking shoes? Is there one?

[@jonsawyer6862]

I have two feet of different sizes, what now? Thanks.

[@funkthat]

that unfortunate so do you have to buy 2 pairs of shoes 1 in each correct size?

[@samjam6989]

you have pretty small feet. how tall are you?

[@bradmoulton138]

Funny....her latest videos shows her using trail runners.

[@sooofunny37]

boots n cats n boots n cats

[@rtswift]

1:59 "thats an odd placement for the big toe"

[@bradmoulton138]

Buying shoes ornclothing online is a horrible idea!!! You need to try them on...or you will suffer like crazy on the trail.

[@sbaluba]

oh... funny... you still struggle with that medieval, inaccurate, unfunctional and incomprehensible Imperial System :)