Your boots are one of the most important pieces of kit you’ll ever have when in the military, on a par with comms and a weapon. Whether it's basic training, exercise or a deployment in harsh conditions, boots that fit poorly are going to lead to blisters, poor performance and significantly heightened risk of injury. But then, how should military boots fit? Let’s take a look in this boot fitting guide.
Why Proper Boot Fit Matters
Before we dig into the question of ‘how should military boots fit?’, let’s go into detail on why it’s so important that they do in the first place. The design of military boots is specifically geared towards exceptional performance over long hours in challenging terrain. A high-quality pair will be essential in these conditions, but no amount of helpful features or innovative design can help you if they don’t fit properly.
When correctly fitted, a pair of military boots will:
- Decrease the risk of you developing hot spots and then blisters.
- Support your ankles, toes and arches.
- Improve your stability and balance over difficult terrain.
- Reduce fatigue on the move, allowing you to go on longer than you could otherwise.
Properly fitted military boots will feel comfortable and support you in tough conditions like rugged terrain and extreme weather.
How Should Military Boots Fit?
The key principle of a good boot fitting guide is to ensure that your boots feel snug, but not too tight, and that there’s enough room to account for swelling as the day goes on.
Heel - Heels should be firmly in the back of the boots, and there shouldn’t be more than a few millimetres of slip when walking - any more than this puts you at risk of developing blisters. It’s normal for boots to slip a bit when they’re new, but this should reduce as they get broken in over time.
Toes - Toes should be able to wiggle freely inside the boot and shouldn’t feel pinched or constrained in any way to maintain flexibility.
Width - The sides of the boot should hug your feet, but without causing excessive pressure. Remember that we want the boot to support your foot, while leaving enough room to account for swelling.
Arch and Instep - A properly fitted military boot will support the arch of your foot comfortably. There should be a snug hold across your instep when the boot is fully done up. Again, the pressure should not make the boot feel tight.
Ankle Support - Most military boots feature a mid or high ankle cut, which is very useful when navigating rugged terrain. High ankle support improves your stability, which will help to prevent accidents on the move. Make sure it feels firm but doesn’t dig into the skin or restrict movement.
How To Find The Right Fit
We’ve covered ‘how should military boots fit?’, but now let’s have a look at the steps needed to get them properly fitted in the first place:
Measure Your Feet Properly - Understanding your boot size is key. You can do this by getting your feet measured for both length and width, either by a professional or by yourself. To do this at home, stand on a plain piece of paper with your foot against a wall and mark where your longest toe reaches. You can then measure from the end of the paper to the mark to get your measurement. Complete this process after you’ve exerted yourself if possible
Make Sure You’re Wearing The Right Socks - It’s easy to forget to factor socks into your boot fitting. Ensure that you’re wearing the same kind of socks as you plan to while using the boots. Ideally, you want cushioned, moisture-wicking socks for active duty.
Give Them A Thorough Trial - You’ll be using these boots over long stretches of time in physically demanding activity, so you’ll want to give them a good trial run. Move around at a variety of different speeds and try climbing with them as well to get a full trial.
Remember That They’ll Need Breaking In - Start wearing your boots on short walks and other activities to get them broken in before you start with more demanding activities.
If you need any expert assistance when it comes to the size and fit of your military boots, we are here to help. At Task Force Military, we have years of military experience and can work with you to find the right pair of footwear to help you perform at your best. Simply get in touch with us if you have any questions.
