Walking boots can be too big, too small, too wide, too narrow, too deep or too shallow, not to mention the wrong shape! With all these factors and more to consider when buying walking boots, it’s easy to understand why it can sometimes feel like a costly guessing game!
The solution? Have your feet properly measured and walking boots fitted by Whalley Warm and Dry, ‘Outdoor Independent Footwear Retailer of the Year 2017’ (Footwear Industry Awards). (UPDATE: also winner of ‘Retail Experience Award’ at the Lancashire Tourism Awards).
Don’t believe us? Here’s 7 award-winning reasons why it pays (in comfort, money and time) to get your feet measured and walking boots fitted by us;
1. SAVE MONEY
Buying walking boots that have been properly fitted will help you to avoid the costly mistake of buying the wrong walking boots.
Once we have measured your feet, our trained fitters can advise you on the most suitable footwear for your feet and chosen activity, this process removes the guess work on your behalf. You will no longer be faced with the arduous task of choosing between an endless selection of boots without really knowing which one is going to be the most comfortable on your next walk.
2. SIZE
Most people do not know their real shoe size. According to David G Armstrong, professor of Surgery at the William M Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago, three quarters of people wear the wrong sized footwear.
There’s no such thing as a size for life. Your feet can change in size and shape over time, they can become wider, flatter and develop deformities that change their shape. Many people start wearing a certain size when they are younger and believe that is their size for life.
At Whalley Warm and Dry our specially trained fitters take ten detailed measurements of your feet to identify not only your size but your width and volume too.
3. STANDARDISATION
Even if you are lucky enough to know what size you are, there’s no universal standardisation of footwear sizing – a size 10 walking boot/shoe in one brand will not necessarily be the same size or have the same fit, as a size 10 in another. Even footwear from the same brand will differ in terms of fit due to the different lasts used to make them.
Our trained fitters use their in-depth knowledge of the brands to interpret what size will be best for you.
4. SHAPE
Size is not the only factor to consider when purchasing footwear. In order to have comfortable feet additional dimensions of the foot must also be considered such as – foot width, foot volume, arch height and heel width. Footwear varies hugely across these dimensions, for example some boots/shoes are wider at the front of the foot and narrower at the heel, while others are more standard across the whole foot.
Our Specialist Boot Fitters understand the differences in the footwear and they use their expertise of the lasts to match your foot to the footwear as closely as possible. We have footwear available in 5 different widths (extra narrow, narrow, medium, wide and extra wide) plus half sizes and different last shapes to choose from.
5. SUPPORT
In order to have truly comfortable feet on a walk, it is important to understand how the foot is moving inside the walking boot and be aware of any pressure points on the foot. Insoles can alleviate the pressure by supporting the arch and stabilising the foot.
Using our state of the art technology, we can analyse your feet to identify your foot arch, examine pressure distribution and establish how best to support the foot inside your walking boots.
6. STRETCH
Walking boots or shoes purchased from us can be customised free of charge! If you need a slight adjustment or perhaps a bit more space, we can use our specialist machinery to gently steam and stretch the footwear for a custom fit. This process is done in store, whilst you wait and only takes about 10 minutes. Customising the fit of the footwear in this way is particularly helpful for people who suffer from bunions or heel spurs.
7. SERVICE
You can also relax knowing that our after sales service is second to none. If you have any problems with your walking boots or shoes then we strongly encourage you to return so we can help you to get the fit just right. When you buy footwear from us, we invest our time in your comfort.
Unless you plan on trying lots of different walking boots on and are prepared to buy the wrong pair, consider getting your feet measured and your walking boots fitted by Whalley Warm & Dry.
Call 01254 822220 or email info@whalleywarmanddry.co.uk to make your appointment!
