When you think of buying a pair of boots, knowing how to measure a boot shaft is crucial. The reason is that it helps you determine if the footwear will fit your calves perfectly.
Measuring the shafts is a better idea. So, learn how to measure the boot shaft to ensure the shoe fits your foot.
3 Ways to Measure the Boot Shaft
There are three methods you need to apply to measure a boot shaft. They are:
Method One: Measuring Boot Shaft Height
1. Identifying the shaft
The shafts imply the part of the footwear that goes over your foot and up your calf.
When you observe a measurement for the shaft, assuming is safe that the measurement means height and not girth.
2. Measuring from the arch to the top of the shaft
Position the tape measure one end directly above the shoe soles center to measure the shoe arch. You want to measure the elevation of the shoe. So, use a tape measurement. Then, place it along the outside, extending it vertically until you reach the top of the shafts. This measurement is referred to as the shaft height.
Remember that the shaft size is measured in inches in the United States, even if it is over a foot tall.
When companies list shaft height, heel height is usually subtracted from that measurement. When buying boots and unable to measure yourself, verify that the heel elevation does not exceed the measurement.
3. Learn some common measurements
If you fail to measure the boot, you can approximate the length by observing the style of the boot.
- For size 8.5 women’s boots:
- Ankle shafts are between 3 and 8 inches (7.6 and 20.3 cm).
- Mid-calf shafts typically range from 8.25 to 13.25 inches (21 to 33.7 cm) in height.
- Knee-high boots may have shafts of 13.5 inches (34.3 cm) or longer.
- The elevation may differ based on the size of the boot. If you opt for a size smaller than 8.5, the shafts will be slightly smaller. Conversely, it will be somewhat large if you choose a larger size. When comparing your size to an 8.5 size, the change in leg length usually corresponds to the change in size.
4. Considering heel height
Generally, heel height is not included as part of the shaft height. Since this individual measurement contributes to the overall boot length, it can be beneficial to know about it.
- Attempt to measure the heel elevation by stretching a tape measure from the heel bottom, which coincides with the boot sole. Put the tape measurement next to the center of the heel when you measure.
- General heel heights considering heel type are:
- High heels typically have an elevation of 3 inches (7.6 cm) or more.
- Medium heel, average height 2 to 2.75 inches (5 and 7 cm).
- Low heels, average height 1 to 1.75 inches (2.5 and 4.4 cm).
- Flat heel, average elevation 0 to 0.75 inches (0 and 1.9 cm).
Method Two: Measuring Boot Shaft Periphery
5. Identifying the widest part
Test the boot and identify the location of the widest part of the shafts. Usually, the widest part is when opening boots, but there can be exceptions.
Note that shaft circumference is sometimes referred to as circumference or calf circumference.
6. Measuring around this part of the shaft
Put a tape measure end at a point along the shaft’s widest part. Wrap the remaining tape measure around the shafts until it matches the starting end. Study the tape measurement at the intersection point to find out the periphery.
- Confirm that the tape measurement around shafts remains parallel to the ground. Unless the tape measurement is even or straight, the measure may be significantly off.
- Like shaft elevation, the periphery often gets measured in inches while talking about boot sizes in the USA.
Method Three: Comparing Boot Shaft Measurements to Your Leg Measurements
7. Sitting with your feet flat
First, sit comfortably with at least one foot firmly on the floor. With your feet perpendicular to the floor, your knees should remain bent at a 90-degree angle.
- Confirm your leg muscles are relaxed before measuring.
- It is the leg that you’ll have to measure. Most people can go away by measuring just one foot. But if your one foot may remain slightly short compared to others, measuring each foot is the best.
- Your legs remain straightest in this position. So, to measure your calf height and girth, you need to hold it like this.
8. Measuring up the back of the leg
Put the edge of a soft tape measurement under your heel. Then, stretch the tape measurement up the back of your leg as long as it strikes a point below your knee.
- Then, to find the right pair of boots, you can measure your calf height and compare it to the elevation you are interested in. Look for the measuring tallness of the boot on the tape measure as you press it against your calf. Indeed, this spot is such a point where the shafts will most likely come down to your feet.
9. Measuring around your calf
Identify the widest part of your calf and put the edge of a flexible tape measurement. Then, wrap the tape measure around your calf until it intersects this starting point. Finally, proceed to measure at this point of intersection.
- You intend to become truly specific. So, use the height measurement to determine where the top will go down on your calf. Then, measure your calf periphery at the point.
- Liken your calf measurement to the periphery of the boot. If your shaft periphery remains small compared to your calf periphery, the boot won’t adapt. The boot will adjust but may seem somewhat too tight or snug if it remains an exact match. But, the boot may seem too loose when the shafts remain too long – typically 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) or more.
- If the material contains enough resilience to extend over your calf, the periphery might be smaller than your calf periphery.
- An ideal situation might be for the periphery of your shaft to be 0.25 to 1 inch (0.6 to 2.5 cm) wide compared to your calf periphery.
10. Estimating an ideal height
Aside from the basics of fit, your ideal bass height depends on personal taste and preference. Remember a few things while picking how tall you intend the shafts to be.
- A boot may rub and pinch your skin while sitting when the shafts of a particular boot end in the crease of your knee. All situations become uncomfortable.
- Wearing ankle boots and similarly short boots will be the best option for wide calves. This shaft will halt above your ankle and under the widest part of your calf, making it a more comfortable fit.
- Your height might confirm an ideal boot shaft height. As a usual rule, longer legs look better with longer shafts, and shorter legs look better with shorter boot shafts. If you are short, the shafts over 14 inches (35.6 cm) can cover your figure. Moreover, if you are tall, shafts smaller than 15 inches (38.1 cm) might disrupt the visual balance of your feet.