Walking boot size chart: UK, EU, US and Mondopoint

Approximate size chart

The chart uses a common adult conversion based on foot length. It is a starting point, not a guarantee: brands set their own charts and lasts differ. Foot length means the length of your bare foot from heel to longest toe, measured standing.

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How the systems work

UK sizes step in thirds of an inch, about 8.47 mm per full size. EU sizes use the Paris point, two thirds of a centimetre, about 6.67 mm per size, which is why EU sizes rise faster and why half sizes in each system do not line up neatly.

US sizes use the same step as UK but start from a different point: men's US sizes are usually one higher than UK and women's two higher. Mondopoint, used for ski boots and some mountain boots, is simply foot length in millimetres.

Because the systems start from different points and use different steps, every conversion is rounded. A boot sold as EU 42 can be labelled UK 8 by one brand and UK 7.5 by another.

How to measure your feet

Your foot length is not your boot length. Walking boots need room in front of the toes for downhill walking, usually about a thumb's width. See what size walking boots for how to check it.

1. 1

   Measure in the late afternoon or evening, when feet are at their largest.

2. 2

   Wear the socks you will walk in.

3. 3

   Stand on a sheet of paper against a wall with your heel touching the wall.

4. 4

   Mark the tip of your longest toe, which is not always the big toe.

5. 5

   Measure from the wall to the mark in millimetres.

6. 6

   Repeat for the other foot and use the larger figure.

Brand quirks to watch for

Italian makers such as Scarpa and La Sportiva size mainly in EU sizes, and many walkers find they need to check carefully; read are Scarpa boots true to size. German makers such as Lowa, Meindl and Hanwag usually list UK sizes in Britain, but their lasts differ in width and volume.

Salomon and Merrell use their own charts. Merrell, as an American brand, often bases sizing on US sizes. Berghaus, a British brand, uses UK sizes first.

Women's models are cut on women's lasts with a narrower heel and lower volume, so a women's UK 6 and a men's UK 6 do not fit the same foot in the same way.

Width matters too

Length charts say nothing about width. If boots in your length feel tight across the forefoot, look for a wide fit rather than going up a size, which only adds length. Hanwag, Lowa, Meindl, Merrell and La Sportiva sell wide or roomy versions of some models; see our guide to walking boots for wide feet.

Volume matters as well. A high instep or thick ankles can make a boot feel tight even when the length and width are right. Lacing techniques that skip an eyelet over the instep can help, and some brands offer higher-volume lasts. Try boots on with the insoles you plan to use, because a thicker aftermarket insole takes up space inside the boot.

See wide-fit walking boots →

Frequently asked questions

Is a UK 8 an EU 42? Usually about that, but some brands call UK 8 an EU 41.5 or 42.5. Check the maker's chart.

Should I buy boots by EU or UK size? Use whichever system the brand uses as its main scale and check the chart in millimetres where given.

Do walking boots size the same as trainers? Not always. Many walkers take the same size, others go up half a size for toe room and thicker socks.

Are men's and women's sizes the same? Women's US sizes are about one higher than men's US. UK sizes use the same numbers, but the lasts differ.