It can feel empowering to slip into a stylish pair of knee-high boots. However, if you have wide or narrow calves, you also know how difficult it can be to find ones that fit. While a calf circumference of 16” is generally considered "wide calf," standards can vary by brand and style. Since shopping online for shoes can be tricky, we’ve gathered some helpful tips to make your search easier and find your perfect pair of tall boots.
Why It’s Important to Find the Right Calf Fit
Fit and style go hand in hand. Tall boots look their best when fitted snugly around your calf; too much of a gap can detract from the look of the boot. Making sure your tall boots fit well is also essential for your foot health and comfort. If the boot fit is too tight, your calf will press uncomfortably against the side. If the boot fit is too loose, it will rub and chafe. An ideal boot will fit like a glove around the calf – not too tight, not too loose.
Measure Your Calf Circumference
The first step to finding a great-fitting pair of boots is to measure your calf circumference. Before you begin measuring your calves, stand with your foot flat on the floor and ensure that your leg is as straight as possible. Next, wrap a tape measure around the widest part of your calf without leaving any space. It’s not unusual for one calf to be larger than the other, so be sure to measure both and use the greater number as your guide. If your calves vary drastically in size, you can always opt for split sizing with Adelante boots, which allows for different sizes for left and right feet.
Pay Attention to Product Details
While browsing on a product page, don’t overlook additional fit indicators, like shaft height and calf curvature. Knowing these details will help you avoid sagging around the ankles and get the best-proportioned boot for your height. You may also want to consider opting for boots with a full-length zipper and stretchy elastic paneling (like our Condesa boots) or adjustable buckles (like our Reina boots) to give you more flexibility with your sizing.
Find the Perfect Pair of Tall Boots at Adelante
Now that you have the correct measurements for your calves, you can find a pair of wide or narrow calf boots in the perfect fit! Adelante shoes are all made to order, which means we can handcraft shoes to your exact specifications. In fact, we offer 14 different calf widths from narrow to extra wide, and shoe sizes from 4-15. You can also customize the look of your boots using our custom design option. No matter your size, we have plenty of options to choose from!
