Boot Size vs Shoe Size: Guide for Buying Footwear in Ireland

Ever dashed into Brown Thomas during a chilly Galway weekend, found a cracking pair of boots, and thought, "Sweet, I'll just grab my regular shoe size"? Then you get home, put the boots on, and your toes curl like you're tackling Conor Pass barefoot in February. If you live, work, or holiday in Ireland, you’ve probably wondered: is my boot size the same as my shoe size here?

Why Boot and Shoe Sizes in Ireland Can Feel So Confusing

Shoe shopping in Ireland isn’t simply a numbers game. Our island’s soggy weather and obsession with festivals (think Fleadh Cheoil in warm June rain or Electric Picnic in a September downpour) means the choice between boots and shoes is rarely just about style – it’s about keeping your toes dry on Grafton Street or the sand out at Inch Beach. And that’s where the trouble begins: Irish shoe shops mostly follow the UK sizing system, but not every boot fits like your favourite runners from Elverys or your brogues for a Cork wedding.

The first snag? Boot size Ireland searches often bring up a sea of conflicting advice. There’s no law requiring all brands to use identical sizing charts, so if you’re nipping into Schuh, picking up Dubarrys at a local farm co-op, or ordering Solovair boots from an online Irish retailer, sizing can jump about. Brands built for our climate – like Dubarry, known for their GORE-TEX navy boots spotted at the Ploughing – sometimes run large to fit hiking socks or wellies liners. In contrast, Italian leather boots from BT2 might leave your feet feeling cramped on a standard shoe size.

Then there’s the shape of the boot. Ankle boots, Chelsea boots, and hiking boots (Salewa or Meindl at Great Outdoors in Dublin come to mind) wrap the foot differently than trainers or dress shoes. The padding, the height around your ankle, and the instep all affect whether your usual size will do the trick. A snug boot might rub along the River Liffey after a day out, but too loose and you’ll slosh about like a rasher on a wet pan.

When locals say “go up half a size for boots,” they’re usually talking about the practical need for chunkier socks or more foot space thanks to the insole shape. But half-sizes aren’t offered by all brands, and Irish sizes sometimes skip the .5 entirely. Toss in the fact that US and European sizes listed on boots can confuse things further (EU 42, UK 8, US 9 – all different!), and it’s easy to see why many people try on three pairs before making up their mind at the counter in Clarks or Sports Direct.

If you want an idea of how much these conversions can vary, check out this handy table. It compares different sizing systems you’ll run into in Ireland, especially if you’re browsing shops in Dublin, Cork, or Galway, or ordering online:

Irish/UK Size	EU Size	US Men's	US Women's
6	39	7	8
7	41	8	9
8	42	9	10
9	43	10	11
10	44	11	12

This isn’t just fussy detail. If you’re ordering hiking boots for a spin up Croagh Patrick, messing up sizing by half a point can mean blisters before you’ve even hit the statue. And don’t forget: Irish shoes often run narrower than EU imports, especially for dress shoes or classic brogues you might buy for events at Carton House Hotel or Powerscourt. If you’re new to Ireland, don’t be shy about measuring both feet and checking brands’ printed size guides in store, or visiting local cobblers (yes, we still have them – check the tiny repair shops in Cork or Wexford towns).

So, if you want the right fit, always try both shoes and boots in the afternoon. Why? Your feet swell as you walk about, and trust me, no one wants a tight squeeze after wandering through Dublin Zoo or standing for hours during Bloomsday celebrations. Bring your usual socks – especially if they’re thick woollen pairs from Avoca or Foxford. And remember, returns can be a nightmare, especially with muddy boots after a festival, so shop with care and keep the tags on until you’re certain.

Tips for Perfect Boot Fit: Advice for the Irish Climate and Lifestyle

Living in Ireland means you’ll need to deal with the unique combo of wet weather, wild countryside, and city commutes. The right boots can save you from soggy socks and twisted ankles, whether you’re in Temple Bar or doing a hiking loop in Wicklow. So how do you avoid the dreaded too-tight or too-loose boot?

First, check if the shop lets you try boots with your own socks. Those disposable thin socks in shoe shops never mimic your usual setup, particularly if you’re sporting chunky Donegal tweed socks or specialist orthotic pairs from Greenes Shoes. Always stand and walk a bit – don’t just sit. In Ireland’s shoe shops like Shuh or Arnotts, pace up and down, try stairs if there’s a bench. Feel for pinching at the toes, or if your heel slips with each step. Remember that boots often need breaking in, especially leather ones (like O’Keeffe’s boots handmade in the West). If you’re planning to wear them for GAA matches in winter or walking along Howth Head, they’ll stretch out a fraction after a few weeks, but don’t rely on this to fix big sizing errors.

A top tip? Many Irish folks purposely buy boots a bit larger for winter wear. Thick socks and even a thermal liner are common up north in Donegal or around Dingle during winter. But too much space means your foot moves, and blisters form quickly – a recipe for misery at the Christmas markets in Belfast. If you’re hunting for boots that’ll last years, think about adjustable fits: laces or buckles work best for adapting to different socks or swelling. Zip boots or slip-ons (dubbed “Chelsea” style) are less forgiving if you’re in between sizes, a typical Irish frustration when buying for unpredictable spring weather.

If you’ve got wide feet (and plenty of Irish people do, thanks to good bread and years of Gaelic football), you’ll want to look for brands with a “wide fit” designation. Dubarry, Clark’s, and Ecco all usually stock wider options. Don’t risk squeezing into a boot made for daintier European or US sizing. Some shops, like Ireland Footwear in Sligo, specialise in hard-to-fit sizes, so use local knowledge if you’re stuck.

And here’s a hack from hillwalkers on Ireland’s west coast – try boots on at the end of a long day. After a brisk walk on the Wild Atlantic Way, your feet will be a bit puffy, and that’s the truest size for Irish boots. If you shop first thing in the morning, you’ll likely go too small, making your walk through muddy parks after a Galway storm a painful one. Also, waterproof is non-negotiable. Leather boots can be improved with Dubbin from an Irish outdoor shop (McCulloughs or Basecamp), but proper lined waterproofing beats out cheap imitations every time.

Buying online? Most Irish retailers (like Lifestyle Sports or Office Shoes) have straightforward returns, but always check the print on their return policy if you’re not sure about sizing. If in doubt, go up half a size and adjust with insoles – these are easy to get at shops like O’Mahony’s in Limerick town. And don’t trust generic brand size guides; always read reviews from folks who’ve worn the boots tramping across the Irish countryside. You’ll find clues about fit differences between Dublin and smaller towns, where stock sometimes varies.

Finally, regular boot maintenance is a must in Ireland. Even the most durable leather will crack or shrink if you never clean it – a common complaint after a muddy walk at Glendalough. Store boots with old newspapers to soak up excess moisture and avoid leaving them near radiators (Irish homes love strong central heating). Use waterproof sprays monthly, especially during the soggier months from October through February, and you’ll keep your boots fitting right year-round.

Boot Versus Shoe Sizing: Real Life Scenarios and Irish Anecdotes

The myth that "a size 9 shoe always means a size 9 boot" doesn’t hold water in Ireland. Lots of locals swap tales about unexpectedly tight hiking boots ruining a Sunday stroll in Phoenix Park or loose wellies getting stuck in the muck at the National Ploughing Championships. Even GAA players share stories about training boots not matching their trusty trainers from McKeever Sports. What gives?

Boots, especially in our patchy Irish weather, have different builds: some are insulated for frost in Castlebar, some reinforced for barn work in Tipperary, or styled for a night out in Limerick city. The type of insole, lining, and even tongue padding can cause a 0.5 to full size difference between boots and shoes. Dress boots – say, from Loake or Barker, common choices for weddings in Kilkenny – tend to fit slimmer, so people often go up half a size. Hiking boots, built tough with extra support around the ankles, usually run wider, especially brands stocked at Basecamp or Cotswold Outdoor.

Let’s put this into practice: You’re planning a winter trip to Achill Island, bracing for rain and wind. Your regular shoes from Office Shoes might be a UK 8, but when you pull on a pair of waterproof winter boots at Irish Country Clothing, you’ll want to check if the fit allows for thermal socks, and you may need a UK 8.5 or even 9 for comfort. But if you’re on a night out in Galway’s Latin Quarter and picking up smart ankle boots at Tommy Bowe’s store, you might actually want to drop back half a size for a glove-like fit, especially if you wear thin dress socks.

Parents in Ireland, especially in places like Dungarvan or Mullingar with fast-growing kids and unpredictable puddles, go by this rule: measure your child’s feet in mm, not just UK sizes, and always try the boots on in the shop (if the child will cooperate!). Teachers report a trend: in the Irish winter term, school boots run half a size up to accommodate thicker uniforms socks, but for summer shoes, true to size fits best.

If you move to Ireland from the EU or US, the sizing labels are even more baffling. Friends from Spain or Poland are often thrown by how "UK 9" boots on sale in Blanchardstown can feel totally different from "EU 43" pairs at Lidl. The best fix is checking the shop’s sizing chart – every Irish retailer online from Paterson’s to Shoe Lane lists the conversions. Still, nothing beats the tried-and-tested Irish approach: try before you buy, and always walk around the shop before making your mind up.

Here’s a summary, drawn from advice straight out of Irish retailers and cobblers:

• Always try boots on with your usual socks (bring them shopping).
• In most cases, boots need more room—up to half a size larger than your shoes.
• Shop for boots in the afternoon, never first thing in the morning.
• Read online reviews from Irish customers for hints on true-to-size fits.
• Local Irish brands (Dubarry, Greenes Shoes) often run larger to suit thick socks.
• If torn, go larger—not smaller. You can always pad with insoles.
• During the Irish festival season, waterproofing is more critical than the precise size—get boots that fit woollen socks.
• Save the box and receipt, especially after Galway Races or muddy GAA finals. Easy returns mean no regrets!

If you’ve still got doubts about "is my boot size the same as my shoe size?" in Ireland, you’re not alone. Every Irish family has at least one story of wrong-sized boots ending up on DoneDeal or being recycled at a local St. Vincent de Paul. When in doubt, trust your feet, not the label. And don’t forget—once you find that perfect fit, you’ll thank yourself every time the sky breaks open on Henry Street or you’re knee-deep at Electric Picnic!