Fred Flinstone feet and Barney Rubble calves. What kind of boot will fit me?
December 9, 2011 1:47 PM Subscribe
Fred Flinstone feet and Barney Rubble calves. What kind of boot will fit me?
I've searched high and low for a wide calf boot that will fit me - the problem is, I've found boots that have a proper circumference (16.5 or above), but my ankles are large and my foot is the width of Fred Flintstone's. So while the "wide-calf" boot would likely fit my calf, the ankle and foot bed is often so narrow that there's no way I'm getting my foot in there. I'd ideally like a boot like this and I'm willing to spend up to $200.
Wants:
Rubber sole
Flat
at least mid-calf
black
nice to wear with leggings or a dress
Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks for your help!
I've searched high and low for a wide calf boot that will fit me - the problem is, I've found boots that have a proper circumference (16.5 or above), but my ankles are large and my foot is the width of Fred Flintstone's. So while the "wide-calf" boot would likely fit my calf, the ankle and foot bed is often so narrow that there's no way I'm getting my foot in there. I'd ideally like a boot like this and I'm willing to spend up to $200.
Wants:
Rubber sole
Flat
at least mid-calf
black
nice to wear with leggings or a dress
Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks for your help!
Like the fitzwell jelly classic at zappis fits many of your wants...
posted by girl scientist at 2:02 PM on December 9, 2011
posted by girl scientist at 2:02 PM on December 9, 2011
It would help if you included your shoe size and width, e.g. 9D. Payless and Ferragamo both do wide styles and are at opposite ends of the price scale.
posted by shoesietart at 2:24 PM on December 9, 2011
posted by shoesietart at 2:24 PM on December 9, 2011
My boot concerns sound similar to yours, and I got a great pair at Harry's Shoes in Manhattan. Looks like they have a website as well.
posted by mlle valentine at 2:46 PM on December 9, 2011
posted by mlle valentine at 2:46 PM on December 9, 2011
A friend told me the secret: get the boots that fit your ankle, and then take them to a proper shoe repair place. They can put in an elastic gusset at the top of the calf that will be barely noticeable but will make them fit!
posted by web-goddess at 3:07 PM on December 9, 2011
posted by web-goddess at 3:07 PM on December 9, 2011
Members of the Fat Acceptance community have recommended this site: Wide Widths. The suggestion is to buy a wider foot size, as well.
I always buy boots one or two sizes up: I have size 9.5 boots, but a size 7.5 foot.
posted by jrochest at 3:18 PM on December 9, 2011
I always buy boots one or two sizes up: I have size 9.5 boots, but a size 7.5 foot.
posted by jrochest at 3:18 PM on December 9, 2011
Hey! I have man calves too, and have the HARDEST time finding cute boots! I just scored two pairs during Black Friday shopping and am the happiest kid on the block. I went with these:
Bare Traps - Kaline boots
in black and brown. They are faux leather, but the leather doesn't look nearly as cheap and shiny in person as it does in those pics. I'd say they're a pretty decent leather imitation.
The key to these boots is the expanding back and the elastic section you can see from the rear view. So they have an almost-full zipper (that helps with getting the shoes off and on) and then the elastic gives them a nice, close fit throughout the length of the boot. I wear them over leggings and skinny jeans and everything fits nicely despite my giant runner's legs.
Sorry to go on and on but I've had such trouble finding good boots that I had to share the joy.
posted by Bella Sebastian at 5:09 PM on December 9, 2011
Bare Traps - Kaline boots
in black and brown. They are faux leather, but the leather doesn't look nearly as cheap and shiny in person as it does in those pics. I'd say they're a pretty decent leather imitation.
The key to these boots is the expanding back and the elastic section you can see from the rear view. So they have an almost-full zipper (that helps with getting the shoes off and on) and then the elastic gives them a nice, close fit throughout the length of the boot. I wear them over leggings and skinny jeans and everything fits nicely despite my giant runner's legs.
Sorry to go on and on but I've had such trouble finding good boots that I had to share the joy.
posted by Bella Sebastian at 5:09 PM on December 9, 2011
Best answer: Like yourself, I have wide feet (usually have to wear 10WW in women's shoes), thick ankles (10.5", I just measured them), and wide calves (19" in my case). Most "wide calf" boots don't fit me either, although it's the top of my calf that is usually the issue.
However, I just bought a pair of calf-fitted Duo Boots and I am pretty happy with them. I got the Malmo boot and they fit well. The ankle is slightly tight but is loosening up as I wear them. They are not advertised as having a wide width foot, but they do fit that way. On the website they suggest contacting them with your ankle size so they can recommend boots that will fit you.
posted by cabingirl at 6:19 PM on December 9, 2011 [2 favorites]
However, I just bought a pair of calf-fitted Duo Boots and I am pretty happy with them. I got the Malmo boot and they fit well. The ankle is slightly tight but is loosening up as I wear them. They are not advertised as having a wide width foot, but they do fit that way. On the website they suggest contacting them with your ankle size so they can recommend boots that will fit you.
posted by cabingirl at 6:19 PM on December 9, 2011 [2 favorites]
I have wide calves but not wide feet, so I can half understand how frustrating this is. When I need to buy boots, My only solution is to go on zappos, order 6 pairs, and send 5-6 of them back. I usually do eventually find something that fits after a few iterations of this, but it can be pretty demoralizing.
You might also look at Clarks. They make tons of boots and many of them come in wide. They aren't advertised as wide-calf, but I've found that their default width is wider than a lot of manufacturers, and some of their styles have some stretchy panels instead of being 100% leather, which makes them fit a lot more shapes of legs without looking weird.
posted by juliapangolin at 5:26 AM on December 10, 2011
You might also look at Clarks. They make tons of boots and many of them come in wide. They aren't advertised as wide-calf, but I've found that their default width is wider than a lot of manufacturers, and some of their styles have some stretchy panels instead of being 100% leather, which makes them fit a lot more shapes of legs without looking weird.
posted by juliapangolin at 5:26 AM on December 10, 2011
Response by poster: I ended up with the Merrell Wilderness Remix boots in black. They are mid-calf and wide enough for my feet and ankles. Love them!
posted by Sal and Richard at 1:20 PM on January 9, 2012
posted by Sal and Richard at 1:20 PM on January 9, 2012
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posted by girl scientist at 1:58 PM on December 9, 2011 [1 favorite]