A man with his foot on a table putting on a pair of Tony Lama boots. A man with his foot on a table putting on a pair of Tony Lama boots.

Tony Lama Fit Guide

A comfortable and correct fit is key to enjoying a pair of well-made cowboy boots.

How to Try on A Cowboy Boot

Tony Lama boots are crafted with authenticity and dedication. Each part of the boot comes together to form a complete and beautiful boot.

A fit guide diagram pointing to different parts of the foot. 1 toes. 2 ball of foot. 3 instep. 4 arch. 5 heel.

Before getting that right fit from your boot, it's helpful to understand the structure and location of key functions of your foot. With that you will be able to take full advantage of the comfort craftsmanship that our Tony Lama bootsmiths put into every pair.

  1. Toes:
    The area of you feet in which the right toe shape and spacing becomes critical for comfort and mobility.
  2. Ball of Foot:
    The padded area between the toes and the arch of the foot, where the metatarsal bones are located.
  3. Instep:
    The arched middle portion of the foot in front of the ankle joint.
  4. Arch:
    The curved structure of bones, tendons, and ligaments that runs across the sole of the foot. The arch's purpose is to help the foot support the body's weight, absorb shock, and provide flexibility for walking, running, and jumping.
  5. Heel:
    Upper front of the boots, which showcases quality leather and beautiful topstitching.

How Should It Fit?

Illustration of a foot fitting into a boot.

Foot Going In

Before trying on a boot, ensure you have the right size for your foot. Our boots generally run true to the size of dress shoes and are typically one size smaller than athletic shoes. Make sure your toes feel comfortable in the forepart of the boot and the ball of your foot should be at the broadest part of the boot.

The boot should be slightly snug on the instep of your foot. There will always be a slight slippage in the heel of pull-on boots. It’s always a good idea to ask for assistance from an experienced salesperson. We also recommend wearing a cotton boot sock with your boots.

Illustration of a foot fitted into a boot.

Foot In

Once you are sitting down, place your fingers into the pull straps or pull holes and place your foot in the boot. Keep the outsole of the boot on the ground and stand up, using this motion and your body weight to slide your foot into the boot.

Expect some resistance as you slide the boot on. Once your foot hits the insole and is firmly in place, stand up and walk around a bit to see how the boot feels as you walk. You should notice a slight slippage in the heel. There will be a little less slippage after wearing the boots for a while, as the soles become flexed.

Check the fit

The boot should feel comfortable and snug, without any rubbing or pinching. If you feel that the boot does not fit correctly, try on a different size or width of boot. If you fall between two different sizes, always choose the larger size.