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So I ordered shoes over the internet for the first time

PWRL

PWRL

Sep 15, 2006
3,574
5,939
Beyond the Cosmic Event Horizon
#1
I have a great pair of cowboy boots, which I love. Double H brand boots, size 12 EEE. I have wide feet and these fit me great, but they finally are nearing retirement. So, I ordered another pair, because that size is so hard to find in a store. I got lucky with my present pair and found them on the shelf in a small store which is now closed.
When the new boots came, they were labeled 12 EEE, but fit like 11 D at the best. Was it just a goof-up in labeling? I've never heard of such a thing. I'm sending them back but now, I'm not so sure about this ordering shoes business. I don't think my feet expanded in size to need 13 4E. If I had feet that big, I'd never fall over, but I'd walk like I was wearing swim fins. I might have to stay an in-store shoe shopper forever, due to my Donald Duck feet.
What say thee? Have you ever encountered such a thing? Should I order another pair and see what happens? I have not called the company yet.
 
#4
That's the first I've heard of that happening with double h, they're one of my go to brands since they make a nice wife boot. Perhaps it was a mis-label like you said? Once you find your size I find that most brands are consistent.

I have also had decent luck with Justin, just fyi.

Also, I have no problem with shopping in store, especially for boots. The stores around my location will all order several different sizes for you with no commitment in order to see which fits best.
 
#5
My main boots are also Double H in 11 wide (oddly enough one of the few brands of cowboy boots made in the US). I am on my second pair. Both ordered online. But fit perfectly out of the box.

Not sure if that helps buts that's my experience.
 
#6
Shoe sizes are a loose standard at best - there's no absolutes. I wear size 11, but that feels too loose with some manufacturer's shoes, and too tight with others. Some manufacturers will say to get a half-size lower than what you normally wear, and some won't.

Most online shoe sites have liberal return policies for this reason. I've had good luck with online shoe purchases and rarely buy them in a brick-and-mortar store anymore.
 
#7
carl h. said:
Boots will eventually stretch out a bit, so don't compare new with well worn boots, but they do sound undersized.

I have 2 pairs of the same size/brand in different colors. The well worn ones are much looser than the more respectable pair.
Click to expand...
I gotcha, but the old pair were just ever so loose when they were new. Not this tight.

hinklegm said:
That's the first I've heard of that happening with double h, they're one of my go to brands since they make a nice wife boot. Perhaps it was a mis-label like you said? Once you find your size I find that most brands are consistent.

I have also had decent luck with Justin, just fyi.

Also, I have no problem with shopping in store, especially for boots. The stores around my location will all order several different sizes for you with no commitment in order to see which fits best.
Click to expand...
It seems funny to me, too, considering the kind of quality they normally produce. And these were AG-7s from their US-made line.
 
#8
You got me thinking, so I googled my favorite boots - ACME. Turns out Double H bought them in 2002 and they are now their budget line.

Haven't shopped boots (western anyway) since the mid 80's, so I wonder if they are still good boots, or if they've gone walmart with them.
 
#9
20db pad said:
Shoe sizes are a loose standard at best - there's no absolutes. I wear size 11, but that feels too loose with some manufacturer's shoes, and too tight with others. Some manufacturers will say to get a half-size lower than what you normally wear, and some won't.

Most online shoe sites have liberal return policies for this reason. I've had good luck with online shoe purchases and rarely buy them in a brick-and-mortar store anymore.
Click to expand...

If they had been from different manufacturers, I'd have just returned them and blown it off. But this was the same model from the same company, just five years apart. That's why it's a head-scratcher for me.
 
#10
carl h. said:
You got me thinking, so I googled my favorite boots - ACME. Turns out Double H bought them in 2002 and they are now their budget line.

Haven't shopped boots (western anyway) since the mid 80's, so I wonder if they are still good boots, or if they've gone walmart with them.
Click to expand...
I remember that brand. I think my Dad had some by them. Hadn't thought of them for years.
 
#11
PWRL said:
If they had been from different manufacturers, I'd have just returned them and blown it off. But this was the same model from the same company, just five years apart. That's why it's a head-scratcher for me.
Click to expand...

Are they made in the same place and facility as always? Otherwise, you can guess that the boots you got were finished on a Friday at 4:55 before a long weekend!
 
#16
I wear a size 12 in Reebok sizes and they stay pretty consistent. I have never had an issue with a size 12 from Reebok. I recently bought some new Durango boots in 12D and they were a little tight, but the 12 EEE were way to loose. I took a chance on the 12d's and they are great now. In the past, Nike did not make a shoe that would fit me so I have not tried them in years.

Good luck with your boot hunt
 
#17
carl h. said:
Boots will eventually stretch out a bit, so don't compare new with well worn boots, but they do sound undersized.
Click to expand...

This right here. I have a pair of Tony Lamas 12EE in black ostrich and after a year or so they've stretched to EEE and are the most comfortable pair of boots I've ever owned. I also have a pair of Alcala's 12EE in chocolate cowhide and after three years they actually haven't stretched at all. Seems like different manufacturers not only vary in sizes but also in quality of material.

It was an expensive lesson to learn but after that and other experiments I've discovered that I can only wear Tony Lamas boots.

OP, have you tried contacting the manufacturer directly?
 
#19
My left foot is a size 14 and my right is closer to 13.5, so I always buy my shoes in stores (well, the few that stock those sizes :atoz:).
 
#20
The most consistent shoe brand I've found in sizing is Ecco, but they're european and so is their sizing. They don't come wide enough for me any more, so I buy mostly Dunham shoes because they are pretty consistent and come in wide widths - they're made by New Balance.

Frankly, if I were buying something as expensive as a good pair of boots, I'd do it in person.
 

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