Foot Measurements: How to Get Your Size Right for Irish Shoes and Boots

When you’re buying shoes in Ireland, foot measurements, the exact length and width of your feet, used to match you with the right shoe size. Also known as foot sizing, it’s not just about picking a number—it’s about avoiding blisters, bad posture, and long-term foot pain in a country where rain, mud, and cobblestones are part of daily life. Most people guess their size based on what they wore ten years ago, or they buy what’s on sale. But in Ireland, where the ground is wet half the year and you’re walking more than you think, your feet need real space—not just a number.

Your foot width, the measurement across the ball of your foot, critical for comfort in Irish boots and work shoes. Also known as foot girth, it determines whether your shoes pinch or feel like they’re swimming matters just as much as length. A size 8 in one brand might be too tight if your feet are wide, and too loose if they’re narrow. That’s why so many Irish women and men end up with sore heels, numb toes, or flat feet after wearing the same shoes for months. It’s not the brand’s fault—it’s that no one measured them properly. Even if you’re buying online, you can still measure at home with a ruler and a piece of paper. Stand barefoot on the paper, trace your foot, then measure from heel to longest toe. Do it at the end of the day—your feet swell a little after walking all day, especially on wet sidewalks.

foot health, the condition of your feet as affected by proper footwear, walking surfaces, and daily habits. Also known as podiatric wellness, it’s directly tied to how well your shoes fit isn’t something you think about until it hurts. Nurses in Cork, builders in Dublin, and teachers in Galway all know this: the right fit stops fatigue, prevents falls on slippery paths, and keeps you moving without pain. That’s why the top-rated shoes in Ireland—like those from Born, Hush Puppies, and local makers—are designed with room for arch support, a firm heel, and enough width to let your toes breathe. You don’t need expensive shoes. You need ones that match your feet.

What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t a list of the best brands—it’s real advice from Irish people who’ve been there. How to measure your feet without a professional. Why your size changes after 40. What to do when one foot is bigger than the other. Which shoes to avoid if you have flat feet or bunions. And why the same size in Irish boots doesn’t mean the same as in trainers bought online. This isn’t theory. It’s what works when the rain won’t stop and your job keeps you on your feet all day.