ReGear buyer guide

How to size second-hand hiking boots

Measure carefully, read the photographed size label and compare the actual pair with footwear that already fits.

Fit evidence matters more than a title conversion Updated for ReGear NZ

Compare the size label, your foot measurements and a pair that already fits. Width, boot shape and wear all affect comfort.

Fit terms and a simple try-on check

Toe box: The front space around your toes. Leave room to move them without being squeezed.
Instep: The top of your foot under the tongue and laces. Pressure here can mean the boot shape is too shallow.
Heel hold: How securely the boot grips your heel. Repeated lifting and rubbing suggest a poor fit.
Last: The shape used to make the boot, affecting width and volume as well as length.

Try both boots with your hiking socks, lace them snugly and walk around. Your toes should stay clear of the front when stepping down a safe incline, while your heel stays secure. Check for pressure over the instep and at the sides. A longer boot is not always the fix for a narrow fit.

Measure both feet

Wear the socks you expect to use. Place a sheet of paper against a wall, stand with your heel lightly against the wall and mark the end of your longest toe. Measure both feet and use the longer measurement.

Foot length is only one part of fit. Width, arch length, instep volume, heel shape, sock thickness and swelling during a long day can all change how a boot feels.

Match the sizing system

Check the photographed label and listing for the exact UK, EU, US, Mondo or centimetre size. Do not convert from the title alone. Use the confirmed manufacturer's chart for that brand and model where available, then compare it with a pair you know.

If the insole is removable, an actual insole length can be useful, but it is not identical to usable internal space. Treat it as another comparison point rather than a universal conversion.

Check the actual pair

Size and model labels
Measured outsole or insole length where recorded
Toe-box and width shape
Heel and collar wear
Sole wear, separation or uneven compression
Damaged eyelets, hooks, laces or lining
Repairs, odour, mould or material breakdown
Whether the insoles and both matching boots are included

A photograph cannot prove internal material condition or waterproofness. Rely only on item-specific claims recorded in the listing.

Choose for the trip

Match the footwear type to the route, load, weather and your own experience. A light shoe that suits a formed day track is not automatically the right choice for rough, wet backcountry travel.

Review the current Refund Policy before ordering. Contact ReGear before purchase if a missing measurement affects your decision.

Browse current hiking boots and ski boots, or contact ReGear.

Useful official resources

Related buyer guides

References for these explanations

Checked 26 September 2026. Salomon: hiking-boot fit.

Updated 26 September 2026: added plain-language explanations of ratings, terms and buying choices.

Photo credit

Lowa hiking boots.

Photograph: DocteurCosmos, CC BY-SA 3.0.