The term boot shaft is often thrown around when discussing the fit of a pair of boots, but the term has a few meanings. Don’t worry – we’ll cover all the shoe shaft and boot shaft definitions so you can feel confident when shopping for boots.
Boot Shaft Definition
The boot shaft is the part of the boot that extends out from the sole. Think of it as the part of the footwear you put your foot into.
So far, that’s easy.
The tricky part comes when someone talks about boot shaft size. There are two different boot shaft measurements to take into account – boot shaft height and boot circumference.
What Is Boot Shaft Height?
Boot shaft height is the distance from the heel of the boot up to the top under the knee where you insert your foot. Depending on the style of boot, this can vary from quite small for ankle boots all the way to a tall boot shaft for cowboy or military boots.
It’s important to know the shaft height of a pair of boots so you can make sure it’s comfortable for your legs and calves – especially if you are shopping online. It’s not as important to measure when you are buying in person since you can try them on for fit.
The ideal boot shaft height for most footwear is less than the distance from your heel to below your kneecap. Otherwise, the back of the boot top will rub into the skin at the crease of your knee. That’s no one’s idea of a good time.
Take a measuring tape and do a calf height measurement to see how tall a boot shaft you can comfortably wear. While you are at it, measure you calf circumference at the widest spot on your calf so you can be ready for our next step.
What is Boot Shaft Circumference?
Normally, boot shaft circumference is defined as the distance around the widest part of the boot shaft. It is sometimes referred to as the shaft width as well.
You might see a reference to a term shaft circumference top. As you might guess, that’s measured as the distance around the opening in the boot. Depending on the size and style of the boot, the shaft circumference top might be the same as the shaft circumference.
Regardless of which measurement you are looking for, an accurate measurement is essential to buying a comfortable pair of shoes or boots. You want to make sure your foot and leg fit easily into the product.
The Bottom Of A Boot
Both a boot and a shoe are made of two parts – the shaft and the base. The shoe upper is joined to the base during construction. The parts of a boot or shoe bottom can change depending on the shoe construction process, but almost all boot base’s have straps, outsoles, insoles and a shank.
When looking for a pair for a new pair of boots, you’ll want to make sure the outsole is made of a material that is both comfortable to wear yet provides you with enough traction to stay on your feet. Many times the outsole will be made of leather or rubber – each have their places depending on why you are wearing the boot or shoe. Whatever shoe soles material you go with, make sure you know how to care for it to maximize the life of the boot.
Finally, you want to see if the boot insole is removeable or not. A removable insole allows you to replace it with an orthotic insert or one that’s just more comfortable. It gives you more options in the future, even if you don’t think you need one today.
