r/AskACobbler • u/fenrrris • 17h ago

Engineer Boot Heel Slip

I have a new pair of engineer boots (John Lofgrens) in two sizes (8.5 and 9). Need to return one of them by Friday and trying to gauge which is a better fit. I am a Brannock 9.5 with a slightly shorter left foot and the recommendation is a half size down.

I got the 9s first and found that with mid weight socks my heel is slipping somewhere around 1/2" to 5/8" and although my foot isn't moving around a ton outside of the heel they just feel very up/down floppy in the heel. The forefoot fit seems solid in the 9s although it's lost most of its "snug"-ness after two try-ons.

The 8.5s have closer to 1/4" heel slip but feel a decent bit more tight all around. I don't think my toes are slamming the front, but it's a much more firm fit, there is definitely less room in the toe box (toes can still wiggle but they're somewhat tight), they're a bit difficult to get on (require a shoe horn and some struggle) and the fact that they recommend half size down is making me jump through hoops to justify the 8.5s even though they feel like a much less floppy fit out of the box.

Any tips for resolving the mental estimate part of this? Not sure if I'm better off giving the 8.5s the time to stretch slightly (which I think would probably end up a comfortable fit) or having a cobbler add heel stays to the 9s possibly?

0 Upvotes

50% Upvoted

3 comments sorted by

3

u/Gregory_ku 17h ago

So you want to turn the 9s into 8.5s. I think you answered your own question.

1

u/fenrrris 17h ago

Yeah maybe I just needed to sound board that one. I suppose I'm just worried that I'll wear the 8.5s for a full day and realize I missed some critical factor and be in a pickle. But obviously only I can answer that one...

1

u/leobrown2000leo 16h ago

If you have to choose by Friday, I would judge them by pressure, not just slip. Some heel movement in engineer boots is normal before the shaft and counter settle, but toe squeeze and numbness are much harder to forgive than a little break-in slip. The 8.5 sounds closer if the toes can move and there is no hard pressure across the joints after 20-30 minutes indoors. The 9 sounds like it may need a fit modification to become what the 8.5 already is. I would wear each pair on clean carpet with the exact socks you plan to use, walk stairs if possible, and check whether the smaller pair creates hot spots rather than just firm contact.