Tactical/Combat Boots not actual size as printed on boot?

[Rabbit]

Im browsing currently over some boots on the net and i've been reading some descriptions on how the boots will be listed as an 8.5N (for example) but fits as a 7.5.

Is this something I have to watch out for? It seems that it is quite common with combat military boots as opposed to tactical boots that swat or ems wear.

Just would like to clarify before ordering, combat boots seem a lot cheaper and my wallet is making home to some moths right now.

[Zeonprime]

There are different sizing scales, what you need to do is find out what scale they are using, and then check it against north american sizing.

[L473ncy]

Best bet is honestly to try them on in a store.

Personally, I would rather buy things like footwear in a store as opposed to online because different manufacturers have different sizing schemes. This is actually problematic for someone like me because I sometimes need wide shoes and sometimes regular shoes (I'm kind of in between wide and regular). For example one company, lets say saucony I would need 9.5W but another like Nike or Asics I would only need 9.5 Regular and the shoes would stretch out after a few times of wearing them.

I know this is true for shoes but I don't know if it carries over to boots however if they're new they should fit a bit snug around the foot (only SLIGHTLY SNUG, not like vice grips around your feet) and stretch out after a few times of wearing them till they're a comfortable fit.

EDIT: Zeon beat me to it, but I was also going to mention that you should figure out which sizing scale they're using, either NATO (mondo point I believe), EU, UK, USA, etc.

[johnnyb]

Us some milspect boots, will be the same size as your work boots. Like altama, welco and corcoran boots.