What boots should you buy? – part 8

Let’s talk online shopping. You must resist the temptation in solely buying boots online. It should be simple but even I have got caught out by this … numerous times. Your looking online at some football boots and you see some on sale. Lets just assume for argument sake that it’s a reputable website. You think to your self “oh wow there 40% off, high end model must be good and they are in my normal size!!!” sold. But there is one problem, you haven’t tried them on and have no idea if they are wide enough or if the US size correlates to your correct foot size. Little tip always go off the Japanese sizes, they measure the boots in CM not some random archaic size system. US, UK and Euro sizes can fluctuate by up to a CM which doesn’t sound like a lot but tell that to your heel after you get blisters.

Now let’s assume you know all that, the guy on YouTube said it would fit most people and it has fantastic reviews. Yes, always check the site your buying from and the product reviews. But you still do not know how it feels on your feet. Boots feel different, some are designed to lock your foot in like a fighter pilot and wrap your foot extremely tightly. This creates the most responsive sensation under foot. Others have a more comfortable fit and are flexible and move with your foot very naturally. Its all down to what you like, and yes maybe you will get used to them but there is the possibility that you won’t and guess what once you wear them our of your house you cannot return them. Some brands do offer money back guarantees and you can try your luck with by coloring over any scratches that might of happened but good luck.

Here is what I do, whenever I now need new boots I go into the store. I openly tell the sales person look I am not here to buy I am just trying them on then I am going to buy them online because they are cheaper. If anyone else comes in go and serve them. I then try on literally ever top end pair in my size and then make a decision based on that. I then go online and make sure its 100% the same boot and then I buy them at a fraction of the cost. I live in Australia so shipping adds to the cost so I first surf the Australian football boot websites, at the moment hardly any of the Australian football boot websites have artificial grass boots. So, I look overseas. Beware of two things when doing this, 1 the exchange rate and 2 international shipping. They both suck and that is why it is always go to check the Australian sites first.