An off-the-peg riding boot usually almost fits. With a made-to-measure boot, the fit is decided not in the workshop but beforehand: with a tape measure, a sheet of paper and a quarter of an hour of calm. What you measure becomes leather.

This guide shows, step by step, how to measure yourself for made-to-measure riding boots, which mistakes happen most often and how ordering from Alberto Fasciani through Equinista works.

Why shoe size is not enough for a riding boot

A riding boot fits closely to the leg from the foot to below the knee. Shoe size only tells you about the foot – nothing about the calf, ankle or the length of the lower leg. Two riders who both take a size 39 rarely have the same calf and almost never the same boot height.

On top of that, the two legs are rarely identical. A few millimetres' difference at the calf goes unnoticed in everyday life but is very noticeable in a close-fitting boot shaft. That is why you always measure both legs – and enter both values separately.

Before you begin

You will need a soft tape measure (a tailor's tape, not a metal one), the thinnest pen you can find, a sheet of paper, a chair and, ideally, a second person. First note all the values in our measuring template, the riding boot measurement sheet (PDF) – fillable on screen or printable. The letters A to H in it are the same as in the measurement fields on the product page.

When measuring, wear what you will later wear in the boot: breeches, leggings or tights. And measure in the afternoon rather than straight after getting up – over the course of the day, feet and legs become a little fuller, and that is exactly how you will step into the boot later.

Step 1: draw the outline of your foot (measurement A)

Place the sheet of paper on the floor and secure it so that it does not slip. Sit on the chair and place your foot firmly on it. The leg is slightly bent, so that the shin is a little in front of the ankle.

Trace the outline with the pen, holding it vertical. A pen held at an angle draws the foot wider and longer than it is – the most common mistake with this measurement. Repeat with the second foot and measure the foot length on both drawings, from the heel to the tip of the longest toe.

Step 2: the circumferences of the foot (B to E)

On the foot you measure four circumferences, each at the points marked in the drawing on the measuring template: B across the ball, C across the instep, D diagonally across heel and instep, and E at the ankle. The tape lies snug without cutting in – you should just be able to slide it.

These values determine how the boot sits on the foot and whether you can get your heel in easily. The heel-instep circumference (D) in particular is important: if it is too tight, putting the boot on becomes a daily exercise even with a zip.

Step 3: the calf (F and G)

You measure the calf at two points: G at the widest part of the calf, F directly below the knee. The tape runs horizontally around the leg, not at an angle. Measure with the leg relaxed – if you tense the calf, you measure a value that the leg does not have in the saddle.

This is where the difference between the left and right leg shows most clearly. Enter the values as you measure them, even if they are uneven. That is exactly what made-to-measure boots are for.

Step 4: the boot height (H)

You measure the boot height at the back of the leg, from the floor at the heel to the back of the knee – as the vertical line in the drawing shows. Stand straight, without shoes, in your breeches. It is best to have a second person take this measurement: if you bend backwards yourself, you distort the value.

The most common measuring mistakes

The tape is pulled too tight, and the shaft later fits too snugly. The measurement is taken over jeans instead of in breeches. Only one leg is measured and the value is used for both. The pen is held at an angle when tracing the foot. And the measuring is done at seven in the morning, while the boot is worn in the afternoon.

To be honest: none of these mistakes is dramatic – but every one ends up in the finished boot. If you are unsure about a value, measure it twice and call us before you order.

How ordering works

You choose your model in the Alberto Fasciani collection. On the product page, directly above the cart button, you enter your usual shoe size and all the measurements for the left and right leg in centimetres. The fields depend on the model: for tall boots they are all measurements from A to H, for jodhpur boots the foot measurements A to E, for half chaps the ankle, calf and boot height (E to H).

Finally, you confirm with a tick that the item will be made to your measurements. Your measurements reach us directly with the order – you do not need to send a separate data sheet.

The boot is then made in Italy to your measurements. Production takes around four weeks, delivery around one further week. If you need a boot for a fixed date, you should therefore allow around five weeks – and some time to break them in.

Important to know in advance: because every boot is made to your personal measurements, it is excluded from the right of withdrawal. That is the reason we write at such length about measuring.

Which Fasciani for which use

Dressage: The Dressage A1 is the classic, in glossy black, hand-polished calf leather; the Dressage B2 is the same model without the high gloss. More modern in cut is the Vienna, with a front zip and a softer shaft on the inside for close leg contact.

Jumping: Gradara and Castle are identical apart from the lacing. Loreto, Numana and Urbino have a rubberised stretch panel, which according to the manufacturer gives up to 2 cm of room at the calf, and a grippy inside against the saddle.

Training and stable: The 103 Custo is waterproof, free of animal products and washable at 30 degrees – a boot for every day and every weather, not for competition.

Jodhpur boot with half chaps: The Jodhpur boot 1003 with the Super Nature half chaps is the alternative to the tall boot. The half chaps, too, are made to your values – the same care in measuring applies.

After delivery

A made-to-measure boot lasts longer the better it keeps its shape between rides. Inflatable boot shapers prevent the shaft from sagging and creasing. The care set with cream in black, brown and neutral covers all the leather boots in the collection, and the boot bag protects against dust and scratches on the way to a competition. The vegan models need no cream – they are cleaned with water and a little neutral soap.

Alberto Fasciani: riding boots from Italy

Alberto Fasciani makes riding boots by hand in Italy. The leather boots are crafted from calf leather, with a Blake-stitched rubber sole and a leather insole. The manufacturer itself describes its boots as handmade and adaptable to the rider's needs – and it is exactly this adaptation that is the reason your measurements count for so much.

Frequently asked questions

Can I return made-to-measure boots?

No. Every boot is made to your personal measurements and is therefore excluded from the right of withdrawal. Measure carefully and, if in doubt, ask beforehand.

How long does it take for the boots to arrive?

Production in Italy takes around four weeks, delivery around one further week. Allow around five weeks in total.

My legs are different. Is that a problem?

No, quite the opposite. Enter the individual values for each leg. With made-to-measure boots, each leg is made to its own measurements.

Can I measure myself?

The foot outline and the circumferences of the foot and calf are manageable on your own. For the boot height at the back of the leg, it is best to get a second person to help.

What do I wear when measuring?

What you will also wear in the boot: breeches, leggings or tights. If you measure over jeans or thick socks, the boot will be too wide.

Advice from Equinista

Not sure which model suits you, or does a value seem odd? Call us on +49 (0) 381 49739777, write to info@equinista.eu or visit our shop in Rostock. Better to ask once too often than to end up with a boot that pinches.