To think women with small feet still enjoy walking?!

[IfIHadAHeart]

Over lockdown I’ve been trying to get out there and be more active and have been enjoying some lovely walks. I’d like to increase the distances and thought I’d treat myself to a decent pair of walking boots rather than just my trainers.

Can I find a pair smaller than a size 4? Nope!!! I’m a 3 which limits me to children’s boots which all seem to be pink or just not my style. AIBU to think that size 3 is not actually an unusual shoe size?

If anyone knows of anywhere I’d get some walking boots in my size feel free to point me in the right direction.

Sorry for the rant, everything seems like a big deal at the minute!

Have a look at Salomon (think that’s how you spell it), french brand. I have some kids size threes that’s aren’t childish at all. Enjoy the cheaper price of them!

I'm a size 3 and got my walking boots from Lidl! They're not the greatest but they do the job. Mainly dark grey with a little bit of pink on.

The only place I could get decent winter boots was decathlon - their own quenchea brand but they've been very good

The other option is to go for kids boots (I have an old brasher pair that are a nice summer boot)

northwestterritory.co.uk/product/peak-black/check this company out, they do size 3

Same problem with walking socks for DS1 (who size 2.5 feet at 8). I had to buy him ladies walking socks because men’s seem to jump from size 2 to size 7.

I am a 3 and I have fought this struggle!

I have a size 3 pair of berghaus adults boots and then 2 pairs of children's size 3 boots. Much cheaper but nowhere near as strong or supportive.

There are a few companies that do size 3 but they all come up big so are really 4s. My boots were a one off and I have insoles in them. All outdoor gear seems quite sizes in the ladies department. Size 8 waterproof coats are the smallest and they are really size 12!

I'd say 3 is fairly unusual for an adult which is why most brands don't go below a 4.

I used to be a 3.5 but my feet got bigger after ds1 and I'm now a 4. Thank god, so much easier to get shoes.

With a lot of walking boots you're advised to size up so you can wear proper thick walking socks so maybe you could buy a 4 and try and insole and / or thick socks

Also small of foot.

Look at the boys ranges. Tend to be less pink and sparkly. And cheaper than adult ones.

But yes, have noticed a creep over the last 5-10 years of women's ranges starting at 4 when it used to be 3. Perhaps its the whole thing of British people getting bigger, are average feet sizes going up too?

I have recently got some from regatta, seem to be the right size and not too big

I am size three too, and a big walker. My current boots are Brashers - I tend to buy leather and walk it in, rather than contemporary fabric boots where I tend to be more limited to 'kids styles'. i think of it as a positive for trainers, walking boots, slippers and casual shoes/converse type stuff where VAT free gives a saving: the challenge is finding going out does that aren't too Mini Mouse....

Oh, and yes, I often buy boys rather than girl (cursing under my breath at gender-frication)

Have you been able to try any on? I'm a size 4 but always need a 5 in walking boots to give enough room for the socks (I like a thin liner then a merino walking sock).

But if you need a 3, Amazon allows a search by size, that turns up a few - this was the first I clicked but there seemed to be a few brands at a range of prices

https://www.amazon.co.uk/KEEN-womens-1018160-001-7-5-Targhee-Size/dp/B07TBT7JJV/ref=sr118?dchild=1&keywords=ladies%2Bwalking%2Bboots&qid=1616702766&refinements=pnnsize_browse-vebin%3A1919984031&rnid=1918531031&s=shoes&sr=1-8&th=1&psc=1

Altberg start at a 3

No weirder than a size 7 or 8! I think 5 or 5.5 is the average so you’re pretty normal.

I used to have a lovely pair of Scarpa’s size 3 but sadly went up to a 31/2 after having kids

Altbergs are also a great boot available in an adult 3, used by the army (ds has some)

My adult daughter takes a size 2 so I can understand where you are coming from. She likes Converse and Doc Martin’s (size 1 in them and Birkenstocks) and gets the most adult looking children’s pairs with the added bonus of not paying VAT on them. I remember her starting school in size 6 and the problem was that, because they were toddler shoes rather than school shoes, they were not as hard-wearing. When she was about to go into year 6 she wanted some trainers and the only pair she was offered depicted Barbie and had flashing lights. The look on her face was priceless. I think she took something like size 12 at the time. I know she started secondary school in size 13 1/2. Extremes are difficult whatever the size.

I would imagine size 6 is average for women these days. I wear size 4 or 4 1/2 and there are always plenty of these sizes in the sales.

Yabu

They should have a 3 in an adult size.
I'm a size 4. I walk everywhere it's great buying expensive trainers half price available in the DC range.

I’m a small narrow fitting 4 so sometimes buy a 3
Ugg ladies or children’s work for me I have 4 pairs the children’s are 1/2 the price

The vast majority of women's walking boots have bits of pink on, as if they are for children anyway, so you may as well get kids ones.

@GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing

No weirder than a size 7 or 8! I think 5 or 5.5 is the average so you’re pretty normal.

7 and 8 are very common now. 3 really isn’t.

Check out Lowa. Not cheap, but they do size 3 and sometimes run small. You might want to wait for a bit, because many shops don#t have much stock at the moment. Check Ebay for them too.

My nan is that size, but less than 5ft tall and she is 100! It is on the smaller size for an adult nowadays.

It would be more common in Sth East Asia, so maybe look for suppliers and brands from there.

I’m a size 3 and I buy from the older boys range. I’ve had the most amazing wellies recently from next. Own brand, lined with thinsulate lining, plain navy, for £18. They’re also wider than the older girls range, which helps as I have bunions.

I am absolutely delighted with them.

I think boys ranges could be the way forward.