Chippewa boot sizing can feel tricky if you’re new to the brand, but once you understand how the lasts run, which widths they offer, and how to measure your feet properly, the whole process makes a lot more sense.
I’ll walk you through what worked for me, where Chippewa fits compared to other boot brands, and even share some break-in tricks I wish I knew earlier.
Without further ado, let’s get into it.
Oh, and if you’re curious about how Cordobes boots fit, I’ve also put together a full Cordobes sizing and size chart guide you can check out here.
Chippewa Boot Sizing
Key Takeaways
Go half a size down. Chippewa boots usually run about half a size big, so if you wear a US 9 in sneakers, you’ll likely want an 8.5 in Chippewa.
Expect a firm break-in. They start stiff underfoot and may have pressure points at first, but they break in faster than Red Wings and get very comfortable once the leather softens.
Widths are pretty standard. Most styles come in D (medium) and EE (wide). If you have narrow feet, options are limited.
Avoid sizing mistakes. Don’t assume leather will stretch in length, and never measure barefoot. Accurate measurements upfront save you from sizing regret later.
If you’re a detail demon like I am, keep reading…
So, how do Chippewa boots fit?
Chippewas usually run a half size big, meaning you’ll have to size down a half size from your sneaker size. This is pretty standard with a lot of American heritage boots, so if you’ve tried brands like Red Wing, the experience is similar.
On a Brannock device, I measure a US 9D, but in Chippewa, I go with an 8.5D, and that feels just right. Now, the last on the 6-inch service boot is generous and rounded, which means your toes don’t feel squished.
Related: If you’re also curious about how Danner boots compare, check out my full guide on how Danner boots fit.
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Break-in Period
I’ll be honest. When I first wore Chippewas, the stitching along the quarters landed right on the knuckle of my pinky toes. It dug in enough that I had to get creative.
Ever done a DIY break-in session while watching TV? I grabbed a ball-peen hammer, worked some conditioner into the inside of the leather, and gently massaged the hot spot from the inside out.
After a few evenings, that tough spot relaxed, and now, more than a year later, the boots have molded to my feet. Add a thin foam insole, and they’re downright comfortable.
Here’s the bigger picture, though. Chippewa boots feel rock-hard underfoot at first. They don’t give you that soft landing like Thursdays, which are padded with foam, and they don’t have the cork midsole feel of Red Wings.
The upside is that Chippewa doesn’t put you through the same nightmare break-in as Red Wings, either. Red Wings are famously brutal until the leather finally compresses around your foot.
Chippewa and Thorogood, on the other hand, break in faster and feel easier out of the box, aside from a few pressure points like the one I had.
So, if you’re new to Chippewa, expect stiffness and some tough love in the beginning, but not the kind of ordeal Red Wings demand.
Once the leather softens up and shapes to your foot, you’ll get that sturdy, broken-in feel without months of suffering.
Related: Thinking about trying Wolverines next? I’ve put together a complete guide on how Wolverine boots fit. That’ll save you a lot of guesswork.
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Chippewa Boot Size Chart
Men
| US Size | UK Size | EUR Size | CM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 5.5 | 39 | 23.5 |
| 6.5 | 6 | 39 | 24.1 |
| 7 | 6.5 | 40 | 24.4 |
| 7.5 | 7 | 40-41 | 24.8 |
| 8 | 7.5 | 41 | 25.4 |
| 8.5 | 8 | 41-42 | 25.7 |
| 9 | 8.5 | 42 | 26 |
| 9.5 | 9 | 42-43 | 26.7 |
| 10 | 9.5 | 43 | 27 |
| 10.5 | 10 | 43-44 | 27.3 |
| 11 | 10.5 | 44 | 27.9 |
| 11.5 | 11 | 44-45 | 28.3 |
| 12 | 11.5 | 45 | 28.6 |
| 13 | 12.5 | 46 | 29.4 |
| 14 | 13.5 | 47 | 30.2 |
| 15 | 14.5 | 48 | 31 |
| 16 | 15.5 | 49 | 31.8 |
Women
| US Size | UK Size | EUR Size | CM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 2 | 35 | 20.8 |
| 4.5 | 2.5 | 35 | 21.3 |
| 5 | 3 | 35-36 | 21.6 |
| 5.5 | 3.5 | 36 | 22.2 |
| 6 | 4 | 36-37 | 22.5 |
| 6.5 | 4.5 | 37 | 23 |
| 7 | 5 | 37-38 | 23.5 |
| 7.5 | 5.5 | 38 | 23.8 |
| 8 | 6 | 38-39 | 24.1 |
| 8.5 | 6.5 | 39 | 24.6 |
| 9 | 7 | 39-40 | 25.1 |
| 9.5 | 7.5 | 40 | 25.4 |
| 10 | 8 | 40-41 | 25.9 |
| 10.5 | 8.5 | 41 | 26.2 |
| 11 | 9 | 41-42 | 26.7 |
| 11.5 | 9.5 | 42 | 27.1 |
| 12 | 10 | 42-43 | 27.6 |
Chippewa Boot Widths
These are the letters Chippewa use to indicate widths:
- D/M/E = Medium
- EE/W = Wide
- EEE/XW = Extra Wide
Widths matter more than most people think. In Chippewa, the standard is a D width, which works for average feet. If your feet run wider, you can also find EE options.
That’s a nice range, but if you’ve got really narrow feet (like B or C), Chippewa doesn’t cover you. You might be able to play around with sizing up or down to tweak the fit, but honestly, that’s hit or miss.
Compared to other brands, Chippewa sits in the middle of the pack. Red Wing offers the same widths: D, E, and EE. Thorogood goes a step further, with B for narrow feet and EE for wider ones.
That makes Thorogood the friendlier choice if you’re on either end of the spectrum.
So, if your feet are pretty average or wide, Chippewa widths won’t be a problem. But if you fall outside that sweet spot, you might need to look at Thorogood or experiment with sizing tricks.
If you’re still scratching your head about all those letters and what they actually mean, check out my complete boot width guide. It breaks down every width from A to EEE in plain English.
Related: Before you pull the trigger on a pair of Wescos, take a look at my guide on how Wesco boots fit. It’ll give you a clear idea of what sizing quirks to watch for.
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How to Measure Your Feet for Chippewa Boots
Honestly, nothing beats getting measured in person. Walking into a store and having a professional fit you with a Brannock device is the best thing you can do before you buy any new shoes.
Why? Because it’s not just about length. A good fitter knows how different lasts work, how widths play into comfort, and even how the shape of your arch can affect your boot size. If you’ve got a Chippewa dealer nearby, that’s the move.
But let’s be real, most of us don’t have that luxury. So, here’s how you can size yourself up at home.
Related: If Nicks boots have caught your eye, check out my guide on how Nicks boots fit for the full scoop.
Using a Brannock Device at Home
If you’ve got your own Brannock device:
- Place it on a flat, hard surface.
- Slide your heel all the way back so it’s snug against the heel cup.
- Stand naturally with your weight evenly spread. (That’s important because sitting or leaning will give you a smaller reading.)
- Look at where your longest toe falls on the scale. (And yes, for some people, that’s not the big toe.) That’s your length.
- Check the width slider. That tells you whether you’re in the D, E, or EE camp.
- Write down both numbers, left and right foot.
Don’t be surprised if they’re slightly different. Most people have one foot a little bigger than the other. When in doubt, size for the larger foot.
The Pen-and-Paper Method
- Grab a sheet of paper, a pen, and some tape.
- Tape the paper to the floor so it doesn’t slide around.
- Put on the socks you’d normally wear with boots.
- Stand on the paper with your weight evenly balanced.
- Trace around your foot, holding the pen upright so you don’t cut corners.
- Measure the longest point heel to toe and the widest point across the ball of your foot.
- Do this for both feet.
- Compare the numbers against the Chippewa boot size charts.
Again, go with the larger measurement if there’s a difference.
Tips That Make a Difference
- Measure at the end of the day, when your feet are at their largest.
- Always stand when measuring, never sit—you want the full weight spread.
- Wear the socks you plan to use with your boots. Thin dress socks and thick wool socks can change the fit dramatically.
If you’re in between sizes, remember that Chippewa tends to run a little big. Most people go down half a size from their Brannock measurement.
Mistakes to Avoid
A lot of folks rush this step and regret it later.
- Don’t measure barefoot and then expect boots to feel the same with thick socks.
- Don’t just measure one foot and assume the other matches.
- Don’t round down on length because you think the leather will stretch. It won’t stretch in that direction.
The goal here is to start with the most accurate measurement you can. After that, it’s about matching your numbers with Chippewa’s sizing tendencies and figuring out if you need that half-size drop.
Have you ever thought about how many people buy boots too small just because they didn’t measure properly? It happens all the time.
Related: After checking out Chippewa sizing, you might be curious how a traditional British boot measures up. Our Tricker’s sizing guide breaks down UK sizes, widths, and lasts in simple terms.
A Quick Look at Chippewa’s Story
Chippewa started back in 1901 when two German immigrants set up shop in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. At the time, that town was booming with logging, and workers needed boots that could take a beating. That’s where Chippewa came in.
Over the years, the brand followed the same path as a lot of other American bootmakers. In 1984, Justin Brands bought them, and then in 2000, Berkshire Hathaway bought Justin.
Whenever that happens, you usually hear people say the quality isn’t what it used to be. And, well, Chippewa’s heritage line is the part of the story where folks point to the “good old days.”
That line first showed up again around 2013, and for a while, it brought back the old-school build that boot nerds love. Then, in 2021, it got discontinued.
But by 2024, the Chippewa Apache boot with a lug sole popped up again. Some people see it as a comeback, others think it’s just the last breath of a fading brand.
What do you think?
The new version runs on a different last that feels wider, which gives you more wiggle room. The trade-off is the look. Instead of that clean Munson-style shape that fits the heritage vibe, the new last looks bulkier and a little less refined.
Chippewa’s own words put it like this: their boots were built to honor the guts and determination of the loggers and engineers who helped shape America.
Today, their catalog is a mix of lace-up loggers that nod to tradition and modern padded work boots that lean more toward function than fashion.
FAQ: Chippewa Boot Sizing & Fit
Do Chippewa boots fit true to size?
Not exactly. Most Chippewa boots run about a half size big. If you wear a 10 in sneakers, you’ll likely need a 9.5 in Chippewa. That slight size drop gives you a snug, secure fit without too much heel slip.
Is it better to size up or down for boots?
With Chippewa, sizing down is usually the right move. Going up often leads to extra space in the heel and forefoot, which can cause blisters and sloppy support. Aim for a fit that’s snug but not tight, especially once the leather breaks in.
How do you stretch Chippewa boots?
If they feel tight in certain spots, try wearing thick socks around the house for short periods to help the leather flex. For stubborn pressure points, you can also use a boot stretcher or massage the area with leather conditioner and gentle pressure. Over time, the leather naturally softens and molds to your feet.
How long does it take to break in Chippewa boots?
Usually about 2 to 4 weeks of regular wear. They’ll feel stiff at first, but once the leather loosens up, they become much more comfortable. Adding a thin insole can also ease the break-in period.
Do Chippewa boots stretch over time?
Yes, but mostly in width. The leather will soften and shape around your foot, but it won’t stretch much in length.
Are Chippewa boots good for wide feet?
They’re a solid choice if your feet are average to slightly wide. Most models come in D (medium) and EE (wide), but if your feet are very wide or very narrow, another brand like Thorogood might offer a better fit range.
Should I wear thick socks with Chippewa boots?
That depends on the fit. If they feel roomy, stick with regular or medium-weight socks. If they’re snug, thicker socks can help during the break-in phase. Just make sure you measure and size with the same socks you plan to wear most often.
Do Chippewa boots run the same as Red Wing or Thorogood?
They’re pretty similar to Red Wing in terms of sizing, as both tend to run half a size large. Thorogood can be a bit more forgiving right out of the box and offers more width options, but the overall fit and sizing approach are close.
How do I know if my Chippewa boots are too small?
If your toes press against the front, your pinky toe feels cramped, or your heel rubs with every step, they’re probably too small. A good fit should feel snug but never painful, with enough toe room to wiggle comfortably.
Final Thoughts
If there’s one thing to keep in mind with Chippewa boot sizing, it’s that these boots are built for the long haul. The sizing might take a bit of trial and error, but once you dial it in, usually by going down half a size, you’re good to go.
The break-in can be a little stubborn at first, but it’s nothing compared to the ordeal of something like Red Wings, and the payoff is worth it once that leather softens up.
And here’s my honest take: Chippewa isn’t trying to be fancy or overly refined. These boots still carry that rugged, old-school DNA that’s been around since 1901.
They’re built tough, they last, and they do their job without a fuss. So, if you’re after a pair that can handle real work and still look good doing it, Chippewa is a solid bet.
How do you feel about that? Would you stick it out through the break-in, or go for something that feels softer straight out of the box?