Fall is a time for boots. But what if the boots don’t fit your calves? There are plenty of boots out there that are not an option for me, simply because I cannot get them zipped up over my calves.

While there are not a lot of options for those of us with fuller calves in stores, there is a large selection online. Almost every store I visited online, from Macy’s to Nordstrom to Neiman Marcus to Zappos, had an option for wider calves in the boot department. The only store I saw with no option for this was Saks Fifth Avenue. Some websites provide more details than others, and at Zappos and 6pm.com, it gets down to a matter of inches.

Measure your calf at its widest point and follow this chart if you need to know the exact measurement.

Here’s the chart:

  • Wide Calf: 16″ to 18¼” boot/calf measurement
  • Extra-Wide Calf: 17½” to a 20” boot/calf measurement
  • Super-Wide Calf: 18″ to 21” boot/calf measurement

REGULAR SIZE BOOTS THAT RUN LARGER IN THE CALVES

SB Note: Many of these brands can be found in your local bricks-and-mortar stores and boutiques. Shop there first, so you’ll know for sure that they fit. Plus you’ll be supporting local and helping to create a relationship with a real person. As this post is shared by many of our SB sister cities, we are providing online links for more information.

There are plenty of boot brands that, because of their cut, fit a wider calf without actually being designated “wide calf.” These are boots you can usually buy in the store, too.

Lucky Brands

Lucky Brand Hibiscus boot. $209 at Zappos. Click here to purchase.Pin
Lucky Brand Hibiscus boots have a wider calf circumference than normal boots. $209 at Zappos.

Cole Haan

Dorian boots by Cole-Haan, which has a custom fit on the calf with it's stretchy back panel. Available at Neiman Marcus for $298. Click here to purchase.Pin
Dorian boots by Cole Haan, which has a custom fit on the calf with its stretchy back panel. Available at Neiman Marcus for $298.

 

Land’s End

Blakeley Riding Boot from Land's End for $249. Click here to purchase.Pin
Blakeley Riding Boot from Land’s End for $249.

Donald Pliner

Donald Pliner boots available at Neiman Marcus for $398. Click here for purchase. Pin
Donald Pliner boots available at Neiman Marcus for $398. Most of Donald Pliner’s boots have some element of stretch to them.

Frye

This Paige tall riding boot by Frye is a favorite. This is for sale at Dillard's for $378. Click here for purchase.Pin
This Paige tall riding boot by Frye is a favorite. This is for sale at Dillard’s for $378.

 

BOOTS WITH EXTENDED CALF OPTIONS

Here are some boot brands with wider versions for purchase online:

DRESS BOOTS

Bella Vita's Camy boot sold at Nordstrom for $99.95. Click here for purchase. Pin
Bella Vita’s Camy boot sold at Nordstrom for $99.95.
These dress black boots by Rose Petals come in Extra Wide with a 21" calf circumference. Available at 6pm.com for $156.99. Click here for purchase.Pin
These dress black boots by Rose Petals come in extra wide with a 21″ calf circumference. Available at 6pm.com for $156.99.
Red suede over the knee boots by Joie, sold for $575 at Neiman Marcus. Click here for purchase.Pin
Red suede over the knee boots by Joie, sold for $575 at Neiman Marcus.
Tahari's dress boot is $199 at Macy's. Click here for purchase.Pin
Tahari’s dress boot is $199 at Macy’s.
A dressier, higher boot by Michael Antonio Hadiya, sold at DSW for $59.95. Click here for purchase.Pin
A dressier, higher boot by Michael Antonio Hadiya, this is sold at DSW for $59.95.

CASUAL BOOTS

Great suede boot from Madden Girl, sold at Zappos for $89.95. Click here to purchase.Pin
Great suede boot from Madden Girl, sold at Zappos for $89.95.
These beautiful Coach boots have a 19" circumference. Sold at 6pm.com for $274.99. Click here for purchase.Pin
These beautiful Coach boots have a 19″ circumference. Sold at 6pm.com for $274.99.
Lauren by Ralph Lauren riding boot. This is sold at DSW for $149.95. Click here to purchase.Pin
Lauren by Ralph Lauren riding boot. This is sold at DSW for $149.95.
Vince Camuto's black quilted leather boot is sold at Macy's for $178.99. Click here for purchase. Pin
Vince Camuto’s black quilted leather boot is sold at Macy’s for $178.99.
These Michael Kors boots have a 15" circumference but the back panel is all stretch material.  Sold at 6pm.com for $111.99. Click here for purchase.Pin
These Michael Kors boots have a 15″ circumference, but the back panel is all stretch material. Sold at 6pm.com for $111.99.

WEATHER BOOTS (SNOW AND RAIN)

Ted Baker makes a lovely, fancier rainboot, sold at Nordstrom for $160. Click here for purchase.Pin

Ted Baker makes a lovely, fancier rain boot, sold at Nordstrom for $160.

Most all Hunter boots come in extended calf sizes. These are at Nordstrom for $148. Click here for purchase.Pin
Most (all?!) Hunter boots come in extended calf sizes. These are at Nordstrom for $148.
These are Baffin boots, called Madeline, a great winter workhorse boot. Sold at Zappos for $164.99. Click here to purchase.Pin
These Baffin boots, called Madeline, are a great winter workhorse boot. 17.5″ calf circumference. Sold at Zappos for $164.99.
These are great boots for all weather, The Original Muck Boot, sold at 6pm.com for $113.43. Click here for purchase.Pin
These are great boots for all weather, The Original Muck Boot, sold at 6pm.com for $113.43.

With so many great boots from which to choose, and so many stores, your fall boot shopping is a just a tape measure away from finding bliss!

Author: Heidi Potter
About the Author
Heidi Potter