A.S.98 Sizing Guide | Boots by TL

Sizing Guide · 2026-04-11

If you are shopping A.S.98 for the first time, sizing is usually the first question. The short answer is simple: most A.S.98 boots fit true to size once you translate the European size correctly. The longer answer is the useful one, because shaft shape, sock weight, insoles, and the stiffness of a particular style can all change what feels best on your foot.

At Boots by TL, A.S.98 is one of the brands we handle most often, so we see the patterns. We also see where customers hesitate: between two sizes, between a fitted ankle boot and a roomier combat boot, or between a pair they want to wear with thick winter socks and a pair they want to wear closer to the foot.

A.S.98 women's size chart

This is the A.S.98 chart we want customers to start from before adjusting for style shape, socks, or insoles:

Use the chart as the brand baseline, then let the boot itself decide whether you stay in that range, go up for comfort, or fine-tune with an insole.

Our quick A.S.98 size conversion

In the shop, we simplify it to the exact conversion we use on listings and when advising customers:

• EU 35: US 5.5
• EU 36: US 6
• EU 37: US 7
• EU 38: US 8
• EU 39: US 9
• EU 40: US 9.5
• EU 41: US 10
• EU 42: US 11

This chart works well for most shoppers, but it is still a starting point, not a law. A sleek ankle boot with a shaped toe box will feel different from a biker boot with a chunky sole and a softer forefoot. That is why we always recommend thinking about how you plan to wear the boot, not just the number printed inside.

A.S.98 internal length by size (the measurement that actually matters)

Size labels get you close. On pre-owned and artisan footwear, the number that really tells you whether a pair will fit is the internal length — the heel-to-toe measurement inside the shoe. That is why we have started building our own measurement database — recording and listing the exact heel-to-toe length on our A.S.98 pairs, especially sandals, where even a few millimeters — a fraction of an inch — of toe overhang shows. Not every pair carries a measurement yet, but we are adding them to more listings all the time.

The sizes below are averages pulled from the many models we have measured so far, so A.S.98 internal length runs roughly like this:

Read this as a guide, not gospel. These are rough averages, and A.S.98 builds on many different lasts — a sculpted sandal, a chunky biker boot, and a sleek ankle boot in the same EU size will not measure identically, and vintage pairs shift a little as the leather wears. In our experience most models land close to these numbers, but the exact figure genuinely varies from pair to pair. So do not treat this table as a hard rule: when a pair has been measured, its listing in our A.S.98 collection shows the real heel-to-toe length — always trust that number over this chart.

How to buy A.S.98 by the measurement (the reliable way)

• Stand on a sheet of paper and mark the back of your heel and the tip of your longest toe.
• Measure that distance — in centimeters or inches, whichever you use — that is your foot length.
• Add room for the style — this is where most people go wrong:
• Boots: leave about 1–1.5 cm (0.4–0.6 in). A boot is meant to sit a little longer than your foot; only ~0.5 cm feels snug and runs short for all-day wear. Nudge toward the top of the range for thick socks or an insole.
• Sandals: you can go closer, around 0.5 cm (0.2 in) — an open style carries a snugger fit fine, though too little and your toes will overhang the front edge.
• Match that total to the heel-to-toe measurement on the pair you like, whenever the listing includes one. Example: for a 24.5 cm (9.6 in) foot, a boot around 26 cm (10.2 in) gives a comfortable everyday fit, while 25 cm (9.8 in) feels snug — acceptable for a sandal, tight for a boot.

This is the single most reliable way to buy A.S.98 online — more dependable than any size conversion — because it compares your actual foot to the actual shoe instead of a label.

Our experience

Lia usually wears a 36 in A.S.98. Her foot measures about 8.8 in (22.4 cm) heel-to-toe. In a typical size-36 pair — internal length around 24 cm / 9.4 in — that leaves roughly 1.5 cm (about 0.6 in) of room, and that is her comfortable everyday boot fit. A 35 (about 23.5 cm / 9.25 in) cuts the room to around a centimeter and comes out snug and narrow, so it only really works in flatter styles. A 37 gives her extra space — handy for thick socks or an insole — though it comes up big.

This is the key thing the raw numbers hide: a boot is meant to sit a bit longer than your bare foot, not equal to it. So the size that fits is usually your foot length plus room, which is exactly why a 22.4 cm foot lives in a ~24 cm size-36 rather than a tighter 35. And between two options that both have enough length, the shape of the last (flat versus heeled, narrow versus roomy) decides which one actually feels right. Length tells you whether a pair can fit; the last shape decides whether it fits well.

The important part is this: A.S.98 leather tends to relax and mold, but it should not start painfully short. Snug is fine. Cramped is not.

When A.S.98 feels true to size

In most cases, A.S.98 feels true to size when:

• you are buying your regular EU size
• you plan to wear standard or thin socks
• the boot has a round or almond-shaped toe
• you like a secure fit through the instep and heel

This is especially common in everyday ankle boots and lace-up styles where the upper can adapt to the foot after a few wears.

When it makes sense to size up

Consider the larger size if any of the following sound like you:

• you are between sizes
• you wear thicker socks most of the time
• you use orthotics or cushioned insoles
• you want more room in the toe box for long days on your feet
• the style is a taller boot where you prefer a little extra space for movement

This is one reason some shoppers who are usually a 36 end up happier in a 37 boot, even if the 36 technically fits. A boot can be the right length and still not be the best everyday choice if you want to add an insole or wear it heavily through colder months.

When it makes sense to size down

Going down only works in a few specific situations.

• The boot runs noticeably roomy (some chunkier or wider models do)
• For higher heels or sandals, sizing down can improve stability, since your foot tends to slide forward.
• You usually fall between sizes and prefer a tighter fit
• You wear very thin socks and don’t plan to add insoles

This is less common than sizing up, and it only works if the length is still correct.

Insoles are not a last resort

A lot of women use insoles to fine-tune fit, especially in pre-owned or artisan boots. That is normal, and honestly, it is often the smartest solution.

An insole can help when:

• the boot fits in length but feels a little roomy overall
• your heel is lifting more than you would like
• you want extra comfort on hard city pavements
• you are adjusting a pair for thinner socks

We often tell customers that the best fit is not always the size that feels mathematically perfect on first try. Sometimes the right choice is the size that gives you the best base and then becomes ideal with a slim leather or foam insole.

Fit break-in versus fit problem

With A.S.98, this distinction is simpler than most people think.

The leather is usually soft from the start, so you should not expect a dramatic break-in period. The fit you get on day one is very close to how the boot will feel long term.

A pair may need minor adjustment if:

• the leather feels slightly snug across the top of the foot
• the ankle or shaft feels structured at first
• the sole feels a bit firm before it flexes

A pair is likely the wrong size if:

• you are between sizes and considering going down
• the style has a narrower or more tapered toe
• you plan to wear thicker socks or add insoles
• you have had issues with boots feeling short in the past

If your heel is slipping more than a few millimeters, that is not break-in. That is a sizing issue.

If your toes are touching the front even slightly, do not expect that to fix itself. It will not.

A.S.98 leather will soften slightly and adapt, but it will not gain length. If you are buying online, it is safer to leave a bit of room and fine-tune the fit than risk a pair that ends up too short to wear. Structured leather can soften. Wrong length usually does not fix itself.

Best advice if you are between two sizes

If you are deciding between two A.S.98 sizes, ask yourself one practical question: how do I actually want to wear this pair?

• For a fitted fashion boot with thin socks, the smaller option may feel better.
• For an everyday boot, a travel boot, or a winter boot, the larger option is often the safer buy.

That is especially true if you know you like insoles, have one foot slightly larger than the other, or want more all-day comfort instead of a showroom fit.

Our recommendation

Start with your usual size conversion and make the practical choice.

If you are between sizes:

• go up for boots, especially if you plan to wear socks or insoles
• for heels or sandals, sizing down can improve stability, but only if the fit is already slightly loose

Only go down if the style is clearly generous and you want a closer fit. If you know you wear insoles, factor that in from the start instead of expecting a tighter pair to work.

The mistake we see most often is people choosing the tighter size because it feels more flattering at first. That is usually the wrong move. Footwear needs to work in motion, not just standing still.

If you just want the answer

• Between sizes: go up for boots
• Thin socks: stay true to size
• Thick socks or insoles: size up
• Tight toe: do not risk it, go up
• Heels or heeled sandals: you may size down for stability

Frequently asked questions about A.S.98 sizing

Does A.S.98 run small?

Usually no. Most styles read true to size once you convert from EU sizing properly.

Do A.S.98 boots stretch?

They soften and mold with wear, especially across the width and instep, but they do not usually stretch meaningfully in length.

How do I know a pre-owned A.S.98 pair will fit me?

Measure your foot heel-to-toe (in centimeters or inches) and compare it to the heel-to-toe (internal length) measurement on our A.S.98 listings that include one — we are adding measurements to more pairs over time. Leave room for the style: about 1–1.5 cm (0.4–0.6 in) for boots and around 0.5 cm (0.2 in) for sandals (0.5 cm in a boot will feel snug). This is more reliable than the size label, because it compares your real foot to the real shoe rather than a converted number.

What is the internal length of an A.S.98 in my size?

As a rough guide, A.S.98 internal length runs about 24 cm (9.4 in) at EU 36, 25 cm (9.8 in) at EU 38, and 26 cm (10.2 in) at EU 40 — increasing roughly half a centimeter (about 0.2 in) per size. Most models sit close to this, but it varies by style and pair, so always check the exact measured length on the listing.

Ready to find your pair? Browse our current A.S.98 boots and sandals — many pairs now include a measured heel-to-toe length, so you can size by the number instead of guessing.

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