Truman Boot Sizing: Which Size by Last, and Do They Run Big?
Truman boots usually fit half a size below your Brannock, with the Work last a full size down. Here is the last-by-last guide.
Quick answer
Truman boots generally run half a size large, so most buyers go half a size down from their Brannock size on the Casual and Formal lasts. The Work last runs roomier: a full size down from your sneaker or dress shoe size is the common start. High instep or orthotics: stay true to size.
- Fit
- Runs large
- Width
- Standard width
- Our advice
- Half a size down from Brannock on Casual and Formal; a full size down from sneaker size on the Work last.
Truman boots run about half a size large, so most buyers go half a size down from their Brannock size. The exception is the Work last, where a full size down from your sneaker or dress shoe size is the common starting point, and anyone with a high instep or orthotics may do better staying at their usual number.
Truman Boot Co. makes its boots on a handful of lasts, and the right size depends on which one your boot uses. Pick the last first, then the size.
Start with the last, not the boot name
Truman publishes sizing by last, and the names have changed over time. The Casual last was formerly called the 79. The Formal last was formerly the 56. The Work last is inspired by the older 20. Older listings and forum posts use the numbers, so keep the translation handy.
| Last | Shape and use | Size vs Brannock or sneaker | Widths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casual (formerly 79) | Rounded almond toe, forgiving; most cap-toe and plain-toe boots | Half size down | D, EE |
| Formal (formerly 56) | Sleeker, more pointed toe, a newer take on the 55; slightly more generous than the 55 by one reviewer's account | Half size down from your usual US size | D, EE |
| Work (inspired by 20) | More toe volume, slightly turned-up toe, snugger heel; moc-toe service boots | Full size down from sneaker or dress size; half size if you want room or use insoles | D, EE |
| C55 (older, discontinued) | Earlier last you may find secondhand | About half a size up from your Casual size | Varies |
Widths are limited. Casual and Formal come in D (standard) and EE (wide). The Work last is D and EE only, with no narrow option. Some individual models offer fewer widths, so availability varies.
What "half a size down" really means
If your Brannock reads 9D, the usual advice puts you in a 8.5D. If you wear a 10 in running shoes, a Casual or Formal boot in 9.5 is a sensible first try. That is a rule of thumb, not a guarantee. Truman keeps a consistent heel-to-ball measurement across its lasts, which is why a pointed Formal toe and a round Casual toe tend to feel similar in length even when they look different.
Work boots are different. The Work last has the roomiest toe volume of the three, so a full size down feels normal, and going only half a size down is reasonable if you plan to wear insoles.
Fit tip: If you have a high instep, do not size down automatically. The instep is the tight spot in these boots, and shrinking the length makes it worse. Staying at your true Brannock size is the commonly suggested fix.
The fit pattern: snug in the middle, easy at the heel
Owners commonly describe the shape as snug at the waist and instep, with a slightly roomier heel and enough space at the ball. The quarter, the part that wraps your ankle, sits low, so there is not much volume up there. The instep can feel tight at first and loosen with wear, which is normal for a stiff leather upper.
Two details change how a given size feels:
- Toe structure. Structured toes keep their height. Unstructured toes can collapse over time and feel tight across the top of the toes.
- Leather thickness. Thick leather takes up interior space. A thin shell cordovan boot can feel roomier than a thick roughout in the same size.
If you are between D and EE
Because the options are only D and EE, wide feet face a real choice. The first option is to order EE when the model offers it. The second is to go up half a size in D. The catch with the second route is that the extra length can make the heel feel sloppy, since Truman's snug middle is part of what holds you in place.
If you are a true D at the ball and just want comfort, stay in D. Only move to EE when the ball and the little toe feel squeezed after an hour or so. For a deeper read on width labels, our shoe width chart helps with the letters.
How it compares with other boots
These are cross-brand figures collected from fit write-ups. They are one person's mapping, so treat them as hints and compare the same foot to the same foot (left to left, right to right).
- A Viberg 2030 in 8.5D roughly matches a Truman Casual in 9D. Go up half a size from Viberg.
- An Alden Trubalance in 8.5D lands close to a Truman Casual in 9D.
- A Thorogood Roofer in 8.5D is similar to a Truman in 8.5D. Our Thorogood sizing guide goes deeper on that brand.
- A Wolverine 1000 Mile in 8.5D is similar to a Truman in 8.5D, though the Wolverine heel is narrower.
- A Mark Albert in 8.5E is similar to a Truman 8.5D.
- A Grant Stone Leo last in 8.5D is similar to a Truman Casual in 9D.
Notice the pattern: relative to Truman, Viberg, Alden and Grant Stone each want a half size more in Truman. If you already own one of those, our Alden sizing guide and Viberg sizing guide show how those makers think about size.
One caution on those numbers. Viberg and Alden themselves run large against a Brannock, which is why their sizes look small next to a Truman number. The comparisons only hold if you bought your Viberg or Alden in a size that fits you well, so do not copy them from a pair you have never been happy in.
A worked example
Say your Brannock is 10D and you wear a 10 in running shoes. On the Casual last, a 9.5D is the first try. If you can feel the ball of the foot pressing the sides after an hour, try EE in the same size before you jump to a 10D. If the toe has room to spare and your instep is high, the 10D may be the one that actually feels right.
On the Work last, the same person might start at 9D or 9.5D. A full size down sounds dramatic, but the toe volume on that last is generous, so the length is usually fine and the heel stays snug.
Socks, insoles and leather
Because the instep is the pinch point, sock thickness matters here more than in a boot with a roomier forefoot. Fit-test with the socks you really wear. Thick wool socks can turn a comfortable pair into a tight one, and thin dress socks can do the reverse.
Insoles are the other lever. If you use orthotics, they take up height, which is the reason Truman-style advice moves toward your usual size. Bring them to the fitting, or at least know their thickness before you commit to a size down.
How to measure for Truman
Two methods work. On a Brannock, record heel-to-toe length, arch length and width, use the larger length, stand with full weight, and wear boot socks. Size to the larger foot.
At home, stand on paper against a wall, mark the longest toe, measure in cm and inches, then measure around the widest part of the ball while standing. Truman lists recommendations for some other brands, so comparing against a boot you already own is a smart shortcut. Our how to measure your feet guide covers the steps.
If you are unsure, contact Truman directly. Fit is personal, and last shapes do not translate cleanly from one brand to another.
Fit tip: Feet are rarely identical. Compare the bigger foot in a boot, and remember that swelling, sock thickness and time of day all shift the fit by a noticeable amount.
Sizing takes time to confirm
A new Truman boot will feel firm. Give it several short sessions at home before you decide. Heel lift is normal at first in stiff leather, so judge the ball and instep first, and the heel later.
Feet also change over time, from weight, age and gait. If you bought a pair years ago, do not assume the same size is still right today. For general boot principles, see how boots should fit.
Ordering strategy
When you buy online, order a single pair in your best-guess size and check the return terms before you wear them outside. Walk on a clean indoor floor so the pair stays returnable. If the boot is close but not right, ask which direction the fit is off before you swap: a tight instep and a loose heel point to a different last or width, not a different length.
If you own boots on both the Casual and Work lasts, expect them to take different sizes, because the Work last is roomier by design. Do not assume your size carries across the lasts.
Our recommendation
Identify the last. For Casual and Formal, start half a size down from your Brannock. For Work, start a full size down from your sneaker or dress size, or half a size if you want room. Stay at your Brannock size if you have a high instep or wear orthotics. Choose EE only if D squeezes the ball.
Frequently asked questions
Should I go down a size in Truman boots?
Half a size down from your Brannock is the usual advice for the Casual and Formal lasts. The Work last is roomier, so a full size down from your sneaker or dress size is commonly suggested. High instep or orthotics are reasons to stay at your usual size.
What happened to the Truman 79, 56 and 20 lasts?
They were renamed or reworked. The Casual last was formerly the 79, the Formal last was formerly the 56, and the Work last is inspired by the older 20. Older reviews and listings use the numbers, so match them to the current names.
What widths does Truman offer?
Casual and Formal come in D (standard) and EE (wide). The Work last also comes in D and EE only, with no narrow option. Some models offer fewer widths, so check each listing before you decide.
How does Truman size compare with Alden or Viberg?
Community comparisons suggest that an 8.5D in a Viberg 2030, an Alden Trubalance or a Grant Stone Leo lands near a 9D in the Truman Casual last. In other words, go up half a size from those brands. These are personal figures, not official conversions.
I have a high instep. What size should I order?
A high instep is the main reason to skip the half size down. Truman's snug instep can feel tight at first, and a shorter size worsens it. Try your true Brannock size, and ask Truman directly if you are between sizes.
