Walking Boot Fitting Specialist and Walking Shoe Fitting Service

With over 40 years of experience fitting walking boots to customers, we have staff who have been fitting boots for over 20 years on site 7 days a week. So there's no need to make an appointment, just ask for David, Chris or James. The rest of our boot and shoe fitting staff have been trained to our exacting standards and you might even be lucky enough to find Norman who has been here right from the start in 1977.

Recognized as "the specialist boot fitter" with the best range of walking footwear in South Wales, our customers come from across the UK and abroad to benefit from a fitting, our wealth of knowledge and our large selection of top brands, fits and lasts.

You can choose from our carefully selected range of walking boots and shoes from reknowned brands such as Adidas Terrex, Boreal, Hanwag, Inov8, Keen, La Sportiva, Lowa, Mammut, Meindl, Oboz, Salewa, Scarpa and Zamberlan. They all offer multiple lasts to cater for most feet, including the extremely popular Meindl "Comfort Fit" and Hanwag "Bunion" models. Some options even offer half European sizes, as well as the more common half UK sizes. In our quest for more fit options we also import Bestard footwear from Spain as well. 

Whilst we attempt to cater for all foot shapes with our walking boot fitting service we are especially proud of our range of shoes and walking boots for wide feet.

We carry walking socks, supports and footbeds that can provide specific fits and help support from flat to highly arched feet and help relieve, reduce or prevent the onset of Plantar Faschiitis. You can choose from an array from Bearhug (compression and support), Bridgdedale (liners and socks), CEP (calf-compression for help with circulation), Darn Tough (super durable socks), Injinji (toe-socks), SealSkinz (waterproof socks) and Sidas insoles, heal lifts and orthotics.

Getting appropriate, correct fitting boots and footbeds can not only help protect, cushion and support your feet, reduce the chance of blisters and hotspots, they can also help reduce knee, hip and back problems. Podiatrists regularly refer patients to us for footwear and footbed fittings and some even buy off the peg insoles and orthotics from us.

What we aim to achieve

• For you to confidently choose as close to perfection as possbile a piece of footwear that is appropriate to your needs, your foot shape, your gait and is comfortable on your feet and protects you when you are out walking. There are plenty of boots on the market that we deem as unsafe and they do not get over our doorstep. We do have the ability to stretch footwear, however, as almost all walking boots and shoes have delicate waterproof membranes we prefer to get as close to perfect as possible without stretching and allow the footwear to fine tune over time as you wear them in.
• Helping you to make the right choice to avoid wasting money, or causing you the misery or pain that can come from buying the wrong footwear.
• Enabling you to remain comfortable throughout your walk whatever the season by adapting your sock combination, lacing system, etc. 
• Helping you to get the maximum enjoyment from your walking by having comfy feet that you don't have to worry about.
• Helping you to achieve your goals and many years of walking in comfort to come.

How do we carry out our Fitting Process

When you visit Up and Under in Cardiff our trained staff will discuss with you about the type of footwear you would prefer, the terrain that you intend to use them on, activities you need them for, e.g. light short walks, endurance walks, multi day backpacks, etc. They will also ask if you have any pre-existing foot, knee or hip issues or concerns, or if you use orthotics. If you do use orthotics please bring them along with you, we prefer full length orthotics to half or 3/4 but can work with the latter two when neccessary.

We will ask you to put on your walking socks, we can advise in this area if you'd don't have any with you or don't own any. We often find that people bring their favourite socks with them which can be worn out and ready for replacement and it may be that your existing boots are fine and could just benefit from some TLC, a refresh with a new insole and new liner and outer socks. So its often worth bringing both your existing boots or shoes with you as well as your walking socks.

We then measure each foots length and width, taking note of their volume, fore-foot shape and heal shape. Combining this with the knowledge of any issues we can carry out a pressure and arch analysis to assess any specific support requirements or the benefits that our range of footbeds could provide.

Then the fun begins, its fitting time, where we get to see what works for you. We have ramps and steps for your to test going uphill, downhill and contouring slopes. We will also cover whats best to help keep your feet and footwear in tip top condition. And can discuss the benefits of gaiters and trekking poles as part of your armoury for looking after your feet and legs. All in all this can take some time so its worth visiting us with a couple of hours of available time. 

Once you have made your decision and decide to buy your footwear the trial process still isn't over. We like people to take their boots, shoes, footbeds, socks, etc. home and try them around the house (and with socks that you may already have) for a few days before going outside. If you have any doubts or concerns before you go outside with them, then you can come back and discuss further / change your mind.

We look forward to seeing you soon for your walking boot fitting in Cardiff.

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