Size M or L: Finding the Right Fit for Irish Weather and Daily Life
When you’re choosing between size M or L, a standard shoe or boot sizing range used across Irish outdoor brands. Also known as medium or large, it’s not just about numbers—it’s about surviving puddles, cobblestones, and 12-hour shifts on wet floors. In Ireland, a size that fits perfectly in London might pinch your toes by noon in Galway. Why? Because Irish footwear isn’t designed for dry sidewalks and polished offices. It’s built for mud, rain, and standing all day in a hospital corridor or on a farm. The right size isn’t about looking good—it’s about not hurting.
Think about Thursday boots, a popular brand among Irish walkers and workers for their durable, slightly elevated soles. They’re meant to be snug, not tight. A size L might feel roomy at first, but after hours on wet pavement, your feet swell. That extra space turns into blisters. Meanwhile, a size M might feel perfect in the store—but if you’re wearing thick wool socks for winter walks, it becomes a vice. Then there’s Crocs, the go-to work shoe for nurses and tradespeople across Ireland. They’re wide, easy to slip on, and often worn in size M even by people who usually take L. Why? Because comfort beats tradition. And in Ireland, comfort is survival.
It’s not just boots. trainers, what locals call everyday walking shoes, follow the same rule. A size M might be fine for dry summer days, but when the rain comes—and it always does—you need room for moisture-wicking socks. That’s why so many Irish women who wear UK size 6 in evening heels end up buying UK size 7 in runners. Your foot expands. Your socks thicken. The ground gets slick. A tight fit means pain. A loose fit means slipping. The sweet spot? Size M if you’re average height and weight. Size L if you’re taller, wider-footed, or on your feet all day. And always try them on late in the afternoon. That’s when your feet are at their biggest.
There’s no magic formula. But there are patterns. Nurses in Dublin wear size M Crocs. Farmers in Cork go for size L muck boots. Women over 60 choosing knee-length dresses often pair them with size M ankle boots—light enough to walk the dog, sturdy enough for the pub steps. The people who get it right don’t guess. They test. They walk. They stand. They wear them for a full day before deciding.
What you’ll find below aren’t just articles about shoe sizes. They’re real stories from Irish lives: the nurse who swapped heels for Crocs, the 70-year-old man who finally found boots that didn’t hurt, the woman who learned her size L trainers were too big after a week of rain. These aren’t trends. They’re solutions. And they’re all shaped by the same thing: the Irish weather, the Irish ground, and the Irish need to keep moving—no matter what.
