DuoBoots makes knee-high boots that come in 9 calf sizes and 3 heights — here's how they looked on real people

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Humans come in all shapes, heights, and widths, which is why nearly every fashion brand offers a range of sizes for clothing, shoe lengths, belts, and even hats. Yet when it comes to boots, there are usually only two calf sizes offered: regular or wide. 

That leaves a lot of women stuck in the middle. Many I've spoken to say knee-high boots either gape so much that they have to bulk up with multiple sock layers, or fit so tightly the zipper feels like a battle. I know the struggle myself, having tried (and failed) to squeeze my wide calves into a standard shaft without pinching.

So, when I heard of DuoBoots, a company that makes knee-high boots in nine calf sizes and three shaft heights, I knew I had to try it out. Of course, many of my other coworkers who have struggled with knee-high boots wanted to try it, too. We tried three styles on three very different testers, representing petite, tall, small calf, and wide calf legs. While we all required very different fits, we had one thing in common: we absolutely loved DuoBoots. Read on for our individual reviews, and check out our favorite styles below.

Shop all custom-fit boots from DuoBoots.

Our favorite DuoBoots styles

About DuoBoots: history, tariffs, and sizing

DuoBoots is a UK-based brand that I was surprised to learn has been making boots with multiple calf sizes since the 1970s. The boots are all handmade in Portugal. Since the brand is European-based, orders to the US are currently subject to tariffs that are paid by the customer. A pair of Haltham boots, for example, rang up as having about $40 of import duties.

To get the right sizing, you'll need to take a calf measurement. The brand walks you through the process in its Fit Finder feature, but you'll need a flexible tape measure. If you don't have one, you can wrap a piece of string or ribbon around your calf and then use a ruler or rigid tape measure to calculate the length. Whichever way you choose, you'll want to make sure you take the measurement around the widest part of your calf while sitting down.

DuoBoots on Lauren: tall with wide calves

I'm not exaggerating when I say that DuoBoots are honestly the only boot brand I trust or want to wear anymore. As a tall plus-size lady, I've pretty much never been able to find an exact fit on knee-high boots. I can't stress how much of a game changer the custom calf sizing is. I really feel like I've found a super dialed-in fit that feels extremely comfortable, and there's even room for me to go up a calf size if I eventually want to buy a pair to wear over jeans. That's a rarity in the plus-size world. Since getting my first set of DuoBoots over a year ago, I've occasionally considered other boot brands, but the lack of calf-sizing specificity from most brands (like, what does "extra wide calf" even mean?) turns me away. I'd much rather invest in a pair of custom-fit boots that I know will work for my body and, with some care, will last for years.

I own two pairs of DuoBoots, and my favorite is the Haltham style in black suede. My fit is size 11 tall, with a 47-centimeter calf. I feel so confident when I wear these boots, and they're really comfortable for all-day wear.

I also own the Marvel lace-up boots. I'd describe my style as "edgy with a corporate job," and these boots fit that aesthetic well. The lace-up design gives the illusion of a combat boot, but they're sleek enough that I feel comfortable wearing them to the office. I went up a calf size in these, figuring I could always lace them tighter, if needed. This style wasn't available in a "tall" option, but I think they fit well nonetheless. They're very comfortable and I love the Oxford detailing, which I think lets this boot blend in well with a variety of styles (not just edgy). I probably reach for my Halthams a bit more than this pair, but this is a nice option if I want my boots to be a centerpoint of my outfit.

I think my only suggestions for how DuoBoots could be better are (1) more styles and (2) the option for a wider footbed for all the wide-foot girlies out there.

DuoBoots on Sally: petite with wide calves

"I am 5-foot-2, and I usually have such a hard time with structured leather boots like this. They almost always dig into the back of my thigh when I walk, use stairs, or sit down. I also have wide calves, so let's add that to the list of things that make shopping for knee-high boots seemingly impossible. DuoBoots is the first company I've seen offering a petite height option for knee-high boots, and it was also the most inclusive brand I'd encountered for larger calf widths, since you can choose by the actual diameter of your calf vs. just a "wide" option. I was so excited to try the boots, and I was even able to test the petite height alongside a regular-height boot to see just how differently the petite ones fit.

I opted for the Haltham petite style, and compared them to the block-heeled Dalia pair in a regular shaft height. The petite pair was much better for me. It didn't dig in anywhere while I walked, and it was more proportional to my frame. The leather quality is similar in comparison to other boots I've tested within the same price point (supple, smooth, but not extremely luxurious), and the shoe construction feels sturdy. I had expected the leather to be a bit more structured based on the pictures on the website, but it's actually rather pliable, so it shapes well to larger calf sizes. The footbet doesn't have a ton of arch support, but I popped a pair of insoles into the boots to improve their comfort. Once I did that, I found myself reaching for them all the time throughout the fall and winter last year to wear with leggings or skirts and oversized sweaters or button-downs. They perfectly supplement my horse girl aesthetic.

My one big complaint is that I just wish they made more styles for petite folks. Some of the brands' cutest styles are not available in petite sizes, which is such a bummer. We want more!" —Sally Kaplan, executive editor

DuoBoots on Sam: petite with small calves

Our style editor, Samantha Crozier, tested DuoBoot's Dalia style in the petite calf height. She loved them so much that she named them the top petite option in her guide to the best knee-high boots. Here's a snippet of what she had to say for that guide:

"As a five-foot-two person, I often find knee-high boots to be a tricky purchase. Since my calves are shorter than average, lots of boots will squeeze my knee in an unflattering way or bunch up at the ankles because the shaft is too long.

So when DuoBoots came out with petite-fit boots, I was ecstatic. Their petite knee-high boots have a shaft that is a little less than an inch shorter than the standard, and this small detail makes a world of difference when it comes to picking flattering boots. I love that these hit right under my knee and have minimal bunching."

The bottom line

If there's such a thing as a one-size-fits-all boot brand, DuoBoots is it. All three of our testers were impressed with the custom fit and sleek style. At $350 to $400 a pair (plus tariffs), they're not a cheap purchase, but a worthwhile investment if you've struggled to find traditional knee-highs that fit well.