Epiks Shoes, accuracy of the sizing chart?

[capt_noonie]

No problem! You should post more often! I see you joined in May. Have you tried the Off Topic section with the games and stuff? There are lots of fun threads around. There are a few "foodies" around here too and we have a few food threads in the off topic section as well.

Oh and of course, let us know what you ended up getting and post some pics!

[Lil Ladies]

Originally Posted by imdll

Do you make your own soft boots or have someone else make them for you? What sort of pattern have you been using?

I wish someone made a soft boot that was tiny enough. I like the idea of them and I suspect that Lu would prefer them to a formed shoe. I have read where some people have cut the fingers off of gardening gloves and used those for soft boots and for around the farm that would be fine but it would be nice to have something a bit more professionally put together for around town. I think the Mini Meshies design is pretty cute but they don't come small enough.

No I dont have a pattern but I wish I did! I wish even more that someone could make some for me!

I have done the kids glove thing and it works pretty well, but ya, it could look better!

As for the measurements: of course I cant find my measuring tape to save my life BUT for Sophie, her feet are about 0.5 inch wide, and 0s fit pretty well. They dont pull off too easily when the zipper is up.

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

We have not had a problem with the zipper falling down ever. Uni is not the skittish type so the knocking sound does not bother her, but yes there is a clinking sound. There is an elastic around the back of the boot.

The 1s are snug, the 2s were roomy and were too big, as I said spun around on her. The inside is soft padding and the insoles are memory foam. I think as long as Lu's nails are kept at a nice short length the 0's should be fine.

Oh also you can PM member AlaskaYorkie, he uses these booties that are soft but not waterproof with a velcro top I believe. These are good for dogs who don't like the feeling of wearing boots too. I forget who sells them, but he will know.

Mine don't have the elastic around the boot... but these Epiks are 3 years old. I've been using the grooming bands -which still don't work because the zipper still falls down half way. If they have solved that problem, the Epiks are definitely worth the shot! Thanks for the suggestion of the other boots!!

[imdll]

Sophie's feet are 0.5 inches wide? My goodness that is tiny and definitely smaller than Lu. If Sophie's feet are about 1/2" wide and size 0 fits her pretty well then maybe size 1 would be the correct size for Lu.

I got in touch with alaskayorkie and he sent me the site address of the lady he gets his fleece booties from. They are just fleece, but he said he has tried lots of different booties and these ones have worked the best. He also said they seem to keep his dogs feet warm even if the snow does dampen the fabric some and that they even help on ice for a bit of traction. I like the idea of fleece booties even if I do get a more formed boot as well.

I also got in touch with alldogboots and she suggested maybe going with the NeoPaws. She quite likes them, they do make really tiny boots and I have used the NeoPaws Original High Performance boot on a much larger dog several years ago, and they worked quite well. For going out for a walk or longer jaunts they might be worth considering but I would still like something that is a bit quicker to put on and off for potty runs when the weather is nasty.

With regard to the Epiks Lu's measurements do seem to indicate she would wear a size 1 but dang I would hate for them to be too large. Although if I order a size 0 and they're too small that wouldn't be any better. I have been told that the size chart is pretty accurate but I sure wish someone actually carried them where I live or that Epiks had a print off foot chart with paw or boot shapes in the correct sizes rather than just measurments. I'm going to have to make a best guess if I go with the Epiks.

Thanks so much everyone for all of your input. Lots to consider.

Oh on the topic of shoes and booties I did want to mention that yesterday I came across an article about sled dogs and that they sometimes wear booties etc. However, they also explained that dogs sweat through their feet and the sweat can be trapped by a bootie or shoe and cause fungus and other health issues if kept on for long periods of time. They said sled dogs have to be monitored because they can become overheated even though it is cold outside if they wear booties during a long race. Just something to keep in mind as I know there are people who put shoes, slippers and booties on their dogs all the time simply for the cute factor or leave them on because it's a pain to put them on and off. Being able to ventilate their feet is important. I didn't know there was a risk of a dog getting overheated even in the cold or the sweat building up and growing greeblies until I got reading about it but it makes sense. I knew that dogs bodies work quite a bit differently than ours and that their natural temperature is higher and they sweat differently etc. I just hadn't thought about what that means with regard to jackets and footwear etc. My dogs don't really wear jackets and footwear unless the weather is particularly nasty but still it's something I will monitor a little bit better now.

[Lil Ladies]

I don't envy your decision! Soph is only slightly smaller than Lu as far as height and weight.... what is the return policy? I do think they fit Sophie well, but to be honest, I have never had a boot smaller, so I don't know if she would be better off in an even smaller boot. As far as the fleece ones go- people I know rave about them! Don't hold water, have traction on ice (unlike the rubber sole), breathable, and are stretchy and apparently comfortable. Could you post the link?

[imdll]

Originally Posted by Lil Ladies

I don't envy your decision! Soph is only slightly smaller than Lu as far as height and weight.... what is the return policy? I do think they fit Sophie well, but to be honest, I have never had a boot smaller, so I don't know if she would be better off in an even smaller boot. As far as the fleece ones go- people I know rave about them! Don't hold water, have traction on ice (unlike the rubber sole), breathable, and are stretchy and apparently comfortable. Could you post the link?

Sadly most places won't allow you to return shoes for health reasons. I have measured and measured Lu's feet and it really does seem like she would wear a size 1. . . as long as the chart is indeed correct. If Uni's feet are about 1" and she wears a size 1 and they fit snuggly but 2s were too big and turning around on her feet and Sohpie's feet are about 1/2" and she wears a 0 and they are not turning around on her feet and I had another lady tell me her 4 lb yorkie wears 1s but they are almost too small and that her dog should maybe wear 2s instead. . . Ahhhh!!!!

The chart says that size 1 fits 2.29cm and Lu's feet measure between 2.2 - 2.3cm. If the chart is indeed accurate then size 1s should fit perfectly, at least that's the theory. Still going to mull that over before I bite the bullet though. The darned things aren't exactly cheap.

Here's the link that alaskayorkie shared with me for the fleece booties.
www.heidiandcompany.com

He mentioned the photos aren't great and that I might have to take his word on how good they are (and have to admit he was correct). He also sent a link to a video of his yorkie Jillie running around in her booties on glaring ice and she is having a blast! He said that he didn't figure Jillie would have even gone out for a walk without the booties on. With them on she didn't seem to have any issues with the cold or ice. With the rave review from alaskayorkie who says he's tried quite a few different kinds of footwear over the years, and the fact that I can't find even one other place that makes tiny booties, I think I may have to give them a try.

[capt_noonie]

I think with all the additional info, and if Sophie's paws are actually 1/2" wide, then I say go with the 1s. Also ordering some fleece ones that Alaskayorkie suggested wouldn't hurt either, they are very inexpensive.

[imdll]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

I think with all the additional info, and if Sophie's paws are actually 1/2" wide, then I say go with the 1s. Also ordering some fleece ones that Alaskayorkie suggested wouldn't hurt either, they are very inexpensive.

That's kind of what I'm thinking too.