Guidi Sizing Guide – How Guidi Boots Fit, Series by Series

HOW GUIDI SIZING WORKS

Guidi uses Italian (EU) sizing across all footwear. Most of our customers stay at their usual size or go up slightly, depending on which brands they use as a reference. Compared with Rick Owens, most customers choose a half or a full size larger in Guidi.

New Guidi boots should feel snug. The leather gives across the width and over the instep as it softens, but it does not get longer. If your toes touch the front when you stand, the pair is too short, however comfortable the rest of the boot feels.

USE THE INSOLE LENGTH, NOT THE FIT LABEL

Every Guidi product at Orimono has a size guide with the insole length per size, measured on the shoe itself. Guidi's sizing is consistent between models in length, so the insole length is the most reliable way to choose a size, whichever model you buy. Width and instep vary by series; length does not.

• Measure the insole of a pair that fits you well, from heel to toe
• Compare it with the insole length in the size guide of the Guidi model you want
• Choose the size closest to your reference, and size to your larger foot
• Try on with the socks you will actually wear, not thick ones

FIT BY SERIES

Length is consistent across Guidi, but each family has its own last. These notes come from fitting customers in our Berlin store, alongside what Japanese Guidi specialists report.

900 SERIES (992, 988, 986, 989)

Guidi's classic men's last and the best starting point for a first pair. The 992 derby has a higher instep but a fairly narrow forefoot; the laces let you adjust over the instep, but wide feet should check for pressure at the sides. The back-zip 988 and 986 follow the same balanced fit.

700 SERIES (788, 792, 795, 796, 798, 79086)

Originally women's lasts, now worn unisex. The 788 and similar back-zip models are narrow in a different way: the foot itself is not especially narrow, but the boot is tight over the ankle. For some customers this means the back zip will not close properly, so if you have a high instep or a strong ankle, try the X version or come in for a fitting. The 792 is close to the 992 in instep height but slightly wider.

X VERSIONS (992X, 788X, 792X, 788VX, 788ZX …)

The X suffix means a wider last. On the foot the silhouette looks almost the same, but there is noticeably more room through the forefoot and instep. If the standard version of a model feels tight, the X is the first alternative to try before changing size.

PL SERIES (PL1, PL2, PL2WZ, PLS2, PL11L)

The narrowest family in our experience. The PL series is characterised by a narrow, slim-fit work-boot silhouette with a structured angular tapered toe box and a non-collapsing shaft. It should feel close at first without pinching; if it pinches across the width, it will ease, but if your toes touch the front, go up a size.

PL1 vs PL2: both are built on the same last and fit the same in length. The difference is the shaft: the PL1 sits at ankle height and stays upright, while the PL2 is the taller version reaching towards mid-calf. Choose the same size in both.

Guidi itself calls the PL2 the Palombaro, Italian for the old helmet diver. Historic diving boots were built around a large, reinforced toe box and a heavy sole, and the PL's raised, structured toe and stacked sole share that silhouette, although Guidi has never explained the name.

310 (FRONT-ZIP ARMY BOOT)

Alongside the PL series, the 310 is one of the narrowest Guidi fits we carry. Customers with wide feet should allow for a snug first few wears or consider a different model.

GR SERIES (GR02, GR05, GR06)

The heavier "daddy" boots and derbies. Roomy in both instep and width compared with the 900 and 700 series.

LEATHER AND BREAK-IN

Full-grain horse leather is thick and slightly stiff when new, and softens with body heat and walking until it follows the shape of your foot. Kangaroo is thinner and more elastic, so a kangaroo derby is a little more forgiving than the same model in horse. Stiffer leathers give less, so a pair that pinches in width may stay closer for longer.

After break-in, Guidi can feel roomier around the instep and heel. Rather than sizing down at the start, add a thin leather insole once the boots have softened. Never size down to compensate for break-in in length: the leather will not stretch there.

QUICK ANSWERS

DO GUIDI BOOTS RUN TRUE TO SIZE?

Mostly yes. Most customers take their usual EU size or slightly larger. Check the insole length in the product's size guide against a pair you know.

GUIDI VS RICK OWENS SIZING

Most customers go a half or a full size larger in Guidi than in Rick Owens.

WHICH GUIDI MODELS ARE NARROWEST?

The PL series and the 310. The 788 and other 700-series back-zips are tight over the ankle rather than across the foot.

WHICH GUIDI MODELS ARE WIDEST?

The X versions of each model, and the GR series.

GUIDI AT ORIMONO

Many of the Guidi styles we buy carry a B in the code, for example 788VXB, PLM03B or GR06VB. B means we order them with black welt stitching rather than Guidi's standard stitching: a quieter, all-black finish that is rare to find at other retailers.

Every Guidi pair we sell has its own size guide with insole lengths, and you are welcome to try the full range in our Berlin store. Read more in Guidi model codes explained and the Guidi brand story, or explore Guidi at Orimono.