Looking for some guidance in buying boots - expectations

[IanF.]

In the process of buying my first pair of serious mountain boots. Currently I have a pair of Meindl ultralights with about three years on them. This summer I started training/changes to move to backpack hunting and did one trip to the alpine this season. My training and boots let me down on that trip and I came off the mountain with some pretty sore feet and a couple of deep blisters.

My quest for new boots has begun and I'm looking at all the normal choices trying to find the right ones for my feet. I've been able to try 2 models on in stores with the next being mail orders.

So with this in mind here's my wonderment.....

You put your feet in a new pair of boots and know you have 1-3 weeks to return "new condition" to the seller if you're unhappy. I've been bitten with the current Meindls (good until I put them to actual mountain use) so am cautious as a pair of good boots isn't cheap.

This style of boot is much stiffer then any I've ever owned, so knowing what is right or wrong is somewhat foreign. Add to that most say 25-50 miles to break in and I'm feeling like a kid on his first date not a guy who's hunted for 30 years.

There is the base do they or don't they fit me, however beyond that...

Should I expect a truly comfortable fit? No spots that need to break in/get used too?
Laced up my feet should;
Be held in place
Toes should be able to move
Toes should not touch front or top of toe box
I should have 3/8-1/2" space front to back if my toes are pushed against the front of the toe box
3. What "tests" do you do to check for fit/comfort? Keeping in mind they may have to be returned.

Figure I'll walk around some malls for awhile to get a true test and not harm the returnability, should I be carrying any weight?

Some help from those who've been there would be wonderful.

Very best,

Ian

 

[7stw]

I run a pair of the meindel denalis and couldn't be more happy. I also have a pair of scarpa kenisis that are are good. But with a heavy pack and climbing steep grades they rub my toes. The stiffness gives some once you put some miles on them (I put almost 60 on the Denali ) and once broken in they're fantastic. Low as kennetrek and schnees are also good brands. Each persons feet are different so what works for me may not work for someone else. Quality insoles help tremendously as well. I like the orange super feet my hunting partner swears by kennetrek insoles in his lowas. It's frustrating to buy mountain boots and know you're really going to have to put some miles on them to break them in and eliminate returning them. However you can recoup some of your money if they won't work by selling them here or on eBay etc. good luck finding the right combo for your feet.

 

[nflesher]

I like my Kenetrek Mountain Extremes with the green super feet insoles. You will read a lot about the Kenetreks having big heel cups causing heel slip, but I have read they changed the heel design a little to fix this. I am able to put a finger behind my heel if my toes are against the front of my boot, so I do have some room in them. I logged a lot of miles on my kenetreks before they started feeling good (150 miles). I ended up just soaking them inside and out and wearing them all day outside doing work. Don't forget about socks either. It took me a couple different sock combinations to get one that felt right with my kenetreks. I finally settled in with my socks, and used a lacing technique Becca Moffit posted on here and I was golden. Never had a blister since. Everyone's feet are different so keep that in mind. My right foot is smaller than my left, so my right foot had a little heel slip. I would recommend getting on all sorts of inclines, declines, or anything else that can resemble climbing around the mountains chasing critters. My Kenetreks were my first real mountain boot and my first thought was "Holy smokes these are so stiff", but they feel amazing now.

 

[Shrek]

Call Lathrop and Sons. There add is top right in the ad box. It's in rotation so wait for it. Best shot you have for getting the right boot for your feet the first time around. Not cheap but cheap if it saves you from buying three different boots and the pain that the ones that don't fit inflict.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I went to a foot specialist and they stated foot bed fit was far more important than how far your toes are from the end.
When trying on shoes I tend to walk up and down a flight of stairs, and walk up and down a sharp incline to make sure I don't have heel slip and my toes don't rub the top or cram to the front.

 

[steve anderson]

I found a boot shop that fit the boot to my arch not my foot size. They sold me a pair of Whites size 14B. It took a month to break in(that part scared me) The best money ive ever spent on boots. I put my boots on when my feet hurt and my feet love me for it. I could never buy boots that are either normal or wide width, any boot that you are willing to pay $$$$ for should be able to fit you correctly, imo

 

[camelcluch]

I called L&S when I started my search. Lowa was on the list anyway. I then took the info I got from them and headed out to REI. I tried on everything I could. I went with Kennetreks but knew I had a long break in period. Near the end of last year they started feeling "ok". I know once I hit the 100 mile mark I should be about there. So, try out what feels good but really give them a work out before you truly decide. Good luck.

 

[kodiakfly]

Don't mean to derail, but...and I'm good on boots but just curious...when you guys call L&S as everyone recommends, what do they do over the phone to help you fit so well? Everyone swears by them so I'm just wondering how they do what they do.

 

[Shrek]

With the custom boot fit service they send you pressure sensitive paper that you stand on and outline your feet and have you take a bunch of pictures of your feet. From that they match the boot to you and make modifications and inserts to get a customized fit. If you are not hard to fit and don't need all that work then they just know their boots and what boots fit what feet type. Super knowledgeable.

 

[IanF.]

Thanks for the help and further direction. I currently wear orthotics, so that side of the equation is already solved.

Would most of you say the break in period you endure, or the boots just get more comfortable?

There is a footwear rule I try to follow, if they're not comfortable in the the store, what makes you think thats going to change?

Very best,

Ian

 

[nflesher]

I just endured the break in period. Laced them up tight and got outside. I had a little heel slip in my right foot, so I tried a different socks and insoles. I them used a lacing technique I saw on here (thanks Becca) and they fit great. Then it was just logging miles and getting them comfortable. They are nowhere near as stiff as they were when I got them and feel great.

As for your rule of thumb about footwear, I agree with it to a point. These type of boots are really stiff so they provide support. If they "fit" you good, but are just stiff, I think you will be ok. If they don't fit you, they don't fit you. I hope this makes sense....

 

[TXCO]

Everyone's foot is different so the only thing I would pay attention to is the quality of craftsmanship when some recommends a boot, not the specific model or boot itself.

I used L&S and while they tried hard, I didnt get a good fit for my feet. Sizing is hard to do over the phone every when you sketch your feet out. Nothing beats trying on boots and walking around in them before you buy. If you go the LS route, try to find some boots locally of the brands youre looking at in order to verify sizing. Otherwise, you might be have to ship several pairs back and forth which gets expensive in a hurry.

I think REI and the 1 year return policy is the best way to go.

 

[charvey9]

I think it comes down to each individual, and although there are a lot of high quality boots available, finding the ones that fit your feet best and hold up to the conditions are tough. Unfortunately I think there is going to be some trial and error, unless you get lucky. I really like the Kenetrek Mountain Extreme for a really good balance between stiffness and comfort, but they are a little hot for the early seasons. I first tried a pair of Lowa GTX Tibet's, and although a nice boot they cut of circulation in my left foot. I also got a pair of Lowa Uplander for early season stuff.

 

[Mtnboy]

With the custom boot fit service they send you pressure sensitive paper that you stand on and outline your feet and have you take a bunch of pictures of your feet. From that they match the boot to you and make modifications and inserts to get a customized fit. If you are not hard to fit and don't need all that work then they just know their boots and what boots fit what feet type. Super knowledgeable.

Didn't you go through all that and still get blisters though?

Unfortunately for my pocketbook, I've found trying a few pairs was the only way for me to find the right boots.

 

[5MilesBack]

The first key for me is just making sure they fit. Every boot has its quirks, and sometimes even between two of the exact same kind of boot. Some have a narrow toe box and/or tight across the top. Some are too big, heel cups that aren't a cup at all so your heel slides around, wrong spot for a crease, rubs in wrong places......etc, etc. Most of these you can tell pretty quickly without hitting the hills.

 

[marc]

I suggest going to REI and trying on every boot they have. You will find some feel much better than others. You have a year to return if they don't work out!

 

[kodiakfly]

With the custom boot fit service they send you pressure sensitive paper that you stand on and outline your feet and have you take a bunch of pictures of your feet. From that they match the boot to you and make modifications and inserts to get a customized fit. If you are not hard to fit and don't need all that work then they just know their boots and what boots fit what feet type. Super knowledgeable.

Ah, that makes sense. For all the guys singing their praises I figured there had to be something to it.

 

[adventure907]

Plastics!!

 

[kaboku68]

Zamberlan has carbon fiber heel cup that is pretty awesome. Try them.

 

[Matt W.]

Wait one month.. Rokslide might surprise you with some helpful information over the next few weeks...