Another used plastic hiking boot question

[eli]

I enjoyed Donnas issue with her "chin' getting sore every time she wore her used plastic boots.

I have just purchased a pair of Scarpa Inverno (?) plastic mountaineering boots on ebay. They are described as as size 13 UK(?) but the seller in an email declared he was an 11 and a half and they were fine with extra heavy socks. He also stated that a friend of his, who is a size 12, wore them comfortably. These were supposedly the only times they were worn. If they are 13 UK I think that would make them 14 US (?).

My ultimate question, after all this rambling, is: How critical is the fit in plastic boots? Can you take up excess volume with a heavier pair of socks over a thin hiking sock? Is it critical that the fit is "snug" or is it irrelevant as long as the heel doesn't raise as you step and climb.

Are footbeds recommended. I ski with footbeds and wonder if the benefit would transfer to these "stiff" boots?

I hike and walk a lot in Gore-Tex insulated Vasque's but these are my first "mountaineering boots for crampons.

 

[Warren]

I may be wrong about this but it should work just like any boot though a bit more tolerant of a loose fit (for me at least I have weird feet).

I'd say a custom liner would be a fix, but that could negate the cost savings

 

[John H Swanson]

plastic boot fit

I found that plastic boot fit is more important that regular boot fit becuase what you get is what you get, it does not change. Regular boots change to fit your foot. As a result, pressure points will continue to hurt your foot over the years.

I purchased a used pair of Kolflachs from my NOLS course after wearing them for several low milage days. During the course, they were great, so I thought they would be good. Then I got home and used them under real conditions (long milage NE winter peak bagging) and my feet turned to hamburger.

Net net, I sold them. Then, I tried on many different pairs of plastics at several stores around the NE. I noted the fit of each. the inverno was the best fit. I rented them from Ragged Mtn for two days and pushed myself hard. One steep climb day - no heel blister and one long milage day. They were good. So I bought a pair. Since then I have had no problems with them.

Not that it matters as I use Sorels most of the time anyway

 

[eli]

Thanks I know it is "crap shoot" buying sight unseen on ebay but I bought them for $120.00 which is a considerable saving over new.

Well "Hope for the Best , But prepare for the worst"

 

[bobmak]

There is some play. Many plastic boot shells are made in whole sizes (I believe this is the case with Scarpas) while the bootie is made in half sizes. I have a friend that bought his boots 1 size bigger which allowed him to put a thicker insulated foot bed to help keep his feet warm on belays.

 

[rambler]

Socks really do effect the fit. If you can get a snug fit with the heavier sock, try it.. You do not want it to cramp or squeeze your foot, however, so circulation is cut. When my feet are cold it seems (not sure, if true) that they actually get smaller and the boot feels looser. Footbeds helped save a sore ski boot (ankle bone) for me and so , I put beds in my hiking boot. The fitter told me since the footbed raises the arch it also pulls the toe back giving you a fraction more room up front.
As a kid ****y Orr used two pairs of heavy socks to fill up a pair of hand-me-down skates till his feet grew. Not an uncommon practice that didn't hurt him much!