Boot fit?

DoeNob · Nov 16, 2011

So, after much research, I bought a pair of Meindel perfekt 10's from cabela's. I did some stair training with them to try and break them in before a hunt this fall. I didn't experience any issues breaking them in, Then i wore them and hiked about 23 miles with them on in Colorado.

I am having an issue with fit. The right boot fits great, very comfortable, good support. The left boot is pinching the top of my foot just before the big toe. This got kind of painful going up steep terrain and unless I figure something out, I couldn't wear them on a hunt again like that.

What can I do to fix this problem? Are they too tight? Too loose? Bigger socks? Or is it just an issue that I need to find boots that fit comfortably and these just won't work.

Its no fun breaking in $300 and $400 boots only to find out they don't fit!

treedagain · Nov 16, 2011

i had the same issue with my new danner pronghorns this year on my sheep hunt, i used a little mole skin for a few days and it worked, relieved the pressure....

HardcoreOutdoor · Nov 17, 2011

You used a Danner Pronghorn on a sheep hunt? Where?

Wade
www.HardcoreOutdoor.com

DylanT · Nov 17, 2011

Serious question: are both your feet the same size? I know mine aren't and it gives me all kind of headaches. And foot aches.

mmwb · Nov 17, 2011

Very few people have both feet the same size. Also, the stair training was a good start to a break in, but won't begin to put your feet and boots through the kind of workout actual hiking in terrain will. Real terrain is going to cause some twisting and stretching that your not likely to get any other way. Feet will also likely swell more after a few hours on the mountain than with other approaches to break in. Sounds like you were dealing more with a pressure point problem than rubbing. Mole skin, duct tape, a good liner sock, etc... help a lot with rubbing. I'm not sure what the answer on the mountain is for a pressure point. Make sure you don't have a sock toe end seam, wrinkle, pine needle,small pebble, etc... in there as well. It doesn't take much to create a bit of pressure that can lead to pain, bruising, blistering, etc...

WapitiBob · Nov 19, 2011

You can also change the lacing pattern on the problem boot, creating a different hinge point.

DoeNob · Nov 21, 2011

I have been wearing under armor socks which have a very thin panel on the top and sides of the boot. I tried doing a bunch of mountain climbers with different socks and I think having a thicker wool sock helps the problem out.

Going to try that out and then change the lacing pattern if that doesn't work. Hard to do any real "mountain" testing living in an area that's flat as a pancake.

elkmtngear · Nov 21, 2011

Here is a great video article on buying the right boots and proper fit: choosing the right hiking boots

Best of Luck,
Jeff
http://www.elkmtngear.com

jbricejr · Nov 22, 2011

Many of the larger trail shops and full service shoe repair shops have a tool to stretch a boots width in a selected spot. I haven't tried this but am considering it with a pair I have. They claim it will not damage goretex.