New boots are tight around little toe; will they stretch?

[Maxwell Hall]

I thinking of buying a pair of Scarpas that I really like; the padding is unbelievably comfortable! However, they are fairly tight(I have a fairly wide foot) particularly around my little toe; it feels squished really. The people at the store said that that part of the boot will break in first and the "excess" fabric on the top will sort of "move" to where my toe is; they don't know how much though

I'm really not sure if I should buy them or not; will it stretch? I can take a photo to help explain if that will help. Thanks in advance!

[optdyl]

I'm really not sure if I should buy them or not; will it stretch?

I'm not sure if the boots would stretch, that would depend quite a bit on the material. However, your feet can swell up to half a size larger when walking for extended periods, so a tight fitting boot at the start of the walk could become quite restrictive/uncomfortable by the end of the day.

Hope this helps?

Dyl

[Maxwell Hall]

oh is that true? hmm darn I guess I should definitely take them back then, I'm getting pins and needles from wearing them without walking/being cold

[Son of a Beach]

Boots and packs that have a slight discomfort problem in the shop will be a huge problem once you've been walking in the bush for a few hours. I generally wouldn't buy such things.

One exception may be boots that feel too rigid, that may develop some more flex as they wear in. However, these days I prefer to buy boots that don't require wearing in (yes, this is possible with good leather boots too).

[ollster]

oh is that true? hmm darn I guess I should definitely take them back then, I'm getting pins and needles from wearing them without walking/being cold

That's really not good. Scarpa make an extra wide fit in some shoes, maybe ask if the store would be kind enough to order some in?

[photohiker]

What model Scarpa, and what sort of walking?

Just to echo the other replies, if it doesn't feel right before the walk, it almost never corrects itself.

A light fabric shoe or boot may allow you to get away with a minor space issue for the little toe, but Scarpa don't make those kind of shoes to my knowledge. On top of that, you're paying good money for footwear, and it should fit properly before you leave the shop. Issues with toe space should not exist after the fitting if it has been done right.

[Nuts]

can you fit your index finger behind the heel when you kick your foot forward into the front of the boot maxwell?

[Macca81]

if its not comfortable now, it will be killing you by the end of your first walk, and just get worse.

it may become more supple, but it wont change its shape in a hurry...

[north-north-west]

If you have wide feet, don't buy Scarpas.
They're a good, well-made boot, but they aren't for us Hobbittses.

[durks]

If you have wide feet, don't buy Scarpas.

To be fair, it depends on the actual model; Scarpa use a variety of lasts and, as mentioned, produce some of their boots (e.g. the SL) in a wide fitting as well as a 'standard' one.

The Scarpa Ranger is a good walking boot to try if you have wide feet.

As mentioned before: for boots, you obviously have to buy what fits!

[tasadam]

Scarpa make an extra wide fit in some shoes, maybe ask if the store would be kind enough to order some in?

I echo that. I am curious as to what sort they were. Where did you get them and were you successful at returning them?

[ninjapuppet]

I'm really not sure if I should buy them or not; will it stretch? I can take a photo to help explain if that will help. Thanks in advance!

Maxwell,
you sounded like you had already bought the boots, then asked for advice if you should get them. haha, we all do that too.

anyway, back in the army, my corporal had the opposite view of everyone here: we were told to get tight fitting boots so that they can stretch out and mould to the feet. MAN! my feet were sore! took about 2 weeks of full on marching for the boots to feel comfortable and to this day, theyve been my most comfortable boots ive ever had. i did have alot of tingling in the little toes during that break in period.

then i got some scarpas SLs. they didnt have the BXX (wide) in my size but only the BX (standard width) but i stupidly got them anyway because i needed new boots.. they feel great when i put them on, but after 15km, I have the same problem as you. my little toe on both feet have been going numb, and ive been doing walks every weekened for a few months now. They still dont seem to have adapted much.

Maybe the leather on the SL are much thicker so they'll take longer to adapt? Despite my corporal's views on boots, if i start out again i would get boots that are comfortable to begin with. if your feet are already feeling sore before walking, they'll surely cause enough pain to limit your distance.

[ninjapuppet]

forgot to add, that i normally wear 2 pairs of socks, but with the tight fitting SLs ive only been wearing 1 thin pair of injinji's, and not doing the laces up so tight.
i have found that that helps alot. it can theoretically increase the risk of blisters, but i dont usually get blisters so its been good for me so far.

[north-north-west]

If you have wide feet, don't buy Scarpas.

To be fair, it depends on the actual model; Scarpa use a variety of lasts and, as mentioned, produce some of their boots (e.g. the SL) in a wide fitting as well as a 'standard' one.

I've tried every type of Scarpa around, all in the supposed wide fitting. And they're still the most uncomfortable boots I've ever had on my feet. Couldn't get them off fast enough.

I know some people swear by them. I just swear at them.

[norts]

I cant wear scarpas too narrow.
Have to ask yourself , do you think your foot is tougher than than the material you are hoping it is going to stretch?
If not you feet are going to lose.
I tried Garmonts they felt comfortable in the shop, but after a couple of days wearing them around the house , my feet surrendered. I now wear Asolo.

Roger

[north-north-west]

Wot 'e sed ^

Asolos rock. The best.

[Jeff78]

Your shoe, especially leather outer will never stretch sideways.
Get the right fit next time by trying in a shop first prior to buying online.
Get your foot measured, my left foot is 1/2 inch wider than right....funny though