Keen Gypsum boot problem

[hunsta]

I recently bought a pair of Keen Gypsum boots. I am a size 11 with a wide foot (I have been known to buy size 12 shoes and boots, but only stuff I'm going to be standing in, not walking. As there's too much forward movement) and had read a few write ups about them being made for a wide foot. And they fitted me so nicely in the shop. And before you ask, I nearly wore out my welcome at the shop wearing them for about 15mins walking around, doing lunges and heel strikes to see if they moved, with a pair of double layer 1000 mile Fusion socks. They seemed like a nice wide fit. So I bought them.
I live on acreage, so I had been wearing them in around the block and on my treadmill, and they had no pinches or tight spots. However I went for a very rocky climb on Saturday and they were fine going up, but coming down the toe next to my big toe on my left foot was being pushed rather badly into the end of the boot, and was really starting to annoy me. It wasn't a very long decent(just over an hour), but I started to worry if this was going to be a major issue with these boots. I do cut my toe nails accordingly, so as to reduce any undue rearward pressure on my toes.
So to the question Is there something I can do to the boots in the way of say stretching the toe area a bit? I know boots will stretch as they get older, but that's usually in the width. I really dont want to have to buy another pair of boots again (my wife already thinks Im the male equivalent of Emelda Marcos) if I can help it. I did my homework on these boots and they seemed to suit my feet and pocket.
Any ideas guys or should I bite the bullet and hit the stores again(albeit in secret LOL)
cheers
Craig

[gayet]

If its only the one toe on the one foot, try lacing the boot a bit tighter at the base. That may prevent the forward movement and save the toe. It sounds like they are fine for all but a downhill, so I'd be looking for a way to resolve that issue rather than searching out a new boot.

[Hallu]

Yeah lace them tight before a descent. I have Keen too, and they run small for their size, it's a well known fact amongst Keen shoes. Zamberlan are also known to have big toe boxes, and they run true to size (I wear a 10.5 US/45 EU for Zamberlan and 11.5 US/45 EU for Keen). You could try and put a thinner sole in there, but as the default soles are usually extremely thin already, I doubt you'd gain much room. Your feet swell as you walk, so it's normal if shoes feel tighter at the end of a walk (usually the descent) that's why it's always safer to buy a size up, and adjust the fitting with socks, soles, and lacing.

[hunsta]

Yeah lace them tight before a descent. I have Keen too, and they run small for their size, it's a well known fact amongst Keen shoes.

I will admit that I did take the inner soles out and replace them with a better one to help with hotspots. Ill give them a go with the original soles in them, but you are right, they were a little thin looking for me. However your original statement worries me, as I had been under the understanding that the Keen`s were a true fit. At least that's what I had read. I will just say that my second toes are slightly longer than my big toes, but have never been a problem. Just the webbing and the sixth toes on the end.................LOL just kidding.

[Hallu]

I often get blisters at the end of my second toes because of this. If I had a tighter fit with my shoes, it would be all the toes. So I just pierce them and let calluses form.

[hunsta]

Guess I should wait til they`ve bedded to my feet before I start worrying

[hunsta]

Well after some more extensive wearing and being informed that stretching is not likely to happen, I decided to buy a pair of size 12's. So much more comfortable and when I get some good inners they'll be perfect.

[hunsta]

Oh and BTW anyone want to buy a set of US11's . Only hiked in once.$140 + $15 postage?

[photohiker]

Just FYI anyone looking at buying Keen footwear, they publish sizing variances on their website:

eg: http://www.keenfootwear.com/us/en/produ ... t%20olive#

Click on the 'Specs/Traits' tab.

Weight: 19.08 oz/541.91 g
Type: Boots, Hiking - Boots, Waterproof
Fit Tip: We find this style runs about a 1/2 size small
Lining: KEEN.DRY™ waterproof breathable membrane
Upper: Nubuck and textile upper
Rubber: Non-marking rubber outsole

It's not the same fit tip for every keen style, but most boots are 1/2 size small.

[hunsta]

Just FYI anyone looking at buying Keen footwear, they publish sizing variances on their website:

eg: http://www.keenfootwear.com/us/en/produ ... t%20olive#

Click on the 'Specs/Traits' tab.

Weight: 19.08 oz/541.91 g
Type: Boots, Hiking - Boots, Waterproof
Fit Tip: We find this style runs about a 1/2 size small
Lining: KEEN.DRY™ waterproof breathable membrane
Upper: Nubuck and textile upper
Rubber: Non-marking rubber outsole

It's not the same fit tip for every keen style, but most boots are 1/2 size small.

Must have been the only thing I didn't read about them. Oh well live and learn.

[wander]

I have a few pairs of these boots and have found it is critical to have the nails cut (as your have noted hunsta) and the tieing of the laces is different for different walking. So they are almost loose about the office. On the climb up Mt Lofty (about 460M up over 4km but most of the up is over 1km) they are tied firm, for the wander down they are re-tied very tight to stop the foot slide forward. But in these iterations the bottom section of the laces is left loose. This plan may not solve your issue, but the message is experiment over a repeated course and use different tensions for different activities.

I used these boots on my last Picton Range and Southern Ranges PB loop. The boots were fine for both exercises when they were tied properly. The same can said of the previous Scarpa's, they must be tied properly to suit.

[Onestepmore]

Could these possibly help?
http://www.injinji.com/

[Wolfix]

I think Keen need to put a lace hook back near the ankle on their boots to allow for a lock in, given their excessively wide heel cups. I know very few people with a heel that wide. Some men, pretty much no women. I have converted a lot of Keen wearers to Salomon upon seeing that they in fact have narrow, not wide feet. Funny how so many women think their feet are wide. Female epidemic of body dysmorphia not limited to torso or abdomen.

[hunsta]

I think Keen need to put a lace hook back near the ankle on their boots to allow for a lock in, given their excessively wide heel cups. I know very few people with a heel that wide. Some men, pretty much no women. I have converted a lot of Keen wearers to Salomon upon seeing that they in fact have narrow, not wide feet. Funny how so many women think their feet are wide. Female epidemic of body dysmorphia not limited to torso or abdomen.

I hear you on the lace hook Wolfix. Im considering using a 2 lace setup fo my boots. From what Ive read Salomon are a narrower boot and would suit the ladies better. However you aint seen my wifes foot. Talk about slabs. Sorry dear.