Scarpa Boots

I have a pair of Midweight Limmers and felt I wanted a lighter boot for weekend + day hikes. I bought a pair of Scarpa Delta

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I have a pair of Midweight Limmers and felt I wanted a lighter boot for weekend + day hikes. I bought a pair of Scarpa Delta

Boot and shoe sizes (and clothing sizes) are _supposed_ to be standardized. However, the reality is that each manufacturer has their own ideas about the ideal foot size and shape at each size. Different manufacturers use different lasts (a foot-shaped block that is used to form the footwear). Some manufacturers tend toward narrower or wider feet, narrower or wider heels, larger or smaller foot volume, more or less high or low arch, different positions of the ball of the foot (hence flex position). The only way you can get a perfect fit is to have the boot custom made. That was the big selling point of Limmer for decades (still is, if you get their custom boots, except I hear they are going out of business, now that the older couple of generations have retired/died).

Bottom line is don't go too strongly on the magic numbers. Use those only as a guide to sizes to try. If a boot doesn't feel comfortable in the shop after keeping it on for a substantial time and walking around a bit, it will feel miserable on the trail. Don't count on it "breaking in", no matter what the store clerk says, and especially if it contains any synthetic materials (like gtx liners). Yes, leather boots do "break in" (if treated properly), but they don't go from uncomfortable to comfortable; they go from comfortable to really comfortable.

I find that Scarpa uses a last that fits my foot as if custom made (not as good as the Limmers I had many decades ago, though). But my son finds Scarpas miserable. There are some other high-reputation ready-made boots I find quite comfortable and still others I can't get even a passable fit in, no matter what the size and width numbers say.

So go with what feels comfortable and forget the size and width numbers. If it is too narrow and pinches or too wide and sloppy, or pinches a toe, or feels like your big toe is being bent inward, think what this will feel like 50 miles down the trail.

You could also consider improving the fit with moldable footbeds, liners, or orthotics.

Sounds like you need to find a store/dealer where you can try them on "in the flesh" instead of doing the "Internet shopping shuffle"! Find the size/make that fit you the best, don't worry about numbers. Sounds like you might need something with a roomier toebox...Have you tried Lowa boots? If I went by numbers I would be buying boots two sizes too small for my "dainty little female feet"...I've found the boots made with Men's lasts fit me way better than the ones made with a supposedly "femme" last...

DON'T DO IT!!!!

Scapa is just an anagram for "as crap"

Try Rockport Umbwe's - here in Leeds they are going for about a hundred dockers. Other places might charge you up to 160 molukkas.

The umbwe's are nice, light and a bit wider than as crap's. It's all in the last y'see but DO make your own evaluation