Boot fit?

[ScottEinsmann]

I received my first pair of real boots, Lowa Tibets. I slipped them on and they feel great. I grabbed my pack with 40lbs in it and walked around and they were still comfortable.

I don't think I can take them out and get them muddy until I figure out if they need to be returned or not.

So what do you look for in terms of boot fit?

 

[Jason Snyder]

Excessive heel slip

Pressure points

Foot numbness

I'd do a bunch of step ups on a bench with your pack, and then some hiking on the treadmill on an incline.

 

[kingfisher]

If you can, take them out in a light fresh snow, that way they don't get dirty and you can return them if needed. Unfortunately it is hard to know until you actually hike around.

Definitely don't want your toes hitting the end, even when you lace them up and lightly kick the front of the boot into something.

 

[1hoda]

This about sums it up...

https://www.nols.edu/nolspro/pdf/boot_fitting_info.pdf

 

[kodiakfly]

They should be comfortable out of the box. Heavy boots like this don't break in like a pair of loafers. If they don't feel good now, they won't later. My biggest thing is heel slip. If I don't have heel slip, I'm golden. I'll lace em up and to toe raises on the edge of a stair step. No slip, no problem. If they slip for me there, it'll happen on a hike. I have really "normal" shaped feet, so if the foot box feels good when I slip it on, it's not hard to fit. If you've got wide feet or narrow feet or high/low arches, you could have additional fit issues you need to sort out.

 

[ScottEinsmann]

This about sums it up...

https://www.nols.edu/nolspro/pdf/boot_fitting_info.pdf

Great link!

 

[GKPrice]

Excessive heel slip

Pressure points

Foot numbness

I'd do a bunch of step ups on a bench with your pack, and then some hiking on the treadmill on an incline.

FYI, if you don't own the treadmill you might ask the gym owner if it's ok to wear a pair of "Lowa boots" on theirs ;-)

that aside, it will be quite difficult to emulate just what you might encounter in the mountains - My foot as always measured around a 10EE and did by the fitter the day I bought my first pair of Tibets, tried on a 10W, they did not feel good, nor did a 10 1/2 W but when I tried an 11W I knew that was the fit that was "right" for sitting on a bench anyway - I put a wide green superfeet insole in them, felt even better so I took a chance because no boot (not even Pronghorns) had ever felt this good - Now, I have 5 seasons behind me with not so much as a hotspot let alone a blister to show for it - I have a pair of 10" GTX 400 gram Lowas that keep my feet warmer than any of the 1000 gram "others" did, I've worn one pair of Tibets out, I have been wearing another pair daily and I'm looking at the new pair in the box from "shoebuy" that came yesterday - as I've stated here, my feet have always been my "problem child" and I've yet to wear any of the Lowa boots for actual "break in" at all - each of us is different but that is "my story" and I'm stickin' to it ...... I did have a rand separation issue with the second pair of Tibets and Lowa took care of that no questions asked - my "windy" point is: wear 'em IF they feel that good around home chances are they'll treat you good in the mountains as well

 

[GotDraw?]

Don't despair. Your experience thus far is identical to mine.

I agree w/previous poster RE issues that would be deal killers. Except that I think a little heel lift may occur when new.

You've bought a serious pair of boots and they need serious break in. As long as you have room the toe box and they generally feel good, you're probably fine. Your situation does illustrate the value of a good fitter, like Lathrop because you may never find out if they will work for you since you may be too afraid to actually put real miles on them (and risk "owning them") and thus may return them. Don't take this as an insult, because I ended up in the same position. Like you, mine felt generally good. I kept mine, broke them in and love them.

These are STIFF boots and need a lot of miles to break them in. As I've stated in prior posts, I highly recommend getting them good and wet on the outside at least once while hiking to help the leather find a crease. I have found with Lowas that it's not a bad idea to go up 1/2 size (at least for my foot). I virtually guarantee that you will not break these boots in on a treadmill. Or.. by the time you do, they will clearly be used since all the leather under all the lacing areas will show shine/wear.

A little heel slip may not be unusual when new-- the sole, upper and rand are so stiff that there is no flex in the ankle or forefoot area yet-- so your heel may lift some. Also, the uppers are so stiff that the laces won't snug up perfectly to lock in your heel until the boot breaks in a little. I had a slight heel lift issue with my Tibets, once the sole, rand and uppers broke in I was able to start using the lacing system more effectively so it locked the heel better and better. Perfect now. I also recommend good insoles, stock ones suck. Fantastic boots.

If they feel good now, go for it.