Toebox on Crispi and Schnee's and...?

[rebelblue]

TL;DR version:
Have read on a couple threads in here that some found the toebox on these two a bit tight, but can't say I can glean that is a general consensus. I measure little wider than average; i.e., kinda D+ but not wide enough for a EE and am a touch under size 12 with merino socks. A tight toebox would be a dealbreaker for me--pinching from the top and pressure on my pinky toe and/or big toe are familiar feelings that I never get over and have never resolved after break-in. So, (1) Should I start with a 12 or 12.5? (2) Should I look to other boots? (3) Should I go for the EE in either or both of these options?

Trying them on in person is not possible so avoiding extra shipping charges would be nice. Thanks in advance for any insight.

Full version:
Looking to drop some cash on a quality boot. After thorough (too much?) research here, there, and everywhere I know I want something along the lines of the Schnee's Beartooth II or Crispi Guide GTX mostly due to their characteristics of leather, height, durability, and rigidity. I'm leaning away from the Granite II and the Lowa Tibet Hi because I'm not going to scrabble after sheep in this pair, but will certainly be side-hilling with weight on my back along with ascents and descents of varying degrees in various terrains. I have enough history with turned ankles that boots like the Solomon Quest 4D or Asolo Fugitive GTX make me weary and I just plain trust leather more than these composite styles. Yes, I admit I'm signing up for a weight penalty, but... leather, 'miright?!

Anyway, as mentioned above, both Schnee's and Crispi have no storefronts or retailers anywhere close to my area so I'm in for a penny in for a pound on the mail order game. Still, if I can at all decrease the likelihood of at least one extra back-and-forth I'm all for it. So what say you, Roksliders? Thoughts on the three questions laid out above? Thoughts on these particular boots? Have any others I ought to consider given my criteria? Oh, and heel slippage has been an issue with me in the past, as well, but the heel cup in these boots seem pretty highly regarded, right?

And, bonus points to anyone who weighs in on 200g insulation. To me, it seems like something nice to have on colder sits but not too much to make a foot sweat all that bad when active in early archery season. True? For an apples comparison I'm looking at the insulated Beartooth since the Guide only has a 200g version.

Now if I could only figure out how to cram even more into this post...

 

[BRWNBR]

I got tired of stuff just like this. Trying the boot mapping system thru lathrop and sons.

 

[eagle#eyes]

I had to return a Lowa TIbet GTX wide because it wasn't wide enough. I really wanted to try the Schnees Beartooth II as well but was told by a Schnees rep that if their boot was wider than the Lowa, it was only by the slightest of margins. I went with the Crispi Nevada in a wide and it fits great. Plenty wide in the toe box and I eliminated the slight heel slip I had in 1 foot by lacing it differently and haven't had any issues since.

 

[Grady.J]

I don't want to muddy the waters, but I think I'm in a similar situation. Had Scarpa SL Actives, my heel was all over the place. Currently have Lowa Tibets(not the Hi's), and they feel good, but after long days the balls of my feet are destroyed, and my toes, big toe in particular, will be numb. Took about 3 months to get full feeling back in one of my big toes after a November hunt. No blisters or anything with them, the effects take a couple hours of walking to start to show up, possibly from a slightly tight toe box? I think on those foot measuring scales I'm between a 12 and 13, but always wear 13's without issue, and width is about average I think.


I've since tried on a couple of different boots, a pair of Zamberlans, La Sportivas, and other Scarpas with no luck, but I recently found a shop locally with a good selection of Hanwags. In particular, the Trapper Tops felt really nice, and the Yukons felt absolutely amazing. I'm going to try a pair of Alaskans (Yukons with a GTX liner) when they get some in stock, and make my decision from there. I'd like the Trapper Tops to work out, because I like the height, but the Yukons felt so good I might be going with either those or the Alaskans if they feel the same.

Hanwag makes boots up into the bigger sizes in half sizes, so I was able to try a 12.5 and I think that works really well for me. The toe boxes feel great and my heel stays put. I found the Hangwags in a Fjallraven factory store, and I only found out about it because an employee at another shop recommended I try them while I was trying on boots, so they might be out there closer than you think. Sorry it's not quite what you were asking, but figured I'd share in the misery of boot hunting.

 

[camping1601]

Sounds like we have a similar problem with boots.
I had the high Tibet's last year and the Schnees Beartooth now and they both are narrow in the toes and causes pinky toe rubbing. I also have reg Tibet's and they are much roomier in the toes.
I personally have had no luck trying a wide shoe.

 

[Ross]

I can comment having worn the crispi nevadas and schnees Granite vi. Both of these boots offer plenty of room in the tie boxes with no issues of toe nail loss or toes getter hammered on descents. The nevadas have 200gr of insulation and I have worn them in September the last two seasons. Yes feet can get warm on days in the eighties but has not been an issue to date for myself.

 

[dreamingWest]

My feet measure a bit wide.
I started with Schnee’s Beartooth II in 10D. They were very narrow; to the point they caused considerable pain in less than a mile. I’m currently testing 3 boots (all indoors this time because I hate to take advantage of Schnee’s return policy).

1. Scarpa Kinesis in size 10.3D. (Lowest price, great length, but a bit too narrow)
2. Schnee’s Absaroka in size 10.5EE. (Too long/big)
3. Crispi Nevada (uninsulated) in size 10EE. (Best fit, wish it had the roller hardware)

Based on what you are asking in the OP (Crispi and Schnee’s toebox), definitely start with the Wide version of Schnee’s. I’d also suggest the Crispi in wide as well. Between the three boots listed above, the Crispi fits my foot the best. I prefer the hardware that’s on the Scarpa and Schnee’s. All are similar stiffness, with maybe the Scarpa being the stiffest. The Crispi has the most comfortable stock insole. If the Scarpa was a touch wider, I think it would be my choice, but they squeeze my small toe too much after a lot of walking. I think a Scarpa Kinesis in size 10.3EE would be great, but it doesn’t exist. With the Absaroka I really needed a 10EE, but it was out of stock. So I believe I’m going to go with the Crispi.

I’m worried that my indoor testing (laps around the couch and up and down the staircase) is so far off the outdoor testing I did with the Beartooth, that I may be getting a false sense of comfort. But if whichever of the three I choose doesn’t work and I have to start over, I’ll be calling Lathrop and Sons. I have a very high confidence in the Crispi right now.

Regarding insulation: My feet run hot, especially in waterproof all-leather boots. Since I live in Texas and most of my western hunting is done in September and early October, uninsulated was an easy choice. I figure I can pack Arctic Shield booties or wrap my feet in insulation if cold feet during long glassing sessions really becomes an issue. Also, I was surprised to find the uninsulated Beartooths were just as warm as my 400-gram Meindl Ultralights. So I believe boot construction is a large part of boot warmth, not just an insulation weight (0, 200, 400…).

 

[rebelblue]

Great responses here. Thanks, guys. Some follow ups:

I think I'm in a similar situation... figured I'd share in the misery of boot hunting.

Dude, that toe numbing thing sounds effin' awful. Thanks for the Hanwag nod. Heard of 'em but haven't looked at 'em yet.

I personally have had no luck trying a wide shoe.

As in, you got the EE in the Beartooth and it still wasn't wide enough? Hm. Sucks. Do you measure a double E width?

have 200gr of insulation and I have worn them in September the last two seasons. Yes feet can get warm on days in the eighties but has not been an issue to date for myself.

Bonus points awarded.

Based on what you are asking in the OP (Crispi and Schnee’s toebox), definitely start with the Wide version of Schnee’s. I’d also suggest the Crispi in wide as well.

Regarding insulation: My feet run hot, especially in waterproof all-leather boots.... I was surprised to find the uninsulated Beartooths were just as warm as my 400-gram Meindl Ultralights. So I believe boot construction is a large part of boot warmth, not just an insulation weight (0, 200, 400…).

Thanks for the width rec. And, bonus points awarded. Interesting observation about boot construction.