Whites Boots - rubbing in the heels and pinching in the toes

[douglasfir]

I was trying on some White's boots - the style with the low heel. I'd appreciate input from anyone with experience with this style of boot.

I'm getting these mostly for work. The size 9 felt decent on most of my foot, but definitely made my toes feel uncomfortably cramped. Moving up to the size 9.5, they felt better overall. However, when I get up to walk, they sort of dig into my heel right where I'm pointing to in this photo.



The other issue is pinching when I take a step and the shoe bends. Right where I'm pointing.



Both of these things are uncomfortable and not something I could live with if they don't go away with break in. I'm new to this style of boot and know that they have to break in, and I hear that break in can be "painful." So is this the kind of thing that has to break in, or does it mean that the boot doesn't fit me?

 

[WeiserBucks]

Try skipping the first lace hook altogether, I wore Whites for a decade+ and that one tip made all the difference for me.