Boot sizing

So I ended up finding a great deal on a pair of Batura's. They are my first pair of ice climbing boots. I am curious how people size them. Should my toes be able to BARELY touch the front or should i have allot of wiggle room?
My thought is the tighter the fit (not rock climbing shoe tight) the less likely my feet will move around/bash the front of the boot when I kick. Am I right or wrong? I wear an 11.5 US mens street shoe and bought a size 45 (11.5) in the batura...

I know general consensus is buy what fits blah blah blah, but what are you looking/feeling for when people say that?

Thanks

I've found it's actually the opposite - the tighter the fit, the MORE you will bash your toes. Being boots, you'll never get a "rock shoe" fit - there will always be some play in there. As such, you want a bit of wiggle room (say, 1/4-1/2") at the front to allow for that. Otherwise you're gonna thrash your feet after a day of kicking (especially if you're doing any kind of alpine climbing, you'll be glad for the room up front on the descent).

When I was getting fitted for boots, I was told that, with the boots unlaced and my toes touching the front of the boot, I should be able to fit at least one finger behind my heel. Generally that means I go up a half size for boots (I wear a 10 (43/43.5) shoe, but a 10.5 (44) Scarpa Mont Blanc).

The other thing to consider is warmth. The tighter the fit, the less blood can circulate freely. So tight fit = cold feet.

I wear my street size in ice boots, but they are a boot that fits my foot well with one thick sock.

I don't think sizing up is a great idea, but that is what works for me. Long hikes in over-sized boots, too much movement = rubbing, not enough sensitivity etc.

Definitely want a bit of wiggle room, not slop. The heel cup is much more important than the toe box overall. If your heels don't stay planted it doesn't matter. Best thing to do is try on several brands to see which boots fit best. They are not all the same. Batura's fit me funky, but Evo's fit fine... Go figure.

As mentioned if your foot fits a little tight in the shop, then the boot will wind up too small when your feet swell and cause them to be a bit less warm. Let the piggies breath!

WiseOldMoon wrote: I know general consensus is buy what fits blah blah blah, but what are you looking/feeling for when people say that? Thanks

The boots just feel right. There's no other way to explain it. Have you ever gone into a shop and tried on a bunch of different models at a bunch of different sizes and found that one boot in that one size? The boot in question fits your feet like a glove. Every boot I've ever had that fit perfect I bought that way. Every boot I tried to get a good deal on or didn't try on first (The size 45 Baturas I'm selling right now) I ended up selling or not wearing. The boot that fits is the boot that has you placing screws every 30 feet, moving fast, feels comfortable meaning I'm not untying and tighten them every pitch. I don't to wrench on the laces for all it's worth to stop heel lift. I don't bitch and whine about that 3 hour approach because my boots are too tight to hike in. The boot that fits is the boot I wear all day then go the bar and talk shit bout how great I'm am after dark.. in the same boot.

Your first pair? Go to a reputable shop like the Mountaineer or IME. Get fitted for boots

In my experience, Ice climbing boots should fit like a hiking boot. It should fit your feet just right. Not to tight or not too lose. As stated above, you don't want any heel lift. Not only will this cause blisters on the hike in but it will hinder your ability to use your front points which is pivotal in ice climbing.

If your heal is slipping you wont feel conformable holding your weight on vertical ice.

Things to look for in a vertical ice climbing boot:
1. A rigid boot- dont buy a full plastic boot unless your going to be climbing in sub 0 temps. Leather boot / hybrid boots are better (you have no feeling with a frankinstein boot)
2. Need proper heel and toe welts
3. Needs to fit comfortable - not to tight or to loose

Sometimes buying boots it a gamble, I had to buy 3 pairs and resell them before i found a pair that was good enough...

Good luck

Thanks for the tips everyone. I got lucky with the Batura's that I found online. They fit great and I took them up Odell's on Mt. Washington with no problems.

I started ice climbing last year in a pair of worn out hiking boots and mountaineering crampons a friend lent me. Compared to that setup, it feels like I traveled lightyears into the future ahah