Mountaineering Boot fitting: Lowa 6000 Evo and La Sportiva G2 SM

I need to buy some new mountaineering boots, and would like some advice.  I have very sensitive heels, and most boots are very painful at the back of the heel (I had surgery to remove heel spurs, but the feet are still very sensitive).  My old boots were Lowa Civetta Extreme, and I wore them with thick socks;  they fit me perfectly!  Unfortunately they are no longer made, so I need something different.

I tried La Sportiva Baruntse, but they were very tight around the forefoot.  I then tried some Scarpa Phantom 6000, but they were very painful on the heels.  The two boots that I’m trying that may work are La Sportiva G2 SM and the Lowa 6000 Evo.  Although I got an email from La Sportiva saying the G2 SM and the Baruntse are built on the same last, the G2 SM boots are not nearly as tight in the forefoot.  I’ve been wearing Smartwool mountaineering socks in them around the house.

I notice that the La Sportiva boots do not come with insoles, and I couldn’t fit an insole in without the boot becoming too tight.  This surprises me, because I have a low-volume foot.  I wonder if they are designed to be worn without an insole?  I’ve never worn boots, either mountaineering or ski boots, without an insole, and I’m wondering what people who use the La Sportiva boots do.  Of course, it would be nice to be able to wear them on a trip to see if the lack of insole is problematic, but that is not possible without buying the boots.  The Lowa 6000 has an insole, although I would probably modify it a bit; it seems too high on the outer edge of my forefoot.

I do notice that if I bend my ankles forward a lot the G2 SM boots dig into the top of my foot near the instep, right where the ankle hinges.  This is because of a stiff part of the outer boot there; it can’t be cut out, but I think it could be bent so that it isn’t painful while bending my ankle all the way forward.

I would appreciate any information about these boots, such as the use of insoles and any fit issues to be aware of.

Insoles are optional. I don't use them in my Phantom 6000s. 

Try something like this if your heels give you trouble. I've never had a boot that didn't hurt my heels ice climbing, just the way I'm built. 

I tend to have issues with my heels also and love Lowas. I don’t hesitate with there models any longer and have the 6000 Evos. Super warm, very comfortable, and never any blisters or soreness after wearing them on multiple trips. 

Thanks for the report on the Lowa; good to hear they're working out.  It is good to hear from someone who actually has them (lots of people writing about the LaSportivas, but not about the Lowa).  My heel felt ok in them, but I'm still a bit concerned about how the arch feels so strange to me (the outer boot dips down in the forefoot, right in front of the arch.  Since I don't need the boots right now, I may wait until Spring.  LaSportiva is coming out with a new model in Spring, and since the internet has a lot of people complaining about the ankle crunch, I'm hoping they will have fixed that issue, and then I can compare the Lowa and LaSportiva.  Since fitting my heel is usually the biggest problem, it is good to hear about your experience.