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Ice boot upgrade?

Original Post
Old lady H · · Boise, ID · Joined Aug 2015 · Points: 1,375

I was gifted these boots, and they were great....then. But my old feet have sagged and spread and they are now too small. 

I have small feet, but wide, with high arches. And, spreading out and toes going crooked. Generally, men's fit better than women's, but it can be hard to find smaller sizes.

There's nothing at all to just try on, in town. So it's a bit of a fishing expedition online. 

I also don't know what size these boots are, but, 40, 41, maybe? My Katanas are a snug, but not painful, 37. I'm sure I can talk foot measurements with a rep when I order, just need a clue what I'm after, and who might have it.

Suggestions for boots to order in to get started? This isn't alpine stuff, just ice cragging! 

Thanks! Helen

LL Biner · · Reno, NV · Joined Mar 2014 · Points: 0

Years ago I remember reading how different heritages had different foot shapes.

Germans were had wider feet that Italians and Spaniards, who had wider feet that the French.

Zappos has a good return policy.

Good luck

David Maver · · Philadelphia PA · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 0

People generally suggest Scarpas for wider feet on here.

Spopepro O. · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2018 · Points: 0

I think a mammut boot would be a good chance of a great fit.  Sadly, they seem to only make a full auto compatible double boot these days?  Maybe a norwand knit on sale would be a good choice if you can find one.

Old lady H · · Boise, ID · Joined Aug 2015 · Points: 1,375
David Maver wrote:

People generally suggest Scarpas for wider feet on here.

I just tried on some used mountaineering boots at Boise Gear Collective, and Scarpa does seem more promising than La Sportiva. 

We have a brick and mortar Sierra Trading Post here. I can order anything they have online, to the store, try it out there, they send it back. Not much on there right now, though. 

Would these be a maybe to at least try?

https://www.sierra.com/scarpa-made-in-italy-phantom-6000-mountaineering-boots-waterproof-insulated-for-men~p~80wuy/?filterString=s~mountaineering-boots%2F&merch=prod-rec-prod-prod80WUY

I know very little about this, so thanks in advance!

I haven't asked yet, but I'm assuming I can probably order to REI and/or The North Face, to fish for the right boot and good fit. Got both of those stores in town, too. 

I have no qualms going online, including for used ones via MP, once I know exactly what I'm after.

Should I cross post in another forum? This doesn't seem to be getting much traffic.

Best, Helen

Fabien M · · Cannes · Joined Dec 2019 · Points: 5

I would suggest you put your feet in a Scarpa Phantom Tech to see how it feels. 

Old lady H · · Boise, ID · Joined Aug 2015 · Points: 1,375
Fabien M wrote:

I would suggest you put your feet in a Scarpa Phantom Tech to see how it feels. 

Other than the price, what's the difference between the Tech and the 6000?

I have the 6000 coming in to the brick and mortar store to try out.

Best, Helen

jdejace · · New England · Joined Sep 2013 · Points: 5

6000s are double boots with removable inners, a boot and an integrated gaiter. Techs are a boot with an integrated gaiter. Less layers basically. 

6000s are warmer but bulkier. You can certainly climb ice in them, Techs might feel a smidge better if you don't need the extra warmth or to dry out the inners in your sleeping bag overnight. So from a cragging perspective, Techs probably better for most people on most days, if you have the choice. But 6000s don't suck. 

Jack Yip · · San Jose, CA · Joined Sep 2012 · Points: 155
Old lady H wrote:

Other than the price, what's the difference between the Tech and the 6000?

I have the 6000 coming in to the brick and mortar store to try out.

Best, Helen

The tech is a single boot with a gaiter, the 6k is a proper double boot, also with a gaiter, 6k being far warmer obv. but I find that the tech tends to climb a bit better. 

That being said, I've seen folks pull M8 in 6k's so idk if the weight makes all that much difference, the warmth definitely does.

Old lady H · · Boise, ID · Joined Aug 2015 · Points: 1,375

Thanks, guys! I'm not exactly giving anyone a run for their money, not 5 years ago, not now, nor anytime in my remaining lifetime. In any climbing context whatever. This would just be me on top rope, with guys who have many many years more experience, and, well, are beefcakes. Ripped. The one who is half my age can literally haul me with one arm.  Did so, actually. Deadlifts about 3 of me, on a high gravity day. The guy closing in on 50 ain't too bad, either.   

Warm feet is good, though! I really hope these work out, and the maybe maybe trip with these best of my bestest friends, especially. 

Best, Helen

Nick Goldsmith · · NEK · Joined Aug 2009 · Points: 460

if the scarpas don't fit try Asolos.   Sportiva is completely off the table for wide feet. 

Mark Pilate · · MN · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 25

You’re likely done when the 6000’s arrive, but if for some reason they don’t work (can’t imagine) I’ll throw out Lowa along with Nick’s Asolo suggestion.
Between the two, you have your backups if needed.  

Kathy K · · SLT CA · Joined Nov 2013 · Points: 114

Just did a lot of searching for a mountaineering boot. I also usually buy mens boots because my feet are wide and “high volume”, but trying womens for the ice boots so they won’t be too loose for climbing.  Just returned some Scarpas, too narrow and uncomfortable and bought Zamberlan which feel cushy, roomy but not loose and have a nice tongue system to pull them snug. 

Old lady H · · Boise, ID · Joined Aug 2015 · Points: 1,375
rock climbing wrote:

climbing shoes and ice climbing boots are two completely different beasts. I would not use one as a guide to buy the other.  

Super experienced ice guys made a dang good guess for size, even though it is indeed 2 entirely different beasts, with only feet in common!

The boots should show up in the next few days! I do have an experienced friend who will be there for a second opinion on the fit. 

Thanks, to those who are weighing in! H.

Wictor Dahlström · · Stockholm · Joined Oct 2021 · Points: 0

I have wide feet with high arches and La Sportiva Trango Towers Extreme GTX works for me. The sizing of those is however very different from La Sportiva climbing shoes. I have EU 38 in climbing shoes and EU 40 in Towers Extreme GTX .

climbing coastie · · Wasilla, AK · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 95

The “high arch” comment tells me you should toss the factory insoles and get a pair of Superfeet regardless of what boot you get.

Agree with the Scarpa comments above, also Lowa tends to be better for wider feet also.

Unless you’re climbing all day in sub 10° Temps, multi-day camping trips, or have habitually cold feet go with the Techs. The 6000 are going to be too much boot. 

Old lady H · · Boise, ID · Joined Aug 2015 · Points: 1,375

These boots are GREAT!

Tried them on, at the store, and wore them quite a while, looking through hardshell jackets with the rope gun.

I actually forgot they were on, and, my feet didn't get overheated.....but, I was also warm in general, for the entire drive back (in just thin socks and slip on shoes). I brought thin Smartwool socks, and the fit is perfect!

I carefully lined up the heels on everything, use the floorboards for reference. Sizes are here, in case anyone else does a search, in the future, just to (maybe) help others. My foot is just under 9".

Best, Helen

And Catcat approved, too!

Tony Davis · · Golden, CO · Joined Jun 2009 · Points: 155

I also have wide feet, high arch, but slightly crooked toes, and 1/2" longer left foot. Sportivas never worked for me with the narrow toebox, Scarpas were better, but I ended up with Boreal Arwas. They are very light and might be worth checking out.

DeLa Cruce · · SWEDEN · Joined Nov 2018 · Points: 0
Old lady H wrote:

These boots are GREAT!

Tried them on, at the store, and wore them quite a while, looking through hardshell jackets with the rope gun.

I actually forgot they were on, and, my feet didn't get overheated.....but, I was also warm in general, for the entire drive back (in just thin socks and slip on shoes). I brought thin Smartwool socks, and the fit is perfect!

I carefully lined up the heels on everything, use the floorboards for reference. Sizes are here, in case anyone else does a search, in the future, just to (maybe) help others. My foot is just under 9".

Best, Helen

And Catcat approved, too!

Nice! I snagged a pair of those older 6000s on ebay last year and am going on my first trip with them in a few weeks! They can fit a bit weird on certain crampon models, given the narrow toe. I have them reserved for only if it’s really cold, as my feet cook in them.

Old lady H · · Boise, ID · Joined Aug 2015 · Points: 1,375
DeLa Cruce wrote:

Nice! I snagged a pair of those older 6000s on ebay last year and am going on my first trip with them in a few weeks! They can fit a bit weird on certain crampon models, given the narrow toe. I have them reserved for only if it’s really cold, as my feet cook in them.

I wore them in the store, for maybe 40 minutes, with thin smartwool socks. I have some room in the them, so maybe that makes a difference in temperature? I didn't overheat, but was toasty for hours after, lol!

H.

DeLa Cruce · · SWEDEN · Joined Nov 2018 · Points: 0
Old lady H wrote:

I wore them in the store, for maybe 40 minutes, with thin smartwool socks. I have some room in the them, so maybe that makes a difference in temperature? I didn't overheat, but was toasty for hours after, lol!

H.

Well, it’s a good thing they are warm—they are supposed to be! My comment about my feet cooking was intended to be positive :-)

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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