Rule of thumb...if the boots are comfy in the shop, they're too big.
Shell fit the boots. Pull out the liner. Put the foot in. Slide forward so the toe touches. Look for 5/8" to 3/4" of space behind the heel. More...too much; go down a shell size. 1/2"...race fit. Pull the sides away from the foot. Look for 2 to 3 mm of space on the sides of the foot. This isn't addressing volume nor instep height. That's where a well trained sales person shines.
Expect hot spots to develop. Like my left 5th metatarsal. It'll need a punch out. Expect the liners to mold to the feet even after heat molding. There's nothing like skiing for a day or two. Expect to return to the shop for adjustments. On the inside of the heel, just below the ankle bone, there are both a nerve and an artery. Some feet get pressured here causing tingling feet or cold feet. This can be pressed out.
So--the boots in the shop should feel very snug. Not too short. Not sloppy. Probably not comfy. Very snug like a too-firm handshake. No pain while in the shop.
I skied with a lady who was searching for new boots that didn't cause her foot pain. When she described the pain spot I guessed it was Morton's Neuroma...she needed a visit to a podiatrist to fix whatever caused the pain before she bought ski boots that could never work for her.
Shell fit the boots. Pull out the liner. Put the foot in. Slide forward so the toe touches. Look for 5/8" to 3/4" of space behind the heel. More...too much; go down a shell size. 1/2"...race fit. Pull the sides away from the foot. Look for 2 to 3 mm of space on the sides of the foot. This isn't addressing volume nor instep height. That's where a well trained sales person shines.
Expect hot spots to develop. Like my left 5th metatarsal. It'll need a punch out. Expect the liners to mold to the feet even after heat molding. There's nothing like skiing for a day or two. Expect to return to the shop for adjustments. On the inside of the heel, just below the ankle bone, there are both a nerve and an artery. Some feet get pressured here causing tingling feet or cold feet. This can be pressed out.
So--the boots in the shop should feel very snug. Not too short. Not sloppy. Probably not comfy. Very snug like a too-firm handshake. No pain while in the shop.
I skied with a lady who was searching for new boots that didn't cause her foot pain. When she described the pain spot I guessed it was Morton's Neuroma...she needed a visit to a podiatrist to fix whatever caused the pain before she bought ski boots that could never work for her.