“Stiff boot”

“I bought this boot for mountaineering and vertical ice / mixed climbing. In terms of fit, my foot has an A-width heel and a B-width forefoot (very narrow) with an average height arch. I put in green superfeet insoles and this helped take in some volume and keeps the heel a little more snug. This boot accomadates nicely in the forefoot but the heel is still a little loose. To keep the heel down when hiking on steep ground or for front pointing I will have to use a "heel lock knot" to keep it snug, which works well. I haven't used this boot on ice or steep snow yet (El Nino in the pacfic NW) but I used it on an artificial ice wall indoors and it front points nicely. The sole is plenty stiff for ice but is flexible enough for hiking, which will be great on approaches. Overall, the fit is better for me than most boots but the heel is still a little loose. Oh yeah, I typically wear a size 10 shoe but I got these in size 10.5. An 11 would be even better as it would leave a little room for more warmth. Now I just have to wait for it to get cold again!”