[glissadingduo]

Anyone have advice about buying mountaineering boots for hard-to-fit feet?. When will the boot stock be best? Where would be a good place around the Seattle area to go. Right now the stock is pretty poor (Jan. 2003). I have tried several places and I am having trouble finding a Men's size 7 (40.5 ish). I have a very wide foot and smaller ankles. I am a women, but need the mens size due to my wide feet. I have considered ordering some Saloman Expedition Ladies boots from Oregon Mountaineering (online). But then might need to find a really good boot person to make them wider.

[Brian Curtis]

Try LLBean on line. Their boots come in widths and if they don't fit right they are great about returns. I have wide, hard to fit feet. It is almost impossible for me to find boots that fit. I finally took the chance, bought a pair at Bean, used them for a season, and bought 3 more pairs when they went on sale that winter. My sister, who also has wide feet buys all her shoes from them.

[glissadingduo]

Thanks for the suggestion. I will check to see what LLBean has to offer in mountaineering boots that accept 12 point crampons. I suspect they do not have them, but maybe they will. Good advice though. I am sure my Montrail boots will wear out eventually and LLBean will be able to help. The Montrail boots I have are women's size 9 wide and they are great, but do not accept 12 pt crampons. Thank-you!