My question concerns a pair of Berghaus Hillwalker II GTX boots that I've had for about 4 months and worn only 4 times.
I was fortunate (I suppose!) to have won these boots, but that meant picking a size and having them sent to me direct from Berghaus - so I didn't get to try them on first. My other walking boots/shoes are size 9 or 9.5 so, to be on the safe side, I chose a pair of 9.5s. I figured that too big would be better than too small.
I wore them around the house for a few hours then went for a walk on a very wet day to test them out. For about 4 miles they felt great. Then a mile or so later, I started to feel blisters forming on the balls of my feet behind my big toes so I headed back. By the time I got home I had huge blisters and walking was seriously painful. I do a lot of walking in lots of different boots and shoes and I thought I was immune to blisters!
Although the heel area felt right, my feet had a fair bit of room in the front half of the boots. So I bought a pair of Superfeet Trailblazers to add volume (I use Superfeet in my Scarpa boots and shoes and they're excellent).
I waited a month then tried the boots again. I got further this time (5-6 miles?), but when I felt the first signs of blisters I headed back. I waited another month and the same thing happened.
Today, and another month later, I wore them again. It was just like before... I walked for about 4 miles thinking how comfortable the boots are before I felt that slight burning feeling on the balls of my feet and it was gradually getting worse.
Except for the first time I wore the boots, I haven't actually had significant blisters form but I know for sure that they would have if I'd gone another couple of miles. I don't trust them so I've only tested the boots on shortish walks.
To be honest I can't say I need the boots, but they do have potential - they feel good for a while and the 30-or-so miles I've done in them have seriously tested their waterproofness and they've stayed bone-dry (but it's early days of course!).
I think the problem is that my feet still move slightly in the boots and I wonder if I should add more volume with basic foam insoles. Or perhaps I'll just have to admit that they don't fit my feet properly and give up!
Any thoughts or advice would be very welcome...