Boot fitting advice

"Brian" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My wife is coming up to replace her boots. She has sufferd with the
dreaded black toe syndrome with the last two pairs of boots she has
had. Her toe nails hit the front on the boot and this leads to
significant bruising under the nail. She's tried a variety of socks,
different ways of tieing the laces, knots part way up, the Australian
knot, padding on the toes etc etc, but to no avail.

The boots feel fine on the flat and uphill, but as soon as she starts
to go downhill the pain kicks in and the inevitable bruising happens.
She used to have a fantastic pair of boots that were comfortable and
very supportive, but of course as all things do, they came to an end.

So, does anyone have any recommendations as to where we can go to get
her measured and fitted properly by someone who REALLY knows what they
are talking about. Or is there a company that can adjust boots to your
feet. We live London/Essex part of the world, but would be willing to
travel if it's worth it.

TIA

Brian

Its fairly simple - try the boot on UNLACED - push the foot as far forwards
as possible and you should be able to just insert your index finger down
between the back of the heel and the back of the boot. Any more and the boot
is too big, any less and it's too small. Then when you lace up, the toes
should NOT hit the front of the boot.

"Brian" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My wife is coming up to replace her boots. She has sufferd with the
dreaded black toe syndrome with the last two pairs of boots she has
had. Her toe nails hit the front on the boot and this leads to
significant bruising under the nail. She's tried a variety of socks,
different ways of tieing the laces, knots part way up, the Australian
knot, padding on the toes etc etc, but to no avail.

The boots feel fine on the flat and uphill, but as soon as she starts
to go downhill the pain kicks in and the inevitable bruising happens.
She used to have a fantastic pair of boots that were comfortable and
very supportive, but of course as all things do, they came to an end.

So, does anyone have any recommendations as to where we can go to get
her measured and fitted properly by someone who REALLY knows what they
are talking about. Or is there a company that can adjust boots to your
feet. We live London/Essex part of the world, but would be willing to
travel if it's worth it.

TIA

Brian

Its fairly simple - try the boot on UNLACED - push the foot as far forwards
as possible and you should be able to just insert your index finger down
between the back of the heel and the back of the boot. Any more and the boot
is too big, any less and it's too small. Then when you lace up, the toes
should NOT hit the front of the boot.

"Brian" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My wife is coming up to replace her boots. She has sufferd with the
dreaded black toe syndrome with the last two pairs of boots she has
had. Her toe nails hit the front on the boot and this leads to
significant bruising under the nail. She's tried a variety of socks,
different ways of tieing the laces, knots part way up, the Australian
knot, padding on the toes etc etc, but to no avail.

The boots feel fine on the flat and uphill, but as soon as she starts
to go downhill the pain kicks in and the inevitable bruising happens.
She used to have a fantastic pair of boots that were comfortable and
very supportive, but of course as all things do, they came to an end.

So, does anyone have any recommendations as to where we can go to get
her measured and fitted properly by someone who REALLY knows what they
are talking about. Or is there a company that can adjust boots to your
feet. We live London/Essex part of the world, but would be willing to
travel if it's worth it.

TIA

Brian

Its fairly simple - try the boot on UNLACED - push the foot as far forwards
as possible and you should be able to just insert your index finger down
between the back of the heel and the back of the boot. Any more and the boot
is too big, any less and it's too small. Then when you lace up, the toes
should NOT hit the front of the boot.

Brian said:

My wife is coming up to replace her boots. She has sufferd with the
dreaded black toe syndrome with the last two pairs of boots she has
had. Her toe nails hit the front on the boot and this leads to
significant bruising under the nail. She's tried a variety of socks,
different ways of tieing the laces, knots part way up, the Australian
knot, padding on the toes etc etc, but to no avail.

The boots feel fine on the flat and uphill, but as soon as she starts
to go downhill the pain kicks in and the inevitable bruising happens.
She used to have a fantastic pair of boots that were comfortable and
very supportive, but of course as all things do, they came to an end.

Find out where the toes come in the current boots, and make sure the
next pair have a bit more space up front. Stand on a ramp facing down
with the boots on and see if there's still plenty of room in front of
the toes.

Padding on the toes is counter-productive: it just makes hitting them
easier. Make sure boots are tight before going downhill as it helps
prevent sliding forwards (many folk specifically tighten for downhills
and loosen off afterwards).

As another alternative, wear softer shoes that don't bite back so hard.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Brian said:

My wife is coming up to replace her boots. She has sufferd with the
dreaded black toe syndrome with the last two pairs of boots she has
had. Her toe nails hit the front on the boot and this leads to
significant bruising under the nail. She's tried a variety of socks,
different ways of tieing the laces, knots part way up, the Australian
knot, padding on the toes etc etc, but to no avail.

The boots feel fine on the flat and uphill, but as soon as she starts
to go downhill the pain kicks in and the inevitable bruising happens.
She used to have a fantastic pair of boots that were comfortable and
very supportive, but of course as all things do, they came to an end.

Find out where the toes come in the current boots, and make sure the
next pair have a bit more space up front. Stand on a ramp facing down
with the boots on and see if there's still plenty of room in front of
the toes.

Padding on the toes is counter-productive: it just makes hitting them
easier. Make sure boots are tight before going downhill as it helps
prevent sliding forwards (many folk specifically tighten for downhills
and loosen off afterwards).

As another alternative, wear softer shoes that don't bite back so hard.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Brian said:

My wife is coming up to replace her boots. She has sufferd with the
dreaded black toe syndrome with the last two pairs of boots she has
had. Her toe nails hit the front on the boot and this leads to
significant bruising under the nail. She's tried a variety of socks,
different ways of tieing the laces, knots part way up, the Australian
knot, padding on the toes etc etc, but to no avail.

The boots feel fine on the flat and uphill, but as soon as she starts
to go downhill the pain kicks in and the inevitable bruising happens.
She used to have a fantastic pair of boots that were comfortable and
very supportive, but of course as all things do, they came to an end.

Find out where the toes come in the current boots, and make sure the
next pair have a bit more space up front. Stand on a ramp facing down
with the boots on and see if there's still plenty of room in front of
the toes.

Padding on the toes is counter-productive: it just makes hitting them
easier. Make sure boots are tight before going downhill as it helps
prevent sliding forwards (many folk specifically tighten for downhills
and loosen off afterwards).

As another alternative, wear softer shoes that don't bite back so hard.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Brian said:

My wife is coming up to replace her boots. She has sufferd with the
dreaded black toe syndrome with the last two pairs of boots she has
had. Her toe nails hit the front on the boot and this leads to
significant bruising under the nail. She's tried a variety of socks,
different ways of tieing the laces, knots part way up, the Australian
knot, padding on the toes etc etc, but to no avail.

The boots feel fine on the flat and uphill, but as soon as she starts
to go downhill the pain kicks in and the inevitable bruising happens.
She used to have a fantastic pair of boots that were comfortable and
very supportive, but of course as all things do, they came to an end.

So, does anyone have any recommendations as to where we can go to get
her measured and fitted properly by someone who REALLY knows what they
are talking about. Or is there a company that can adjust boots to your
feet. We live London/Essex part of the world, but would be willing to
travel if it's worth it.

I suspect several factors and they need to be ruled out:

a) boots too short, so toes hit front. Longer size helps.
b) volume too high, so foot moves around inside. Different shape of boot
helps, or "volume reducers", which are plastic/rubber wedges under the
footbed.
c) foot lengthening in strides, commonly pronation, different footbed might
help (eg. Superfeet, but not the only name in town).

Recommended retailers; hard call.
I used to like Braemar Mountain(*), buts its a hell of a long way from
Essex!
Field and Trek (Chelmsford) have a Superfeet custom fit capability, so might
know what they are doing ? I've never shopped with them.

(* because as well as measuring feet properly, they had a real guarantee; if
the boots they'd recommended didn't fit properly months later, they would
refund. That was explicitly months of walking outdoors up/down mountains,
not just use indoors on your living room carpet. Its a while since I've been
there.).

- Nigel

--
Nigel Cliffe,
Webmaster at http://www.2mm.org.uk/

Brian said:

My wife is coming up to replace her boots. She has sufferd with the
dreaded black toe syndrome with the last two pairs of boots she has
had. Her toe nails hit the front on the boot and this leads to
significant bruising under the nail. She's tried a variety of socks,
different ways of tieing the laces, knots part way up, the Australian
knot, padding on the toes etc etc, but to no avail.

The boots feel fine on the flat and uphill, but as soon as she starts
to go downhill the pain kicks in and the inevitable bruising happens.
She used to have a fantastic pair of boots that were comfortable and
very supportive, but of course as all things do, they came to an end.

So, does anyone have any recommendations as to where we can go to get
her measured and fitted properly by someone who REALLY knows what they
are talking about. Or is there a company that can adjust boots to your
feet. We live London/Essex part of the world, but would be willing to
travel if it's worth it.

I suspect several factors and they need to be ruled out:

a) boots too short, so toes hit front. Longer size helps.
b) volume too high, so foot moves around inside. Different shape of boot
helps, or "volume reducers", which are plastic/rubber wedges under the
footbed.
c) foot lengthening in strides, commonly pronation, different footbed might
help (eg. Superfeet, but not the only name in town).

Recommended retailers; hard call.
I used to like Braemar Mountain(*), buts its a hell of a long way from
Essex!
Field and Trek (Chelmsford) have a Superfeet custom fit capability, so might
know what they are doing ? I've never shopped with them.

(* because as well as measuring feet properly, they had a real guarantee; if
the boots they'd recommended didn't fit properly months later, they would
refund. That was explicitly months of walking outdoors up/down mountains,
not just use indoors on your living room carpet. Its a while since I've been
there.).

- Nigel

--
Nigel Cliffe,
Webmaster at http://www.2mm.org.uk/

Brian said:

My wife is coming up to replace her boots. She has sufferd with the
dreaded black toe syndrome with the last two pairs of boots she has
had. Her toe nails hit the front on the boot and this leads to
significant bruising under the nail. She's tried a variety of socks,
different ways of tieing the laces, knots part way up, the Australian
knot, padding on the toes etc etc, but to no avail.

The boots feel fine on the flat and uphill, but as soon as she starts
to go downhill the pain kicks in and the inevitable bruising happens.
She used to have a fantastic pair of boots that were comfortable and
very supportive, but of course as all things do, they came to an end.

So, does anyone have any recommendations as to where we can go to get
her measured and fitted properly by someone who REALLY knows what they
are talking about. Or is there a company that can adjust boots to your
feet. We live London/Essex part of the world, but would be willing to
travel if it's worth it.

I suspect several factors and they need to be ruled out:

a) boots too short, so toes hit front. Longer size helps.
b) volume too high, so foot moves around inside. Different shape of boot
helps, or "volume reducers", which are plastic/rubber wedges under the
footbed.
c) foot lengthening in strides, commonly pronation, different footbed might
help (eg. Superfeet, but not the only name in town).

Recommended retailers; hard call.
I used to like Braemar Mountain(*), buts its a hell of a long way from
Essex!
Field and Trek (Chelmsford) have a Superfeet custom fit capability, so might
know what they are doing ? I've never shopped with them.

(* because as well as measuring feet properly, they had a real guarantee; if
the boots they'd recommended didn't fit properly months later, they would
refund. That was explicitly months of walking outdoors up/down mountains,
not just use indoors on your living room carpet. Its a while since I've been
there.).

- Nigel

--
Nigel Cliffe,
Webmaster at http://www.2mm.org.uk/

Peter Clinch said:

Brian said:

My wife is coming up to replace her boots. She has sufferd with the
dreaded black toe syndrome with the last two pairs of boots she has
had. Her toe nails hit the front on the boot and this leads to
significant bruising under the nail. She's tried a variety of socks,
different ways of tieing the laces, knots part way up, the Australian
knot, padding on the toes etc etc, but to no avail.

The boots feel fine on the flat and uphill, but as soon as she starts
to go downhill the pain kicks in and the inevitable bruising happens.
She used to have a fantastic pair of boots that were comfortable and
very supportive, but of course as all things do, they came to an end.

Quoted message said:

Find out where the toes come in the current boots, and make sure the
next pair have a bit more space up front. Stand on a ramp facing down
with the boots on and see if there's still plenty of room in front of
the toes.

Quoted message said:

Padding on the toes is counter-productive: it just makes hitting them
easier. Make sure boots are tight before going downhill as it helps
prevent sliding forwards (many folk specifically tighten for downhills
and loosen off afterwards).

Quoted message said:

As another alternative, wear softer shoes that don't bite back so hard.

And check the footbed. In some of my daily use shoes I slide a lot because
there isn't any structure to the footbed. I find that with better arch
support I slide less. Has she tried insoles?

Roos

Peter Clinch said:

Brian said:

My wife is coming up to replace her boots. She has sufferd with the
dreaded black toe syndrome with the last two pairs of boots she has
had. Her toe nails hit the front on the boot and this leads to
significant bruising under the nail. She's tried a variety of socks,
different ways of tieing the laces, knots part way up, the Australian
knot, padding on the toes etc etc, but to no avail.

The boots feel fine on the flat and uphill, but as soon as she starts
to go downhill the pain kicks in and the inevitable bruising happens.
She used to have a fantastic pair of boots that were comfortable and
very supportive, but of course as all things do, they came to an end.

Quoted message said:

Find out where the toes come in the current boots, and make sure the
next pair have a bit more space up front. Stand on a ramp facing down
with the boots on and see if there's still plenty of room in front of
the toes.

Quoted message said:

Padding on the toes is counter-productive: it just makes hitting them
easier. Make sure boots are tight before going downhill as it helps
prevent sliding forwards (many folk specifically tighten for downhills
and loosen off afterwards).

Quoted message said:

As another alternative, wear softer shoes that don't bite back so hard.

And check the footbed. In some of my daily use shoes I slide a lot because
there isn't any structure to the footbed. I find that with better arch
support I slide less. Has she tried insoles?

Roos

Peter Clinch said:

Brian said:

My wife is coming up to replace her boots. She has sufferd with the
dreaded black toe syndrome with the last two pairs of boots she has
had. Her toe nails hit the front on the boot and this leads to
significant bruising under the nail. She's tried a variety of socks,
different ways of tieing the laces, knots part way up, the Australian
knot, padding on the toes etc etc, but to no avail.

The boots feel fine on the flat and uphill, but as soon as she starts
to go downhill the pain kicks in and the inevitable bruising happens.
She used to have a fantastic pair of boots that were comfortable and
very supportive, but of course as all things do, they came to an end.

Quoted message said:

Find out where the toes come in the current boots, and make sure the
next pair have a bit more space up front. Stand on a ramp facing down
with the boots on and see if there's still plenty of room in front of
the toes.

Quoted message said:

Padding on the toes is counter-productive: it just makes hitting them
easier. Make sure boots are tight before going downhill as it helps
prevent sliding forwards (many folk specifically tighten for downhills
and loosen off afterwards).

Quoted message said:

As another alternative, wear softer shoes that don't bite back so hard.

And check the footbed. In some of my daily use shoes I slide a lot because
there isn't any structure to the footbed. I find that with better arch
support I slide less. Has she tried insoles?

Roos

Gordon said:

"Brian" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My wife is coming up to replace her boots. She has sufferd with the
dreaded black toe syndrome with the last two pairs of boots she has
had. Her toe nails hit the front on the boot and this leads to
significant bruising under the nail. She's tried a variety of socks,
different ways of tieing the laces, knots part way up, the Australian
knot, padding on the toes etc etc, but to no avail.

The boots feel fine on the flat and uphill, but as soon as she starts
to go downhill the pain kicks in and the inevitable bruising happens.
She used to have a fantastic pair of boots that were comfortable and
very supportive, but of course as all things do, they came to an end.

So, does anyone have any recommendations as to where we can go to get
her measured and fitted properly by someone who REALLY knows what they
are talking about. Or is there a company that can adjust boots to your
feet. We live London/Essex part of the world, but would be willing to
travel if it's worth it.

TIA

Brian

Its fairly simple - try the boot on UNLACED - push the foot as far
forwards
as possible and you should be able to just insert your index finger down
between the back of the heel and the back of the boot. Any more and the
boot is too big, any less and it's too small. Then when you lace up, the
toes should NOT hit the front of the boot.

A small local retailer suggested a variation on this... take the footbed out
and stand on it and there should be about 1cm of the footbed visible all
around the foot but I must add I've not tried it - it just came up in
conversation

Gordon said:

"Brian" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My wife is coming up to replace her boots. She has sufferd with the
dreaded black toe syndrome with the last two pairs of boots she has
had. Her toe nails hit the front on the boot and this leads to
significant bruising under the nail. She's tried a variety of socks,
different ways of tieing the laces, knots part way up, the Australian
knot, padding on the toes etc etc, but to no avail.

The boots feel fine on the flat and uphill, but as soon as she starts
to go downhill the pain kicks in and the inevitable bruising happens.
She used to have a fantastic pair of boots that were comfortable and
very supportive, but of course as all things do, they came to an end.

So, does anyone have any recommendations as to where we can go to get
her measured and fitted properly by someone who REALLY knows what they
are talking about. Or is there a company that can adjust boots to your
feet. We live London/Essex part of the world, but would be willing to
travel if it's worth it.

TIA

Brian

Its fairly simple - try the boot on UNLACED - push the foot as far
forwards
as possible and you should be able to just insert your index finger down
between the back of the heel and the back of the boot. Any more and the
boot is too big, any less and it's too small. Then when you lace up, the
toes should NOT hit the front of the boot.

A small local retailer suggested a variation on this... take the footbed out
and stand on it and there should be about 1cm of the footbed visible all
around the foot but I must add I've not tried it - it just came up in
conversation

Gordon said:

"Brian" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My wife is coming up to replace her boots. She has sufferd with the
dreaded black toe syndrome with the last two pairs of boots she has
had. Her toe nails hit the front on the boot and this leads to
significant bruising under the nail. She's tried a variety of socks,
different ways of tieing the laces, knots part way up, the Australian
knot, padding on the toes etc etc, but to no avail.

The boots feel fine on the flat and uphill, but as soon as she starts
to go downhill the pain kicks in and the inevitable bruising happens.
She used to have a fantastic pair of boots that were comfortable and
very supportive, but of course as all things do, they came to an end.

So, does anyone have any recommendations as to where we can go to get
her measured and fitted properly by someone who REALLY knows what they
are talking about. Or is there a company that can adjust boots to your
feet. We live London/Essex part of the world, but would be willing to
travel if it's worth it.

TIA

Brian

Its fairly simple - try the boot on UNLACED - push the foot as far
forwards
as possible and you should be able to just insert your index finger down
between the back of the heel and the back of the boot. Any more and the
boot is too big, any less and it's too small. Then when you lace up, the
toes should NOT hit the front of the boot.

A small local retailer suggested a variation on this... take the footbed out
and stand on it and there should be about 1cm of the footbed visible all
around the foot but I must add I've not tried it - it just came up in
conversation

Hi Brian

My ex-girlfriend used to have a similiar problem. She found Brasher and
Lowa(not Lowe but Dutch company) boots very good for combatting this. I
havent seen any proper boot fitting specialists since I was in Aviemore last
and they had a machine that would make a proper last for your feet and make
footbeds to fit boots accordingly that would mold to your foot.
Unfortunately, this might not help your wife whose problem is on the top of
the boots. I think I'd be tempted to look at getting the boots made
properly by a trained cobbler if the issue is that bad; I cant say I've ever
encountered professional fitting in any walking shop..and dont get me
started on those wasters that try to sell superfeet.

Rob

"Brian" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My wife is coming up to replace her boots. She has sufferd with the
dreaded black toe syndrome with the last two pairs of boots she has
had. Her toe nails hit the front on the boot and this leads to
significant bruising under the nail. She's tried a variety of socks,
different ways of tieing the laces, knots part way up, the Australian
knot, padding on the toes etc etc, but to no avail.

The boots feel fine on the flat and uphill, but as soon as she starts
to go downhill the pain kicks in and the inevitable bruising happens.
She used to have a fantastic pair of boots that were comfortable and
very supportive, but of course as all things do, they came to an end.

So, does anyone have any recommendations as to where we can go to get
her measured and fitted properly by someone who REALLY knows what they
are talking about. Or is there a company that can adjust boots to your
feet. We live London/Essex part of the world, but would be willing to
travel if it's worth it.

TIA

Brian

Hi Brian

My ex-girlfriend used to have a similiar problem. She found Brasher and
Lowa(not Lowe but Dutch company) boots very good for combatting this. I
havent seen any proper boot fitting specialists since I was in Aviemore last
and they had a machine that would make a proper last for your feet and make
footbeds to fit boots accordingly that would mold to your foot.
Unfortunately, this might not help your wife whose problem is on the top of
the boots. I think I'd be tempted to look at getting the boots made
properly by a trained cobbler if the issue is that bad; I cant say I've ever
encountered professional fitting in any walking shop..and dont get me
started on those wasters that try to sell superfeet.

Rob

"Brian" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My wife is coming up to replace her boots. She has sufferd with the
dreaded black toe syndrome with the last two pairs of boots she has
had. Her toe nails hit the front on the boot and this leads to
significant bruising under the nail. She's tried a variety of socks,
different ways of tieing the laces, knots part way up, the Australian
knot, padding on the toes etc etc, but to no avail.

The boots feel fine on the flat and uphill, but as soon as she starts
to go downhill the pain kicks in and the inevitable bruising happens.
She used to have a fantastic pair of boots that were comfortable and
very supportive, but of course as all things do, they came to an end.

So, does anyone have any recommendations as to where we can go to get
her measured and fitted properly by someone who REALLY knows what they
are talking about. Or is there a company that can adjust boots to your
feet. We live London/Essex part of the world, but would be willing to
travel if it's worth it.

TIA

Brian

Hi Brian

My ex-girlfriend used to have a similiar problem. She found Brasher and
Lowa(not Lowe but Dutch company) boots very good for combatting this. I
havent seen any proper boot fitting specialists since I was in Aviemore last
and they had a machine that would make a proper last for your feet and make
footbeds to fit boots accordingly that would mold to your foot.
Unfortunately, this might not help your wife whose problem is on the top of
the boots. I think I'd be tempted to look at getting the boots made
properly by a trained cobbler if the issue is that bad; I cant say I've ever
encountered professional fitting in any walking shop..and dont get me
started on those wasters that try to sell superfeet.

Rob

"Brian" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My wife is coming up to replace her boots. She has sufferd with the
dreaded black toe syndrome with the last two pairs of boots she has
had. Her toe nails hit the front on the boot and this leads to
significant bruising under the nail. She's tried a variety of socks,
different ways of tieing the laces, knots part way up, the Australian
knot, padding on the toes etc etc, but to no avail.

The boots feel fine on the flat and uphill, but as soon as she starts
to go downhill the pain kicks in and the inevitable bruising happens.
She used to have a fantastic pair of boots that were comfortable and
very supportive, but of course as all things do, they came to an end.

So, does anyone have any recommendations as to where we can go to get
her measured and fitted properly by someone who REALLY knows what they
are talking about. Or is there a company that can adjust boots to your
feet. We live London/Essex part of the world, but would be willing to
travel if it's worth it.

TIA

Brian

"Nigel Cliffe" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Brian said:

My wife is coming up to replace her boots. She has sufferd with the
dreaded black toe syndrome with the last two pairs of boots she has
had. Her toe nails hit the front on the boot and this leads to
significant bruising under the nail. She's tried a variety of socks,
different ways of tieing the laces, knots part way up, the Australian
knot, padding on the toes etc etc, but to no avail.

The boots feel fine on the flat and uphill, but as soon as she starts
to go downhill the pain kicks in and the inevitable bruising happens.
She used to have a fantastic pair of boots that were comfortable and
very supportive, but of course as all things do, they came to an end.

So, does anyone have any recommendations as to where we can go to get
her measured and fitted properly by someone who REALLY knows what they
are talking about. Or is there a company that can adjust boots to your
feet. We live London/Essex part of the world, but would be willing to
travel if it's worth it.

I suspect several factors and they need to be ruled out:

a) boots too short, so toes hit front. Longer size helps.
b) volume too high, so foot moves around inside. Different shape of boot
helps, or "volume reducers", which are plastic/rubber wedges under the
footbed.
c) foot lengthening in strides, commonly pronation, different footbed
might help (eg. Superfeet, but not the only name in town).

Recommended retailers; hard call.
I used to like Braemar Mountain(*), buts its a hell of a long way from
Essex!
Field and Trek (Chelmsford) have a Superfeet custom fit capability, so
might know what they are doing ? I've never shopped with them.

(* because as well as measuring feet properly, they had a real guarantee;
if the boots they'd recommended didn't fit properly months later, they
would refund. That was explicitly months of walking outdoors up/down
mountains, not just use indoors on your living room carpet. Its a while
since I've been there.).

- Nigel

--
Nigel Cliffe,
Webmaster at http://www.2mm.org.uk/

Think that's a Superfeet guarantee. Any way 60 days to return even used
Superfeet at Field and Trek and the Climber's Shop in Ambleside.

Mike