Well, that聮s all very interesting. You don聮t mention what boots had the 聯seams of death,” but I imagine they were two of several modern mid-weight backpacking boots, probably priced around $150 or so. Right? If so, then I have to say I don聮t think the problem is necessarily with the boots. I say that because in the past month I聮ve put considerable miles on two fairly heavy-duty boots (Scarpa Escape and La Sportiva Trango S EVO GTX), both right out of the box, with no more than a slight (and fleeting) hot spot on one heel during a long uphill grind. And these are boots with today聮s typical lining, a fabric material called Cambrelle.
Lowa Baffin Lady Hiking Boots
Baffin Lady Hiking BootsSo, given all that, I have to say there聮s a fit issue. It sounds to me as if the boots are too tight in the heel, and they聮re causing pressure points and then blisters. I actually like boots to be a bit loose in the heel, so that your foot has room to move in a natural manner. You don聮t mention how you had these boots fitted, but I聮d go complain to the fitter if that聮s possible.
Anyway, what to do? You聮re right about one thing聴leather linings are pretty great. They do require more time to break in, but once that聮s accomplished you have what is very much a custom fit. They聮re not that common any more, but a few makers still use them. The Lowa Baffin Lady ($250; lowaboots.com), for instance, is a serious backpacking boot that has a leather liner, as well as hefty 2.6mm leather outers. Plus they聮re built on a women聮s last, so they聮ll fit better than a small men聮s boot. Scarpa聮s Women聮s Nepal ($199; scarpa.com) is another fairly heavyweight hiking/backpacking boot that has a leather liner.
Are your current boots fixable? Maybe. If they聮re a half-size too small, take them to a shoe or boot maker and see if you can have the heels stretched a little. Often you can, and that will help. Also, try taping the seams with something such as duct tape. If a rough seam is the culprit, that may help. Tape your feet, too, with Moleskin or white adhesive tape such as Johnson & Johnson聮s First Aid Waterproof Tape (about $5 a roll). And check your sock combination聴I like something such as REI聮s low-friction Silk One Liner Socks ($6.50; rei.com) under something such as SmartWool聮s Light Hiker Socks ($15; smartwool.com).
Hope that helps!
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