u/grahsam

I started to get into boots about a year ago and have tried a few different brands to see whose I like the most. I have my thoughts on all of them, but the one consistent issue I run across is they are tight across the top of my foot in the dorsal instep of my feet. My Brannock is 9D, so I have gone with 8.5D in most cases, except when I bought second hand and went with an E or EE to get the price. All of the measurement guides from every company don't really account for that measurement as the 8.5 length is fine and the D width is ok in most cases, although sometimes the EE is appreciated.

I can't be the only person with a big bony bump at my instep that feels like it is being crushed by their boots. So what measurement can I adjust to deal with this? Do I just have to go up to a 9?

I have already tried different laces, taking off kilties, and stretching them with a baseball. I'm wearing mid weight Darn Tough socks.

I am considering either Nick's Charlie on a 55 last or Anvil on a 11067 last. Since I really like cap toe boots but want more arch support than the standard Americana, I have narrowed it down to these two. I have a MTO Americana with the 55 last that I bought from the scratch and dent section and I don't feel the arch as much as on a pair of White's Cruisers I have, which is why I am looking at the Anvil. but I've never tried sprung toe boots before.

Thoughts?