Dynafit TLT Comfort or Classic?

www.marmotmountain.com/MMWmain.asp?Option=Detail&StyleID=10924

I am a 26.5 (smaller depending on the liner, but not in the Megarides which are tight in front and where I want some room for warmth). Not sure how I'd pad myself into a 28.5 boot though... Any idea?<br><br>drC

Every knowledgable sales person/boot fitter that I've spoken to says "Do NOT buy too large a boot and try to down fit it to your foot. Much better to buy a little small and they can work with the shell". My last boots (Dynafit All-Terrain) were the right length, but too large a volume for my foot. Even with shims I was never able to get a really good fit....

So I know about that and do that with alpine boots. Rando boots however will also be used a lot for walking (I do not plan to climb up Rainier with both rando and leather boots for example), and the rule for mountaineering boot is to get them a (European) size larger, typically. For two reasons: extra warmth, and also for not banging your toes going down. The latter is less of an issue for rando boots (I plan to ski down, of course) but I thought the former may still be valid, and some retail people I spoke to said so. But I am doubl checking with others. You would not say that warmth is a good reason?<br><br>drC

it is possible to go too small on the shell size though...a buddy of mine went with a tight fitting pair of megarides and spent the better part of a season making regular trips to Jim Mates shop to get the toe box stretched...the boots worked fine for skiing, but as soon as he was out of his bindings and hiking downill (gotta remember those spring tours, you may not ski to your car), his toes became a chewed up mess.<br><br>he finally gave up and went to the next shell size larger.<br><br>I figure if you are going to spent time climbing (and particularly hiking downhill) and at altitude, you need to factor that in to your shell fit and opt for something other than the 'race fit'.<br><br>The boots I use have packed out a bit but I've had good luck using a shim under my footbeds and a U shaped foam shim behind my heel to keep it locked in place.<br><br>

Edit: Doh. (Was confused between Comfort and regular TLT.)<br><br>drC