Am I a freak? I take a size 6.5 shoe and find that to prevent black toes (which I already have after a trek down Cadair Idris) I need a size 8 boot. Getting these seems to be an almost impossible task. I live in South Wales, where there is almost no choice of brands, and when I do find a boot that I like they look at me in horror when I ask for an 8. They say sorry there's no call for that size. I have trawled the internet and come across a few, but most stores only stock up to 7.5. I usually wear Meindl boots and sent an email to Meindl, asking whether they could suggest a boot similar in fit to my Magic 2's but they said I should go and try some on to get the right fit. Very funny!! Where on earth can I find some? Wouldn't it be nice to have a shop where we could try on boots and find the correct fit. I'm off to Betws-y-Coed to try my luck there soon, but I will tear my hair out if they don't have the size. Men seem to have plenty of choice, but why do shops neglect us women?

I am a size 8 boot and fortunately seem to suit a mens fit boot. If you are off to Betws y Coed I would recommend the boot fitting service in Cotswolds, that's where I've been to get mine. When I was looking for Winter boots they had both women and mens in a size 8.

Big feet are a sign of inteligence. At least that's what my wife (size 8) and I (size 14) keep telling everyone.

It sounds wrong that you need an 8 to house your 6.5 feet. Are you a narrow fitting? Do your feet slide forward?

It may be that a smaller size with a thicker insole to stop movement might help.

If you're going to Betws - call in at Stewart R Cunningham. They are really good at stocking big sizes. The brother or cousin of the shop owner has big feet, so they are aware of the lack of stock in most shops. (And because of that; have become one of my favourite shops)

There are loads of boots in sizes 6.5 to 8 to try on....whether they fit you or not is another matter.

Try being a size 4.
It took me years to find a single pair of B2 boots to even try on.
It took me 18 months just to find someone who kept SLs in stock...

Barbara,

If you are a size 6.5 but need to use size 8 boots to prevent toe bumping then there could be something else wrong.

If you have low volume feet then the natural shape of the boot won't prevent your foot from sliding forwards, going up a couple of sizes might seem to solve the problem but you'll still slide.

Have you tried adjusting the volume of the boot, you can add a volume adjuster under the insole to do this, also different lacing techniques can help.

Maybe I'm being a bit vain. I only take 6.5 in fashion shoes which are cut on the generous size. My size 8 Meindl Magic 2's fit a treat. I will give Cotswold a try, last time I went there I saw no evidence of a boot fitting service, but I will give them a ring and find out. I went on the Rei site and followed their instructions for checking boot size and I came out at a size 8. I used to have narrow feet but I am afraid that lots and lots of walking seem to have made them bigger, now I get corns where my toes get pushed under each other if I'm not careful to get a broad toe. The only part of my foot which is narrow is my heel - which creates another problem. My feet aren't flat but have a normal arch so I am inclined to think problem is definitely due to undersize boots. I do usually use a volume adjuster. Thanks for all your comments.

Just ask when you go into cotswolds, they measured both the length and width of my feet whilst standing and sitting to get a good indication of the spread.

My god if people with size 6.5 feet can't get boots something is wrong. That is not big!

I know several women with size 7 feet normal shoes.

It does seem that boots only exist for women in size 5, 6 and 7.

I'm a 6 normally but take 7 in boots as I like lots of sock (cold feet!).

And why is it there is a pitiful selection of crampon compatible boots for women. If you don't fit scarpa or salomon you'd be stuffed. Of course I've never managed to try on either as they never have my size.

No wonder people end up risking buying boots on the web.

Kat - with size 4 feet you're stuffed even if you DO fit "scarpa or salomon"!