Newish walking boots causing blisters across the tops of toes

Q. I bought some Lady's leather 3 season Scarpa boots at a really good local outdoor shop, a good fitting, I broke them in gently by wearing them around the house and no problem.

I started with an 8km in the wet, followed by a longer walk, by which time they had started to nip my toes quite painfully. The day after it was excruciating on each step, nipping my toes, but I gritted my teeth as there was only a red mark on the skin of one big toe.

Then a few more 5 - 10km walk and still some pain, but I was convinced they just needed "breaking in" so went for a 30km two day hike with agonising results and horrible blisters across the tops of all my toes. Nightmare! I really don't think boots should be doing this!

My last boots were Berghaus and they lasted me 8 years with no problems. I wear good quality synthetic socks. Before I go marching back to the shop, is there any scope for getting a refund/replacement as they're worn now? Or is there something else I should be doing, stretching, softening the leather or different insoles? Any ideas?

Andrea Caverhill,

A. The boots may be too small or too narrow. Maybe you have also changed from stiff sole boot to a flexible sole lighter one. If the tops of the toes have never been used to pressure, they will blister, but after a bit the skin will harden up - like the soles.

Keith Eyles, Stroud

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