My beloved Mammut Tetons are wearing out steadily after 800 miles or so of good hard service..I have got the replacements for an overlap wearing in period...Mammut MT trail XT GTXs...they are well made, very comfy and more robust than my last pair. I have them on approval at the moment so am wearing them watching the tv etc.
I have a narrow foot and whilst the fit is good elsewhere, there is slightly more play at the heel than on my others. I did not get one blister with my tetons, including a C2C walk last year. I have a nagging doubt about this "play" and am finding it hard to judge what is too loose..all the other boots I tried have some play in them.
I usually wear only one heavyweight pair of socks when walking.
Am attempting a 10 day C2C in mid June; then the Dales High Way in July then other ldws in the autumn so I dont want problems.
Any sage advice appreciated

John

Possibly you are finding the difference because you have changed to a full leather boot from a textile/leather mix. The full leather is bound to be stiffer and particularly while new, the lesser flex will have your heel lifting slightly. I find this happens with my full leather boots, but not with my textile/leather mix ones.
The bad news is I suppose that the movement could well lead to blisters. I have a feeling that your new boots wont be entirely right for you until well broken in, which all full leather boots need.
Hope this helps.
Dave.

Try this:
Use all the lace hooks/loops/eyelets all the way to the top, then go back down to the next highest pair of hooks(etc) and tie the boots there.
Also:
I find a significant difference in fit when wearing a thin pair of liner socks inside my heavyweight walking socks.
Finally:
Plaster your heels before you start walking if you fear the dreaded blisters, and slather on some Vaseline.

Whether the foregoing amounts to sage advice, only thyme will tell - hope I haven't started something here, especially as (unlike you) I have a broad foot and therefore my remarks may be irrelevant.

Thanks guys...puns included

John,
Try wearing a thin inner pair of socks as Stottie commented.
The extra layer will help prevent transfer of friction to skin in any foot movement. My thin inners are of a polyprop type material and I think this also helps 'wick' moisture away from the foot. (unless your crossing a creek!)
What I do for determining correct boot size, (length) is put the boot on loosely and then tap your foot forward until your toes are up against the front of the boot - you should then be able to get your finger comfortably down between the back of your heel and the back of the boot without any 'play'.
Slogger, re' leather boots requiring 'break in'. My last two pairs of boots have been Asolo 535's, full leather, and I can honestly say they have been very comfortable from the first step and needed no breaking in at all. Had a pair of Garmont boots though, and they were never as comfortable even after extensive use. Though they looked very similar to the Asolo.
Cheers,
George.
.

I get your point George, I have also had full leather boots that have been comfy from the outset, it does also depend very much on the rigidity of the sole and mountain boots do have stiffer soles, making the whole thing feel less flexible.
I have just purchased a pair of these. Built on a running shoe last, they feel very light and comfy, pity about the colour, but it was all they had.
http://www.outdoormania.co.uk/Item-0-0-cat-21-brand-1412-Salomon_Cosmic_4D_GTX.aspx
Dave.

What the hell is 4D enhanced chassis..?

...I had a girlfriend once with one of those.

Geo.

.

Ah Geo, thanks for the girlfriend "feed" -
Her name must have been Rosemary - boom boom!

My old chestnut.

If you haven't bought the boots yet. Try and find an Altberg stockist near you. 5 different width sizings to suit narrow and broad feet. Worn with an insole most people who have purchased this make find them perfect for all types of walking.

They make the desert boots for the army bases up north and also for specialist motorcyclists (the police etc).

Try them on with your own socks.

It is important to realise that you should not get blisters when using any boots. You never see a gamekeeper with a blister!