Tyler,
Nothing beats trying the shoes on! Nothing!!
From my own experience shoes run small and large in the same sizes from different manufacturers. Sometimes depending on the style of shoe they run differently from the same manufacturer.
1.) Wear the sock(s) that you plan on wearing when you try the shoe on.
2.) It is my understanding that an increase of a half size equates to 1/4" increase in length.
3.) At the end of a long day of hiking your feet will be swollen to a point where an extra 1/2 shoe size and that extra 1/4" may be of great benefit.
4.) The only two lacing tricks that I use are to sung the laces up not "cinch" them and as I tie the knot I lean forward flexing the ankle while my foot is flat on the floor/ground. The ankle flex helps me to avoid "cinching" the laces up at the ankle the same way that I tried to avoid it on the forefoot.
5.) I use thin, synthetic socks without liners.
6.) My rule of thumb for toes is that if my toes hit the toe box at any time I need to 1/2 size up.
7.) I'm comfortable with the laces being loose enough for the shoes to be pulled on without untying the laces using both hands. If you can slip into the shoes without untying or using your hands they are too loose!
8.) In reference to number three, go shoe shopping at the end of the day remembering number one.
9.) Tread patterns on shoe soles may be good for traction but the lugs can become pressure points and lead to blistering for no apparent reason.
10.) I used to run in a pair of New Balance 660s in a galaxy long ago and far, far away. I completed a marathon wearing those shoes. They in effect had no tread pattern other than some 1/8" deep wavy lines going from side to side. I ran miles and miles in those shoes and never blistered once using them. I have not been that lucky with the aggressive tread patterns of trail shoes today.
If those same 660s were available today I'd try them for hiking. ;-)
On my last shoe purchase I happened upon some info about the way the sizes ran. I contacted someone who had used and recommended the shoes. I emailed him and asked if the sizing was small, true to size or large. Based on his advice I ordered my shoes 1/2 size smaller than normal. It was a good move.
FWIW I believe the shoe size numbers have crept up over the years. My 660s were size 9 & 1/2. I now use 12s! ;-?
Party On,
Newton
