Recommendations for backcountry nordic boots for women?

Tighten the boots up?

My first suggestion would be to only buy ski boots from a store that actually knows what it is doing and has some well qualified boot fitters, even if that means some serious travel.

Pad the sore area well and try again with the boots properly tight?

I can’t suggest anything else as I’ve not used such gear I still ski using 75mm rat trap and Scarpa T1/T2

Lisa, We have a backcountry cabin near Donner Summit in CA and have to ski in during winter(can drive right up when road is open in summer). I’ve had good luck with Alpina BC boots in Rottefella BC bindings. Not new, think I got them at REI but not certain. Sometimes at the top, inside edge of one boot I get a slight rubbing which gets sore after hours of skiing. Not always, however. I have a very thin piece of light foam which I take to insert at that spot in case it starts hurting. My husband and son also have Alpina BC boots which have worked well for them for years.

We just got back from a family trip to the cabin and I used my new set of skins. (Previous ones lasted for years). I use them for steep uphill sections but also to SLOW down on the steep downhill sections. Age, 76, causes me to be more cautious now.
Hope you find some boots that will fit your needs.

My first inclination is to agree with Edward above, i.e. maybe tighten up the top of the boots.  If they’re not snug, perhaps your lower leg is moving around a lot and bumping against the firm part of the boot.  Another thought is, do you have an aftermarket footbed, like a Superfeet or such?  Those can help stabilize your heel and consequently your whole foot; think of it as giving your foot a “home” in the boot.

The new Fischer boot you tried looks like a pretty beefy NNN-BC boot, but if it doesn’t fit it doesn’t fit.  Maybe take a look at the Alpina Alaska  (http://www.alpinasports.com/product/alaska/224) or the W-specific Eve Montana.   I have sold several of the Alaskas to both men and women who seem to find it comfortable, at least in the store.

Out of curiosity, what ski are you driving these boots with?

Thanks for the suggestions. The Fischers are nice and snug up top and initially felt great. But I got significant bruising an inch or two above my ankle bones on the outside of each leg. I thought perhaps I had them cinched too tight so loosened them, but it didn’t seem to help (although by the time I did so, it may have been too late to make a difference).

And as for shoe inserts, my foot was fitting fairly well inside the Fischers. A little loose but workable (I was considering adding a heel lift or superfeet to make an even better fit). It’s just that lower leg issue.

For skis, I’m currently using Rossingol BC 65s. But they’re very beaten up and in need of replacement. I hadn’t yet decided what ski to get but was thinking something similar to the current (maybe sizing up to 70s). Wanted to find new boots first.

Even if you can’t get to Portland in person, I know that staff at the Mountain Shop is great. They are adventurers and get it. (I’m weird and did most of my downhill in the 1970s, they understood.)

Wonder if it would be worth a call or email to them?