Widening the last of a boot shell

[Max]

Can a good boot tech tech widen the last without changing the forward flex and lateral stability of a boot?

Looks like my wife needs a size 23 shell with a 105+mm last. No luck so far in finding one.

[Joseph]

A good boot tech can. The problem is that most don't have the experience doing that much work to a boot. They would be afraid to go big. If you are not near a Harb trained alignment center, you'll have to look to a specialty race shop. It must be a combination of grinding and blowing the boot out to go really big in the forefoot, but that won't change how the boot flexes or is laterally stiff. The main concern if the boot is expanded in the forefoot, depending upon how much pressure is applied when heated the boot will warp at the sole. I've seen many a boot that has come out of a so called master bootfitter's shop that teeters and rocks for this very reason. If hydraulics of any kind are put to the boot in the forfoot, the boot sole must be flattend on a grinder.