Hey Dirtcrasher! I might be able to help you make your boots fit better.

 (also posted to rmd)

Success!  My too tight boots no longer are.

Keith,
  I know that your Diadora boots are too tight for comfort. The last I
heard, you had not replaced them.
 I had a similar problem, and want to share my successful "fix" with
you (and anyone else who can use it).

  My Sidi Force SRS boots were purchased new last summer. Even on
closeout pricing, they are expensive boots.
 Unlike the first set of these boots I owned, the left boot of this
new pair seemed to shrink (across the instep, and across the toes)
every time I wore them.  
  WTF?  My first pair didn't do this, and were the best and most
comfortable riding boots that I've ever had.   Hmmmm...

 This developed from an annoyance, to a real problem. It got so bad
that my left foot would go numb during a ride, and I had to pull them
off whenever I got a chance. Working trail (a lot of walking involved)
became a painful prospect.  

  I was in a quandary as to what to do.  These are "premium" boots,
and the largest size that Sidi makes (Euro 47, which is almost a US
size 13). Finally, I could take the (very real) pain no longer.
 It was either figure a fix, or buy another set of boots. (Fix them or
f**k them time.)

  It was now time to either fix them or replace them.  What to do?
I had a wild idea. Thinking, "It might just work.", I stuffed a
2.25x19" inner tube down into the boot, all the way to the toe.

  I gently inflated the tube and then duct taped the top of the boot
to restrain the tube.  At 45 psi, the boot straps stretched to what I
was afraid was the point of failure. <VBG>
 I then deflated the tube, and using Gorilla Tape (tm), reinforced the
straps with wraps around the boot.  I also cut a piece of cardboard to
put in the top of the boot, with the valve stem of the tube
protruding.
 I restrained the cardboard top with Gorilla Tape (tm), and also taped
around the top to lock the tape onto the boot.

  This time, I only inflated the tube to 34 psi.  I left them sitting
overnight, in the warm house.
  When I got up in the morning, I found that the tube's valve stem
area had "broken" away from the rest of the tube. Technique refinement
time.  :-)
  
  I got another tube (regular strength 4.00x16") and inserted it all
the way to the toe of the boot. This time, I only inflated the tube to
16 psi.  At that pressure, the boot's sole was starting to curve away
from the stiff replaceable boot sole (SRS system boots). I again left
them sitting in the warm house overnight.  

  As I left to go riding the next day, I put the inflated boot in the
back of the truck, as it was a cold two hour drive to where I was
working trail, and I figured that the "expanded" boot would "set" in
it's new conformation during the trip.

  When I arrived at the riding area, I got everything ready, and then
unfettered my taped up boot the last thing.  It took me over ten
minutes to get all the Gorilla tape off the boot.

  When I put on the boot, it felt WONDERFUL!  WaaHooo!  It worked!
My boot was now the equivalent of a size 13EE.  I was even able to
comfortably wear my thick wool socks in comfort.  The comfort was
still there at the end of the day.

  I like it so much, that I decided to inflate the right boot, even
though it was not nearly as tight as the left had been. (It only felt
restrictive when compared to the now-larger left boot.)  
  On the right boot, I used less tape on the top, and instead used
some wire loops to reinforce the tape and cardboard restrained inner
tube. (refining my technique :-)  
  I stayed with 16 psi.

  I achieved similar results with the right boot.

  I will no longer have to put up with any boot that is uncomfortable
from being too tight.
 I have found the cure, using "oil field engineering", and what my
cousins in Kansas call "Southern Construction".  <VBG>

  Pictures will be posted to abpm, for those that can use it. I will
email them to anyone who requests it.

Good Riding to You!

Jim



         Wudsracer/Jim Cook
          Smackover Racing
         '06 Gas Gas DE300
        '82 Husqvarna XC250
           Team LAGNAF
        

 wrote:


Please Jim, could you send them to me? My boots seems to have
shrunk!!!! They were soooo comfortable when I bought them and now they
are tight! I still wear europe 43....

If you don't have my email, this one I post from is <gasp> valid.
Gmail have an astounding spam filter.

-- Tiago

 
*****************************

Will do.

Let me know if you get them.


         Wudsracer/Jim Cook
          Smackover Racing
         '06 Gas Gas DE300
        '82 Husqvarna XC250
           Team LAGNAF