realskiers

Byron,

In your initial boot fit, did the sales person do a "shell fit" by removing the liner, inserting your foot with toes just touching front of boot, and then measure the space between realrof boot and your heel. That space should be about 1/2 inch in a performance boot. You simply cannot fix a boot that is to big, there are many things that can be done to eliminate hot spots. A correct shell fit probably means that you will experience some pain until you get time on slopes, and, them get some work done. As you have not used them, can you return them for refund or store credit. What boot did you buy? Will the store supply bootfitting support if your boots hurt after skiing. (Although as you live in the desert, you may need immediate help at a mountain.)

I would recommend taking the boots to Masterfit and get an opioid of a trained fitter. That would include an analysis of flat your boots sit on the floor in your normal stance. Our body geometry causes knock kneeed or bow legged conditions that can impact your skiing. A friend just got boots, then needed 3 degrees of correction, which the original boots could not accommodate.

On this forum, most of us pay great attention to dialing in their personal boots, but, we also have a good idea of what we want and enough experience to make the change. Honestly, I would recommend  a little larger boot and the comfort, rather, than get squeezed into something too tight - especially if were a first boot. Having a good bootfitter can help you through the maze.