UKC

Hi. I was wondering if anyone has any advice on the best wide toe box crampon compatible mountaineering boots please (womens). I have a foot issue (Morton's Neuroma) and if the boots pushes against my little toe, it's really painful. I wear Altra boots for normal trekking, which are great, but they don't make crampon compatible boots unfortunately. I'm going to the Alps in a couple of months so hoping to get something suitable by then. Any advice really appreciated. Many thanks.  

Maybe not suitable if you are needing something more high end, but Keen do fairly wide boots and you could probably get a very flexible crampon to work with them. Something like the Grivel Monte Rosa.

Altberg Mallerstangs come in wide and extra-wide fittings: https://www.altberg.co.uk/boots/5-width-fitting-boots/mallerstang1 

They are a bit of an old-fashioned design, not gender-specific and the smallest size is a UK 5, but they might be worth a look/try?  

I've found Hanwag boots good for a bit more toe space in my B2 boots. Might also be worth trying a men's fit which is sometimes a bit roomier.

Which Altra boots do you use?  Are you OK with the 0 rise, or maybe you are used to that anyway?

I use Keens for that level of hiking. Although they are not robust and last about 2 months in the alps.

For easy, scrambly, minimal snow, low alps stuff, I bought some strap on crampons and now use my Keens for  most of the trips, as does my girl.  We both have similar forefoot issues, although more ball-of-foot rather than pinky side.  However be really careful with foot security doing that!  Obviously rules out a lot of "real" mountaineering.

As for solid boots: I thought Scarpa Ribelle Lites were pretty wide in the toebox, and would be my first choice to test properly if I didn't have serious heel issues (as well).  You could try those.  

My girl did briefly try some Hanwags recently (as above) which were wide, but quite clunky.

feet don't have a gender.

Boot width is limited by the width of the metal tabs on traditional crampons the restrain the front part of the foot.

Crampon width is limited by the expected width of the boots.

Micro spike or micro crampons, the type that fit with chains and or rubber webbing are going to fit a wider boot, but are less secure and don't have front spike so are going to limit what terrain they can be used on. They even ought to fit your Altra boots.

Asolo do/dud some wide fit full leather B2s

Hanwag make an extra wide B2/B3 for people with bunions (I found them too wide), again full leather.

Salewa Ortles and Vulturs are relatively wide, again relatively heavy/solid boots by modern standards.

As mentioned above you’ll need to check crampon fit carefully.

Meindl Morasses are a wide fit and take a C2 crampons (Petzl Vasak in my case)

You may be better off trying a men's boot.  

Women's boots tend to be lower volume.  

I have wide feet and have found the Zamberlan boots to have a relatively wide footbox.  

Sportiva tend to be narrow.  Scarpa a bit wider.  Zamberlan wider still.  

(These are all mens sizes, so I don't know how women's sizing would differ.)  

I have narrow heels and wide toes and I bought the Ribelle Lites, but they were so unwaterproof I took them back, and reportedly not warm enough for Scottish winter. I'd agree with trying men's boots (and then maybe play around with insoles) but you sadly tend to be let down by most shops not actually stocking typical women's sizes in 'unisex' boots. 

The Women's Alpine Adventure Club has the best advice on women's winter gear that I've ever found. They suggested something about putting a heel cover (I forget the name - see below) over your heel to address the common problem for women of their heels lifting up in their mountaineering boots - I'm guessing this might apply to you if you need to get width for toes. I've not got around to trying it but worth a look. I think it was here but have a snoop round the site: 

https://www.womensalpineadventureclub.com/blog/waac-winter-tips-the-right-b...  

I knew a great guy who died with his climbing partner in the Alps, both were using micro crampons on non-traditional footwear and both fell on a snow slope. It was bizarre in that they weren't roped up, but it was a really upsetting accident that shook up everyone who knew them as safe confident and talented climbers. 

It has made me very nervous around the use of micro crampons particularly when not fixed to relatively stiff boots. 

Sorry this is a bit late but I also had this issue. 

Mammut I think were wide and I had some B1s that worked well

However, Hanwag, who make mountaineering boots, do different widths and genders. I have some wide fitting B3. I got mine from a ski shop in Leamington Spa. 

Hope this might help.