Bill,
Having a half size and a width difference is true of 90% of the population, at least in this country. It's when you get about a size and a half difference that you (or me sitting on the fitting bench) have to really start paying attention. I don't say that to dismiss the difficulties you have in any way. It is tougher when you hit or pass the size 12 mark, as half sizes cease to exist. The average sized guys get to try a 10D, 10.5D or C, maybe an 11B and really get particular about the fit, for example. We get to try a 14. Maybe a D and EE or M and W and rarely a B or EEE. 13's are too short for you and me period. Forget about them. You might find one that feels OK in the store but 3 miles down a trail you start to feel a hotspot. My steadfast rule is "a little too big you can live with, too small never gets better"
The ankle/calf part of the upper is not really scaled up or down as much as the foot portion of a shoe is between the various sizes. The uppers are made with the fit leaning more towards working for the average to bigger legged guy. Us chicken leg folks get to have the eyelet rows pull right together after break in. But IMHO that's almost more an appearance issue than a support issue. The fact is that almost all of what people call ankle support actually comes from the heel fit of any boot. If the counter pocket holds the foot firmly in place side to side as it should and is strong, you can make the ankle part of the boot out of anything and you will not have rolling issues. Put on an 8" boot thats clearly too wide sometime and see if you can roll off the side of the boot just by rolling your foot outwards like you are turning on a pair of skis. Yes, an ankle/upper that has 3/8" of serious stiffening foam in it can help negate that rolling, but it's just a band aid to the fact that the boot does not fit well and you still get movement in the shoe.
I know I have appeared to contradict myself with that last bit, since I earlier said a little too big is better, but there is a line between a little too big and just plain old too damn big. The rolling test is an example of too damn big. The "a little too big" more typically means you have some extra toe room up front or you can shim the boot with an insole to snug the instep fit. People get all wound up about having a bit more toe room than they are used too, the jump from the 13 to 14 for example. Well, if the rest of the foot fits better in the 14 you should go for that size. A half size is approx. 1/6 of an inch, and a whole size is 1/3". If that tiny bit of extra shoe out front makes a person a klutz then I suggest that person best not leave the safety of the house and avoid stairs at all costs. Again, I am not speaking to Bill here, rather just rambling at this point about fitting in general. I have to get ready for work now, go figure.
But Bill, in regards to your wish that sizing was more consistent, I am glad it is not. That's what has kept my employed in the biz for so long! If sizing was as consistent as say nuts and bolts, you could sell shows from a vending machine and thousands of professional shoe fitters like me would be out of work. Yeah, that's we call ourselves in the trade. The part time kid at Super Shoes does not get that title. You have to earn it and know it. :victory::victory:
