Thumper:
That's a great story and there's lots of lessons in that tale for everyone.
In terms of your double-boots [from the looks of it, I presume they're plastic mountaineering or the older full-grain and full-shank (4/4 shank) mountaineering type] and the issues you suffered in relation to those double-boots, try changing out the inner-boot if it's worn. That might help.
I once had a pair of Scarpas that never caused foot issues over the course 120-day in-field season. And then, suddenly, the very next year they caused my toes to go black on two separate 90-day in-field seasons. In short, I had the same problem you did, while on your recent hunt.
So, I ordered the next size up (size 46). The larger size lasted three years (seven 90-day seasons) and then I had to switch them out, because they were falling apart from heavy field-use.
Anyway, try one size larger.
Maverick
