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I'm looking into buying a pair of plastic boots and I really have no place to go to try a pair on.
So I've been doing a lot of reading and a lot of people talk about buying them a 1/2 size bigger...can anyone tell me what their experience is with this??? Its such a pain to return web bought gear...

Three reasons:

-Cramped toes are more prone to frostbite due to impaired circulation. Your feet will also swell a little during a long day of hiking.
-You'll likely wear these with thicker socks.
-You may want an improved liner (Superfeet, Intuition, etc). I have these in most of my boots and they are worth it.

It may be a pain to return them. If you don't have a store nearby you can use to try some on, the potential hassle of returning them is worth it compared to the foot pain and injuries you might get if you buy them too small. Make sure you try them on with the socks and liners you intend to use with them to make sure you get the fit right.

Woodie

Thanks for the info. I've been backpacking for years in the winter being my favorit month and there is nothing worse than having to put those cold ass boots back on. So I figure that a double would solve that problem being that I can take the liners out and throw them in my bag. An also I'm going to be taking a mountaineering class this winter so I can safly bag some better peaks. So I'm going to need em anyway... How are they when it comes to walking?? Is it kind of like when you have crampons straped onto regular backpacking boots??
Doug

I leave my liners in the boots- they are intended to replace the usually thinner liners that come with the boots. I only take them out to dry them if it's warm outside or if I'm at home. If it's really cold, I'll sleep with my boots in my sleeping bag. Down booties are nice for downtime around camp when you are tired of wearing boots.

I think you'll find most experienced cold weather folks using double boots sleep with their liners, but not with their shells. And certainly not with their liners in their shells. Less room taken up in your sleeping bag and you don't have to clean off the snow on the shells before they go into the stuff sack and then into the bag. Or risk wetting out your bag from failing to do so. You won't dry your inners while they are still in the shells...which it the biggest advantage of a double...dry liners. Pull the insoles as well..it will help with drying them. But most of the newest boots have liners that won't adsorb any water so you are just trying to keep them warm as they should be almost dry with in a few minutes. If your plastics don't it is worth a pair of Intuitions or Baruntse inner boots for the added fit opportunities (heat mold) and warmth. I don't buy my boots 1/2 too big. No one I climb with does either. Be thankful you can shop on the internet. Buy from places like backcountry or zappos that have really good return policies. Get several sizes in your choice of boots and take the time at home to play with the boots till you are sure of a perfect fit.

No intention of derailing the OP topic, but thought it could be helpful/relevant since he is in the market.

I've got a pair of Koflach Arctis Expe size 11 that are brand new (i think maybe i took them up once for a few miles only on snow) that I bought a few years back if you are interested. I never use them because it isn't cold enough here and they have just been sitting in my closet. Let me know if you are interested and we can work something out.

Thanks for the offer but they would be too big for me

Each boot fit differently. If you are in New Jersey, make a trip into NYC and visit EMS. They have decent selections in store. There is the Mountaineer in Keene, NY. They should be able to hook you up with everything you need.

I got a pair of Scarpa Inverno (9 1/2) for sale if they fit you $100.