My fiance needs a pair of mountaineering boots with a wide toe-box since she has bunions. She also needs boots that can fit a step in style crampon. The Scarpa Summits I bought her hurt her too much to wear, any suggestions for other boots? She wears a size 40 and I'm thinking her best bet might be a men's boot.

Well, to throw it out there... not knowing what type of mountains you need a boot for... the Sportiva Baruntse http://www.lasportiva.com/catalogue/catalogo.php?cat=6&cod3=835&Language=EN have a nice toe box. If she's in need of boots that burly.

After having some foot problems, I had to swap out all my boots with wider models. After trying on lots and lots, the only brand which seemed consistently wide enough were Vasque.

Unfortunately I get the feeling they are discontinuing their mountaineering line. But the last generation were pretty damn good and you can still find them around. I've been wearing these the last few months and like them a lot so far:

Vasque Optimator
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/Produc ... essed=true

The sole is Vibram Mulaz which is my favorite, good grip on rock. They have a rear bail, but none on the front, so they are best with hybrid crampons. The Vasque M-Possible works with step-in's, they have a speed-lace thing which you will either love or hate; they have a little insulation as well.