Scarpa T3 Fit Question

[RabbitEars]

I have the opportunity to buy some very lightly used Scarpa T3's for a super price. After trying them on I have some questions. I tried on a size 29.5. after years of wearing only 3 pin, NNN BC, And Xplore boots it was a little hard figuring out how to put on a plastic boot. I was able to slip in and buckle up and it was how I always remembered it, I Am always at the limit of the buckels because I inherited my grandpas huge calves. For a minute or two things felt okay then my feet started feeling uncomfortable and sore. The Store Clerk had me take the boot off and remove the liner and put my foot back in and with my toes at the front of the boot there was an inch of space behind my heal. And then he said the boot was actually too small but didn't have any solutions to why the bigger boot was uncomfortable just that the liner would compress over time and the boot would be too big.

I can't imagine I could even get a smaller shell on with the liner. I'm thinking maybe he's correct that the liner will compress but they will actually be usable for me. What does the group think? Do I take the leap or let them go? Are there other options to get a better fit like a lighter liner?

Thanks in advance.

[stilltryin]

I'm far from a boot fitter, but I'll offer a few words especially as nobody else has chimed in yet.
An inch from heel to back of boot doesn't seem way off. If recall, the rule of "thumb" was two fingers side-by-side (even if squished a little). Of course, fingers vary; mine get to about an inch and a half, so I guess that might be a better fit. I'm hoping that somebody else here has more expertise (my reply will bump the thread). If I recall, my T3 liners were cooked at the shop (heat moldable). Intuition makes liners that can be bought separately (and cooked), and I believe they come in different widths; you might email them. Of course, your great deal isn't so great if you have to buy new liners.