I have two different pairs of size 14 boots; the Merrell backpacking, and the La Sportiva Mountaineering. Like my old Raichle boots, the La Sportiva's are made for crampon use if necessary and have that groove at the heel. Even with my abuse, the La Sportiva's still seem stiff enough to me and seemed just fine with the crampons in the White Mtn. range (I tried to avoid being on the front 4 exclusively as much as possible to minimize stress on the bar). I picked up the Petzl's because they supposedly fit larger sized boots whereas the other brands I saw did not. Not sure there IS a good climbing store in San Diego when it comes to crampons. Could be the lack of ice . That is why I having custom bars made (with room to spare just in case my feet get even larger). Maybe I'll have to do some window shopping in Wy and Co when I go to the Winds in late August. Call me paranoid but this is one of those items I like to hold in my hands before I purchase.

Oh, my next trip is to the region between Merriam and the Royce Lakes in the Sierra Nevada so I am thinking it would be good to take a pair along.