When purchasing new skating boots, the skater should give a lot of thought as to what is needed and what is available. Proper blade mounting can make a soft boot stronger than a hard boot with blades improperly mounted. The tongues of the boots are very important as good tongues that cling to the foot and stay in place can give a lot of support to the boots as well as comfort to the feet. Very stiff tongues lined with lambs wool are a poor choice, as this type of tongue will usually slide around to one side and also make the boots hard to lace snug around the ankles. This type of tongue also sheds, leaving no padding under the stress areas.
Foam rubber makes the best tongue lining, but it is important to get good quality foam rubber.
Thick socks are not a good idea as they will allow the foot to move in the skate. It is difficult to relate the size of the boot to your shoe size as this varies from one manufacturer to another. Ask to be measured by a competent vendor. They should have you sit and put a little pressure on the measuring board. Try on the boots before having the blade mounted, and don't hesitate to try others if you're not satisfied with the fit.