Help with new boots!!!

hey guys, brand new here but have browsed the forums many times before. My names Kyle, and wanted to go to these forums for a couple question about my new boots I bought from gaerne because gaerne has no forums



well Ive been riding for about 9 years and racing for 8 or so. decided for finally spoil myself on a really nice pair of boots because I wanted something better and longer lasting... I read ALMOST 100% great reviews of the gaernes, everyone loves them. soooo...



I bought the BRAND new 2016 SG12.... top of the line, brand spanking new, and got a GREAT deal on them at 460 bucks I think... almost 200 bucks off for brand new boots! box and tags and everything... all because ebay rocks



anyway, I wear a size 11 in just about everything else, and my size 10 sixsixone's where getting tight but still very dealable.... so I figured I would get the size 11 gaerne (even after reading sooo many people say they run big and to get a size smaller....) shoulda heeded their warnings



the whole boot fits great, except my toes are pretty damn loose, as in, I can wiggle them up and down, and if I slide my foot as far as I can upward (with boot strapped) I can just barely feel the end of the boots. ofcourse I was a dummy headok the tags off before I really walked in them a lot thinking they where gonna be OK since everything I wear is an 11... so returning them to the owner is debatable even though I haven't even rode in them once



so basically, the boot itself feels fine, the straps are 3/4 the way out to be tight, so they are close to the end of their gripping, and the width of the boot is flot out perfect (because I have a wide foot, it works out) just my toes are loose, and seems the box inside their if a little open and its hard to feel the shifter, and I can move my feet a little inside the boot, which is not at all what im used to... im used to when I move my foot, the boot comes with it because its tight, know what I mean?



I read that boots should fit like gloves, snug by not too tight and that's what im used to... if I size down to a 10 should I expect a little tighter toe box so my foot cant move around as much? ( I have a quarter to half in room inside right now.)



also, if I get size smaller boots, will the side of the boot still fit, and the leg of the boot OK because the straps and the boot width are perfect, only the toebox is loose :/



and lastly, kinda a different topic, but still same boot,... the boots are comfortable, but VERY stiff. made of primarily plastic as opposed to most boots being like a leather substance... im sure plastic is more protective but seems very stiff and not very flexible (which worries me because I cannot feel my brake or shift lever very well! lol) im sure decent break in period will make these boots more supple right? im sure my feet not fitting can supplement this uncomfortable feeling, but im not too sure. ive always had cheaper boots which feel thin and flexible and break in easy, will these boots break in? cuz I read online that gaernes barely need any time at all to break in...



I just want some opinions from anyone if possible and some helpful info because these boots just don't feel right and with all the money involved I am kinda disappointed because I read EVERYONE loves them.



thanks everyone