Gap lacing...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HGMQfdpAEhI

I use the gap to span the high spot on top of my feet.



Heel lock lacing...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IijQyX_YCKA

Not too tight! Can limit blood circulation.
I do just enough tightness to secure heel.

Mark, sorry I'm unable to take you any further in figuring out your correct shoe size. If you're measuring a 10A, that's a narrow footprint. Not sure where you're located, I can try to recommend few shops that might be able to help; Red Wing shops are a good spot. With a narrow foot profile, you may consider changing your footbed to take up any excess volume if you find yourself rattling around while wearing.


As for standardization of foot sizing throughout shoe brands, there is a standard, the issue isn't the foot length or, width, the issue is everything else above it, the upper. The upper has multiple layers of material from the outer, the liner, the tongue, the laces, how its all stitched/glued together, then how it wraps and flexes around the foot, will help determine the overall fit and feel. Most people today are wearing very soft 'foot covers', manufactures are selecting a general shape that will accommodated the widest variety of foot profiles and building to volume. If you fall at either end of the population foot shape spectrum, you're out of luck. The other aspect, usually the lower the price of the shoes, the lesser quality the fit will be; not saying buying expensive is better only, those higher quality shoes generally have more attention to detail.

Best to find a brand or, style that fits your foot best and stick with them regardless of price.

quote:

Originally posted by TRIO:
Gap lacing...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HGMQfdpAEhI

I use the gap to span the high spot on top of my feet.

I used to work at a shop where the owner had monstrous feet who had to do this, he wore size 14 but, a very high instep. He could only fit Nordica ski boots, which he had to get the tongue of the liner thinned out and part of the shell ground-down in order to accommodate him.