Insoles might raise your foot just a bit higher to fill in some of the extra space, but I doubt that it would make that much of a difference and if they fit comfortably in the foot now insoles might make them too tight. Anything glued inside the outer ankle will probably either flex or rub uncomfortably. I think this is just the nature of boots v. oxfords.
Tom

 

Tom, thanks for the candid advice. I may well just have to sell them.

 

I'm sorry that my advice isn't very helpful. I've had the same issue (although not with the exact same boot). It seems like dress boots are sometimes not tapered enough to lace up snugly in the ankle area compared to something like work boots or military issue boots which fit quite snugly to the leg to provide ankle support. I think the bigger question will be whether or not you can find a pair that fits any better. I can tighten mine until the eyelets touch and there is still some slop around the ankle. If they fit properly in the foot and don't chafe the ankle I would be tempted to live with them as is.
Tom

 

I cannot disagree more. All, every last one of my dress boots fits snugly in the ankle and is fitted in the shaft. I also have thin legs and ankles (don't get excited Shaver, I'm taken:devil. If I had heavier legs then the boots would not close completely as mine do, and I'd have to leave a little gap. If my legs can be snugly fitted into the many different boots I have, then everyone's should if the boot is the proper size.

 

I only own shell cordovan shoes and not boots.

Given the relative stiffness of shell, however, I wonder if such tapering would be advisable.

 

Tom, on the contrary; it's helpful to know others have experienced the same thing.

SG-67, the shell on the ankles isn't as stiff as you might think. But i think it's the excess of material that's the culprit. I probably shouldn't have bought this model/last, as I need width out front but tight in the rear, at the heels and ankles.

 

Momsdoc, good to know; thanks for your take.

I can tighten the laces so much that the eyelets are nearly together; to me that indicates the shaft is too wide at the ankle. (I have medium ankles I guess.) The boots definitely feel too wide at the heel, even at the insole.

Oddly, the left boot doesn't look nearly as weird!