I finally could not take it anymore. Having to be on the ice working for 3-5 hours at a stretch has done me in. Here is a list of the problems I've had with these boots:
Not enough padding in the ankles, forcing me to wear gel sleeves
Bumpy and itchy rash from the gel sleeves, requiring talc, which didn't help 100%
Intense metatarsal pain because insole has NO padding
Addition of Klingbeil orthotics to counter metatarsal pain
Development of huge bump on side of big toe (like a bunion, but really just a bump) from pressure due to less room in toe box
Coldest boot ever, because sole is a thin layer of plastic
So, I went to a local pro shop to get the toe box enlarged; something that the Edea rep said was easy to do. Not so.
While there, I met a friend who had come in with another adult skater who had 17 year old, unworn, Riedells that were hurting her. I encouraged her to get new skates, pointing her to Jackson, of which this store had a great selection. She was trying on the Elle, so I looked at it, liked it, and bought it! I'm trying them out today.