when I tried stepping up on the box-tables they had in the store using very little of my toe I was able to do so using very little of my toe, so they seem nicely stiff and solid and felt tight but not too painful for the time I had them on, which wasn't very long.

I also tried out a pair of Evols in the store but those felt uncomfortably tight and when I went up a half size still felt like they pinched in the toe even though they looked wider than the MadRocks and didn't feel as stable around the ankle so I didn't get 'em.

*nods*

Sounds like you've got a really good fit for your shoe shape and size, then. Fingers crossed they break in nicely and work well for you!