Ugh, the tongue problem sounds yucky... I forget, what boots do to have?
As for the toe guard, I just take some good ole hockey tape and stick em down. Mine used to flop around cause I will never ever tighten my toe-area laces enough to hold them in place just with laces. The tape will get all ratty every once and a while and need to be replaced but it works just great. And, eventually you won't even need to wear them
Our travel team just played their first new-rules full bout this past weekend - soooooo rough and great. Our A-team is going to the Canadian nationals in Mach. Wish I were going to watch but its a ~ $800/8-9 hour flight or 47 hour drive to get there. Why is Canada so friggen big and $$$ to travel???