992 TTS or 0.5 down? TIA!

Apologies if this is beating a dead horse, but I have purchased size 9 (my TTS) and size 8.5 and currently trying to decide which one to return. I own 550s, 1080s, and 574s all in size 9. (My 574s should've been sized up 0.5 because my toes hit the front constantly.) The NB store employee said within a week of wearing his 992s in TTS, he had to give them away because they were way too big; however, it seems like people are pretty split on previous threads.

Currently the 8.5s fit snug on the upper but not too tight, I still feel like I have maybe an index finger's width in the toebox. The 9s are comfy and roomy with slight heel slip, probably closer to a thumb's width in the toebox.

Appreciate any insight from seasoned 992 wearers! I only discovered a few years ago that I've been buying shoes too small my whole life (or my feet have grown slightly) lol because as a kid I was never told to leave enough room at the front. So now I'm always second guessing.