Lundhags Abisku Trial

[JohnSKepler]

Copied from another post and updated...

Received two pair of Abisku Explore boots in the mail from Finland. I ordered a size 41 a few weeks ago and then a 40. They are as described, heavy, stiff, and well made. Comparing the two boots the 41 is physically a little larger as you'd expect. Pretty uniform scaling in all dimensions from just eyeballing it, as opposed to exactly the same but longer.

As described by others, it is quite difficult pushing my foot through the opening though, surprisingly, not much worse for the 40 than the 41. The first thing I notice, in both boots, is that the front of the tongue really pushes down on the forefoot, the 40 almost uncomfortably so. I think it would keep the foot from sliding forward even given the large toe box. Both fit extremely well through the ankle and foot. Snug, but not in any one spot with the 40 being slightly tighter. The 41 is more comfortable and I'm wondering if that means it will get loose and the 40 will get more comfortable so they (do they?) break in? The toe box is massive and I probably have 3/4 inch between the front of my toes and the front of the boot in the 41 and maybe 1/2" in the 40. It's hard to tell with the upper as thick and stiff as it is. They are comfortable for what they are and I think would be very warm. Even the 40 could, I think, accommodate a thicker sock. The 41, definitely.

I laced them up tight and stepped into a pair of skis. Lateral and torsional stiffness seemed excellent. Much stiffer in all directions than the Alaska, which isn't a comparison as much as a delta. They are not meant for the same kind of use. The sole is crazy stiff and provides a good bit of activity with the hard bumper in place. When simulating a telemark stance on both sides I couldn't detect any heel lift in the boot at all and they seemed to stay as comfortable as a boot like that is going to. They 'bend' a bit further back than the Free, which I think would help with skiing.

I have no idea if they fit right. The heel hold is, as others have said, very good. I also find the padded tongue really holds my foot and would keep it from sliding forward even with the toe room. There is some roominess in the toe box. If I could combine the heel of the 41 and the toe box of the 40 it would be ideal. I'm also coming from boots with zero room in the toe box so what seems like a lot might just be more like a normal shoe.

I guess I should ask, what does this boot do as it breaks in? I would imagine the sole softens a little and the wool liner packs a bit. Is my ankle going to loosen up (I don't want it to) letting my foot slide forward a little and the back of my heel to blister? I hate it when that happens. Is the opening going to open up a little as I wear them? I will say that lacing them tight pulls the opening closed across top of the shaft so that there's not much room left between the two sides. If they packed in very much I'd run into trouble with the two sides of the boot touching at the top of the shaft and then it would not be possible to get them any tighter. And, not much difference between the 40 and the 41 in this respect.

Any experience with this boot would be really helpful in deciding if I should order another pair since sometimes you don't know if it fits until it is used as intended and then... too tight, or too lose, and too late to send them back. I'm mainly wondering what they do when they break in. If they do what leather boots often do and mold to my foot a little, I should keep the 40 and send back the 41. If they are bricks and nothing changes, I probably should keep the 41. I made a mistake last year with the Alpina Alaska. I went too tight expecting more break in and paid the price, though was lucky to find a brand new pair in the next size up for $150 on eBay. With the Alaska it was the toe box and that isn't a problem with these boots. So, any observations would be helpful.

And, if someone is interested in the pair I don't keep, I have a few days before I must return them.

I also have a pair of Lundhags Makke pants for women in a size 34 Short that I need to send back. They are incredible pants for XC skiing. My wife needed to move up to a 36 so I have an excellent understanding of fit and measurements.

[lilcliffy]

They fit extremely well through the ankle and foot. Tight, but not in any one spot. Just uniformly snug. The toe box is massive and I probably have 1/4 to 1/2 inch between the front of my toes and the front of the boot. It's hard to tell with the upper as thick and stiff as it is. They are comfortable for what they are and I think would be very warm. They could definitely accommodate a thicker sock if I wanted to wear one.

Interesting↑ Ideally you would have been able to try on both the 40 and 41...

They 'bend' a bit further back than the Free, which I think would help with skiing.

I guess I should ask, what does this boot do as it breaks in?

This is greatly influenced by how you choose to maintain the leather.
I treat the leather of this boot with a water-based leather boot cream- this not only maintains the leather in the long-term, but also "encourages" the leather to conform to your ankle-instep-calf.
(Peronally, I don't really understand the choice of rough-out suede-like treated leather for Lundhags winter boots...And, I have been unable to receive a clear explanation from Lundhags...)

I would imagine the sold softens a little and the lining packs a bit.

Yes and yes.

Is my ankle going to loosen up (I don't want it to) letting my foot slide forward a little.

This has not happened in my case- but, may be influenced by how you choose to treat the leather.

Is the opening going to open up a little as I wear them? I will say that lacing them tight pulls the opening closed across top of the shaft so that there's not much room left between the two sides. If they packed in very much I'd run into trouble with the two sides of the boot touching at the top of the shaft and then it would not be possible to get them any tighter.

This is paticular characteristic of the lower-cut "Guide"/Abisku design-
it has a distinctly large volume collar.
Although I have a relatively thick, muscular calf- the lower cut boot is below my calf muscle and the collar bottoms-out when fully-laced up. And- as the leather breaks in, the collar will conform and this becomes even more of a potential issue. In my case- although my slightly longer left foot might appreciate a size 43- the even larger collar on the 43 would be unusable. This is the primary reason why I get a better fit in the Expedition last- despite the larger volume box.

Any experience with this boot would be really helpful in deciding if I should order another pair since sometimes you don't know if it fits until it is used as intended and then... too tight or too lose and too late to send them back.

With the extra space you describe beyond your toes (in terms of last length)- I am thinking you might get a better fit in a 40...
And- I would be even more confident the Expedition size 40 would fit better than a 41...

[JohnSKepler]

I would imagine the sole softens a little and the lining packs a bit.

Yes and yes.

With the extra space you describe beyond your toes (in terms of last length)- I am thinking you might get a better fit in a 40...
And- I would be even more confident the Expedition size 40 would fit better than a 41...

Looks like I have an Abisku in 41 for $200 if anyone wants it!

[Woodserson]

To be clear these are the low-cut ones, correct? Not the expedition?

[JohnSKepler]

To be clear these are the low-cut ones, correct? Not the expedition?

Yes, these are the low-cut ones.

[lilcliffy]

Looks like I have an Abisku in 41 for $200 if anyone wants it!

Have you ordered a 40?
Are you going to sell the 41 before you try on the 40?

[dominicelliott]

I would imagine the sole softens a little and the lining packs a bit.

Yes and yes.

With the extra space you describe beyond your toes (in terms of last length)- I am thinking you might get a better fit in a 40...
And- I would be even more confident the Expedition size 40 would fit better than a 41...

Looks like I have an Abisku in 41 for $200 if anyone wants it!

Too bad I'm size 42

[JohnSKepler]

Looks like I have an Abisku in 41 for $200 if anyone wants it!

Have you ordered a 40?
Are you going to sell the 41 before you try on the 40?

When the 41 felt loose I ordered a 40. I have them both right now and can hang onto the 41 for a few more days before I have to send it back. I've tried them both on. The 40 is tight across the top of the foot where the tongue of the boot meets the toe box. The 41 is more comfortable but looks 'largish' and feels 'loose' in the toe box. It is possible I'll just hang onto them both until I've had a chance to try them out, then try to sell the one I can't use. For the quality it is a relatively inexpensive boot.

[mca80]

If you need to sell the 40 let me know. Thanks.

[JohnSKepler]

If you need to sell the 40 let me know. Thanks.

The last time around I went with the tight boot and wound up having to swap it out later in the year. Given the fit of the two boots I'm leaning towards keeping them both until ski season rolls around and then selling the one that doesn't fit. Stay tuned!