Re: Wide Last Xplorer Boot?
Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2023 1:11 pm
A number of Alfa's models are both on the wider of lasts- as well as very large volume.
Many of the Euro boot companies have simply bizarre US-EU size conversions...
The Alpina chart posted above↑ is particularly bizarre-
A 42EU Alaska XP is NOT a size 10 Men's!
A 42EU Alaska XP is a 8.5-9 Men's in terms of the length of the last- but, due to it being both narrow and very small volume- many (including myself) need to size up for them to fit. For example- I can get a comfortable performance fit in a 42EU Alaska BC- but need a 43EU Alaska XP, becasue they are so narrow and low-volume. (For reference my foot is medium width and small volume). A 44EU Alaska XP would be waay too long for me.
The Alfa chart above↑ is much improved re US size conversions over previous charts. A 42EU Alfa Vista is a 8.5-9 US Men's (just like the Alaska). Assuming that the Vista shares the same last as the Guard (please correct me if I am incorrect here- they appear to be identical)- the Vista/Guard fit true to length, but the last is wide and very large volume.
The Alfa Free has a different last- it is the same length, but is narrower and less volume than the Vista/Guard.
My limited experience (aside from manufacturing errors)- European boot sizes are consistent in terms of length- where they vary "widely" is width and volume.
On the subject of Lundhags Nordic ski touring boots (I have both BC and XP models)-
Lundhags makes two different designs/lasts mated to both the BC and XP outsole-
the medium width and and moderate volume Guide BC/Abisku XP with the thinner wool removable liner;
the wide width and large volume Guide Expedition BC/Abisku Expedition XP with the thicker removable liner.
As such I have confirmed that the internal geometry of the BC/XP models are identical, and the liners and insoles are interchangeable (As are the liners for the Skare Expedition boot).
https://www.lundhags.com/en/footwear/me ... ate-boots/
What is interesting is that I still get an excellent fit in the wider and larger-volume Expedition last...I have worn the Skare Expedition boot for winter fieldwork for two season now and they have cupped and held my heel and ankles from the very start; and the leather has molded beautifully to the shape of my foot, ankle and calf. So despite how much room my forefoot and toes have- the Expedition still works for me! Highly recommended!
And the length of the Lundhags last is consistent with Alfa/Alpina/Crispi/Scarpa- a 42EU length is near identical in all of them. Where they differ is the other interior dimensions.
The upper of the lower-cut Lundhags design (e.g. Guide BC/Abisku XP) is quite large volume- such that the uppermost lace hooks on the shorter boot almost touch each other when fully laced up (my ankle is narrow). As such a 43EU in the lower-cut boot would not work for me due the upper lacing...So, the higher cut Expedition model actually gives me a better lacing fit due to my more meaty calf!
(I am trying to convince my local shop to stock Lundhags so that people can actually try these superb boots on in the shop.)
Many of the Euro boot companies have simply bizarre US-EU size conversions...
The Alpina chart posted above↑ is particularly bizarre-
A 42EU Alaska XP is NOT a size 10 Men's!
A 42EU Alaska XP is a 8.5-9 Men's in terms of the length of the last- but, due to it being both narrow and very small volume- many (including myself) need to size up for them to fit. For example- I can get a comfortable performance fit in a 42EU Alaska BC- but need a 43EU Alaska XP, becasue they are so narrow and low-volume. (For reference my foot is medium width and small volume). A 44EU Alaska XP would be waay too long for me.
The Alfa chart above↑ is much improved re US size conversions over previous charts. A 42EU Alfa Vista is a 8.5-9 US Men's (just like the Alaska). Assuming that the Vista shares the same last as the Guard (please correct me if I am incorrect here- they appear to be identical)- the Vista/Guard fit true to length, but the last is wide and very large volume.
The Alfa Free has a different last- it is the same length, but is narrower and less volume than the Vista/Guard.
My limited experience (aside from manufacturing errors)- European boot sizes are consistent in terms of length- where they vary "widely" is width and volume.
On the subject of Lundhags Nordic ski touring boots (I have both BC and XP models)-
Lundhags makes two different designs/lasts mated to both the BC and XP outsole-
the medium width and and moderate volume Guide BC/Abisku XP with the thinner wool removable liner;
the wide width and large volume Guide Expedition BC/Abisku Expedition XP with the thicker removable liner.
As such I have confirmed that the internal geometry of the BC/XP models are identical, and the liners and insoles are interchangeable (As are the liners for the Skare Expedition boot).
https://www.lundhags.com/en/footwear/me ... ate-boots/
What is interesting is that I still get an excellent fit in the wider and larger-volume Expedition last...I have worn the Skare Expedition boot for winter fieldwork for two season now and they have cupped and held my heel and ankles from the very start; and the leather has molded beautifully to the shape of my foot, ankle and calf. So despite how much room my forefoot and toes have- the Expedition still works for me! Highly recommended!
And the length of the Lundhags last is consistent with Alfa/Alpina/Crispi/Scarpa- a 42EU length is near identical in all of them. Where they differ is the other interior dimensions.
The upper of the lower-cut Lundhags design (e.g. Guide BC/Abisku XP) is quite large volume- such that the uppermost lace hooks on the shorter boot almost touch each other when fully laced up (my ankle is narrow). As such a 43EU in the lower-cut boot would not work for me due the upper lacing...So, the higher cut Expedition model actually gives me a better lacing fit due to my more meaty calf!
(I am trying to convince my local shop to stock Lundhags so that people can actually try these superb boots on in the shop.)