So I ordered some Meindl comfort hikers, Hanwag Banks SF Extra, and Hanwag Ancash GTX in the SF Extra last. They all fit similarly in the foot (roomy in the front). The Meindl’s had a weird pinch point around my inside ankle bone that I can’t explain. I’m going with the Banks and returning the Ancash. Both fit awesome, but I wanted lighter weight, but now I know about the Ancash if I need a more substantial boot down the road.
The Straight Fit Extra last is awesome for me. Not Altra (old Altra) or Topo wide in the forefoot, but definitely wider than other boots I’ve tried, including the Crispi Thor. What I liked most was that the heel didn’t feel sloppy, and the lacing really locked my heel in despite the wide forefoot.
Drawbacks of the Banks seem to be stitched lacing on the boot lowers (always seems to be where they eventually leak), no toe rand, and a more flexible sole than some would like. Not terrible in my opinion because I like to have some feel, but definitely not the Crispi Thor’s in that regard
Positives for both Hanwags in that last is that my toes had room to splay, the tow box height had vertical space to wiggle toes up an down (don’t have that toe box height in the Thors), and heels didn’t feel sloppy and locked in well with lacing.
If you’re looking for a wider forefoot, I’d give the straight fit extra lasts from Hanwag a try. Not many reviews on them so I wanted to share. First boots of many that I’ve tried on in a while that felt awesome as soon as I stepped into them. I did size up a half size from what I’d normally wear for boots.
