In case this helps anyone, I went on a boot ordering/fitting trial spree with Crispi and Scarpa in search of my next go-to boot other than the Lowa Tibet (size 15). Context for other bigfoots, Kenetrek size chart puts me at a 15.5-16 for reference, and their ME’a in 16 have ample (too much) room/width/length after they stretch, would try a 15 Narrow Kenetrek if I had to go that route. Apparently my foot isn’t narrow, but thin(ish)/ low volume. Wear a size 15-16 depending on brand, D width.
Crispi Briksdal MTN - Size 15, wanted to love it, fit was good, light and tough seeming, more flexible than what I’m used to but that’s ok and has its benefits at times… except, for my foot there’s too much fabric/material on the inside half of upper just in front of the ankle, so when bending knees/ankles articulate (toes closer to shins) the material would fold over/start to make a wave that pinched the hell out of the middle of my instep/side of forefoot. Otherwise excellent, but that killed it for me.
Crispi Nevada Legend -Size 15, a little shorter in length than Briksdal, wider forefoot almost sloppy but the main killer was the tongue/lacing was flimsy enough/forefoot sloppy enough I couldn’t lace them tight enough to get any stability or prevent my foot sliding forward to jam into the front when simulating descent. Also, odd little ‘ledge’ in front of my heal, but super feet would fix that.
Scarpa Charmoz HD - Size 50 EU, Wanted these to work the most for a mountain/sheep boot that can dry fast even if they’re a little abusive during break in. They are stiff/rigid as advertised but when people say they are narrow/smaller last for size they aren’t kidding. Foot fits in them, but is up against the end of the boot, every toe, and tight all the way around before lacing. Shame, not for me, I’d say I’d need a EU 51W or EU 52 for them to work. Slightly shorter in length than the Schnee’s Granites (15M) I picked up last year that are just too short/narrow for any real use/long hikes, similar width/general fit, and slightly stiffer in feel. (By the way if anyone wants a good deal on the Schnee’s Granite let me know, killer mountain boot I just can’t get them big enough for me)
Scarpa Manta Tech GTX - Size 50EU, now there’s a good fitting boot! Maybe slightly longer than my Lowa Tibets, similar width, maybe slightly more snug in the midfoot on the sides, less lacing pressure required to keep heal planted when new. Just wide enough up front I can splay my toes a bit and wiggle them, seems like an excellent insole (so far) except maybe a tiny bit of focused heel pressure on the bottom but again, if that becomes a bigger deal, super feet will fix. They seem bomber tough, and as advertised are quite stiff, 80% ski boot sole stiffness, probably won’t like them as much as Tibet if walking flat hard ground for a long time, but maybe the same after they break/wear in a bit. First impressions are very positive in terms of fit as someone who has only ever really liked the fit of the Tibet long term. Warmer than Tibet as they have 200 gr insulation which would have been nice on last years November Kodiak bear hunt sitting in the wet/snow for hours watching a bear play peek a boo with us while the wind ripped in between climbing up/across steep rugged stuff. I do like how the insulation and padding offers support without have to crank laces down really hard but doesn’t seem to limit ankle articulation as much as I was concerned it might.
Anyway, these are the findings of my expensive quest so far (shipping to AK can be brutal) hope it helps any other fellow bigfoot out there that’s trying to get an idea what to buy at the top of size scale offered by most all boot companies.
