Lundhags Abisku Trial
Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2024 11:07 am
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.
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.
