Seeking vintage leather wisdom- help me choose between these boots.

[Larabelly]

I have the BRE and find them roomy in the forefoot and even sized down from my normal boot size to take up some volume. Even sized down I still double sock for a snug fit. For reference Scarpa hiking boots fit me well; the Alaska XP boots I tried were too narrow in the forefoot but too wide in the heel; and normal sized (not the wide) Alico Ski Marches fit good and snug. I also just received a pair of used Crispi Antarctics and initial impression is that the BRE has a more generous forefoot and overall fit.

[fisheater]

To the original poster I would go for the Andrew or the Ludhags boots, solely because they look to be in better shape based upon the photos. If I had to choose between the two, I would pick the Andrew, only because the inside of the Ludhags looked a bit worn. Of course there was no interior photo of the Andrew.
It was only a couple years ago that I saw that model of the Andrew boot being sold new from a shop in Australia.

[JB TELE]

I have the BRE and find them roomy in the forefoot and even sized down from my normal boot size to take up some volume. Even sized down I still double sock for a snug fit. For reference Scarpa hiking boots fit me well; the Alaska XP boots I tried were too narrow in the forefoot but too wide in the heel; and normal sized (not the wide) Alico Ski Marches fit good and snug. I also just received a pair of used Crispi Antarctics and initial impression is that the BRE has a more generous forefoot and overall fit.

Thanks for the input. Maybe I'll order them and give them a try. Paying for return shipping to aspinockwoods isn't too bad in the context of importing a bunch of mystery boots from Europe.

I work in an outdoor gear that has some serious boot stretching equipment, so I could probably stretch the toe box out a bit as long as it doesn't have a super stiff toe cap that extends far back.

Is the BRE similar to the Antarctic other than fit and the goretex liner?

[greatgt]

With Fish, Andrews are a fine leather boot. Like everything Tele have destroyed all Tele gear no matter who made it. Right now, have two Asolo snowfield and a Merril totally flexible wisp of a leather boot. Being so old will probably not be able to destroy them but will continue to work on it. Leather how can anyone not have them and not do the deed in them. There is finesse and power. Go with the flow and Tele in the clouds. TM

[JB TELE]

I just received a couple pairs of crispi bres in the mail. They are quite accommodating in width and instep volume. A secure forefoot fit without crushing any part of my foot, which is what I like. They are surprisingly super comfortable out of the box. The toe cap isn't super stiff and doesn't extend really far back like some other boots, which I also like.

I appear to be right in between the 40 and 41 that I ordered. I'm going to have to experiment with different socks combos and figure that out.

[mca80]

I just received a couple pairs of crispi bres in the mail. They are quite accommodating in width and instep volume. A secure forefoot fit without crushing any part of my foot, which is what I like. They are surprisingly super comfortable out of the box. The toe cap isn't super stiff and doesn't extend really far back like some other boots, which I also like.

I appear to be right in between the 40 and 41 that I ordered. I'm going to have to experiment with different socks combos and figure that out.

For reference can you say what you wear in other boots, both ski and hiking, in case I missed an earlier post? I plan on ordering these as well sometime soon and was planning on 40 but not sure. Most other shoes/boots/sandals indicate I am a 40/7.5 mens US, but I have wide forefoot so sometimes I go up a size, which is hit or miss because I do not want extra space elsewhere.

[metamorphosis108]

I just received a couple pairs of crispi bres in the mail. They are quite accommodating in width and instep volume. A secure forefoot fit without crushing any part of my foot, which is what I like. They are surprisingly super comfortable out of the box. The toe cap isn't super stiff and doesn't extend really far back like some other boots, which I also like.

I appear to be right in between the 40 and 41 that I ordered. I'm going to have to experiment with different socks combos and figure that out.

For reference can you say what you wear in other boots, both ski and hiking, in case I missed an earlier post? I plan on ordering these as well sometime soon and was planning on 40 but not sure. Most other shoes/boots/sandals indicate I am a 40/7.5 mens US, but I have wide forefoot so sometimes I go up a size, which is hit or miss because I do not want extra space elsewhere.

I wear 45 in Alpina Alaska and Fischer boots (which is also my regular shoe size), but had to size down to 44 in Crispi Bre. If I was wearing a single layer socks and did not replace the insole with Super Feet one, I could fit into 43. To echo JB TELE, they are extremely comfortable out of the box!

[metamorphosis108]

I know that crispi still makes old school welted boots, but I've heard they fit narrow?

I wonder how the Crispi Bre, the welted boot they still make, compares to the Svartisen. The Bre if similar will be next for me.

I had the Crispi Bre and liked them a lot. They were beautifully made, very comfortable for touring and fit me like slippers. I didnt find them much more supportive than good NNN-BC boots however. Someone on the forum here hates them, a search may help you find the information.
I don't have them anymore as I switched to Xplore.

I am trying to figure out if Crispi Bre paired with Rottefella ST w/cable mounted on the 20 mm Voile riser (to lock the ST cable behind the heel piece for touring) would be a good setup for Madshus M78. What skis were you on with the Bre? I am mostly planning to take this setup over rolling terrains in the North East (nothing steep).

[CwmRaider]

I am trying to figure out if Crispi Bre paired with Rottefella ST w/cable mounted on the 20 mm Voile riser (to lock the ST cable behind the heel piece for touring) would be a good setup for Madshus M78. What skis were you on with the Bre? I am mostly planning to take this setup over rolling terrains in the North East (nothing steep).
[/quote ]

Are you very heavy? I think the Bre are great touring boots. I used them with Åsnes Nansen, Sverdrup and Combat Nato.
Whether you will have fun in M78 may depend on the snow conditions. That's a pretty wide ski.

[metamorphosis108]

I am trying to figure out if Crispi Bre paired with Rottefella ST w/cable mounted on the 20 mm Voile riser (to lock the ST cable behind the heel piece for touring) would be a good setup for Madshus M78. What skis were you on with the Bre? I am mostly planning to take this setup over rolling terrains in the North East (nothing steep).
[/quote ]

Are you very heavy? I think the Bre are great touring boots. I used them with Åsnes Nansen, Sverdrup and Combat Nato.
Whether you will have fun in M78 may depend on the snow conditions. That's a pretty wide ski.

I am 145 lb (without a pack). It seems like I may end of wearing the Bre with a Traverse 78 and get a pair of T4 for the M78.