I do not recommend these shoes. I bought them, convinced that the Commander GTX is the best successor to the Haix BW 2005. However, the shoes are very tight around the toes (definitely too tight, even though I have a normal foot and weigh 70 kg at 180 cm tall). The soft tongue causes the foot to bend at the shin instead of at the ankle, and it is already apparent that even after several years of use in tough conditions, the shoe won’t break in the right places. These shoes are really specific, I have the impression that their design does not work at all in practice: 1. In general, they are very fitted, they hold the foot well, but almost too tightly, so instead of stability we get a "cemented" effect and it’s hard to expect that this will change over time. 2. The sole reminds me of youth shoes in a gothic style, which does not go well at all with the build and shape of men’s shoes. 3. The heel is high and narrow, so, combined with the profile of the shoe, you get the feeling of walking in heavy women’s shoes and it’s easy to lose balance forward. They are stable to the sides and back, which is a plus. 4. The bottom of the shoe does not fit the foot—not about the insole, but the bottom itself is rounded, so the foot bends unnaturally and there is no comfort even for a moment. 5. The tongue is sewn in too short, so water can get inside and that’s the end of the adventure—a big minus for GTX. Pros: 1. Good balance between weight, thickness, and durability—top shelf. 2. Great lacing hooks, like in the BW 2005. 3. Very good build quality. 4. These are not armoured, mega winter shoes—they are light, breathable, thin in places, but at the same time durable. I haven’t tested them in extreme frost, but they should manage. 5. They seem like a good solution for women. To sum up, I strongly advise against buying; in my opinion, this model is an unsuccessful design.
