45NRTH released information on a new, “transitional season” boot that supplants their earlier Fasterkatt offering, and is dubbed the Japanther. As with most 45NRTH model names, the Japanther boot’s name is also the name of a band. But beyond the name, this boot is a totally new offering that addresses many of the complaints aimed at the Fasterkatt’s design. The zipper comes across the foot, for example, and there is an ankle strap which is adjustable for differing sized ankles, which the Fasterkatt lacked.
I got these and two facts emerged after trying them for a while: 1) They are very well made, if a bit large and clunky. 2) The ankle area is way, way, way too tight. Seriously, and i am a skinny guy. So tight that it's very difficult to close the zipper, and your ankles may be rubbed raw and bleed within a short time. This is a serious design flaw. I lodged a large (tourney size) croquet ball in there for a few months with the zipper closed over it to make it stretch and now it is minimally usable.
