Everything you say in immaterial.

All that matters is when the shoe is put on, does it die or not.

The only way to tell is by putting it on.

Two exact same shoes, identical in every way, can fit different.

As for custom made boots, the OP said he does not want to “break the bank” and by any definition that rules out bespoke.

As for your definition of fit, it is not just length and width as you speak, your needs to also consider last and arch.