Comments on: Black Diamond Method Boots & Kastle Skis — Do the Math for a Longer Season

By: ben

ben — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 07:58:22 +0000

I went with the Method. I’ve only skiied them once. They hike well and comfortably: Garmont boots fit me well, too. I got one run on powder (and a few miles of skin track) and am impressed with how stiff and responsive this boot is.
I also ski a Lange Fluid 120. The Methods are not much softer and considerably lighter than my setup. I haven’t skiied the Method on hard pack or bumps yet, hopefully never will.

By: Lou

Lou — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:14:47 +0000

ACC, it’s not so much a matter of style but of preference for a given “feel” as a good skier should be able to perform in similar fashion in either boot. If your previous boots were fairly beefy and stiff, then perhaps Factor. If your boots were not so radical, then perhaps Method.

If you are using these for a resort boot, perhaps Factor as after the repetitive vertical of resort skiing you sometimes need that extra bit of support when your feet tire.

One thing everyone has to remember about WildSnow is that our bias is for backcountry skiing that involves mostly human powered vertical. Thus, we tend to steer toward boots that do both up and down. That’s not stylish in some circles, but we is what we is.

By: acc

acc — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:24:34 +0000

Ah, the methods or the factors! I am looking at getting a new boot for this year and am beginning to get into backcountry. I have been resisting getting new boots up to this point, still skiing on my old Lange Banshee 8′s up to this year (they fit great)….but they are just worn out and it’s time.

Debating between the methods and factors. I am a little concerned the methods will be two soft for me. I am a pretty aggressive skiier…..can ski anything on the mountain…..but am not into dropping 30 footers, etc. Based on your comment above, what type of skiing style do you think requires the stiffest boot possible?

By: dave downing

dave downing — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:23:21 +0000

@ben — I didn’t have any resort days to ski bumps in the methods, but I wouldn’t hesitate to drop into steeplechase with them. In fact I plan on doing a little Method/Dynafit FT12 testing there this season

As for a direct comparo…the 2 boots are close, I felt like there was a noticeable difference going UP (a little more flex in the methods walk mode). But not as much an issue going down.

If you need the stiffest boot possible, based on your skiing style, then get Factors. If you want a little lighter, walk-friendly boot, go with Methods. Their both a great choice.

By: ben

ben — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 07:00:28 +0000

any word on comparing the factor and the method? is the factor significantly stiffer? how does the weigth difference feel? i wear a 30 so wonder what the real weight penalty is for the factor – 12 oz/pair difference size 28? could you ski bumps on the Method happily? sure, not ideal, but….