Comments on: Garmont Radium Backcountry Skiing Boots – OR Part 3

By: Lou

Lou — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 14:17:26 +0000

If you have a wider foot and high arch, don’t overlook Scarpa. Also, Garmont as well.

As for the Zzeus, sounds like you were simply a victim of what’s called the “phantom last,” meaning the imaginary Italian guy they build all ski boots (other than Black Diamond) to fit out of the box. In other words, evaluating fit by renting unmolded boots sounds crazy to me, that is unless you’re the twin of the phantom Italian and have his feet.

Find a shop that’ll mold some liners for you so you can actually try the boots with them fitted to your feet. Explain to the shop that you’re serious about purchasing so they don’t think you’re a tire kicker who’s going to figure out his fit then buy online.

By: Devon

Devon — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 10:05:29 +0000

I’m just about the embark on searching for the perfect AT boot tomorrow. I am a bit worried after renting ZZeus’ a month ago, which left me clutching my bare heel in pain on the summit of Diamond Peak in Lassen. The boots felt fine in the store, so the pain my my heel came as a surprise. Granted the rentals were brand new with unmolded liners, but it is an experience I wish to not repeat. The Radiums seem like a good alternative choice for a similar characteristic boot, and I guess we will see about the fit. Lou, do you have any suggestions for me as I start the hunt? Overall, I have wide-ish feet, but not that abnormal, and a high instep. In bounds, I use Tecnica Diablo Flames that fit extremely well without any modifications. Thanks!

By: Lou

Lou — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 00:04:43 +0000

Back from a weekend of powder fun that for some reason didn’t include internet (grin).

Ursu, if you don’t make long tours, and want an alpine boot feel, yes, Endorphin is what you’d want to be considering.

By: neonorchid

neonorchid — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 22:09:50 +0000

Ursu’, until Lou chimes in i’ll tell you i had the same concerns. I had a perfect fit out of the box with my size 25.5 Nordica Speedmachine 110 Alpine boots without any pressure points so never bothered to have their moldable liners cooked. I haven’t used them enough to notice any stretching.
I did a search here to figure out what to do about cooking my size 26 BD Prime AT boots. The shell has a great toe shape but the liner doesn’t fit my big toe, at the same time my toes are at the front of the 26′s liner. The verdict is still out on those as i haven’t put together all of my AT gear to use them nor have i been at the right place during and shortly after our nor’easter storms to use them. However from what i’ve read i think there is some risk of inadvertently loosening up the ankle area etc when only trying for a better fitting toe box. Seems a good boot fitter can be indispensable.

By: Ursu'

Ursu' — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 19:03:22 +0000

I am a bit stuck in taking a decision… Radium vs. Endorphin. Tried them both (not on skies though ) but it is rather tricky to take a decision. On one side I see the light, incredible easiness in handling Radium, a new concept from Garmont. Endorphin gives a safer feeling , in some sense perhaps a more robust boot?! Nevertheless, there is construction difference between these two. I am always thinking that it is best to make a choice focusing on the main use, in my case I do not make super long tours, but rather climb for my downhill turns. Any views on these two boots?

P.S.: regarding the length and molding of the inner boot, the shop scale says 26~26.5 for my foot, but I feel good in 27 (in 26.5 my toes really get the pressure). I am a bit worried that after molding they will get too big, the shop guys say they might get 1cm in length? I definitely dot not want to have them too loose, as anyway in time this will happen. Are there any risks in oven treatment? Or if the boot fits nicely (even that a brand new boot brings some pressure) one should use it without molding?