Comments on: We’ve Gone Insane — Ski Boot Casting http://www.wildsnow.com/1532/backcountry-ski-boot-size/ Backcountry Skiing Weblog Blog, FAQs, more, links and info about randonnee, telemark and backcountry ski mountaineering. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:48:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Lou http://www.wildsnow.com/1532/backcountry-ski-boot-size/comment-page-1/#comment-29424 Lou Thu, 18 Nov 2010 13:25:20 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=1532#comment-29424 Dan, all the AT boots are more similar than they are different. The manufacturers blow in the wind of what they think the latest trends are. For a few years there, they went all-out competing to see who could make the alpine boot that toured. That was good, as certain folks need that (those who ski hard, or just are not good enough skiers to use a softer boot and still enjoy it). Now the pendulum of marketing and design has swung to the lightweight side. The easiest way to make a lighter boot is to, yes, make it lower volume and eliminate things like buckles and cuff canting rivets. So you'll see more of that. But to the boot maker's credit they are innovating like crazy to see who can come up with light boots that still ski and have the features we need. I think Black Diamond really stirred things up when they created a whole boot line practically out of thin air, and had them made in the far east, as compared to companies that have been trudging along with incremental innovation for decades and sometimes seemed to be stuck in the same design paradigm. That has definitely changed! So good on ALL the boot makers now for getting on the case (though the plastic ski boot is still basically the same thing it was more than 40 years ago, and that's getting a bit tiresome.) At any rate, now is the best time in history for AT boot shoppers to find the exact boot for their needs, so don't despair! Instead, yes, go to a boot fitter and get clear on all your doubts. Try Larry: http://www.larrybootfitting.com/ Dan, all the AT boots are more similar than they are different.

The manufacturers blow in the wind of what they think the latest trends are. For a few years there, they went all-out competing to see who could make the alpine boot that toured. That was good, as certain folks need that (those who ski hard, or just are not good enough skiers to use a softer boot and still enjoy it).

Now the pendulum of marketing and design has swung to the lightweight side. The easiest way to make a lighter boot is to, yes, make it lower volume and eliminate things like buckles and cuff canting rivets. So you’ll see more of that. But to the boot maker’s credit they are innovating like crazy to see who can come up with light boots that still ski and have the features we need.

I think Black Diamond really stirred things up when they created a whole boot line practically out of thin air, and had them made in the far east, as compared to companies that have been trudging along with incremental innovation for decades and sometimes seemed to be stuck in the same design paradigm. That has definitely changed! So good on ALL the boot makers now for getting on the case (though the plastic ski boot is still basically the same thing it was more than 40 years ago, and that’s getting a bit tiresome.)

At any rate, now is the best time in history for AT boot shoppers to find the exact boot for their needs, so don’t despair!

Instead, yes, go to a boot fitter and get clear on all your doubts. Try Larry:
http://www.larrybootfitting.com/

]]> By: Dan http://www.wildsnow.com/1532/backcountry-ski-boot-size/comment-page-1/#comment-29420 Dan Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:31:51 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=1532#comment-29420 Hi Lou and company, This is an outstanding effort! Been using your site for all sorts of invaluable info, including this. I've been holding out on AT boots for awhile now. I've had a discount pair of Alpine boots that work fine in my Duke bindings on my 09/10 BD Zealots. The extra weight and hiking discomfort hasn't yet been enough for me to spend $700 on boots I haven't been wowed by yet, or am not sure of what will happen when they break in, and not sure how they'll perform on the hill. I've read the stereotypes of all the brands, tried on models available from many of the brands. REI folks werent' much help on characterizing my foot. I think I have a foot that runs narrow, low volume, and has a moderate arch. Whether that's correct or not remains to be verified. I do know in my track and field days (10 years ago), several miles on Nike running shoes always resulted in burning arches, but Adidas felt amazing when I switched over. Anyways, comparing stereotypes, I figured Garmonts would fit best, and Scarpa the worst. I tried both (Adrenaline, Megaride, Spirit 3, 4, plus Dynafit Zzero 4 U TF, Black Diamond Factor and Megaride). Surprisingly, I thought the Scarpas felt better out of the box (tied with Dynafits), the BD's both seemed to feel the best, with the Garmonts taking last. Being confused, plus overwhelmed with advertised performance levels (flex index) of all, I gave up, and resorted back to hiking in my Alpine boots for last year. It's been mostly extended side country, but now I'm looking into Avy classes, and giving up lifts altogether. Boot deals on last years models sparked interest on them agian, but now the boot companies are all coming out with lighter but stiffer versions (ultimate boots). With what you've seen so far does that mean brands like Scarpa are changing their lasts to smaller volume? Rather than trying to guess, I really just need to find a high quality boot fitter who can steer me in the right direction for starting off. I'd love to drive the 5 hours out to Aspen to visit the fitters you speak of out there, but can you recommend any high quality boot fitters in around Denver, or along front range? After I get the fit/brand figured out, I'll need to choose the proper flex for my Duke/Zealot setup. I've always thought stiffer = better (therefore Factor, Titan, and Mobe/Hurricane), but some speak of progressive flex, and using softer boots to lever the skis in steep chutes, deep snow, etc. Can you explain this? Also, as a side note, can you recommend first rate sources for Avy I within CO and/or WY? What credentials should they have? Thanks for your time! Hi Lou and company, This is an outstanding effort! Been using your site for all sorts of invaluable info, including this. I’ve been holding out on AT boots for awhile now. I’ve had a discount pair of Alpine boots that work fine in my Duke bindings on my 09/10 BD Zealots. The extra weight and hiking discomfort hasn’t yet been enough for me to spend $700 on boots I haven’t been wowed by yet, or am not sure of what will happen when they break in, and not sure how they’ll perform on the hill. I’ve read the stereotypes of all the brands, tried on models available from many of the brands. REI folks werent’ much help on characterizing my foot. I think I have a foot that runs narrow, low volume, and has a moderate arch. Whether that’s correct or not remains to be verified. I do know in my track and field days (10 years ago), several miles on Nike running shoes always resulted in burning arches, but Adidas felt amazing when I switched over. Anyways, comparing stereotypes, I figured Garmonts would fit best, and Scarpa the worst. I tried both (Adrenaline, Megaride, Spirit 3, 4, plus Dynafit Zzero 4 U TF, Black Diamond Factor and Megaride). Surprisingly, I thought the Scarpas felt better out of the box (tied with Dynafits), the BD’s both seemed to feel the best, with the Garmonts taking last. Being confused, plus overwhelmed with advertised performance levels (flex index) of all, I gave up, and resorted back to hiking in my Alpine boots for last year. It’s been mostly extended side country, but now I’m looking into Avy classes, and giving up lifts altogether. Boot deals on last years models sparked interest on them agian, but now the boot companies are all coming out with lighter but stiffer versions (ultimate boots). With what you’ve seen so far does that mean brands like Scarpa are changing their lasts to smaller volume? Rather than trying to guess, I really just need to find a high quality boot fitter who can steer me in the right direction for starting off. I’d love to drive the 5 hours out to Aspen to visit the fitters you speak of out there, but can you recommend any high quality boot fitters in around Denver, or along front range?

After I get the fit/brand figured out, I’ll need to choose the proper flex for my Duke/Zealot setup. I’ve always thought stiffer = better (therefore Factor, Titan, and Mobe/Hurricane), but some speak of progressive flex, and using softer boots to lever the skis in steep chutes, deep snow, etc. Can you explain this?

Also, as a side note, can you recommend first rate sources for Avy I within CO and/or WY? What credentials should they have?

Thanks for your time!

]]> By: Lou http://www.wildsnow.com/1532/backcountry-ski-boot-size/comment-page-1/#comment-29318 Lou Mon, 15 Nov 2010 13:57:31 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=1532#comment-29318 Mark, apologies, but that project has been going slower than I like. I seem to have overextended myself over the past year, and had to put some things off. I do enjoy doing it, however, so I'll pick it up as soon as possible. One thing to note is that my impression was that most boots are quite similar, and that much of what people experience in fit variations is caused by the liner, thickness of footbed, etc. Lesson is to, yes, find the best shell. But work that liner and footbed! Mark, apologies, but that project has been going slower than I like. I seem to have overextended myself over the past year, and had to put some things off. I do enjoy doing it, however, so I’ll pick it up as soon as possible. One thing to note is that my impression was that most boots are quite similar, and that much of what people experience in fit variations is caused by the liner, thickness of footbed, etc. Lesson is to, yes, find the best shell. But work that liner and footbed!

]]> By: Mark Rogers http://www.wildsnow.com/1532/backcountry-ski-boot-size/comment-page-1/#comment-29316 Mark Rogers Mon, 15 Nov 2010 04:28:12 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=1532#comment-29316 Bump...How's this project coming along? I have feet like Rene Paup's so I have a lot of trouble finding boots that fit too. Bump…How’s this project coming along? I have feet like Rene Paup’s so I have a lot of trouble finding boots that fit too.

]]> By: Rene Paup http://www.wildsnow.com/1532/backcountry-ski-boot-size/comment-page-1/#comment-13140 Rene Paup Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:49:10 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=1532#comment-13140 Glad someone is doing something about this. My needs are width across the forefoot,i.e. across the big ball, the height of the arch, (I have high arches) and the width of the heel, (I have narrow heels). Lang changed their last and they no longer can be fit to my foot. Glad someone is doing something about this. My needs are width across the forefoot,i.e. across the big ball, the height of the arch, (I have high arches) and the width of the heel, (I have narrow heels). Lang changed their last and they no longer can be fit to my foot.

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