Welcome to Louis (Lou) Dawson's backcountry skiing information & opinion website. Lou's passion for the past 50 years has been alpinism, climbing, mountaineering and skiing -- along with all manner of outdoor recreation. He has authored numerous books and articles about
ski touring and is well known as the first person to ski down all 54 of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks, otherwise known as the
Fourteeners! Books and free ski touring news and information here.
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I was told dynafit has trimmed down the fit of the shell a little since the earliest proto’s? anyone??
I’ll ask Hoji to be sure, but the early protos were just a Vulcan scaffo, or are you talking about the semi-early protos? (smile) I’m sitting next to a retail pair, and they don’t look any narrower than the ones I saw months ago. Lou
Xer, I added a comparo photo with a Vulcan. For what it’s worth. I would not call Hoji a narrow last, but like any boot I wouldn’t make too many assumptions until you actually bake a liner for your foot. Lou
Looking at the comparison to the old boot top down photo they appear tailor made to my foot shape, very much like my Solomon X-Max alpine boots.
Only they won’t be compatible with the Solomon Shift binding which for my needs puts them low on my seek out and try on list, a shame.
Any talk of a Salomon Shift binding compatible version of this boot?
…not im my size 🙁
Hi Lou, Clarification on the release. It’s only 50 pairs, not 500, that will be available this winter. Even more reason to get your “reservations” in early! Thanks for the hard work of testing – Pants down Always
What’s a “Cramp-in system?” Search of Dynafit website yields 0 results.
the industry type I talked to said the last had been changed which will fit more people whatever that might mean but it still sounds like it fits pretty big
Neonorchid It’s the Atomic Hawk XTD or Vulcan 😛
See, the Cramp-In is a little hole in the bottom of the boot that will fill with snow and ice and be the catalyst for cursing in the back country. IE a work around for not having the security of a full auto crampon since you can’t have them with the dumb sharknose. So instead you get to buy a proprietary crampon for a proprietary attachment system, OR just buy a semiauto crampon. Also Hoji didn’t want the shark nose…that was a Dynafit executive decision.
Neonorchid It’s the Atomic Hawk XTD or Vulcan 😛
See, the Cramp-In is a little hole in the bottom of the boot that will fill with snow and ice and be the catalyst for cursing in the back country. IE a work around for not having the security of a full auto crampon since you can’t have them with the dumb sharknose. So instead you get to buy a proprietary crampon for a proprietary attachment system, OR just buy a semiauto crampon. Also Hoji didn’t want the shark nose…that was a Dynafit executive decision.
Perhaps worth it if having the toe pivot point a few millimeters back is a big improvement. I’m skeptical, but anyone with experience care to comment?
Didn’t mean to sound like I was suggesting you don’t have experience. I was just interested about supposed advantages to shark nose.
This is my second season on the TLT7s and no I don’t think the shark nose is worth it. It may tour slightly better but that doesn’t outweigh the annoyance of not having auto crampon compatibility for me. And I don’t even use crampons that often. I tried Dynafit’s conversion kit thingy but it didn’t seem to fit my pons very well or be a huge improvement over semi-autos. I also think the standard toe welt is a little better for kicking steps in firm snow. I hope Dynafit just goes away from it.
Jeremy,
” I also think the standard toe welt is a little better for kicking steps in firm snow.”
Common sense, right?
soooo; considering the Vulcan shell/rear cuff was used as the foundation for external/internal add on mods to dial in the new ski/walk mode lever system…where can i buy the aftermarket mod kit for my present Vulcans? Lou; step by step d.i.y. blog post please. 🙂
I’m in trouble now…. it’s 50 boots to be sold NOT 500. But, I swear someone said 500… In any case, get ’em while they’re hot!