– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures

– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog

Banner
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures
   

Stunning New BD Boot Line Could Upset the Industry

by Lou Dawson January 4, 2008
written by Lou Dawson January 4, 2008

Had a nice ski tour in Austria today, but before talking about that and more Dynafit stuff I have to slip in some info about the new Black Diamond boot line that just went public.

Pictured below are a few of BD’s new AT boots. Interestingly, each AT boot (more than those pictured) has the option for AT rockered sole blocks with “tech” inserts that accept Dynafit bindings (these are attached with a sliding, four-screw system) or alpine blocks with no-slip soles, which are alpine DIN.

What is wild about all this is that I just got a look at the new Dynafit freeride boot, and it too has a nicely engineered removable sole system, of which one configuration provides the Dynafit fittings. Great minds think alike?

Also interesting is that the older style (without lead-in notch) Dynafit boot fittings went out of patent, so now BD can have their own fittings made and installed, so long as they call them “tech.”

We’ll of course be interested if these non OEM Dynafit fittings work as well as the OEM from Dynafit. An engineer friend tells me there is no good reason they won’t, but the analysis of metal hardness and dimensions has to be taken to a good level to have that happen.

In the end, we see the new BD boot line as an incredibly positive development for consumers. We hope that by having boots made in the far east instead of Europe, BD will have prices that are less stratospheric than the type of Euro exchange rate boot MSRPs we’ve been seeing. More, it can’t hurt for boot makers to get into a feature war. All that said, I’ll be surprised if any of the BD boots have the performance/weight ratio of the Dynafit Green Machine. But I’d say that’s something to watch for.

Black Diamond Verdict backcountry ski

Black Diamond Verdict backcountry ski

BD sent me a PDF of the new boots, but it’s too huge for web publication.

7 comments
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
previous post
Unless You are Viewing This on WildSnow.com, the Website You’re Looking at is a Criminal Endeavor
next post
Austria – First Tour

7 comments

Clark January 4, 2008 - 3:08 pm

Lou – forget the BD boot talk, we want some of that Austria tour stoke! 😉

Lou January 4, 2008 - 3:09 pm

It’s coming!!!!!

Tom G January 4, 2008 - 4:36 pm

Wow, it’s cool to finally see these after so much hype. These certainly don’t appear to be super light weight, and I have to think that all the plastic and fasteners necessary to incorporate swapable soles adds weight too. So I’m with Lou in my intial reaction that they can’t possibly be as light as the Zzero. But the scale will tell the truth. I also have to wonder how well the overlap design will tour, although I’m sure it will ski better than the external tounge style boots. And, as an engineer, I’m certain that they won’t have trouble making “Tech” fittings that work flawlessly with the Dynafit binding – if the exercise some care. All that said, I have to think that an alpine style boot with some tour function and swapable Dynafit compatible soles will only make the Dynafit binding more popular. I have to admit I’m not thrilled about products made in China as their social and environmental track record is less than stellar. So, I’ll probably be willing to pay an extra $100 for a boot from Euroland (although the Euros haven’t always had the best track record either!). But that’s me, and I’m sure there are lots of people for who the cost savings will be significant, nothing wrong with that. I’m sure BD won’t undercut the Euro prices any more than they have to in order to garner market share.

And, like Clark said, lets see and read about the goods in Austria!

Tony January 4, 2008 - 6:37 pm

Lou, do you know how the foam in the liners of the new BD boots compares to that found in the two different kinds you reviewed earlier? BD calls their foam “proprietary”, but I am wondering if they get it from one of the two foam makers you mentioned earlier.

Lou January 5, 2008 - 10:44 am

I do wonder if it’s truly unique. No idea at this point, but when I’m back and have test samples, the WildSnow modshop will kick the foam’s proverbial rear end and see it it’s got the stuff of good liner material!

At this point, please realize all I have for info is the PR.

Rich M January 6, 2008 - 10:48 am

All comments well taken. Nice to have an Americian company in the game

scottyb January 7, 2008 - 7:25 am

Hi Lou. Got a couple questions for ya. These new boots are interesting but they will not be availible till next year? I have been looking hard at an AT setup for this year and its really difficult to choose. I was looking at the Scarpa F3 but got to thinking I already have T2s that I tele with several sets of boards.

What I have foucused my attention on for boots are the Spirit 4 and the Mega ride. I have read some of what is written here and other site about both but would like a non salesperson account of the pro/con of both. I feel that to round out my quiver I should get a burly boot that I can still tour as I don’t want to give up that option.

My ski picks are the K2 Mt. Baker SL or the Volkl Snow Wolf and the Dynafit TLT SL binder. Will the Mega Ride boot be enough the drive this combo or should I go the Spirit 4 route?

Comments are closed.

Recent Comments

  • Jon Canuck on Meidjo 3.0 Binding Review – Backcountry Telemark Evolves
  • Joe Sedy on Giving Myself the Gift of Backcountry
  • Bil Brandt on Versatile and Sustainable — WNDR Vital 100 Ski Review
  • Idaho Dawg on Giving Myself the Gift of Backcountry
  • Mike on Versatile and Sustainable — WNDR Vital 100 Ski Review

Gear Reviews

  • Meidjo 3.0 Binding Review – Backcountry Telemark Evolves

    January 12, 2021
  • Tele Tech First Look — Voile Ultra Vector BC, 22 Designs Lynx, Scarpa TX Pro

    January 5, 2021
  • Petzl Irvis Hybrid Crampon Review

    January 4, 2021

Trip Reports

  • Finding Early Turns on Rainier’s Muir Snowfield

    November 14, 2020
  • Treading Lightly Through Close-to-Home Mountains

    October 6, 2020
  • Snoqualmie Classic — Chair Peak Circumnavigation

    May 26, 2020

Totally Deep Podcast

  • Risky Business — Zahan Billimoria on Solving for Z

    December 14, 2020
  • Totally Deep Podcast 81 — CAIC Director Ethan Greene

    December 9, 2020
  • Unraveling the Mysteries of Avalanche Education — Totally Deep Podcast 80

    November 16, 2020

Tips & Tricks

  • 10 Essential Mistakes for the Backcountry Ski Touring Beginner

    December 2, 2020
  • Buying Used Gear Guide Part II — Poles, Avy Gear, Packs

    November 25, 2020
  • Save Your Ski Day — Emergency Car Kit Essentials

    November 24, 2020

Ski Touring Stories

  • Six Who Dared — Elk Mountains Traverse & Richard Compton Tribute

    January 7, 2021
  • Risky Business — Zahan Billimoria on Solving for Z

    December 14, 2020
  • A Lifetime of Skiing the Heights — Natural Progression Book Review

    December 11, 2020

Newsletter Sign-Up

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • About Lou Dawson
  • Authors Page
  • About
  • Contact
  • Copyright & Legal
  • Website Security

@2020 - All Rights Reserved. Designed and Developed by WildSnow


Back To Top

Read alsox

Farewell 2020 Ski Touring News Roundup

December 28, 2020

For the Love of Spandex —...

December 16, 2020

Ski Touring News — Gear Shortages,...

November 20, 2020