 Poster: A snowHead
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I'm looking for a new pair of touring boots this year. Actually, I've been looking for a few years, but this year, the Atomic range may be the game-changer which persuades me to open my wallet. I have fairly wide feet, with high arches, and I've had problems finding the right size/shape boot in the past. My criteria are tech bindings, light, and good downhill performance as well. I'm looking for a boot that will do everything - tour, off piste, and family piste skiing. The Backland seems to have made a major step forward.
Anyone had any experience of these? Is there much difference between the three boots in the range? Which of the three boots gives the best downhill performance?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Chamcham, we sell the backland and it has been flying out the door, if you are used to skiing in a centred stance rather than driving a stiff boot then the ski performance is great (and it is very light) the differences between the 3 models are the weight and stiffness
the standard backland is approx 90 flex , the carbon is approx 110 and the carbon light is back to nearer 90 (the carbon light is really aimed at the guy who is going up fast and not as bothered with the downhill but it still skis ok for a boot of it's type) IMO the best of the boots for actually skiing in was the carbon, but i am used to using a 130 flex boot
ad for fit, they are a 98mm shell but the shell is custom mouldable so can accommodate a wider foot (depends how wide you mean by fairly wide) the heel retention is very very good to the point where the liner sometimes tries to come out the boot with you when you take them off.
most important thing is that if you want to try a pair do it soon, we have pretty much sold through on the standard version and are down to single pairs of a size in most sizes of the carbon, there may be more stock available later in the season but everyone i talk to who sells it is saying they are having similar experiences with sales
hope that helps
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| CEM wrote: |
@Chamcham, we sell the backland and it has been flying out the door, if you are used to skiing in a centred stance rather than driving a stiff boot then the ski performance is great (and it is very light) the differences between the 3 models are the weight and stiffness
the standard backland is approx 90 flex , the carbon is approx 110 and the carbon light is back to nearer 90 (the carbon light is really aimed at the guy who is going up fast and not as bothered with the downhill but it still skis ok for a boot of it's type) IMO the best of the boots for actually skiing in was the carbon, but i am used to using a 130 flex boot
ad for fit, they are a 98mm shell but the shell is custom mouldable so can accommodate a wider foot (depends how wide you mean by fairly wide) the heel retention is very very good to the point where the liner sometimes tries to come out the boot with you when you take them off.
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If you're familiar with the Dynafit TLT 5 & 6 Performance how do the Carbon Backlands compare with fit, cuff angle, weight and downhill performance please?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@CEM, how does the Salomon version (MTN Lab or something?) compare? Lots of people have been raving about it; are they stiffer and more ski-orientated, or just a different colour and logo?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I hadn't seen these new 2016 Backland boots yet but they look and sound pretty cool.
I have similar fitting issues to you chamcham by the sounds of it and i have done my last 3 ski trips in the 2014 Atomic waymaker 110 Tour boot (which I am not sure but looks like the backland could be a replacement for) They have been epic. Great boot, very light, comfortable, great stiffness and all round on off piste capablility. The Free / Lock system works really well when needed and so if the Backland is anything like it, it would be my next choice. 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Mike Pow, not had a TLT on for a long time but backland is a little more generous form what i remember of the dynafit, downhill performance on the backland was ok (i am a big guy used to a 130 flex or stiffer race boot
@clarky999, different boot all together, more ski orientated but very pointy narrow toe box (might suit some feet but not mine) i could wear the backland without oo much work, the MTN lab would need a lot of work around the lateral side of the toe box to be close to comfortable, but it is all about the individual foot
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@CEM, thanks
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| clarky999 wrote: |
| @CEM, thanks |
+1 thanks
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@DrLawn, the idea of flex ratings were to give a "standardisation" across brands and models but it is far form perfect, the higher the number the stiffer the boot, but due to the way different plastics react at different temperatures and the differences in engineering of different boot types/models they all feel a little bit different
i think the key with this is to trust your fitter in terms of initial flex guidelines and then see what feels right to you, remember that ALL boots will get stiffer in the cold, generally i want to see someone bend a boot pretty easily in the store (without it collapsing) as when they get in the cold it will be stiffer, you do also have speed on your side when skiing which can help overcome some of the stiffness. for selecting a boot for a skier we look at 3 criteria first , foot shape, body weight, ability level then we tune that for what they want to be doing in terms of are they racing or skiing off piste or just teaching and want something a little more relaxed
we then have to deal with perception of flex verses ability, you will bend a much stiffer boot IF a) it fits you and b) you have good technique, skiers saying they are experts who stand and don't bend a sft flexing mens boot get found out very quickly in our shop  i recently had an "expert" in the store who was changing his boots only because a mouse had chewed the liner, the boot he was in was 2 sizes bigger than he measured salomon mission 5 (the boot used in the chain stores "buy don't rent package" normally skis, bindings, boots, poles and a bag for sub £300 ) i will never understand how he hadn't qualified for the national team with the way he was going on 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I just popped out for a day, and loads of people have posted! @CEM, Helpful summary, thanks. I think I'm gonna have to try these on
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FAQ
