 Poster: A snowHead
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A friend of mine has suggested I consider switching from downhill ski boots to touring boots such as Scarpa as finds them more comfortable and easier to live with normal resort life. He explained benefits include ease of removing liners, grippy vibram sole and easier when walking to lifts and kids ski school etc. I have around 500 meter walk to the slopes. Currently use Nordica downhill boots flex rated around ~100 and strong skier - they shell is getting ropey (9yo) but replaced liners last year. Have no touring ambitions (yet) and wondering if I should consider switching and if any downsides?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Ozboy, obvious downside is binding compatibility - touring soles don't fit in many alpine bindings. Less of an issue if you have your own skis though you might have to get new bindings. If your skis have a system binding you may be very limited. The flex pattern may be an issue for you too, touring boots tend to be softer and less progressive (not all, but in general). They're built to do different things.
If you are only doing lift served skiing (on /off piste) I'd think you'd be better off with one of the many crossover boots - typically more alpine like but with a walk mode, and maybe a firewall/wtr rubber sole (but note binding compatibility issues again). There's a vast range of options now - alpine vs rockered sole, tech fittings (or not), biased to downhill/uphill, weight etc.
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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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For comfort and ease of walking use touring every time. An acquaintance of mine recently switched to full touring and was so impressed asked "why do they still make downhill boots" ......I couldn't answer that one!
Another friend who had to switch back to alpine for BASI training described a touring set up as "more relaxed", I think that sums it up nicely.
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@mgrolf, @Rogerdodger, Thanks for replying and highlighting potential binding compatibility issues. I live near pro-feet in London and will talk to them about my options including crossover boots.
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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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@Ozboy, Just ask them to talk through All-Mountain Boots. Good compromise without coming over to the Dark Side.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@panaga52, Could all-mountain boots be used for touring if required down the road?
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I found that freeride/touring boots usually feel about 20 (on the rating) less stiff than an equivalently rated race type boot. So you my want to up to a 110 or 120 boot to get the same power transmission for piste skiing.
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@Ozboy, Go the whole hog and try telemark... even comfier than touring boots 
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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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Thanks for replying and highlighting potential binding compatibility issues
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Invest in some Salomon Shift bindings & you can ski your touring boots in alpine mode, then have the option to tour in them when you want to get into that...
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@Ozboy, Any boot can be used for touring as long as it is compatible to the binding. Its just a question of comfort and weight. If you're an occasional tourer then All Mountain is a good compromise. Just remember that "All Mountain also means "Sh*t at everything". https://www.backcountry.com/explore/anatomy-of-an-alpine-ski-boot
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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+1 for looking at hike and ride boots (Profeet usually have a good selection and know their stuff). I'm about to buy my second pair after 7 years of good service. They're ok for short bits of touring (i.e. a decent compromise), and for longer tours I have proper touring boots which are much lighter and more flexible... but they're just not as secure as my hike and rides. I don't find that there's any compromise on the downhill. In fact my hike and ride boots are far better than the traditional downhill boots I had before, in every respect. (All properly consulted and professionally fitted before anyone asks!)
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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I’ve got Tecnica Zero G Guide Pro which fit both pin bindings and standard frame bindings.
Fabulous boots and yes they were professionally fitted.
Light, easy to walk in and grippier soles.
I’d never go back to standard boots. I’ve not noticed any problems with boot stiffness or power transmission either.
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I have both Alpine and touring. The only thing I would add is there is lessinsulation in touring boots, so beware cold feet in touring boots if you are skìing lift served.
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You know it makes sense.
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I have actually found my touring boots (Salomon and Atomic) way warmer than my (Lange) piste boots - so nor sure that is always true.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Here is what CEM (boot fitter) said on another thread today:
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| if you are not going ski touring don't buy a ski touring boot, you compromise fit and performance, sure they are a lot better than they were BUT there are limited models so limited fits |
Must say I am slightly puzzled why people are doing so much walking in their ski boots?
I mean sure I get it, if you can find a boot that performs as well AND you can comfortably walk around in, then why wouldn't you. But something doesn't quite add up.
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Poster: A snowHead
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I guess a lot depends on where you ski/where you stay.
Sure, go to the Portes du Soleil and stay in a ski in/ski out block in Avoriaz and you won't be walking far in ski boots.
On the other hand stay in one of the smaller hamlets/on the edge of Morzine and you could easilly be looking at a reasonable hike each morning and evening to and from the bus stop - or even the bus stop after the first couple of evenings till you work out the correct land mark to start shouting "Prochain arrêt s'il vous plaît!"  .
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@ski_boots_joe, article somewhat out of date and can’t say I agree with all of it. Not impressed.
@Ozboy, as discussed elsewhere, I switched from proper race boots (nominal 130 flex) to Technica Zero-G tour boots (nominal 130 flex) as I I̶i̶k̶e̶d̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶c̶o̶l̶o̶u̶r̶ had touring ambitions. (Probs done 20-25 outings on them now?)
If I wasn’t doing the uphill, I wouldn’t switch. I’m very pleased, they are very comfortable and I’m not sure they’re any softer than my race boots but it’s pretty clear they won’t last as long.
There are lots of current non race boots with e.g. walk modes that might help.
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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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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This is an old thread . Already switched last season to Tecnica Cochise for day to day skiing. I can say that after 30 days the outer shell is looking a bit worse for wear but do prefer the lighter weight and progressive flex when compared to the old speedmachines.
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