Apex / Dahu Ski Boots - any experiences?

A snowHead

Hi all,

It's coming to the time to replace my well loved and long serving Salomon FX 10 (I think that's the model number) ski boots, which I bought with custom footbeds around 7 years ago. Although they have been spectacularly comfortable with being used approx. 3 trips per season for the last 7 years.the buckles have started to go and probably the right time to replace them.

I have read a lot on here about specialist boot fitters like solutions 4 feet and Profeet etc, and am pretty much set on visiting one of them for my next purchase just to make absolutely sure they are as comfortable as possible and last another 7 years. I have pretty normal feet (standard neutral running gait for example, so don't have any weird requirements), but just want to ensure I spend my £500 wisely!

However I have also read a small amount about the new Apex / Dahu systems which look to incorporate an outer stiff shell with a snowboard style inner boot for more comfort walking around etc.

I'm wondering of they offer anywhere near the control as a traditional shell ski boot? Are there any performance compromises to be made? Is the new system worth the outlay in terms of convenience for walking? Just any general opinions as to whether these systems will take on or not? Any opinions welcome.

Also on the professional boot fitters mentioned above (if I decide on traditional boots), does anyone know of a similar outfit in the North? I live near Manchester....happy to travel to London/Bicester to get it right, but obviously anywhere nearer would be a bonus.

Thanks Neil.

A snowHead

May I politely bump this, if there's no experience of the new systems, does anyone have a view on standard boot fitters in the north west? I'm probably going to organise a visit to solutions for feet in Bicester otherwise, thanks, Neil.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

@neilkav, I tried the Dahu boots a couple of years ago. They were comfortable and much better than I had expected. They are certainly convenient and, whilst they will never make it on the race circuit, they are surprisingly capable. Probably better for dancing on tables, too 😃
They have sold a lot to race trainers who spend time standing around and clip on the outers just for moving around the mountain.

If you get the chance, try some. You may be pleasantly surprised.

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Hmmm sounds like maybe an option...cheers

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

hi, my whole family have been on Dahu for 2 years now, (my friends since last year 4 mates), I was skiing an head raptors before great for ripping the slope but hard work by lunch time , I tried the dahu via some friends that live in cortina, and I sold straight away, I drive to the slope with them on, never get cold feet, you won't be racing in these things but for everyday skiing they are unbeatable!! they ski exactly like a traditional boot, ive went for the harder flex but Ive tried the medium and they are not at all floppy or soft!!
Down side .......direct from Dahu site they cost a massive €744!!!!!!!! that said i have a good contact and managed to get mine for €500.....in my opinion over 15 years skiing in the Alpes an the US the best money spent to date!!

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I tried that last year both, i felt not in control with them , i really wanted to like them, i might try there newer model again this year.

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I demoed the Apex. Frikkin awful. Worst alignment issues I've ever had, heavy as Motorhead, actually cramped my feet, Bsl like a oil tanker.

Wanted to like them but ultimately unskiable.

After all it is free

Just bought the DAHU boots. Will be trying them next week.
Bought for £450 from the UK distributor www.skee-tex.co.uk
Will let you know what their like once I've tried them in anger.
Already more comfortable than my 15 year old boots.

Don't have any experience of these new boot systems, but try Rivington Alpine (near Chorley) for boot fitting nearer to you.

They're well recommended on here and my wife and I got skis and more recently boots from them. We've always had great advice and service (and the boot fitting process takes quite a while, so plenty of coffee + biscuits too). You'll need to book an appointment for boot fitting as they're always busy.

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Sorry for the lateness.
These are a real head turner, most shops haven't seen them in the flesh, let alone the other skiers.
Used them in Les Arcs 1800 and the resort and as a general on piste boot, they were great. travelling up in the transarc lift, wearing effectively snow board boots, they couldn't have been more comfortable. On Piste, they were great, comfortable, relatively easy to put on and off and even improved my posture. Off piste though, a different story. Too flexible for an average skier like me. I took a tumble and the snow forced its way through the holes in the shells, which lifted the boot up. Felt like I was skiing in high heels (never worn high heels but that what I imagine it was like, Honestly). I them was forced to take the shells off, empty the snow and refit. Next time I off piste, I will hire standard boots. For the average skier, I would recommend these boots.
Cant wait for the next season, sitting at an on piste café, drinking beer with comfortable boots on!!! oh and maybe do some skiing.

snowHeads are a friendly bunch.

For boot fitters in the NW I'd go with @FlatPack and recommend Rivington Alpine. Excellent advise and boot fitting for both me and my son.

snow reports

@commando, so if I understand it you've got boots that fail in one of the most basic parameters - skiing in snow. Why are you not returning them under Sale of Goods Act rather than contemplating renting real boots for actually skiing in snow?

If you want comfortable shoes for apres take some fold up trainers in your pocket.

You know it makes sense.

@CEM, Stacks up pretty well with my experience of the Apex. They really wanted to upsize me in the demo boot (this was at SIA so should have been their top team). I could feel just in the lodge I was swimming it. So I fought to get sized down t the right Mondoe- the liner boot was comfortable enough but still huge and ungainly once I got in the exo. About 15-10mm longer in the BSL than my Head boot

Then I had the worst alignment issues I've ever had - literally couldn't ski them straight and they blamed me saying maybe I was a bad skier because they had (old) ex Olympians as ambassadors who loved them. I don't think active skiers are really their target market.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

@Dave of the Marmottes, the apex is better than the Dahu by the looks of it... lets just say we won't be stocking either in the foreseeable future

A snowHead

Hi,
Reviving an old topic as I am about to buy a Dahu Hades or Monsieur Ed.
Any impressions, advice?

Puzzled

A snowHead

@neilkav, I have the Apex XP boots. They're well made, over engineered, massively overweight and disgustingly over priced. Yes they're a bit more comfortable at first wearing than a 'raw' ski boots, but a good boot fitter could give you plastic slippers at less than half the price of the Apex.

I bought mine off ebay (though they were virtually brand new) at a very silly cheap price and even with that I feel a little disgruntled. I can't stop saying how heavy t'boogers are Shocked

and with a full retail of $1,000 Shocked

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

I was thinking about whether these would be a good buy. The only review I could dredge up which compared them directly (plus another type called Envy) was this one from Australia!

http://snowaction.com.au/dahu-next-generation-ski-boots/

They favour the Dahu.

Spoke to the UK Dahu stockist and they said you could try them on sale or return basis. I dont think they meant take them on a skiing holiday but to try them on for a period at home.

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hey Ster thanks for finding our review hope you found it informative - we did the on snow test of Dahu at Copper Mountain US ski industry tests; they certainly worked skiing the latest stockliis on piste flat out there or some salomon, rossi & elan fat skis we tried in the boot deep available on the day there
the Apex we tried on only inside as noted in the review (I walked away from their stand forgetting I had the boot on it was so comfortable; nice to be able to drive home / hang out in ski bar etc in them) and another of our editors tried the Apex 2 strap rental model OK on road test in Japan last year but not up to hard piste skiing
the latest top of range Apex sure looks good, but the promised demo pair never arrived last season (2017) downunder and we did two trips to japan this northern winter none to America so havent tried them
saw someone skiing Dahu in Argentina 2 seasons back at Cerro Catedral (where we live most of southern winter)
if you have foot problems like bone spurs etc either will likely be a help - solved my personal problems in that regard switching to Roxa touring boots + king pin set up mostly; what you lose on rock solid stability on piste you gain in no pain
we have chased Dahu for more info on their latest models a couple of months back when I noticed how well our review rates in google - you found it - but still waiting on them cheers @snowaction

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

Ive been on dahu boots since 2014, I now have 14 friends running, different models, are they for racing?..NO, are they for a fulltime off pista?..NO, are they perfect for Groomers, bumps,crud, any everything else?....YES.......not floppy, not too soft(if you ski hard or a large lad/lady go for the model with higher flex Monsueir Ed) best boot ive skied since 1983!!!!!!!

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Hi all

we have been road testing Dahu Monsieur Ed model downunder this 2018 southern winter and highly recommend them - have updated our 2016 feature on them + Apex from after the SIA trade show / ski tests in Denver / Copper Mountain see the updated review here
http://snowaction.com.au/dahu-next-generation-ski-boots/

only thing we have to do now is try them with AT bindings which may be ok or not - opening top buckle should allow movement for skinning; or for short & steeper just boot pack like snowboarders; we'll let you know on that front but for piste / off-piste all round skiing they are awesome the Mr Ed's claimed 120 flex doesnt feel much different to our Rossi Alltrac 120 flex 4 buckle boots and the Hades adds a velcro power strap and claimed 140 flex
the Monsieur Ed toebox is super snug fit and along with the mail/female match up between inner boot sole and exo skeleton soles the Dahus provide a very stable set up you are not slipping around or waiting for response.
we ski a lot in Japan and in powder whenever possible - as it is there - or often spring in mid winter conditions at home in australia - so full tilt icy euro carving is not a priority but they are tighter all round the our Roxa AT boots + king pin set up we were using when in Switzerland last year so unless you are racer level its hardly an issue, could go pain free non stop all 26km from klein Matterhorn back to the village in our Dahus no problem

cheers Owain at @snowaction

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

Sorry to resurrect this old thread, but SportPursuit currently have a sale on DAHU Mens Ecore 01 Canvas 120 ski boots, selling at £349.99, and claiming rrp of £595.

Has anyone any experience with this model?

I'm on the lookout for new boots for next winter and not too many options in Ireland, so this has me interested!

After all it is free

Mixed reviews on t'internet. Probably no good if you really want a performance boot. If you want convienience or you're not looking for that much performance then they may work out for you. Not skiied them myself but did the review search after seeing them on SP.

Some good deals on these types and “normal” boots on privatesportsshop

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I suspect these boots are on their way out as a class given the putting them through clearance channels. On a recent trip to the US also saw quite a lot of Apex in consignment/clearance stores.

Now the big boys like Atomic & Nordica have resurrected rear entries for the "comfort over performance" crowd there is less of a case for them too.

Help!!

Apex / Dahu Ski Boots - any experiences?

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