 Poster: A snowHead
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I'm in the market for a new pair of boots. I'd say I'm an intermediate skier, but also like afternoon apres (unfortunately wearing ski boots).
So was really considering the Apex/Dahu due to their snowboard style liner. I've since talked myself out of it due to mixed reviews and no 'real' customisation of the shell.
So I'm now looking at backcountry style boots with walk mode. Something like the Dalbello Pantera.
Has anyone got any experience with these? Are they much better/more comfortable than a standard boot for walking in?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I have Technica Zero Gs. I actually rarely put them in walk mode because then I forget to take them out of walk mode until I have skied about half the day, and I notice when I'm about to eat lunch. I find those boots relatively comfortable to walk in with them in ski mode. Just loosen the buckles for apres.
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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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@dangerMouse!, is your problem that your boots aren't comfortable whilst actually walking, or whilst in the apres bars? Walk mode may improve the motion of walking (slightly) but unless you are spending a significant portion of your (ski) time walking/skinning uphill, i personally don't think it is worth the extra cost, complexity and risk of breaking. A grip walk sole may* improve the walking motion somewhat, without the need for the walk mode.
I can't comment on the effect of a walk mode on the dancing aspect, as I don't really do that.
*The caveat here is that I've not tried grip walk. My boots have the now-defunct WTR sole which definitely improves walking but I believe that WTR "walks" better than grip walk.
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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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Learn to snowboard
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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| hang11 wrote: |
| Learn to snowboard |
Never!!! 
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I am trying to sell my Atomic skis and was asked if the bindings were suitable for grip walk mode boots. I have no idea about this. Won't any ski boots fit a standard binding? Also my old boots had a button on the back to switch them into 'walk mode'. Those buttons became stiff and unusuable after a while. I find it easier just to undo the top clips at end of day.
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| dangerMouse! wrote: |
| hang11 wrote: |
| Learn to snowboard |
Never!!! |
Nothing wrong with snowboarding. I have explained to all four of my kids that I am happy if they want to take up snowboarding. But I only pay for ski kit and ski holidays, so they would have to self-fund. They have all chosen to stick to skiing so far!
On a serious note I remain somewhat jealous of my snowboarding colleagues when riding deep powder, they always look so elegant.
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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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| mgrolf wrote: |
@dangerMouse!, is your problem that your boots aren't comfortable whilst actually walking, or whilst in the apres bars? Walk mode may improve the motion of walking (slightly) but unless you are spending a significant portion of your (ski) time walking/skinning uphill, i personally don't think it is worth the extra cost, complexity and risk of breaking. A grip walk sole may* improve the walking motion somewhat, without the need for the walk mode.
I can't comment on the effect of a walk mode on the dancing aspect, as I don't really do that.
*The caveat here is that I've not tried grip walk. My boots have the now-defunct WTR sole which definitely improves walking but I believe that WTR "walks" better than grip walk. |
Its a bit of both. I'm still on my original boots from 7/8 years ago. I bought them from ellis brigham with their full surefit custom orthotics and shell adjustment service. I think I went back about 2/3 times to have the toe and ankle areas adjusted. They fit OK, but its such a relief to take them off a the end of the day. I'll probably go back to ellis brigham to fit my new boots. The indoor slope makes it easy to go between slope and boot fitter multiple times in a few hours.
Its not just the apres, where we tend to stay there is a bit of a walk between chalet and ski lift. Even a 10 minute walk in ski boots isn't fun.
then spending an hour or so in the Follie standing/dancing would be much nicer of the boot had a flexible ankle.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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@Oblos, the answer is maybe (helpful, i know). @Spyderjon recently posted a diagram showing which bindings are compatible - have a search for his posts on grip walk.
@dangerMouse!, at risk of heading down the bootfitter vs bootseller rabbit hole, if your boots fit really well then walking for 10 minutes or so really shouldn't be much problem. You say,
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They fit OK, but its such a relief to take them off a the end of the day.
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To me, this sounds like the fit could be much better. First port of call for me would be a really good bootfitter (like @CEM who isn't a million miles from you) to be put in the right boot for your foot and skiing style/ability.
If you need the tech inserts, touring ability etc then one of the boots on the list you link may be right but I would not be paying the extra for them just to get a walk mode.
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You know it makes sense.
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I did see those! You'd think releasing the back might give you similar ankle movement to a ski boot with flex. Although I cant find any reviews that confirm it..
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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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If you ski, you might as well give rear entry a go. You might like it 
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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@dangerMouse!, I have the Dalbello Pantera's from about 2018.
The walk/ski mode toggle on my right boot has snapped, so now I have to have it permanently in walk or ski. Can barely even tell the difference between the two when walking.
They're very comfortable, but also possibly slightly too big, cheers Snow and Rock. (also partly my own fault for buying them, but I know a lot more about boots now than I did then!)
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I really liked my grip walk soles over alpine for walking. will be adding them to my alpine boots next week if CEM add zipfits to them.
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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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| swskier wrote: |
@dangerMouse!, I have the Dalbello Pantera's from about 2018.
The walk/ski mode toggle on my right boot has snapped, so now I have to have it permanently in walk or ski. Can barely even tell the difference between the two when walking.
They're very comfortable, but also possibly slightly too big, cheers Snow and Rock. (also partly my own fault for buying them, but I know a lot more about boots now than I did then!) |
Always good to hear a review from someone that owns a pair! Thanks.
Dalbello say they made the boots lighter and redesigned the locking feature to make it stronger for the 21/22 boots.
Interesting to hear how you can barely tell the difference! I probably need to try some before I commit.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Modern Alpine Touring, Hybrid, Freetouring boots ski as well as any modern commercial ski boots, to the degree we only have 3 models of Alpine Fixed cuff boots to choose from these days. If you want to feel the difference between fixed and hiking models, jump straight into a full WC shell. The Pantera is a pretty old design now, take a look at Lange's XT3, Tecnica's 5th Generation Cochise.
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| CH2O wrote: |
| Modern Alpine Touring, Hybrid, Freetouring boots ski as well as any modern commercial ski boots, to the degree we only have 3 models of Alpine Fixed cuff boots to choose from these days. If you want to feel the difference between fixed and hiking models, jump straight into a full WC shell. The Pantera is a pretty old design now, take a look at Lange's XT3, Tecnica's 5th Generation Cochise. |
thanks. Sounds like you know your boots!
My current boots are a 102mm last, and I still had them blown out a little. Unfortunately the XT3's are 100mm and Cochise are 99mm.
I think the Atomic XTD is 100mm as well, although it is apparently fully mouldable.
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@dangerMouse!, I wore a pair once
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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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@dangerMouse!, All boots can be adjusted buddy, don't buy/fit yourself to the widest point, buy to the narrowest and expand.
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| CH2O wrote: |
| @dangerMouse!, All boots can be adjusted buddy, don't buy/fit yourself to the widest point, buy to the narrowest and expand. |
That's sounds like solid advice, thank you.
It's just clicked, you must be the Steve that Jon at the Piste Office recommended.
I'd be making an appointment if I was in Chamonix this season.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@dangerMouse!,
I think the answer is 'No' for a few reasons.
Sounds like the current boots don't really fit. The solution is to get different boots. I think that there is almost certainly an awful lot of hocus pocus about orthotics and boot fitting (I expect a lot of disagreement- from bootfitters and from people who have spent a lot of money on boot fitting). But shell sizes are certainly different and there was an excellent article a good few years ago in Fall Line.
Touring boots may no longer fit alpine bindings you will be using. There are all sorts of issues there.
Other solutions are as people say- snowboard, learn to telemark the boots are lighter than alpine- but not as light as modern touring boots and some will have a rocker (i.e. a convex sole)I tele in walk mode almost all the time- as do a good number of other people- this is a niche solution.
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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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