 Poster: A snowHead
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I was wondering if any of the All-Terrain peeps could give me a steer on the types of boot categories now available.
I've currently got a pair of Scarpa Maestrale RS boots which have served me well over the last 8 years. At the time they were touted as decent enough boots for the "up" that were capable of handling fatter skis on the "down"; my main skis were 191cm x 112mm. After getting used to them I ditched my other boots and used them as my everyday boots and used them for everything from powder to bumps to piste and set up my piste skis to use pin bindings. If i had a complaint I'd say they were a bit soft; if I feel I need a bit more support/control I really tend to tighten the buckles as much as I can which does stiffen them up, but also hurts my feet by the end of the day.
My skis have since shrunk to 184cm x 108mm (big help with kick turns) and my mates don't seem as keen on the walking bit as they used to be. We still do a bit of touring, but it tends to be much less "up" and more "down" and we sometimes even use chairlifts to cheat a bit first!
I'm now wondering if a pair of more modern, slightly stiffer boots, might benefit me.
I've watched the video on YouTube by Dave Searle to try and get a grip on what's on offer; but I'm still not sure what "category" I should be looking at. For example, would there be any point in changing the current boots for, say, some slightly stiffer G-Zero's or should I be perhaps looking at the heavier hybrid types?
Cheers
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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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@Mosha Marc, how about the brand new Dynafit Hoji’s I’ve for sale? If they fit a great buy.
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@Mosha Marc, Good news is you're transitioning from the worst boot on the market, IMO, so anything else will be a step in the right direction. The current "Category" list we put together with Wavey Davey is due for an update, as the weights are simply getting too close. Next year we feel it can be simplified further, Race, All Mountain, Freeride (so pleased to be able to recycle this term!) Free touring, and the nonsense catagory which is Ski Mo, the term skiing should be removed from the name as it simply is not skiing. What's interesting is that the Race category, are simply the only boots now that actually ski better than the freeride category. All mountain, (commercial alpine boots) simply have versions with walk modes, "freeride" that for an extra few dollars ski as well, why you'd buy them is beyond me, unless to save a few quid, and in most cases, the top of the range versions, like the Lange Shadow 140 are 150 dollars more expensive than a race shell, it's utter nonsense. So it's binding compatability, race boots work with grip walk, but grip walk not with alpine bindings, so you simply drop into "Freeride". Free touring will be lighter and have no gripwalk compatability and won't really drive a "fullcore" ski, and need MNC, or touring bindings. The other stuff can rot AFAIC, it's resevered for climbers that can't ski. Hope that helps. BOA or not, is the other question, it's neither good, nor bad, costs more dollars and makes an awful noise, soon to replace the snap snap of two buckles and be replaced by endless zipping and clicking whilst your not pissing around on you smartphone.
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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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@CH2O, 
So all I have to do is work out what boots fall in this freeride category: is that just an amalgamation of Dave's Hybrid/Freetour categories? Will other boot retailers understand what I'm dribbling on about?
@Markymark29, I have seen your post about those, so might be in touch.
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[quote="Mosha Marc"]@CH2O,
So all I have to do is work out what boots fall in this freeride category: is that just an amalgamation of Dave's Hybrid/Freetour categories? Will other boot retailers understand what I'm dribbling on about?
We really need to get away from the “hybrid” term. It was used to explain touring boots that ski, or ski boots that tour, and now practically anything with a walk mode does both well. Leather boot manufacturers excepted. If they walk and have GW compatibility then it defines what free ride is.
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@Mosha Marc, the new Zero-G’s are 1300g. Fab boots and you can drive big skis with them but for what you’re describing I think you want something closer to an Alpine boot. A “Freeride” boot circa 1800g is going to ski very close to an Alpine boot and still give you a very usable walk mode and pin touring option for short tours. Something like the Atomix Hawk mentioned above, Tecnica Cochise, Lange XT3 Free, Nordica Stryder etc
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@BobinCH, we’ve been testing the new/old zero gs loads, as it’s been our biggest seller of all time. You can feel the drop in weight and how it drives the ski, a slightly reduced feeling, be a little more careful with the skis you match it with and the extras are worth it.
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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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@Mosha Marc, On fleebay too with photos, can meet you if you want to try
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@Mosha Marc, I walked into a shop, looking to replace a pair of alpine boots with freeride boots. I asked for touring boots that were warm and wouldn't fall apart after two weeks, i.e. not the lightweight touring category that only work with touring bindings. I ended up with the women's clip version of what @swskier has linked above, but my partner has that exact same boot. Having seen both in action, I would pick the BOA over the clip (less fiddly and faffy), but they only stocked the men's ones 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Scarlet, I've had BOA systems on my cycling shoes for years; handy to tighten/loosen shoes without getting off the bike. You think they have a big advantage on ski boots though?
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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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| CH2O wrote: |
| @BobinCH, we’ve been testing the new/old zero gs loads, as it’s been our biggest seller of all time. You can feel the drop in weight and how it drives the ski, a slightly reduced feeling, be a little more careful with the skis you match it with and the extras are worth it. |
Thanks for the info. I have the 1st gen which have been excellent but I just broke the rear internal spine so send them back to be fixed. I also have the Peak Carbons for my lightweight setup. Also fantastic boots (better suspension than Alien RS) but haven’t tried them with big skis - think they would work though.
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@Mosha Marc, I went in without an opinion either way on BOA, so it didn't matter to me that they weren't stocked. However, kinda like you, N has experience of BOA on snowboard boots and really liked it, so it was definitely his preference even though the clip version were slightly cheaper. His snowboard boots are probably 4-5 years old, but they don't have the quick release that the ski version has, so that was an improvement too (you just press the button when it's lunch time, and the BOA releases without having to unwind it). If I tighten the ankle buckles on my boots, then I have to fiddle around micro-adjusting the foot clips so they don't come undone. Or they come undone anyway and the grips fill with snow or they get jammed on a notch too tight and I struggle to get them open again  The BOA just seems easier to adjust, and faster.
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You know it makes sense.
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I am very happy with Roxa R3's 1500g makes them light for a Freerando boot, but they will hapily push around the biggest of skis with ease. They walk fine for me, but it will depend on if the hinge is in the right place for you ankle.
I would worry more about fit then performance by numbers.
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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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@Mosha Marc, do your bindings need front pin holes on the boots or not? I've been happy with my Hawx Ultra driving 76mm GS piste skis and also for touring
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Mosha Marc, for me I just fancied trying the BOA system on a ski boot. Likewise I have BOA on my cycling shoes and also on a pair of golf shoes.
I haven't used them much yet to have a true feel for them yet, but have been happy enough with them the couple of times i've worn them.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Another +1 for Atomic Hawk as a great All-rounder - I ski my GS Piste skis with them one day and ski-tour the next.
https://stylealtitude.com/can-a-ski-touring-boot-work-with-a-dedicated-slalom-ski.html
But a caveat, I did write the above nigh on five years ago, so I presume that there must be something more modern out there now with a Boa system etc, that said my day-to-day touring boot which I prefer, and that's only because I recently bought some Intuition liners for them (haven't tried them in the Hawks) is an even older pair of MTN Lab boots.
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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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Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply.
I've also had the Hawx recommended in real life. I know it's all about fit; but you've helped narrow down the type of boot with pin inserts.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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The hawx come in 3 different widths, by the way. (I'm sure others do to, but don't actually know)
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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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It's latest version, the same next winter is the best version yet. Next year they're adding the Magna XTD, without Boa. The rest will only be available with Boa. The Magna XTD I think, is actually a helmet and not to be put on the feet of anyone that needs this size boot and intends to walk anywhere, not without a defibrillator that is.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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| CH2O wrote: |
| It's latest version, the same next winter is the best version yet. Next year they're adding the Magna XTD, without Boa. The rest will only be available with Boa. The Magna XTD I think, is actually a helmet and not to be put on the feet of anyone that needs this size boot and intends to walk anywhere, not without a defibrillator that is. |
i can see it being worn a lot in the bars and clubs of austria
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So eventually I tret meself.
Went to see the boys at Backcountry UK a couple of days ago. No appointment, but i was the only punter in the shop so it didn't matter.
Had a chat about what I was after and they agreed that most of the boots mentioned above (the burlier, yet walkable ones) were probably the way to go. The only things in that genre left in my size were the Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD (Ultra being the narrower 98mm width) and some Dynafit Tigard.
Dynafit were a good length but very roomy, especially for a new boot. The Atomic felt shorter and were much more snug; so I went with them. A bit of heating up and bashing pulled my toes away from the front and took a hurty bit off my ankle bone.
Got a discount as it was sunny, next years stock will be in sooner than you think and it wasn't a BOA. The latter means i won't be able to smash off the windy bit and lose it.
Just need winter now!! 
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@Mosha Marc, don't forget to adjust your bindings to your new boots. And if you're still running Beasts then you'll need to swap the power inserts in the heels.
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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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@spyderjon, As it happened, my old boots and the mounted Beasts were in the boot of the car.
Lucky or what 
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