 Poster: A snowHead
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So, we put our range together at the end of last winter, we trimmed the fat.
Something wasn't right, at least in our way of seeing things.
I will use Lange as an example. I love Lange, and Lange love us, so sorry to pick on them.
3 Boots.
Shadow LV Pro 140. Fixed collar, high performance All Mountain ski boot. A bunch of nonsense technology, blah, blah. 97mm Last.
XT3 Free LV Pro 140. Walk System, tech inserts, Freeride boot. 97mm last.
RS 130 LV.Fixed collar, modified Plug race shell. 97mm last.
Ok, so i'm not going to get into all the chemistry that means the flex will feel the same whichever you buy. The lasts are practically identical, Lange wouldn't stray from what they know and believe is best.
The first two boots retail at the same price, 750 euros, one has a bunch or practical and useful extras, the walk mode and tech fittings.
The last, the RS race shell retails at 600 euros.
In our minds, and hopefully in yours, why the hell would you buy the first boot over the other two below it at that price? You get no extra functionality and the downhill performance comes nowhere close to the modified race shell.
Careful out there, this is the same across the board with all the manufacturers.
Be Race-ist, because you should and you can!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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What colour are they?
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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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@CH2O, So the first boot is an all mountain boot without tech inserts/walk mode? But it's the same price as the freeride boot? At the time, I felt like I had paid a premium for my Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD at ~600€, but I don't feel so bad now. I could've saved some cash by buying the non-tech version, and tbh that would be fine for most holiday skiers who are never going up anything higher than the steps to the bar, but I'd feel ripped off paying 750€ for “standard alpine” boots. What gives?
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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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@rjs, 
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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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Well to be fair, not all shops are going to spend the time to get a Race shell wrapped around any foot. However we do this so often for Athletes that have no choice, i guess we might as well. The product is so much better, more consistent, lasts longer and costs less. We can stick gripwalk to it, if that's what you want, put tech inserts in them i you feel the need and swap the liners so they're nice and toasty. You start 150 euros to the good and have a proct most skers would keep for life.
When we placed our orders all the manufacturers we're stumped that we didn't take their commercial offering, to be fair sometimes it's just too much, but we have shells from Atomic that will allow us to take it from the hardest point. But we pointed this out. You're selling us an F1 car for less than a hatchback, i don't mind doing the extra work, i enjoy it, and i'm happy because i'm certain it offers amazing value for money by comparison.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| CH2O wrote: |
Well to be fair, not all shops are going to spend the time to get a Race shell wrapped around any foot. However we do this so often for Athletes that have no choice, i guess we might as well. The product is so much better, more consistent, lasts longer and costs less. We can stick gripwalk to it, if that's what you want, put tech inserts in them i you feel the need and swap the liners so they're nice and toasty. You start 150 euros to the good and have a proct most skers would keep for life.
When we placed our orders all the manufacturers we're stumped that we didn't take their commercial offering, to be fair sometimes it's just too much, but we have shells from Atomic that will allow us to take it from the hardest point. But we pointed this out. You're selling us an F1 car for less than a hatchback, i don't mind doing the extra work, i enjoy it, and i'm happy because i'm certain it offers amazing value for money by comparison. |
My son has no intention of racing but SFF ended up putting him in Atomic Redster STI because he's got super skinny feet. Happy boy.
Quite how we'll get touring boots to fit him is a different question...
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@jedster, Best in class for that application. Touring-wise will depend on the sole unit, GW norm (Freeride) or Touring norm (Freetouring) there's some pretty low volume options out there, failing which a sweet bespoke liner would suck up all the volume.
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| CH2O wrote: |
| @jedster, Best in class for that application. Touring-wise will depend on the sole unit, GW norm (Freeride) or Touring norm (Freetouring) there's some pretty low volume options out there, failing which a sweet bespoke liner would suck up all the volume. |
Thanks - my guess is he'll need the narrowest touring shell AND a liner. The redsters needed no stretching at all - they really are skinny feet.
Asking for me (kind of medium forefoot but narrow heel/ankle) what are the narrower options you have for freetouring? I've got Lupo 130C for freeride which are pretty good but if anything I'd prefer something narrower. I'm prone to blistering on the inside of my heel on long skins (actually not had that in the Lupos but then I've never done a really big uphill day in them probably no more than 600m up).
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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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@jedster, Any comment would be probably misleading, need those feet; ankles and boots infront of my rapidly failing eyesight. If you're having problems with blisters in a lupo, she's either too big, got a $hitty liner, or you're lacking dorsiflexion. Too big and bin 'em, the rest is an easy fix.
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| CH2O wrote: |
| @jedster, Any comment would be probably misleading, need those feet; ankles and boots infront of my rapidly failing eyesight. If you're having problems with blisters in a lupo, she's either too big, got a $hitty liner, or you're lacking dorsiflexion. Too big and bin 'em, the rest is an easy fix. |
No blisters have been in other boots that I've done hut to hut tours in (Lupos are a bit heavy for that). Most touring boots seem to have generous lasts (>100mm) on the basis that's more comfortable but that doesn't work for me cos heel movement while skinning = blisters. I currently have Fischer Transalps for that kind of touring but I don't love them (even though they are better with a chunky intuition aftermarket liner in). I'll have to come to see you in January.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@jedster, cool, we'll be on 2026 by then, might have some new stuff to look at.
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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: |
| If you're having problems with blisters in a lupo, she's either too big, got a $hitty liner, or you're lacking dorsiflexion. Too big and bin 'em, the rest is an easy fix. |
Should it be possible to fit up touring boots and not suffer blisters ?
I suffer heal blisters irrespective of boot or boot fitting expertise. (Scarpa SLs > Atomic Hawx > Scarpa Maestrale RS) so a purchaser of Zinc Oxide tape. Interestingly the replacement 'non fitted' liner in my old SLs seems to have improved matters but I suspect it's more about sweaty feet and warm days.
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@AndAnotherThing..,
How are your touring boots buckled up (if at all) while skinning up ?
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You know it makes sense.
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| DB wrote: |
@AndAnotherThing..,
How are your touring boots buckled up (if at all) while skinning up ? |
As you can imagine there has been some experimentation. It's hard to describe exactly but snug around the ankle but with enough movement in the upper for an 'ok' range of movement when skinning. Certainly not loose or open. With the recent Scarpa's it's not possible to the lace up liners tight but then I know of people who don't bother lacing them at all.
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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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@AndAnotherThing..,
I found that having the upper buckles loose but tightening the lower buckles so that the heel was snug but not overnight while knocking the heals in practically reduced all blisters. Using the same thickness socks everytime seemed to help too.
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