 Poster: A snowHead
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Just wondering if Ski Boots have evolved that much over the past few years.
Please, a brief description of what you thought of your ski boots
2004 - 2007 - Technica Diablo 130.
No nonsense, no compromise, solid race-type ski boot with no frills and a 130 Flex. Slightly too narrow for me, so continually slackening the buckles off on the chair lifts.
2007 - 2011 - Salomon X Wave 10 SpaceFrame.
Great boot from Salomon. Suited my feet with good volume in the forefoot. Stiff flexing and conformable liner.
2011 - 2015 - Nordica SpeedMachine 14.
I liked this boot. Plenty of nobs and dials to play with. Customizable insoles, canting and stiff flex, but a cold boot.
2016 - 2019 - Nordica SpeedMachine 130.
Another decent boot from Nordica. Customizable cork liner, lighter weight with 130 Flex shell. I found a tad more volume in the forefoot that suited my feet better than the SpeedMachine 14's. Lock the boot down and ski all day.
2020 - 2023 - Dalbello DS 120.
Innovative and impressive boot with PowerCage construction that precisely allowed transmission to the ski interface. Performance boot with a remarkable degree of comfort. Plenty of internal space so no cramped feet.
2023 - 2024 - Strolz Racing Blue.
Despite the old school looks, clumsy buckles, foamed liners, and silly price, these boots are the dog's kahoonies. Flex is around 130/140, good internal volume, solid race style feel, and warm boots, these really are my favourites
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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 dont even know what model Ive got now, never mind from 20 years ago!
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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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| holidayloverxx wrote: |
| I dont even know what model Ive got now, never mind from 20 years ago! |
 I can't without going to look what ones I have now though I know they are just a year old.
My old ones were Dalbello and they must have been getting on for 20 years old. I would have still said they were fine but got boot envy when Mrs G got a new pair.
I now realise the old ones were done.
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Wed 25-09-24 15:30; edited 1 time in total
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| holidayloverxx wrote: |
| I dont even know what model Ive got now, never mind from 20 years ago! |
That your ski boots or current squeeze? 
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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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Currently wearing a pair of Head Nexo Lyts. Seem well made and generally comfortable other than the turn of the tongue can press the top of my foot if I'm too upright. Just a good kick in the pants to get weight forward and bend ze knees when skiing but annoying in the apres ski bar.
Previously Technica Diablos. Boot itself was fine but the buckles were just badly designed and had to get them replaced after one snapped and another was just 'unrolling'.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Only 2 real points
Do they fit me?
How do I fix/adjust them for crap that happens to my feet through overskiing in a season?
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| skimastaaah wrote: |
| Just wondering if Ski Boots have evolved that much over the past few years. ... |
- Materials are vastly better - about half the weight, and temperature stable.
A shift from Polypropylene and Polyurethane to [in my case at least] Polyamide and Carbon fibre. There's some background on that here.
- More sophisticated engineering - eg not just relying on the shell flex, but construction and even external springs which are actually functional.
- Liner technology is no longer just some old show box packaging; usually it's mouldable somehow.
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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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Do people really change their bots ever 3/4 years?
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| holidayloverxx wrote: |
| I dont even know what model Ive got now, never mind from 20 years ago! |
out from them being atomic I'm in the same boat, ski boots are ski boots.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Have had several pairs of basically the same boot since 2000 - Nordica Dobermann. They were the first real race boot available to the general public.
Liners have been the same since 2000 - cork in oil padding that moulds to the foot, lace up liner goes on foot before putting them in the shell.
Only minor changes:
One pair had offset shells, later ones have gone back to straight.
Next pair had an aluminium plate underfoot bolted to the shell instead of a removable zeppa, very cold.
Current pair - carbon fibre plate underfoot bolted to the shell, instep slightly higher.
Latest model on sale has changed the sizing from UK to Mondopoint so don't know what I will do for my next pair.
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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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| holidayloverxx wrote: |
| I dont even know what model Ive got now, never mind from 20 years ago! |
mine are from 1998, no idea what model they are though... silver coloured
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| Jonny996 wrote: |
| Do people really change their bots ever 3/4 years? |
Jonny, I sell all my boots on ebay before they are too old, too worn out, too out of date. This helps keep cost down to a minimum. I just added up all the buying costs, took away all the selling return, and the total cost for all those boots since 2004 is the grand old sum of ..... £60. 
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You know it makes sense.
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Skiboots always get lighter, flexibler, stronger, stiffer, softer (inside).
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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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| skimastaaah wrote: |
| Jonny996 wrote: |
| Do people really change their bots ever 3/4 years? |
Jonny, I sell all my boots on ebay before they are too old, too worn out, too out of date. This helps keep cost down to a minimum. I just added up all the buying costs, took away all the selling return, and the total cost for all those boots since 2004 is the grand old sum of ..... £60. |
Wow, great stock rotation skills. I’m to afraid not to find a pair as comfortable as my current pair.
I’ve had sore feet and I’m not willing to put up with them again
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Poster: A snowHead
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Hmmm, since 2004 ...
2 pairs of Technicas, 2 liners each
1 pair Nordica Dobermanns (150 flex, that was silly)
1 pair Salomon, 2 liners, 2nd liner foamed,
all totally comfy, all properly fitted, little too differentiate
Then Technica Zero-Gs, in 2019??
Enormously, lighter, can tour in them, at least as stiff (nominal 130) as the prior boots, a lot comfier, like stiff slippers. First boots that looked like they could be a one-boot-drawer. (They 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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2004-2022 Tecnica Icon Alu (zipfit liners)
brilliant fit, stiff. Kept these way too long, should have retired the shells after 10 years.
2023 Tecnica Mach 1 MV 130 (new zipfit liners)
if it ain't broke.
my original zipfit liners were from 1999(!) Lasted about 280 days including a ski season. Cannot recommend highly enough, but very pricey now.
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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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1974ish Dalbello in yellow bought from a stall at the ski show in Olympia.
Looked great but hurt like hell.
1978ish Salomon SX61 "Rear Entry" Dull Grey but nearly fitted. They broke open trying
to come down the "Mother of all Mogul Fields" in Warth.
1980something Salomon SX91 Equipe in White another Rear Entry Bought 2nd Hand.
These lasted quite well till early 1992 and I gave them away to a German mate of mine,
He skied on them for several more years and gave them away to a lady with size 8 feet in Poland.
They don't make them like they used to.
1992 Nordica(I think) had some sort of pump up bladder thingy, it was still a disappointing fit.
1993 Salomon flashy yellow top of the range things, bought from the Snow&Rock shed at the Side of the Hemel dry slope. These nearly fitted, but made me look like I could ski.
It gets a bit misty for a few years.
Its been mostly Salomon because my feet are narrow.
I did make the mistake of Getting a pair of Nordica firebirds (I think).
I spent the whole afternoon having them fitted in Ellis Biguns beneath the fridge in Hemmel.
I thought they were a good fit but they had just 3 buckles and the middle one cut off my blood supply or nerves or something in my feet.
I put up with the pain till about
2014 Salomon X120~ White with Black Bits bought in the shop across the road the Curling in Val Claret 10 minutes before they closed.
These sort of fitted .. a bit loose.
I left them with my daughter in Switzerland in case I wanted to visit and go skiing.
But they moved to Singapore. I don't know where they are now.
They may be back in their cellar in Switzerland.
I’ve forgotten what I’ve had in between but it would have been Salomon if anything.
2021 Salomon S/Max From Ski Exchange near Cambridge
I went down a whole size from my previous boots, best fit ever.
Custom insole plate fitted.
These were a great fit for 2 seasons but then the liners started to settle.
2024 July I had “Intuition” custom liners fitted.
They are working really well and I just hope they continue to.
What next?
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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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Started with SX61, which I broke open like @DrLawn, !
Then SX91 -- then Lange somethings (bright yellow). Tore the edges out of my skis on the first or second turn with those... a bit (!) stiffer than the Sollys...
Mostly Langes in the 90s.... then white Salomons -- X3 Lab, which lasted until the shells cracked. Now blue S-Race. Fit like a glove, easy to put on and so light! Really a step forward.
Tele is.. plastic wise -- Scarpa T1 in the 90s, now TX-Comp. Same fit (too wide), same plastic, same feel. But there is new one on the way
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Correction:
The first boots I ever bought were something called Scarpa Narva not Dalbello
So I'm not alone then @ski?
It just popped open ( I was obviosly leaning back too much then, and probably do still now)
They popped back in when I got to the bottom, but they would too frequently just pop open.
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| Quote: |
So I'm not alone then @ski?
It just popped open ( I was obviosly leaning back too much then, and probably do still now)
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It would appear not! It's a long time ago ---- think I was going over a bump or attempting a jump. Big crash, broken wrist and partially disassembled ski boots. Took them back to the shop when I got home. Swapped them for SX91 --- should have gone for a set of Langes.... 
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Lusted after the SX92 back in the day…
Alpine:
Nordica 882?
Nordica Grand Prix (green)
Nordica Speed Machine 14
Nordica Speed Machine 130 (red)
Nordica Speed Machine 130 (black)
Freeride/ski touring:
Garmont Endorphin (perfect entry into ski touring boots)
Dynafit Titan (ouch)
K2 Pinnacle 130 (heavvvy)
Tecnica Zero G Pro Tour (purrr)
Scarpa Alien RS (light)
Tecnica Zero G Peak Carbon (ace)
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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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| Quote: |
I dont even know what model Ive got now, never mind from 20 years ago!
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 me too.
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| Quote: |
Lusted after the SX92 back in the day…
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I had a pair ... replaced by the infinitely superior Technica TNTs (fluo pink with fluo green and black buckles. They were lovely. Paired with Rossignol 7Ss with Look XRCs in fluo cherry.
Well, it was the early 90s
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Had a pair of Dynafit 3F Foam back in the 80s. They should have been too expensive for me, but the long defunct Centresport shop in Leeds had them in the sale and they only had one pair left and in my size. They had everything - forward lean adjustment, flex adjustment, canting, micro metric buckles. walk-mode and of course foam fit. Had to have some buckles replaced after a few years and I could have cried when they finally gave up the ghost after about 8 years. 
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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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@Ski lots, .. Nah then lad. Centresport in Leeds, bought my Sally SX92 Equipes there back in the day.
Also a shout for The Great Outdoors in Yeadon, my Salomon 90 Equipes came from there a couple of years earlier.
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| Ski lots wrote: |
| Had a pair of Dynafit 3F Foam back in the 80s. They should have been too expensive for me, but the long defunct Centresport shop in Leeds had them in the sale and they only had one pair left and in my size. They had everything - forward lean adjustment, flex adjustment, canting, micro metric buckles. walk-mode and of course foam fit. Had to have some buckles replaced after a few years and I could have cried when they finally gave up the ghost after about 8 years. |
Lusted after them too. Red ones right?
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You know it makes sense.
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@skimastaaah, bought my first boots (5 clip Dachsteins) from Great Outdoors in York. Also bought skis at Newitts in York (Fischer Cut Special) and some Tyrolia bindings. £20 for each bit. Fitted the bindings myself (in the wrong place on the skis) on the kitchen work top - I hadn’t got a clue.
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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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@BobinCH, yes indeed. They did change to black and yuk - we used to call them the fruit salad boots. I miss them more than my first girlfriend. To be fair they were more adaptable.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Day One, 1995, Dynafit 3F race boot. 27.5
Next Stop, become a bootfitter. 1996 Rossi Race 1. 26.0.
Competent Skier moved to CHX circa 2000. Raichle Flexon 27.5 with Zipfit, Scarpa Denali, 27, same Zipfit. Learned to ski CHX stylee.
Since then, whatever i can make fit, whatever i can ski in. Salomon X2, Atomic B, Nordica D Agg, a bunch of random stuff while the industry went "Touring".
Today, Salomon Ghost RnD, 26.5. My home, my millionaire's mansion, with my own liner built with Intuition as close to perfection as i have had. "Claustrophobic" and doubt i'd get away with it for my clients, but i have sourced several pairs from acroos the globe and will stick with it. Those that know, know.
Tomorrow......everything and anything, if it don't hurt in the shop, it doesn't meet the snow.
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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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| skimastaaah wrote: |
Just wondering if Ski Boots have evolved that much over the past few years.
Please, a brief description of what you thought of your ski boots
2004 - 2007 - Technica Diablo 130.
No nonsense, no compromise, solid race-type ski boot with no frills and a 130 Flex. Slightly too narrow for me, so continually slackening the buckles off on the chair lifts.
2007 - 2011 - Salomon X Wave 10 SpaceFrame.
Great boot from Salomon. Suited my feet with good volume in the forefoot. Stiff flexing and conformable liner.
2011 - 2015 - Nordica SpeedMachine 14.
I liked this boot. Plenty of nobs and dials to play with. Customizable insoles, canting and stiff flex, but a cold boot.
2016 - 2019 - Nordica SpeedMachine 130.
Another decent boot from Nordica. Customizable cork liner, lighter weight with 130 Flex shell. I found a tad more volume in the forefoot that suited my feet better than the SpeedMachine 14's. Lock the boot down and ski all day.
2020 - 2023 - Dalbello DS 120.
Innovative and impressive boot with PowerCage construction that precisely allowed transmission to the ski interface. Performance boot with a remarkable degree of comfort. Plenty of internal space so no cramped feet.
2023 - 2024 - Strolz Racing Blue.
Despite the old school looks, clumsy buckles, foamed liners, and silly price, these boots are the dog's kahoonies. Flex is around 130/140, good internal volume, solid race style feel, and warm boots, these really are my favourites |
DO you really wear out your boots every 4 years?
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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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Only had one pair of my own boots. Head Advant Edge 125. Fitted at Pro Feet and generally have served me well since 2016 , as I had a few years off the snow.
They also come with the snazzy spinetech buckles. I have no idea if these make any difference, but I like 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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@jedster, I've explained to @Jonny996, earlier in the thread ...
| skimastaaah wrote: |
| Jonny996 wrote: |
| Do people really change their bots ever 3/4 years? |
Jonny, I sell all my boots on ebay before they are too old, too worn out, too out of date. This helps keep cost down to a minimum. I just added up all the buying costs, took away all the selling return, and the total cost for all those boots since 2004 is the grand old sum of ..... £60. |
And to be very honest every single one of those ski boots (including the Strolz) over the past 20 years have been sourced on Ebay. All but the Strolz were "New" or a demo pair with next to no use at all. I've found that selling good second-hand boots are quite sought after if in well looked after and decent condition. The key is to 1) take the gamble of buying online, 2) only buy when the right boots are a great price, 3) only sell when you've found a replacement, 4) know what your feet fit into, 5) buy a good boot liner.
Currently on Ebay (and this mention will boost the prices)and in my size a 28.5 Mondo, are 2 pairs of Dalbello DS120 and a pair of Lange RX 130, list by BHF, all new and each should go for around £110 to £125. Bargains for someone, just like a pair of BNWB Dalbello Asolo Factory boots listed at £90. I've seen some great ski boots going for a song this summer.
Those of you with other sizes check out a search of Dalbello ski boots, some really great deals to be found.
Edit to add that the Strolz boots were less than a week old as the original owner just did not get on with them. Then the original Strolz foamed liners, which were not fitted for my feet, got re-sold on Ebay thus reducing my outlay. The boots were then fitted with a brand new pair of Intuition Pro Tongue Liners. Also don't be afraid to sell the ski boot shells and the liners separately, there is a market out there for replacements and spares.
luckily my feet are pretty standard, no lumps nor bumps, and I've a pal who is a boot-fitter!
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Wed 9-10-24 14:16; edited 2 times in total
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@skimastaaah, aha - thanks for the explanation, no lumps or bumps either but can't imagine buying boots without trying them on first.
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I have so many questions.  How much skiing are you doing to need or want new boots every other season? Looking back on my boot buying, it's consisted of replacing the last boot with the latest from the same producer.
What I've got at the moment: Atomic hawx xtd and atomic hawx "whatever the alpine version is called", because the xtds are walktoride, not gripwalk (which came out the following year).
Before that:
1. technica tnt icon x
2. technica tnt ??
3. Nordica somethings, front entry, with some sort of dial system - post SX91
My parents had leather Strolz boots, the leg breakers.
Ratings: The Atomics are the best I've had
The tnt icon xs were great until they turned to jelly
The tnt ?? tips broke off
The nordicas never really fitted. Didn't at that point know what the feel should be.
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@skimastaaah, quite the edit.
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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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| skimastaaah wrote: |
@jedster, I've explained to @Jonny996, earlier in the thread ...
| skimastaaah wrote: |
| Jonny996 wrote: |
| Do people really change their bots ever 3/4 years? |
Jonny, I sell all my boots on ebay before they are too old, too worn out, too out of date. This helps keep cost down to a minimum. I just added up all the buying costs, took away all the selling return, and the total cost for all those boots since 2004 is the grand old sum of ..... £60. |
And to be very honest every single one of those ski boots (including the Strolz) over the past 20 years have been sourced on Ebay. All but the Strolz were "New" or a demo pair with next to no use at all. I've found that selling good second-hand boots are quite sought after if in well looked after and decent condition. The key is to 1) take the gamble of buying online, 2) only buy when the right boots are a great price, 3) only sell when you've found a replacement, 4) know what your feet fit into, 5) buy a good boot liner.
Currently on Ebay (and this mention will boost the prices)and in my size a 28.5 Mondo, are 2 pairs of Dalbello DS120 and a pair of Lange RX 130, list by BHF, all new and each should go for around £110 to £125. Bargains for someone, just like a pair of BNWB Dalbello Asolo Factory boots listed at £90. I've seen some great ski boots going for a song this summer.
Those of you with other sizes check out a search of Dalbello ski boots, some really great deals to be found.
Edit to add that the Strolz boots were less than a week old as the original owner just did not get on with them. Then the original Strolz foamed liners, which were not fitted for my feet, got re-sold on Ebay thus reducing my outlay. The boots were then fitted with a brand new pair of Inuition Power Wrap Liners (another utter bargain buy off Ebay £38 ). Also don't be afraid to sell the ski boot shells and the liners separately.
luckily my feet are pretty standard, no lumps nor bumps, and I've a pal who is a boot-fitter! |
I've had some luck with ebay etc too but I have to say ski boots are a distress purchase for me - if I've got some I like I don't want to change them. If the shells are a good fit I'd keep them and replace liners etc.
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| rogg wrote: |
| @skimastaaah, quite the edit. |
My only real qualm about the Strolz boots is that they are a very "retro" look. Despite being very good boots (or at least the shells are), and a great fit with the Intuition Liners, they are possibly too much of an "old school" boot. I do like a few bells and whistles to play with, so I'm currently on the hunt for a more "current" pair of boots.
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FAQ
