Thinking about new ski boots

[qclabrat]

Hey, my 15 yo Tecnicas are ready for any update. Limited skiing since the pandemic but the last time, they aren't feeling great, pretty sure my feet shape have changed. What do you guys think about the hybrid BOA systems? I like them on my snowboard but I've always skied with relatively stiff boots. Nowadays with all the parks at the resorts, I'm thinking a stiff GS boot doesn't fit most of the runs I make, anyone have real experience with the BOA systems on snow, not just what you read somewhere?

 

[Bike N Gear]

Hey, my 15 yo Tecnicas are ready for any update. Limited skiing since the pandemic but the last time, they aren't feeling great, pretty sure my feet shape have changed. What do you guys think about the hybrid BOA systems? I like them on my snowboard but I've always skied with relatively stiff boots. Nowadays with all the parks at the resorts, I'm thinking a stiff GS boot doesn't fit most of the runs I make, anyone have real experience with the BOA systems on snow, not just what you read somewhere?

Find a good boot fitter and let them set you up with the proper shaped boot for your foot. Boa can’t help the wrong shell for your foot nor will it make it worse. All else being exactly the same in shell fit and then the boa can be a bit more comfortable because of how it evenly wraps your foot.

If you can get an appointment with Greg Pier at the Wayne Ski Barn location you won’t go wrong. I have more expensive recommendations too.

 

[Purl]

Hey, my 15 yo Tecnicas are ready for any update. Limited skiing since the pandemic but the last time, they aren't feeling great, pretty sure my feet shape have changed. What do you guys think about the hybrid BOA systems? I like them on my snowboard but I've always skied with relatively stiff boots. Nowadays with all the parks at the resorts, I'm thinking a stiff GS boot doesn't fit most of the runs I make, anyone have real experience with the BOA systems on snow, not just what you read somewhere?

FWIW if you own skis, you’re more than likely on ISO 5355 standards. Most boots are ISO 23223 so you will need compatible bindings to match your boots AFD. Be aware that this can become an expensive slope you’re about to slide down.

 

[Bike N Gear]

FWIW if you own skis, you’re more than likely on ISO 5355 standards. Most boots are ISO 23223 so you will need compatible bindings to match your boots AFD. Be aware that this can become an expensive slope you’re about to slide down.

Just double check that iso soles are available for the boot you buy. Usually about $50 so you can continue to use older, pre gripwalk bindings.

 

[qclabrat]

FWIW if you own skis, you’re more than likely on ISO 5355 standards. Most boots are ISO 23223 so you will need compatible bindings to match your boots AFD. Be aware that this can become an expensive slope you’re about to slide down.

Hmm, when did this change and why?

 

[Bike N Gear]

Hmm, when did this change and why?

Several seasons ago. People think ski boots are made for walking so they needed to make it easier. Big rubber soles make it easier. Something not as highly debated on the ski forums because most agree it wasn’t necessary. I have four pair of skis currently. Only two would work with gripwalk boots so I had to change the soles on my boots. Not a huge issue in the scheme of things.

Just like the bike industry, some “developments” are probably pushed out just to generate sales.

 

[ebarker9]

If you can get an appointment with Greg Pier at the Wayne Ski Barn location you won’t go wrong. I have more expensive recommendations too.

Didn't realize he was still there. I used to do group road rides out of the Heinos shop. Great guy and definitely know his stuff with boot fitting.

 

[Purl]

Hmm, when did this change and why?

Trickledown marketing from backcountry. All started with WTR (non ISO) and touring soles ISO 9523. Vibram brand threw a lot of money into it and standardizing gripwalk ISO 23223.

They all help when scrambling and boot packing. But you loose a lot of feel of the ski (if that’s what you want). Resort skiing I’ll never give up my plug boots but 99% of people don’t wanna trouble themselves with plugs.

 

[JPark]

Hey, my 15 yo Tecnicas are ready for any update. Limited skiing since the pandemic but the last time, they aren't feeling great, pretty sure my feet shape have changed. What do you guys think about the hybrid BOA systems? I like them on my snowboard but I've always skied with relatively stiff boots. Nowadays with all the parks at the resorts, I'm thinking a stiff GS boot doesn't fit most of the runs I make, anyone have real experience with the BOA systems on snow, not just what you read somewhere?

I'm a big fan of Full Tilt boots (now part of the K2 lineup)

K2 FL3X Ski Boots Collection

Chosen by some of the best athletes in the world, the K2 FL3X Collection is the embodiment of freestyle culture, style and art.undefined

k2snow.com

They have a 3 piece shell instead of 2 so the boot has a natural flex, instead of the shell contorting when it's bent. You can even adjust the stiffness of the flex by swapping different tongues instead of having to get a new boot. Very light weight. Most models come with the Intuition liner which is heat moldable.
Much like with a snowboard, it has a middle buckle that pulls your heal back into the boot. They are also significantly faster to put on and off than a traditional boot.

I used to have Technica Icons as well. With the old straighter, longer skis you needed a stiffer boot but with modern skis it's not necessary unless you're racing. Most of the people I ski with switched to FT and never went back.

But as was mention earlier, not every boot fits every foot.

 

[Bike N Gear]

Didn't realize he was still there. I used to do group road rides out of the Heinos shop. Great guy and definitely know his stuff with boot fitting.

He’s working out of that Ski Barn, but it’s tough to get an appointment. I don’t think he’s full time.

 

[Bike N Gear]

I'm a big fan of Full Tilt boots (now part of the K2 lineup)

K2 FL3X Ski Boots Collection

Chosen by some of the best athletes in the world, the K2 FL3X Collection is the embodiment of freestyle culture, style and art.undefined

k2snow.com

They have a 3 piece shell instead of 2 so the boot has a natural flex, instead of the shell contorting when it's bent. You can even adjust the stiffness of the flex by swapping different tongues instead of having to get a new boot. Very light weight. Most models come with the Intuition liner which is heat moldable.
Much like with a snowboard, it has a middle buckle that pulls your heal back into the boot. They are also significantly faster to put on and off than a traditional boot.

I used to have Technica Icons as well. With the old straighter, longer skis you needed a stiffer boot but with modern skis it's not necessary unless you're racing. Most of the people I ski with switched to FT and never went back.

But as was mention earlier, not every boot fits every foot.

I skied Krypton’s for a few seasons which are the same design. Smooth flex, just didn’t really fit my foot correctly. My favorite part about them was just how easy it was to get in and out of them.

 

[TheGerd]

I had skied on Raichle flexon pro comps and loved them, I have a wide foot and these boots were easy to get on and off as well as being comfortable.
When it came time to upgrade a few years ago, after being away from skiing for a while First Stop Board Barn in Killington set me up with a pair of Full Tilts.

Also had insoles made, and these boots are the perfect boot for me.

 

[Purl]

I had skied on Raichle flexon pro comps and loved them, I have a wide foot and these boots were easy to get on and off as well as being comfortable. View attachment 255279
When it came time to upgrade a few years ago, after being away from skiing for a while First Stop Board Barn in Killington set me up with a pair of Full Tilts.
View attachment 255280
Also had insoles made, and these boots are the perfect boot for me.

Years ago Jason leventhal (founder of line skis) bought the old raichle molds and started FT. He sold those and Line when line was going belly up after the reactor binding flop.

Full Tilts are the go to boot for freestyle moguls and a lot of park. Great boot if you like the linear flex of them and so many interchangeable parts.

 

[qclabrat]

I'm a big fan of Full Tilt boots (now part of the K2 lineup)

K2 FL3X Ski Boots Collection

Chosen by some of the best athletes in the world, the K2 FL3X Collection is the embodiment of freestyle culture, style and art.undefined

k2snow.com

They have a 3 piece shell instead of 2 so the boot has a natural flex, instead of the shell contorting when it's bent. You can even adjust the stiffness of the flex by swapping different tongues instead of having to get a new boot. Very light weight. Most models come with the Intuition liner which is heat moldable.
Much like with a snowboard, it has a middle buckle that pulls your heal back into the boot. They are also significantly faster to put on and off than a traditional boot.

I used to have Technica Icons as well. With the old straighter, longer skis you needed a stiffer boot but with modern skis it's not necessary unless you're racing. Most of the people I ski with switched to FT and never went back.

But as was mention earlier, not every boot fits every foot.

I had skied on Raichle flexon pro comps and loved them, I have a wide foot and these boots were easy to get on and off as well as being comfortable. View attachment 255279
When it came time to upgrade a few years ago, after being away from skiing for a while First Stop Board Barn in Killington set me up with a pair of Full Tilts.
View attachment 255280
Also had insoles made, and these boots are the perfect boot for me.

Ahh, that makes sense why the new K2s looked so much like the Raichles. I have custom footbeds for the Tecnicas for when I used to ski 10 or more days a year. May consider new fitted boots and used skis for next season. Another first world problem to ponder for a few months ...

 

[Purl]

Ahh, that makes sense why the new K2s looked so much like the Raichles. I have custom footbeds for the Tecnicas for when I used to ski 10 or more days a year. May consider new fitted boots and used skis for next season. Another first world problem to ponder for a few months ...

Good spot to find skis is Sierra trading post (if you know what your looking for) they usually have kastle, dps, faction and majesty factory 2nds. So if you do mount your own skis don’t mount off of the graphic, always measure.

If you don’t know what your looking for, buckle in the amount of differences out there is just as bad as bikes (cept somehow I justify 6 pairs of skis, not 6 bikes)

 

[JPark]

Ahh, that makes sense why the new K2s looked so much like the Raichles. I have custom footbeds for the Tecnicas for when I used to ski 10 or more days a year. May consider new fitted boots and used skis for next season. Another first world problem to ponder for a few months ...

Exactly. If this is the biggest problem in your life then all is good.

 

[Captain Brainstorm]

Like others have mentioned, fit should be the first priority, cost is going to be whatever it is, this unfortunately isn't a place you can cheap out. I would go and get a custom insole first, then try boots on that fit the shape of your foot using the custom insole. Your body/foot/stance probably changed since you got your last insole, depending on how long ago that was.