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March, 2024

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Time for new boots, looking at a different style

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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
The last several years I've been wearing softer park oriented boots such as the SPK with an Intuition liner. Loved the fit and they were great considering how much park I rode, but I've been riding park less and less every year.

Can anyone speak to switching to a stiffer boot? I understand everything else about the fit I'm after, but having never owned a boot I'd call "stiff" I'm not sure what to look for as far as comfort walking/hiking or ability to take an occasional casual park lap. I've tried on some boots and have a few models in mind, I'm just tentative to pull the trigger and be uncomfortable in the park or walking and hiking.

Thanks!
Nov 16 2013 6:19PM
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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
Oh, for reference I'm looking at boots in the 120 flex range and wondering what you think.
Nov 16 2013 6:20PM
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Wizerd
Posts: 908 - Karma: 6,694
Put on a few pairs and flex forward in the shop and see what feels "right"
Nov 16 2013 9:07PM
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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
I get that, but I can't wear the boots in the shop for 8 hours or ski a park lap with them in the parking lot. Just kind of nervous about committing to something when I'm not sure how much stiffer is gonna suit me. I've been in park boots for years now.
Nov 16 2013 9:45PM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,956
I don't know how good this is for the boot, but I have heard of stiff boots with walk modes being used in the park. As to effecting the boot though, I know a guy who skied hard for a whole week forgetting that his boots were in walk mode (he hadn't skied in a while so he couldn't really tell the difference) and nothing broke.
Nov 16 2013 10:17PM
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Natemm
Posts: 29 - Karma: 2
Feel like a stereotype on ns suggesting full tilts, but you can switch the tongue for a soft/stiff flex
Nov 16 2013 10:32PM
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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
Full Tilt and Dalbello are both extremely narrow for me. I'd love to try some but my feet are super wide. A customizable flex would be sweet.
Nov 16 2013 11:51PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7099 - Karma: 17,038
Stiff boots generally I find improve your skiing all round. Last season I went from an spk to the overload 120 and the improvement was huge. It's not just the forward flex which helps it's the lateral stiffness you gain especially over an spk. The boots are so much more responsive. There better for pop and buttering as you can really lean into the boots. But you need to ensure you don't go too stiff. If you have restricted forward flex you may find yourself more backseat. Like all boot questions the fitter is the one who can best assess what can work for you.
Nov 17 2013 7:43AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6638 - Karma: 10,532
Definitely give the new Atomic Overload 120 a try. Stiff but not too stiff and the flex can be adjusted -10 flex points if you need it to be a bit softer. It also has the ability to independently adjust forward lean from 13 to 15 and 17 degrees and one of the lowest stand heights in the boot world. Should be on your list to try for sure.
Nov 17 2013 11:42AM
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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
Thanks guys ^^^, that's exactly the kind of input I was looking for! Noted on the flex suggestions and I'll check out the Overload as well. I'd like to go back to a fitter armed with a few starting points.
Nov 17 2013 12:18PM
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