Intermediate AT boots for inbounds skiing

Posts: 2 - Karma: 11

Jan 9 2017 8:44AM

I am getting back into skiing after snowboarding for 15 years or so and am putting a ski package together. I'll be skiing primarily in-bounds at first but would like to start doing a small amount of AT within the next year or two. Realistically I won't be going on too many tours or doing anything terribly intense, but I'd like to get started anyway.

My thinking is that I can save a few bucks by buying a pair of AT-Alpine boots that I can use with my inbounds setup and, next year, with my AT setup that I am piecing together. I got a pair of Griffon IDs already for compatibility.

Is there anything wrong with that idea? I know AT boots can lack progressive flex and some lateral stability, but I would think there would be some boots that would work well. I've heard that the Scarpa Freedom would be great, and I found them at a good price, but their flex rating is 120 and I expect to that something in the 90-100 range will be more suitable.

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Cole9

Posts: 339 - Karma: 741

Jan 9 2017 1:26PM

A little heavy but k2 pinnacle 110 or 130 I use the 130 for everything even park and it works fine.

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.[sanhedrin].

Posts: 1649 - Karma: 917

Jan 9 2017 10:44PM

Going to a bootfitter is the official response you need to hear.

Having gotten that out of the way - you may have a lot of luck with the new QST Pro 120 boot from Salomon. Both the liners and the shells can be heat molded to the shape of your feet. Salomon also sells the touring pads for these boots making them a great resort boot which can also be used with tech bindings if you go that route.

Lastly, welcome back.

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SeizedCorded

Posts: 2 - Karma: 11

Jan 10 2017 2:39PM

Thanks for the responses.

Unfortunately, my local ski shop doesn't carry any AT gear, except for maybe the Cochise. I'll go in and at least try those on, but I'll likely have to get them online so I thought it would be a good idea to gather a few opinions on the matter before going back in.

I've listed a few boots that I've seen on sale and/or have come with recommendations from various sources. I guess I would consider myself an expert snowboarder but I'd say I'm at an intermediate level for skiing at this point. Seems like that would put me at around a 90 flex so will these boots that are 100, 110, 120 flex going to be way too much? Again, I'll go to my local shop before pulling the trigger on something.

Scarpa Freedom SL 120

Solomon QST Pro 120

Solomon MTN Explore 110

K2 Pinnacle 110

Fischer TransAlp 100-110?

Scarpa F1 95?

Technica Cochise 90

Atomic Waymaker Tour 90

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onenerdykid

Posts: 6639 - Karma: 10,533

Jan 10 2017 2:52PM

SeizedCordedThanks for the responses.

Unfortunately, my local ski shop doesn't carry any AT gear, except for maybe the Cochise. I'll go in and at least try those on, but I'll likely have to get them online so I thought it would be a good idea to gather a few opinions on the matter before going back in.

I've listed a few boots that I've seen on sale and/or have come with recommendations from various sources. I guess I would consider myself an expert snowboarder but I'd say I'm at an intermediate level for skiing at this point. Seems like that would put me at around a 90 flex so will these boots that are 100, 110, 120 flex going to be way too much? Again, I'll go to my local shop before pulling the trigger on something.

Scarpa Freedom SL 120

Solomon QST Pro 120

Solomon MTN Explore 110

K2 Pinnacle 110

Fischer TransAlp 100-110?

Scarpa F1 95?

Technica Cochise 90

Atomic Waymaker Tour 90

Matching flex with ability level is the wrong way to go about it- your ski boot has no idea your skier level, it just knows the forces acting upon it. So your weight, your strength, ankle range of motion count for way more than your ability level.

As it has been said, the ultimate one will be the one that fits you- not what works or doesn't work for someone else. The good news is there are tons of fit options out there now in this category, and as you will see it will only be growing. If you buy randomly based on other people's feedback, you will have a very, very low success rate of finding the right boot for your needs. The downside of this is that you will need to try them on (ideally under the guidance of someone who knows what to look for) in order to be sure you get the right boot.

As you can tell from your initial searches, this stuff ain't cheap. So don't make the mistake of buying the wrong option as you'll regret it in your wallet and on your feet. If it comes down to it, try to buy something at your destination mountain where you can try it on if your local shop doesn't have options for you.

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