Here are some basic differences. I pulled these out of a thread on TGR, basically because they are very well written and I didn't want to write them again:
"Tongues:
Both boots have an interchangeable tongue. The FT has flexes from 2
(very soft) to 9 (very stiff). This gives a range from about 50 to 130
for a flex index. The tongue color(s) have no effect on the flex, and
are not the same for different years. So black tongue is not always a 6
flex. You have no way to tell the flex other then bending it. For the
10 boot sizes (4-13) each tongue fits about 3 boot sizes and a total of
4 sized exist. The dalbello
tongues come in 2 different flexes (80 and 100ish) and a similar range
of sizes. The FT tongue has 6 groves to fit the 3 cables that do up
around the boot. The Krypton has one groove for the middle cable and
the rest is smooth. Both attach just at the toe area by a small metal
buckle, and are both easy to change out.
Cuff:
The rear cuff on both boots is again similar. The cuff attachment point
is 70mm for the boots sole and symmetrical on the krypton. The FT is
88mm on the medial side and 85mm on the lateral side. Upper cuff
alignment is done on both boots thru a removable shim that is under the
cuff screw. Commonly, and incorrectly called canting, this is made to
help align the upper cuff of the boot to the natural curve of the lower
leg. One of the main differences between the boots is the middle buckle
attachment point. The FT buckle attaches to the lower cuff and the
Krypton attaches to the upper cuff. As a boot is flexed forward, the
rear cuff moves forward, and the middle of the tongue stays about the
same. So on the FT the buckle tension will stay about the same under
flex, while the Dalbello
will loosen a bit while the boot is being flexed. Both rear cuffs are
also moveable forward and back by using a small shim that fits between
the upper and lower cuff. They both have three setting (no shim, thin,
or thick shim). Some models also have a rear spoiler on the top of the
rear cuff that is both adjustable, and removable for different leg
sizes, shapes and skiing styles
Buckles:
The FT buckles are a very unique design that relies on a metal cable (3
sizes, 235mm, 245mm and 255mm) to attach to a plastic buckle that moves
on a ratchet. Both the upper and middle cables are the same and
interchangeable. The upper cuff has a few different placements for the
cable to give it a larger range to adjust. The buckles are prone to
freezing up and not being adjustable, and the springs break too. They
still work, just not as well. The cables and plastic buckles help to
make the boot very light and with nothing on the inside of the boot to
catch on rails, gate, trees make the cables very durable
The Krypton buckles are a more traditional design, on the top and
bottom, and only the middle used a unique design. All the buckles are
on screws and Tnuts so are easy to replace. The catch for the upper
buckle is adjustable for 3 different sizes and can be re-drilled to
make this adjustable for most people. Some modles have the toe buckle
reversed to prevent it catching, and breaking.
Width:
Both boots are listed at a 98mm last (for a 26 boot) but the volume is
a bit different on them. I measured back form the end of the toe lug
10cm, and then marked that on the open part of the boot. Then measured
from the boot board, to the opening of the boot. On the FT this was
74mm and the krypton 78mm. 4mm instep is the difference between a low
and mid volume boot. The internal width is 1-2mm narrower for the FT as
well depending on where on the boot you measure.
Weight:
The basic shell weight is measured for a size 25, without the liner (as
you should just use the intuition liners and they are the same for both
brands). You pairs might be more or less depending on the accessories
that you use (power straps, cuff heights, cable size, boot boards etc)
FT: 1.27kg, shell only
Krypton: 1.71kg shell only
Liners:
Well depends on the model that you buy. The FT comes with an intuition
liner and the Krypton can come with an intuition or a “normal” liner.
If you have the option get the intuition one. It is lighter and warmer
then any stock liner.
Flex adjustment:
As listed earlier both boots have a few flex
options for the tongue. The Krypton also comes with a small wedge that
helps to stiffen the boots flex, by not allowing the two sides of the
lower cuff, in the back of the boot, to come together. This can be
removed, or used in two different positions. With the FT flex ratings
of 1 to 9 and the Krypton tongues and stiffening shims this makes both
boots about the same for overall range of flex adjustment."
"The great 3 part boot debate:
So this is all about the differences between the dalbello krypton and the full tilt boots.
If you are reading this to find out the answer the “what is the better
boot for me” question the answer is buy the boot that fits YOU best.
Not your buddy, not some pro, not the one that has the best features.
To do this you MUST see a good boot fitter (not just a guy who sells
boots in a big box store) and try them both on to see what works for
you better.
Also I’m not directly affiliated with either company. I personally use the dalbello
boots, and the boot fitting store that I manage sells the full tilt (as
well as other brands). This information is taken from information that
the companies and sales reps have given me, and from taking apart many
boots over 15 years of boot fitting. The boots tested, photographed etc
are a size 25 krypton (295mm) and a 25 full tilt (293)
First a short history lesson: the full tilt boot is not new or a
revolutionary. It is the same old design that raichle used for many
years, and has a cult following. A full story is avail on the full tilt
site.
http://www.fulltiltboots.com/about.asp
Basically the boot was in production from the late 70’s to mid 90’s.
Rachlie made a few other models that never really caught on, and in
1996 the company was sold to Kneissl who then used the molds for afew
years, then they too left it alone. In 2005 K2 bought the molds and
re-released the shape as the Full Tilt boot. This “new” full tilt boot
is the same as the old raichle, with the addition of a full intuition
liner and a power strap.
The krypton came to the market also about 3 years ago. Design ideas and
work from some former raichle skiers like glen plake. This boot is
sometimes referred to as a step up from the raichle. I’m not convinced
that different is always better.
SO the basic idea of both boots is similar. Both boots have three parts
rather then the “normal” two-part overlap boot. It is a lower clog,
matched to an upper cuff, with an open throat design, that is covered
by a tongue. Both boots have a few parts that are removable and
changeable to make the design work for skiers, and almost none of the
parts are interchangeable"
