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April, 2025

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Cons of using a freeride touring boot for resort skiing

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SupremeChairlift
Posts: 312 - Karma: 4,017
I went and got fitted for a touring boot to pair with my Cast/4frnt devastators and I am planning on using this as an every day touring and resort riding set up. I got some Tecnica Cochise 130's and the boot fitter told me that you can pack out boot liners really quickly when using the same boot for touring and resort riding. Anybody have any experience with this?

Also for those who have the Cast system, do you use two separate boots for touring/resort riding and if so how do you manage changing the pivot forward pressure for each boot or do you just get boots with the same shell length.
5 years ago
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-arc-
Posts: 943 - Karma: 3,319
What’s the point in owning gear if you’re not going to use it? The Cochise is a great, stiff alpine touring boot that can definitely handle resort ripping.

The boot fitter is probably right in that tour specific liners will wear out faster than regular alpine liners; but if worst comes to worst you can always replace them.

Intuition and Zipfit have some great options for aftermarket liners.
5 years ago
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MarkusFin
Posts: 366 - Karma: 2,631
I've shredded with the 110 cochise for several years, both in resorts and touring. They wore down to the plastic, and I could've gotten a new liner, but decided to buy the 130 cochise. Think over 200 days on skis and only the liner wore down. And that's on the 110, I've yet to see how the 130 holds up.
5 years ago
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animator
Posts: 4576 - Karma: 26,428
So here’s the deal with what the bootfitter said: it’s horse shit. Crossover ski boots exist for the exact purpose you’re describing. To have one boot, to do everything from touring and hiking, to ripping the jump line. I have a Roxa R3 130 and it’s a crossover but I use it for everything. Don’t buy shit to have it sit on a shelf, “packing out your liners quicker” doesn’t make any sense. Ski boot liners are good for 150-200 days anyway so buy a boot and use it. For the record I have a CAST system and I only have one boot.
5 years ago
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drifts
Posts: 621 - Karma: 4,503
new liners are cheaper than a pair of boots, if you are worried about it get a separate set of liners for touring
5 years ago
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OregonDead
Posts: 7064 - Karma: 26,521
that sounds more like a regular alpine boot. IDK I use some older K2 pinnacle 130s that are the same sort of thing. use them if they fit
5 years ago
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SupremeChairlift
Posts: 312 - Karma: 4,017
Looks like I'll just be sticking to this boot then maybe get an intuition liner later if needed, thanks for the advice guys
5 years ago
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amccahill93
Posts: 221 - Karma: 1,936
Because walkmode sucks and is a failure point in boots
5 years ago
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clorox
Posts: 1728 - Karma: 4,867
I use Lupo AX's as my only boot. I break a walk switch about once per season but other then that they're great.
5 years ago
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animator
Posts: 4576 - Karma: 26,428
little_boy_primeLooks like I'll just be sticking to this boot then maybe get an intuition liner later if needed, thanks for the advice guys


Tecnica makes some decent liners so unless you put 200 days on that thing this season or you decide to climb and ski Everest you'll be good bro. If you want to be able to tour a bit more effectively check out the Pro Tour liners by Intuition, and you find yourself wanting a bit more power add a booster strap and an Intuition Tour Wrap liner. Hope this helps!
5 years ago
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anders_a
Posts: 1680 - Karma: 5,604
40 days on my cochise dyn 130 , 90% resort
5 years ago
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 9608 - Karma: 71,463
Boutta be using a 130 flex K2 Mindbender all year. I'll probably put an intuition in it, but I'll report back midseason.
5 years ago
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 9608 - Karma: 71,463
Boutta be using a 130 flex K2 Mindbender all year. I'll probably put an intuition in it, but I'll report back midseason.
5 years ago
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ShredtheGnarSlay
Posts: 20 - Karma: 64
I'm considering the Cochise too, sounds like it's really good inbounds for a 50/50 boot. Is it close to a full alpine in terms of performance?

For those that use it, is the walk mode decent enough for short to moderate touring? I'm willing to deal with a bit more weight.

Was also considering the Hawx Ultra XTD, but less sure about how that would perform inbounds
5 years ago
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anders_a
Posts: 1680 - Karma: 5,604
I can hit 70mph+ with my cochise dyn 130 on mantra 102s, even tried my GS race skis with them. Its not a race boot, but it is damn impressive.
5 years ago
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animator
Posts: 4576 - Karma: 26,428
ShredtheGnarSlayI'm considering the Cochise too, sounds like it's really good inbounds for a 50/50 boot. Is it close to a full alpine in terms of performance?

For those that use it, is the walk mode decent enough for short to moderate touring? I'm willing to deal with a bit more weight.

Was also considering the Hawx Ultra XTD, but less sure about how that would perform inbounds


The Hawx XTD is a better boot in just about every way (except for fit, the boot has to fit your foot). It’s lighter, stiffer, and walks better. The Cochise to me feels really soft for a 130 but again it’s all about what feels right for you. I almost bought a Hawx but couldn’t justify the price tag. It’s a killer fucking boot and @onenerdykid and the Atomic team killed it with the whole line. Who knows, I might cave and get one mid season. But yeah if you’re between the Cochise and the Hawx and want something super solid for inbounds, Hawx skis better IMO. Try and get both on your feet to see which one works best.
5 years ago
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ShredtheGnarSlay
Posts: 20 - Karma: 64
animatorThe Hawx XTD is a better boot in just about every way (except for fit, the boot has to fit your foot). It’s lighter, stiffer, and walks better. The Cochise to me feels really soft for a 130 but again it’s all about what feels right for you. I almost bought a Hawx but couldn’t justify the price tag. It’s a killer fucking boot and @onenerdykid and the Atomic team killed it with the whole line. Who knows, I might cave and get one mid season. But yeah if you’re between the Cochise and the Hawx and want something super solid for inbounds, Hawx skis better IMO. Try and get both on your feet to see which one works best.



Nice, great to know! I actually tried on the Hawx prime xtd along with some other 50/50 boots, (minbender, lupo) and the fit was the best for me. I have fat feet, yet the heel was nice and secure.

I didn't pull the trigger yet as I wasn't sure if it was a good choice for primarily inbounds skiing. Blister suggested it was a 70/30 touring / inbounds boot, whereas I want something in the other direction (70/80% resort)

I might try on the Cochise, see what the fit is like, and make the call from there. Good to know the inbounds performance won't suffer with the Hawx, and that the touring capabilities are better though!
5 years ago
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animator
Posts: 4576 - Karma: 26,428
ShredtheGnarSlayNice, great to know! I actually tried on the Hawx prime xtd along with some other 50/50 boots, (minbender, lupo) and the fit was the best for me. I have fat feet, yet the heel was nice and secure.

I didn't pull the trigger yet as I wasn't sure if it was a good choice for primarily inbounds skiing. Blister suggested it was a 70/30 touring / inbounds boot, whereas I want something in the other direction (70/80% resort)

I might try on the Cochise, see what the fit is like, and make the call from there. Good to know the inbounds performance won't suffer with the Hawx, and that the touring capabilities are better though!


I didn’t try on the prime because I have narrow feet but yeah it’s essentially the same boot. Try the Cochise on and see which works better for you, but I think the Hawx is a perfect 50/50 boot
5 years ago
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SupremeChairlift
Posts: 312 - Karma: 4,017
I ski a 23.5 so my selection is very limited and luckily there was a 23.5 in the Cochise but I would've loved to try the hawx xtd
5 years ago
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OregonDead
Posts: 7064 - Karma: 26,521
BigPurpleSkiSuitBoutta be using a 130 flex K2 Mindbender all year. I'll probably put an intuition in it, but I'll report back midseason.


doesn’t it basically have an intuition liner anyways? my k2s have intuitions and I know intuition uses ultralon brand foam. mind benders now say they have an ultralon liner
5 years ago
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Kevski
Posts: 7056 - Karma: 2,788
I use my lupo ax120s literally every day I ski. Park, resort laps and tours. I did pack out the stock liner over 2 seasons and just picked up some intuitions - plan to use these boots for at least a couple more seasons because the fit is dialed.

In my opinion I’d rather buy liners every couple seasons than have to wear different boots any days I‘m touring.
5 years ago
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 9608 - Karma: 71,463
The liner seems plush, but I want that power wrap to take up space for my skinny lower leg
OregonDeaddoesn’t it basically have an intuition liner anyways? my k2s have intuitions and I know intuition uses ultralon brand foam. mind benders now say they have an ultralon liner
5 years ago
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OregonDead
Posts: 7064 - Karma: 26,521
BigPurpleSkiSuitThe liner seems plush, but I want that power wrap to take up space for my skinny lower leg


yeah wrap style seems pretty intriguing to me too. I have only used toung styles so far. Intuition with the toung has been pretty nice compared to prior liners tho
5 years ago
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Kevski
Posts: 7056 - Karma: 2,788
OregonDeadyeah wrap style seems pretty intriguing to me too. I have only used toung styles so far. Intuition with the toung has been pretty nice compared to prior liners tho


Was just in with Tom (fitter at intuition) to get my new liners today and he suggested wraps can actually be less effective at holding skinny calves than the tongues are. Something about the way pressure is distributed. Wraps also limit range of motion, which is great for adding stiffness to your boot but less great for touring.
Ended up in the pro tour with the tongue.
5 years ago
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olic
Posts: 299 - Karma: 940
ShredtheGnarSlayI'm considering the Cochise too, sounds like it's really good inbounds for a 50/50 boot. Is it close to a full alpine in terms of performance?

For those that use it, is the walk mode decent enough for short to moderate touring? I'm willing to deal with a bit more weight.

Was also considering the Hawx Ultra XTD, but less sure about how that would perform inbounds


Used a Hawx Ultra XTD 115 (would have preferred stiffer flex but small feet limits my options for AT boots) for 7 days in Japan riding powder and some groomer shredding, worked a treat for both, well worth a look.
5 years ago
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sidewaysbeater
Posts: 13 - Karma: 43
olicUsed a Hawx Ultra XTD 115 (would have preferred stiffer flex but small feet limits my options for AT boots) for 7 days in Japan riding powder and some groomer shredding, worked a treat for both, well worth a look.


Not sure if it's been said, but it's worth noting the new 20/21 XTD 130s (Ultra and Prime) have the new, beefier, mimic liner. Heavier boot, but should get really close to full alpine performance. Still a lot lighter than some of the 50/50s like the Cochise.
5 years ago
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JacobV
Posts: 49 - Karma: 387
Semi-related question about crossover boots. I'm buying new boots next week for the first time in 8 (!!) seasons, I don't know shit about boot tech much less AT boot tech. I'm trying to get into touring either this year or next, hoping for a boot that will perform well inbounds and will allow me to dip my toes into touring. Inbounds I ski about 50/50 all mountain/park, so I want something that will work for park as well. Is there even a boot that can fill all of these needs (inbounds+park+touring)? I'm going to a bootfitter next week but figured I'd ask ya'll to get a sense of what I want.
5 years ago
0 0
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animator
Posts: 4576 - Karma: 26,428
voyzeySemi-related question about crossover boots. I'm buying new boots next week for the first time in 8 (!!) seasons, I don't know shit about boot tech much less AT boot tech. I'm trying to get into touring either this year or next, hoping for a boot that will perform well inbounds and will allow me to dip my toes into touring. Inbounds I ski about 50/50 all mountain/park, so I want something that will work for park as well. Is there even a boot that can fill all of these needs (inbounds+park+touring)? I'm going to a bootfitter next week but figured I'd ask ya'll to get a sense of what I want.


You’re spot on about going to a fitter but here are some recommendations from a bootfitter who also skis park all mountain and tours:
1. Dalbello Lupo series (AX 120, AX HD, Pro HD). I don’t personally like the flex of these but that’s just me, these are very widely loved by all types of skiers around the world. They ski well and tour well. If you want the full range of motion, you’ll have to take the tongue out which is a fiddle factor that not everyone wants to deal with.

2. Lange XT3 120/130. These were redesigned completely for the 20/21 year. Still DualCore shells (harder plastic outside softer plastic that provides really good rebound and “suspension”), but the range of motion is way better and the boots are noticeably lighter than they were previously. If you like to ski hard as fuck these are a great option (if they fit).



3. Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD/XTD Prime. These boots are awesome and I keep saying it but @onenerdykid snd the atomic team killed it. Probably the most versatile boots ever IMO. As light as a dedicated touring boot, stiff as a true 130 boot, great range of motion, and a completely customizable shell and liner for one of the best fits in the game. Gripwalk only so if you have older bindings it’s a no go. Fit is really skinny and it takes a decent bootfitter to get the best of the customization but that’s a great (and more expensive) option.

4. Salomon Shift. These were redesigned by Salomon this year to replace the QST series (thank god). The fit and ROM are both much better and they’re very capable boots.

These are just a few, obviously try some stuff on and see what makes your foot happy. If you have any more questions feel free to PM me!
5 years ago
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