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June, 2025

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The heaviest most in bounds oriented ski boot with a walk mode and tech inserts

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roadgaptoneckgrind
Posts: 546 - Karma: 23
I have a set of folsom completo's, and I have the CAST system waiting to be installed. Just need to pick a boot. I want to use it for a 90% resort 10% slackcountry setup.

I have an old full alpine boot already with an intuition liner that is fine.
I have an old dedicated touring set up with scarpas.

I am looking for a boot that is heavy, stiff flex and is essentially indistinguishable from an alpine boot in the way it skis in bounds. But for the occasional time I want to venture out into lift access slack country for 1 or 2 tours (10% of the time), it has a walk mode and I just switch out the CAST toes (which will be living in my pack). Maybe the salomon shift would have been better, but I had the look 18's already.

When I go on resort hopping trips for a few weeks where slackountry is an option and resort snow is soft and pow days are common (think interior BC), id rather just bring 1 setup, whereas now im bringing 2 and have to go switch boots etc. Which just get annoying.

I am 6'3, 230 and ski hard. I have seen scarpas break at the resort and I am really hard on gear. I will break mine if I use them there too.


Is there any other option than the Full Tilt SC Ascendant? I dont even need a touring boot really, even an alpine boot with a really bad walk mode (compared to touring boots, but good walk mode compared to standard boots that dont move at all) would be fine, if that exists
4 years ago
1 0
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7295 - Karma: 18,720
roadgaptoneckgrindI have a set of folsom completo's, and I have the CAST system waiting to be installed. Just need to pick a boot. I want to use it for a 90% resort 10% slackcountry setup.

I have an old full alpine boot already with an intuition liner that is fine.
I have an old dedicated touring set up with scarpas.

I am looking for a boot that is heavy, stiff flex and is essentially indistinguishable from an alpine boot in the way it skis in bounds. But for the occasional time I want to venture out into lift access slack country for 1 or 2 tours (10% of the time), it has a walk mode and I just switch out the CAST toes (which will be living in my pack). Maybe the salomon shift would have been better, but I had the look 18's already.

When I go on resort hopping trips for a few weeks where slackountry is an option and resort snow is soft and pow days are common (think interior BC), id rather just bring 1 setup, whereas now im bringing 2 and have to go switch boots etc. Which just get annoying.

I am 6'3, 230 and ski hard. I have seen scarpas break at the resort and I am really hard on gear. I will break mine if I use them there too.


Is there any other option than the Full Tilt SC Ascendant? I dont even need a touring boot really, even an alpine boot with a really bad walk mode (compared to touring boots, but good walk mode compared to standard boots that dont move at all) would be fine, if that exists


You are after a freeride boot. Basically every brand has that in their lineup now. So head off to a boot fitter and see what fits you best. There are loads of great boots that fit your exact needs but they wont all fit you, start start with what fits then decide from there.
4 years ago
9 0
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drifts
Posts: 621 - Karma: 4,508
Lupo pro, k2 mindbender, xt3, ascendant sc, roxa, etc.
4 years ago
1 0
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anders_a
Posts: 1680 - Karma: 5,605
cochise dyn 130?

I spent 30-40-50? days on them in 2019/2020 season. even hit the park on them quite a lot.



I also got the new 2021 hawk prime xtd 130 with new mimic liner as well now, but they are what 300 grams lighter? so sceptical, but hope they will be awesome.



I'm 6'3 230 myself.. or probably 240 now and even more coronafat....
4 years ago
0 0
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Charliehermens1
Posts: 107 - Karma: 806
Just got into the lupos ax120 and I’m loving it.
4 years ago
0 0
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animator
Posts: 4576 - Karma: 26,432
Please visit a fitter but here are some recommendations depending on availability/wha to fits:
Lange XT3 140 LV Pro: 97mm last, Low Volume. Stiff and responsive, tours well, skis even better.

Lupo Pro HD: 98mm last, “low volume,” (tends to fit medium volume despite claims). Stiff, heavy, does not tour well.

Tecnica Cochise 130 DYN: 99mm last, medium volume. Fairly stiff, not super heavy, walks decent.

FT Sammy C Ascendant: 102mm last, medium/high volume. Stiff (go 12 flex tongue and ski like Bode), walks ok, skis hard. *note, some complain of a low cuff height on the Ascendant/Descendant shell, especially if you’re taller. I never had an issue with it when I owned a Descendant, but it’a worth bringing up*

Go to a fitter please but these are some hard-charging options that you can definitely push super hard, and still your with your CAST Freetour!
4 years ago
4 1
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Weirdo_Puppy
Posts: 82 - Karma: 466
I’m currently using day makers as my touring set up. But I had a wild idea. Could you put the holes for pins and the metal insert so you could tour with them? I know they wouldn’t have walk mode but this is purely hypothetical. And it wouldn’t have to bear much weight if it was on something like the cast touring system where you put the toe back on.
4 years ago
1 5
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snowmosexual
Posts: 1941 - Karma: 10,090
If you're looking for a charger I recommend getting a fitted full alpine boot and having cast put tech toe inserts in them. Walk modes break if you're skiing hard. I haven't heard of a freeride boot with a walk mode that hasn't broken after landing backseat. If you're doing slack country odds are you won't be walking on flat for long. Walk mode is pretty useless on steep skin tracks. It's worth it to cast up your boots.
4 years ago
0 3
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Weirdo_Puppy
Posts: 82 - Karma: 466
I thought I made a great invention and then I was looking at cast because I was interested in a one ski quiver for next year. And I saw that you can get your boots turned into tech boots. I like how they add grip walk too.
4 years ago
2 0
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roadgaptoneckgrind
Posts: 546 - Karma: 23
snowmosexualIf you're looking for a charger I recommend getting a fitted full alpine boot and having cast put tech toe inserts in them. Walk modes break if you're skiing hard. I haven't heard of a freeride boot with a walk mode that hasn't broken after landing backseat. If you're doing slack country odds are you won't be walking on flat for long. Walk mode is pretty useless on steep skin tracks. It's worth it to cast up your boots.


I currently run folsom completos at the resort. They are awesome, and come in at just under 2200g which is pretty heavy and they are stiff. Works great now with my heavy alpine boot and I dont want to stray too far from this. I hesitate to go with anything under 8lbs for the pair for inbounds use, but boot tech has probably come a long way recently.

I think what you suggest might actually be the best option. Maybe ill get a full tilt resort boot. I have tried them on a few times and it seems that if I left them unbuckled they would be easiest to walk in of all the true alpine only designs. Trying to figure out if CAST can make a new toe for these.

I have tried on a few of the recommended and I like the Dalbello Lupo Pro HD, although it was a bit narrow. They are more than 2lbs for the pair heavier than my scarpas, which is what I like. This is my other option. Looking around for one I can actually try on in store that is similarly heavy but with a bigger last.

Either of these would be super heavy, but would be fine for me for lift accessed slack country with my current skis once in a while.


Thanks for the suggestions

**This post was edited on Jan 22nd 2021 at 2:29:01pm
4 years ago
1 0
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elm.
Posts: 1510 - Karma: 13,606
I was in your same boat. Went from a lange rs140 to a rossignol all track 130. They are definitely not as stiff and the cuff is lower, but I am really happy with them. Also ride 90% resort. I don't think there is a touring boot out there that has the performance of an alpine boot...but if you add a booster strap and a intuition race liner I think you can get closer. That's what my bootfitter said.

Also I learned that the volume of boots is not standardized. Just because a boot says low volume doesn't mean it is. I also learned that a high flex boot has more to do with your flexibility in your ankles than actual performance. So someone with high flexibility (angle between ankle and shin when squatting) will be much happier in a high flex boot.
4 years ago
1 0
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sashko
Posts: 233 - Karma: 767
Next year Dalbello Krypton 130. Freeride boot without walk mode but with pins

4 years ago
1 0
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snowmosexual
Posts: 1941 - Karma: 10,090
roadgaptoneckgrindI currently run folsom completos at the resort. They are awesome, and come in at just under 2200g which is pretty heavy and they are stiff. Works great now with my heavy alpine boot and I dont want to stray too far from this. I hesitate to go with anything under 8lbs for the pair for inbounds use, but boot tech has probably come a long way recently.

I think what you suggest might actually be the best option. Maybe ill get a full tilt resort boot. I have tried them on a few times and it seems that if I left them unbuckled they would be easiest to walk in of all the true alpine only designs. Trying to figure out if CAST can make a new toe for these.

I have tried on a few of the recommended and I like the Dalbello Lupo Pro HD, although it was a bit narrow. They are more than 2lbs for the pair heavier than my scarpas, which is what I like. This is my other option. Looking around for one I can actually try on in store that is similarly heavy but with a bigger last.

Either of these would be super heavy, but would be fine for me for lift accessed slack country with my current skis once in a while.


Thanks for the suggestions

**This post was edited on Jan 22nd 2021 at 2:29:01pm


I ride Lange rs 130s with a cast toe, I don't regret a thing
4 years ago
0 0
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roadgaptoneckgrind
Posts: 546 - Karma: 23
severniyNext year Dalbello Krypton 130. Freeride boot without walk mode but with pins



sick! there is my boot.
4 years ago
0 0
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anders_a
Posts: 1680 - Karma: 5,605
severniyNext year Dalbello Krypton 130. Freeride boot without walk mode but with pins


well damn, is that a regular krypton 130?
4 years ago
0 0
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OhJay
Posts: 345 - Karma: 1,238
anders_awell damn, is that a regular krypton 130?


Pretty much. TGR confirmed it's literally a Krypton 130 with tech fittings. No walk mode so same exact cuff as Krypton 130s. Supposedly what the team wanted for short skins after a heli drop.

If this Krytpon 130 t.i. (it's supposed name) comes with the regular, non-touring wrap liner, I have to believe the regular Krypton 130 is pretty much obsolete/phased out at this point. The t.i. version would lose pretty much nothing over the regular Krypton, and if people REALLY want the pure alpine Krypton 130 wo the tech fittings and GW soles, well there's the Il Moro which I believe still uses a B tongue but with a softer liner to give it that 'softer 120' flex.

That said, is it that hard/cost and labor intensive for Dalbello to just make gripwalk soles for the Krypton/Il Moro shells? My current understanding is the Lupo vibram soles aren't a proper fit, but can be made to work with planing or something. How many real life users are skinning that short a distance to not need/want the walk mode?

EDIT: Just read @sashko 's post. So this is next year's Krypton 130? Not just a 't.i.' version in addition to a reg. Krypton 130?

**This post was edited on Jan 25th 2021 at 7:06:43pm

**This post was edited on Jan 25th 2021 at 7:07:19pm
4 years ago
0 0
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animator
Posts: 4576 - Karma: 26,432
OhJayPretty much. TGR confirmed it's literally a Krypton 130 with tech fittings. No walk mode so same exact cuff as Krypton 130s. Supposedly what the team wanted for short skins after a heli drop.

If this Krytpon 130 t.i. (it's supposed name) comes with the regular, non-touring wrap liner, I have to believe the regular Krypton 130 is pretty much obsolete/phased out at this point. The t.i. version would lose pretty much nothing over the regular Krypton, and if people REALLY want the pure alpine Krypton 130 wo the tech fittings and GW soles, well there's the Il Moro which I believe still uses a B tongue but with a softer liner to give it that 'softer 120' flex.

That said, is it that hard/cost and labor intensive for Dalbello to just make gripwalk soles for the Krypton/Il Moro shells? My current understanding is the Lupo vibram soles aren't a proper fit, but can be made to work with planing or something. How many real life users are skinning that short a distance to not need/want the walk mode?

EDIT: Just read @sashko 's post. So this is next year's Krypton 130? Not just a 't.i.' version in addition to a reg. Krypton 130?

**This post was edited on Jan 25th 2021 at 7:06:43pm

**This post was edited on Jan 25th 2021 at 7:07:19pm


Correct on your last point, this is the only Krypton with a 130 flex! Inserts come standard in it
4 years ago
1 0
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roadgaptoneckgrind
Posts: 546 - Karma: 23
OhJayPretty much. TGR confirmed it's literally a Krypton 130 with tech fittings. No walk mode so same exact cuff as Krypton 130s. Supposedly what the team wanted for short skins after a heli drop.

If this Krytpon 130 t.i. (it's supposed name) comes with the regular, non-touring wrap liner, I have to believe the regular Krypton 130 is pretty much obsolete/phased out at this point. The t.i. version would lose pretty much nothing over the regular Krypton, and if people REALLY want the pure alpine Krypton 130 wo the tech fittings and GW soles, well there's the Il Moro which I believe still uses a B tongue but with a softer liner to give it that 'softer 120' flex.

That said, is it that hard/cost and labor intensive for Dalbello to just make gripwalk soles for the Krypton/Il Moro shells? My current understanding is the Lupo vibram soles aren't a proper fit, but can be made to work with planing or something. How many real life users are skinning that short a distance to not need/want the walk mode?

EDIT: Just read @sashko 's post. So this is next year's Krypton 130? Not just a 't.i.' version in addition to a reg. Krypton 130?

**This post was edited on Jan 25th 2021 at 7:06:43pm

**This post was edited on Jan 25th 2021 at 7:07:19pm


I dunno, most resorts have a place for a short skin up after a chairlift ride to the top. Then back down to the chairlift. Seems the appeal could be wide. Bootpacking sucks

And now there is a binding to facilitate this on the market.
4 years ago
0 0
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OhJay
Posts: 345 - Karma: 1,238
animatorCorrect on your last point, this is the only Krypton with a 130 flex! Inserts come standard in it


Sweet, thanks for confirming
*Patiently begins to save money along with all the other desired 2022 gear
4 years ago
0 0
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OhJay
Posts: 345 - Karma: 1,238
roadgaptoneckgrindI dunno, most resorts have a place for a short skin up after a chairlift ride to the top. Then back down to the chairlift. Seems the appeal could be wide. Bootpacking sucks

And now there is a binding to facilitate this on the market.


Yea makes sense to me now. I was gonna say that there's already the Lupo Pro HD which was already for shorter tours due to the heavier non-grilamid shell, but if this is the only Krypton 130 version we're getting AND it's at a lower price point vs. the Lupo Pros, then it makes more sense.
4 years ago
0 0
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