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May, 2023

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Too Stiff?

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StoinkyDoinky
Posts: 26 - Karma: 347
Hey all,

I'm getting back into resort skiing as I was a religious backcountry skier. In that case I need new boots. I ski a 110 boot but feel like it's way too soft. I'm looking at a pair of Lange RS 130 boots. Too stiff?

I'm 5'10 and around 150lbs. I'd say I'm an expert. I usually hit cliffs around 50 feet, ski hella narrow stuff, and mostly do dumb $hit while on the mountain. Also, I usually ski first chair to last call so comfort and warmth are high on my list.
Thanks!
Jul 5 2021 4:14PM
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twin224
Posts: 84 - Karma: 753
no such thing as too stiff, ive got a friend that rides park and has tried many boots such as full tilt, dalbello, atomic and ended up settling on head raptor 120 boots. He says he prefers stiffer boots because it gives him for control/feel.

**This post was edited on Jul 5th 2021 at 5:13:49pm
Jul 5 2021 5:12PM
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CaIeb
Posts: 319 - Karma: 2,522
no dutch things i ride 130s only and crank my boot like crazy, anything for good response.
Jul 5 2021 6:39PM
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ericforman
Posts: 721 - Karma: 6,205
Probably fine. I’m your size probably worse at skiing and rock a tecnica 120 mach1 lv downsized and never once thought it was too stiff. That being said all 130s are NOT the same. People saying their 130 is great may be in a much less stiff boot compared to a race boot (I have no idea but it’s certainly possible). Mbe an ex racer will chime in which would be helpful.
Jul 5 2021 8:19PM
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mrk127
Posts: 1521 - Karma: 13,872
twin224no such thing as too stiff, ive got a friend that rides park and has tried many boots such as full tilt, dalbello, atomic and ended up settling on head raptor 120 boots. He says he prefers stiffer boots because it gives him for control/feel.

**This post was edited on Jul 5th 2021 at 5:13:49pm


Same thing happened to me, tried a bunch of "freeride" boots but settled on some head raptor 130s. For me, nothing can beat a race boot for inbounds anything. but I just have a pretty narrow foot so it works. OP for your style sounds like you would be good in a Lange 130, have you had your foot in the boot yet?
Jul 6 2021 12:07AM
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MaimHelp
Posts: 1599 - Karma: 12,576
I ski the stiffest and tightest boot I can that doesn’t completely hurt my foot and I love it
Jul 6 2021 12:44AM
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ColoradoDogfart
Posts: 2247 - Karma: 25,030
Didn’t know mf Owen leeper was on NS
Jul 6 2021 1:14AM
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bbw.enthusiast
Posts: 265 - Karma: 766
ur mom got me too stiff
Jul 6 2021 2:52AM
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anders_a
Posts: 1680 - Karma: 5,596
no worries, soft boots suck.





I ski 100 days a year on stiff ones.
Jul 6 2021 4:15AM
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ski_joe
Posts: 25 - Karma: 199
You can never go too stiff, I ski Nordica pro machine 120 and love them. The more stiff and well fit your boot is equals more control over your whole ski tip to tail.

find a good boot-fitter too they will point you in the right direction
Jul 6 2021 12:09PM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6543 - Karma: 9,793
twin224no such thing as too stiff
**This post was edited on Jul 5th 2021 at 5:13:49pm


ski_joeYou can never go too stiff

While I appreciate people liking stiff boots and recognizing the benefits of stiff boots, there is most definitely a thing as too stiff of a boot.

A boot that is too stiff can cause problems and a boot that is too soft can cause problems. The ideal flex for everyone is to ski the stiffest boot that you can still properly flex. This might be a 170, this might be a 90. It always comes back to you & your weight, height, strength, ankle flexibility and technique.

Don't simply gravitate to the stiffest boot you can find (FYI - 120 is honestly semi-soft in the grand scheme of things), but be sure to try on a boot that is too stiff for you and a boot that is too soft for you. Find the extremes that don't work and then work towards the proper flex.
Jul 6 2021 1:08PM
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 8550 - Karma: 58,188
I'd recommend finding a 130 that works for you and then putting booster straps on it. If you're really hitting(and riding out of) 50 footers, you'll really like how the booster strap cranks everything down tightly.
Jul 6 2021 1:44PM
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SavageBiff
Posts: 3483 - Karma: 14,733
Too stiff is a thing, just as is too soft. You want something you can flex, FYI they’re easier to flex during skiing than in a shop, but at the same time they’re warmer in a shop so easier to flex at the same time, so work at it during the fit so you don’t go too soft, you can get booster straps for some flex adjustment as well, even the straps themselves can be altered to change the flex of the strap as well.

Also some boots 130 is not a true 130 could be closer to 110 so hopefully you test fit and don’t buy online unless ya really know what’s up.

Finally, it’s ultra important you get a good “fit”, maybe u already know these things idk just my $.0002
Jul 8 2021 7:15AM
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CabbyArrant
Posts: 779 - Karma: 4,117
ericformanProbably fine. I’m your size probably worse at skiing and rock a tecnica 120 mach1 lv downsized and never once thought it was too stiff. That being said all 130s are NOT the same. People saying their 130 is great may be in a much less stiff boot compared to a race boot (I have no idea but it’s certainly possible). Mbe an ex racer will chime in which would be helpful.


Can Confirm. A 120 Technica tends to flex like a 90-100 flex Salomon and a 120 Fischer is like a 100-110 Salomon.
(This is my take on the boots that I have owned and tried on. This is not a rule)
Jul 8 2021 8:07PM
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BradFiAusNzCoCa
Posts: 5769 - Karma: 48,519
No way. I used to fit boots and salomons are not that stiff. Also, you need to specify which models you are talking about.
CabbyArrantCan Confirm. A 120 Technica tends to flex like a 90-100 flex Salomon and a 120 Fischer is like a 100-110 Salomon.
(This is my take on the boots that I have owned and tried on. This is not a rule)
Jul 9 2021 10:51AM
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SavageBiff
Posts: 3483 - Karma: 14,733
You may have something with the boot “model” thing, but that cabby dude knows a lil sumthin’ bout boots
BradFiAusNzCoCaNo way. I used to fit boots and salomons are not that stiff. Also, you need to specify which models you are talking about.
Jul 9 2021 11:04AM
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BradFiAusNzCoCa
Posts: 5769 - Karma: 48,519
Maybe he does and maybe he’ll come blow me away. But I just don’t think it’s that clear cut. There’s a lot of variables.
SavageBiffYou may have something with the boot “model” thing, but that cabby dude knows a lil sumthin’ bout boots
Jul 9 2021 11:06AM
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CabbyArrant
Posts: 779 - Karma: 4,117
BradFiAusNzCoCaNo way. I used to fit boots and salomons are not that stiff. Also, you need to specify which models you are talking about.


BradFiAusNzCoCaMaybe he does and maybe he’ll come blow me away. But I just don’t think it’s that clear cut. There’s a lot of variables.


I also fitted boots for years, And I recognize that it’s relatively subjective hence my disclaimer on my original post and I may have exaggerated a little. The Technica Mach 1 runs really soft and the 120 has a pretty spongey flex that I compare to a 100 flex Salomon S Pro. This is in part because the Technicas have a more progressive flex than the Salomons. Also my Fischer Hybrid 12+ are a 120 flex that is marginally stiffer than the S Pro 100 which was modified to 110 with the flip chip. I’m also a bigger guy so I can flex boots with a lot more ease than other people so boots with a more progressive flex pattern don’t offer the same support for guys like me especially if one skis aggressively
Jul 9 2021 11:24AM
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CabbyArrant
Posts: 779 - Karma: 4,117
BradFiAusNzCoCaMaybe he does and maybe he’ll come blow me away. But I just don’t think it’s that clear cut. There’s a lot of variables.


I should not have generalized so much about brands, you are correct
Jul 9 2021 11:26AM
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BackWoods420
Posts: 229 - Karma: 446
Also ski a 120 boot in park. Went from a Descendant 6 to a Nordica I think speedmachine 120. Would not use a softer boot to ski park.
Jul 10 2021 1:34PM
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