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What Boots Go Best With CAST System?

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CloudBasedRippah
Posts: 75 - Karma: 453
Howdy Y'all,

I just acquired a CAST system and am now in the process of deciding which boots to best go with them. Options would be to convert my FT alpine boots with CAST inserts OR to get new boots.

IF I were to get new boots, what are the best options for boots that fit alpine bindings but also have tech toe capability? My research has uncovered the FT Sammy C pro ascendant or the K2 Mindbender boots. Was curious to see if anyone has boots they use for CAST system and what works well?


Thanks!
4 years ago
3 2
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,966
Go to a bootfitter
4 years ago
28 4
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6747 - Karma: 11,771
There are about 100 different kinds of boots that will do what you want and do it really well.

Your best bet is to sit down with your local boot-fitter, explain your situation, and find out what fits your foot. It really doesn't matter what someone else likes- they don't have your foot, ankle flexibility, weight, height, budget, personal preference, etc. And what someone else hates might be the best thing for you. So, long story short, spend some time with a good boot-fitter and explore the options that he/she recommends based on your biomechanical needs. You'll be much better off that way than listening to people tell you what worked or didn't for them.
4 years ago
16 0
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CloudBasedRippah
Posts: 75 - Karma: 453
I know all the crap about getting a boot that fits your foot. I am interested in what are the options of Alpine boots that have the tech toe on them? From there, I'll know what to go try.

Thanks for the feedback!
4 years ago
3 18
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animator
Posts: 4576 - Karma: 26,428
CloudBasedRippahI know all the crap about getting a boot that fits your foot. I am interested in what are the options of Alpine boots that have the tech toe on them? From there, I'll know what to go try.

Thanks for the feedback!


A fitter can tell you all that but I’d personally be in a 50/50 style boot like an Atomic Hawk Ultra XTD, Lange XT3, FT Ascendant, Dalbello Lupo, Roxa R3, etc. CAST generally doesn’t fly with true touring boots with rocketed rubber soles although I think that @CastTouring did sat that it’s possible.
4 years ago
7 1
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jompcock
Posts: 1578 - Karma: 11,738
animatorA fitter can tell you all that but I’d personally be in a 50/50 style boot like an Atomic Hawk Ultra XTD, Lange XT3, FT Ascendant, Dalbello Lupo, Roxa R3, etc. CAST generally doesn’t fly with true touring boots with rocketed rubber soles although I think that @CastTouring did sat that it’s possible.


Pivots are only certified with WTR, GripWalk and alpine soles depending on which AFD the pivots come with. I've heard some rockered soles will play nice with wtr, but anything with full rubber where it meets the afd on the bottom is gonna have a tough time releasing... Seems like GripWalk is becoming the standard, and pivots with gripwalk afd's work with both alpine and GW soles without any adjustment.

Basically get something with with tech fittings that will also work with a normal set of pivots.
4 years ago
2 0
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6747 - Karma: 11,771
CloudBasedRippahI know all the crap about getting a boot that fits your foot. I am interested in what are the options of Alpine boots that have the tech toe on them? From there, I'll know what to go try.

Thanks for the feedback!


Well, here's the thing: Alpine Sole + Tech Inserts isn't a TÜV Certifiable combination and I don't think you will be seeing many brands purposefully make a boot that way any more.

The most common scenario is GripWalk + Tech Inserts.

And if you want an alpine boot (meaning no walk mode) + tech inserts, only Dalbello makes a boot like that. That puts your options from about 100 down to 1. Nice and easy then.
4 years ago
7 0
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animator
Posts: 4576 - Karma: 26,428
onenerdykidWell, here's the thing: Alpine Sole + Tech Inserts isn't a TÜV Certifiable combination and I don't think you will be seeing many brands purposefully make a boot that way any more.

The most common scenario is GripWalk + Tech Inserts.

And if you want an alpine boot (meaning no walk mode) + tech inserts, only Dalbello makes a boot like that. That puts your options from about 100 down to 1. Nice and easy then.


Take em to school Matt
4 years ago
4 1
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CloudBasedRippah
Posts: 75 - Karma: 453
onenerdykidWell, here's the thing: Alpine Sole + Tech Inserts isn't a TÜV Certifiable combination and I don't think you will be seeing many brands purposefully make a boot that way any more.

The most common scenario is GripWalk + Tech Inserts.

And if you want an alpine boot (meaning no walk mode) + tech inserts, only Dalbello makes a boot like that. That puts your options from about 100 down to 1. Nice and easy then.


I just meant ... give me a boot that I can ride my cast system in downhill mode (clicks into normal pivot) and has the holes that let me walk uphill. thanks to the guy who gave a listing of those
4 years ago
2 15
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Cade2
Posts: 2124 - Karma: 2,706
CloudBasedRippahI know all the crap about getting a boot that fits your foot. I am interested in what are the options of Alpine boots that have the tech toe on them? From there, I'll know what to go try.

Thanks for the feedback!


you don't need to know any of that, your boot fitter will, its her/his job.
4 years ago
4 4
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CloudBasedRippah
Posts: 75 - Karma: 453
animatorA fitter can tell you all that but I’d personally be in a 50/50 style boot like an Atomic Hawk Ultra XTD, Lange XT3, FT Ascendant, Dalbello Lupo, Roxa R3, etc. CAST generally doesn’t fly with true touring boots with rocketed rubber soles although I think that @CastTouring did sat that it’s possible.


Thanks for being helpful. Damn Boot NS is for real wild. GO TO A BOOT FITTER IMMEDIATELY. They'll do your taxes, teach you how to rodeo and suck you off.

Im just out here tryin to talk gear and it's potential compatibility not go see some crusty wook who will try to sell me 650 dollar Lange's, ya diiiig
4 years ago
7 18
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 9616 - Karma: 71,531
CloudBasedRippahThanks for being helpful. Damn Boot NS is for real wild. GO TO A BOOT FITTER IMMEDIATELY. They'll do your taxes, teach you how to rodeo and suck you off.

Im just out here tryin to talk gear and it's potential compatibility not go see some crusty wook who will try to sell me 650 dollar Lange's, ya diiiig


Damn, that sounds like a good bootfitter.
4 years ago
16 0
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animator
Posts: 4576 - Karma: 26,428
CloudBasedRippahThanks for being helpful. Damn Boot NS is for real wild. GO TO A BOOT FITTER IMMEDIATELY. They'll do your taxes, teach you how to rodeo and suck you off.

Im just out here tryin to talk gear and it's potential compatibility not go see some crusty wook who will try to sell me 650 dollar Lange's, ya diiiig


Lmao I’m a fitter so I see both the consumer side and the retail side. I never went to a fitter before I started my training as one and it showed in my boot choices. People suggest it for a reason, but not all fitters are created equal

**This post was edited on Sep 28th 2021 at 7:08:27pm
4 years ago
6 2
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CloudBasedRippah
Posts: 75 - Karma: 453
animatorI literally answered your question with like 6 different boot lines that would work with the CAST system. If you don’t know how boot/binding compatibility works then go read an Evo article on it and stop complaining you pussy. People suggest visiting a boot fitter for a reason, it’s not a meme.


I was just thanking you bc your answer was what I was looking for. Rest of the message wasnt for you. more just clownin around with boot NS
4 years ago
1 10
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animator
Posts: 4576 - Karma: 26,428
CloudBasedRippahI was just thanking you bc your answer was what I was looking for. Rest of the message wasnt for you. more just clownin around with boot NS


Lmao I realized that after I replied I’m super tired and didn’t pick up on that my bad
4 years ago
2 0
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colorado_frenchy
Posts: 199 - Karma: 1,355
If no hybrid boots fit you, cast can convert your regular Alpine boots for couple hundreds
4 years ago
3 0
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CloudBasedRippah
Posts: 75 - Karma: 453
colorado_frenchyIf no hybrid boots fit you, cast can convert your regular Alpine boots for couple hundreds


May sound crazy.. but I'm pretty indifferent to boot fit. If boots dont fit (or they hurt) I normally let the stoke take over and tell myself to shut the fuck up/stop complaining. Always rocked FT's so will probably go with the Sammy C ascendants
4 years ago
1 17
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Denseclouds
Posts: 536 - Karma: 3,193
CloudBasedRippahMay sound crazy.. but I'm pretty indifferent to boot fit. If boots dont fit (or they hurt) I normally let the stoke take over and tell myself to shut the fuck up/stop complaining. Always rocked FT's so will probably go with the Sammy C ascendants


Based on your replies you seem to be under 19 years old.. And to be honest.. I didn't get my first fitted boot until like 24.. needless to say it changed the game. You will live and learn.. But if you want to take longer to learn, go ahead and just buy FT's because they're sick
4 years ago
10 2
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CloudBasedRippah
Posts: 75 - Karma: 453
DensecloudsBased on your replies you seem to be under 19 years old.. And to be honest.. I didn't get my first fitted boot until like 24.. needless to say it changed the game. You will live and learn.. But if you want to take longer to learn, go ahead and just buy FT's because they're sick


I'm 26 and have ridden FT's for like 12 years. Get them heat molded and works like a charm. This is why I believe the Sammy C FT's will work for me. I think it's fun to be a FT stan online and to joke around on Gear Talk... but I do know that one should go to a boot fitter to get the PrOpEr boot. More or less just strategizing some options with the cast system since I am new to touring/cast in general and want to get the dank gear gear talk recommends while dealing with all the condescension.
4 years ago
2 13
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d5r
Posts: 77 - Karma: 964
Gonna try "letting the stoke take over" and get some SWEET stomped out full tilts off snowshare instead of wasting my time at the fitters this year, ez savings
CloudBasedRippahMay sound crazy.. but I'm pretty indifferent to boot fit. If boots dont fit (or they hurt) I normally let the stoke take over and tell myself to shut the fuck up/stop complaining. Always rocked FT's so will probably go with the Sammy C ascendants
4 years ago
12 0
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CloudBasedRippah
Posts: 75 - Karma: 453
d5rGonna try "letting the stoke take over" and get some SWEET stomped out full tilts off snowshare instead of wasting my time at the fitters this year, ez savings


That's the spirit. Haters will tell you that your feet hurt
4 years ago
0 8
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Denseclouds
Posts: 536 - Karma: 3,193
CloudBasedRippahThat's the spirit. Haters will tell you that your feet hurt


And he will be posting a bunch of threads on why can't he butter easily and "how should my boots fit"
4 years ago
5 1
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pelle_munch
Posts: 4110 - Karma: 503
Yeah, boot fitter.

But, here's my take: the cast system is amazing if you want a binding that skis exactly like the pivot does, but you want a touring capable binding for the 5-10% of the time you'll be touring with that setup. Anything more than that, the cast system is too bulky/ heavy/ finicky. So, because you'll be skiing downhill most of the time with the cast, I would highly recommend using your favorite alpine boot and having cast insert tech toes- that's literally why they do that service.

I feel ya though man, I searched long and far for a boot that "matches" the cast system well. These are some of the boots I looked at:

Dalbello Lupo
Lange XT3
FT Ascendant
Dynafit Radical
Dynafit Vulcan
Nordica Strider
Roxa R3
Technica Cochise
Salomon Shift

Good luck homie. Don't force yourself to have painful fitting boots either- just toughing it out may seem okay but once you have nice fitting boots you'll never look back!
3 years ago
5 0
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CatdickBojangles
Posts: 6482 - Karma: 66,440
CloudBasedRippahMay sound crazy.. but I'm pretty indifferent to boot fit. If boots dont fit (or they hurt) I normally let the stoke take over and tell myself to shut the fuck up/stop complaining. Always rocked FT's so will probably go with the Sammy C ascendants


That she’ll fits like a bucket compared to other FTs. Have fun. Let the stoke tighten your boots.
3 years ago
4 1
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animator
Posts: 4576 - Karma: 26,428
pelle_munchYeah, boot fitter.

But, here's my take: the cast system is amazing if you want a binding that skis exactly like the pivot does, but you want a touring capable binding for the 5-10% of the time you'll be touring with that setup. Anything more than that, the cast system is too bulky/ heavy/ finicky. So, because you'll be skiing downhill most of the time with the cast, I would highly recommend using your favorite alpine boot and having cast insert tech toes- that's literally why they do that service.

I feel ya though man, I searched long and far for a boot that "matches" the cast system well. These are some of the boots I looked at:

Dalbello Lupo
Lange XT3
FT Ascendant
Dynafit Radical
Dynafit Vulcan
Nordica Strider
Roxa R3
Technica Cochise
Salomon Shift

Good luck homie. Don't force yourself to have painful fitting boots either- just toughing it out may seem okay but once you have nice fitting boots you'll never look back!


FYI, Radical and Vulcan aren’t legally compliant with Pivots or the WTR AFDs that CAST manufactures but people will still do it.
3 years ago
2 0
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Raejnies
Posts: 79 - Karma: 457
If you are only after downhill performance and don't care that much about the uphill ( considering that you have the CAST system). There are some boots with toe tech fittings but no walk mode ("downhill performance").

Dalbello Krypton 130 ID T.I. (new 21/22 season)

K2 Recon Team (coming 22/23 season)
3 years ago
2 0
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7292 - Karma: 18,711
RaejniesIf you are only after downhill performance and don't care that much about the uphill ( considering that you have the CAST system). There are some boots with toe tech fittings but no walk mode ("downhill performance").

Dalbello Krypton 130 ID T.I. (new 21/22 season)

K2 Recon Team (coming 22/23 season)

I built the Recon Team with exactly the Cast binding in mind. Full on alpine performance (140 Flex, adjustable cuff, booster cam buckle strap and Pro Liner) but with tech pin inserts in the toe so you can still access some stuff with the boots.

No walk modes, no liners with a tour notch not even tech inserts in the heel. All performance but with the ability to still tour with the new generation of freeride bindings.

3 years ago
13 0
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schusson
Posts: 442 - Karma: 593
tomPietrowskiI built the Recon Team with exactly the Cast binding in mind. Full on alpine performance (140 Flex, adjustable cuff, booster cam buckle strap and Pro Liner) but with tech pin inserts in the toe so you can still access some stuff with the boots.

No walk modes, no liners with a tour notch not even tech inserts in the heel. All performance but with the ability to still tour with the new generation of freeride bindings.



Listen to this man. Exactly my current setup, Recon Team and CASTified P15s.
3 years ago
2 0
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womp*glomp
Posts: 167 - Karma: 1,158
boot fitter will hook you up

**This post was edited on Dec 16th 2022 at 8:10:34am
2 years ago
1 1
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IsaacNW82
Posts: 777 - Karma: 6,776
This sentiment has been stated already but CAST is a heavy touring binding with basically zero sacrifice in downhill performance, so I'd choose a boot that reflects that as well. If you like your boots right now just convert them. I have FT Sammy C's and they are pretty much identical to other FT boots in dh performance, but have a nice walk mode and a liner that you can tighten separately from the shell. That being said if you're shorter on cash and love your current boots I'd just convert the boots you have now
2 years ago
1 0
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HypeBeast
Posts: 10063 - Karma: 76,230
Holy shit old thread but damn y'all are assholes. Op was literally asking if his current boots would work or if another option he was eyeing would alternatively work. Nothing in his op said he was randomly ordering boots without getting fitted. Ffs he got down voted to oblivion while the replies not even answering the initial question got 100% approval. Lmao wtf
2 years ago
3 4
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CloudBasedRippah
Posts: 75 - Karma: 453
Turd__AuthorityHoly shit old thread but damn y'all are assholes. Op was literally asking if his current boots would work or if another option he was eyeing would alternatively work. Nothing in his op said he was randomly ordering boots without getting fitted. Ffs he got down voted to oblivion while the replies not even answering the initial question got 100% approval. Lmao wtf


Haha I know! Don't fuck with cats or NS boot commentors is what I've learned. I ended up getting K2 mindbenders and love them even after needing to replace the walk/ski mode lever 2x.
2 years ago
2 1
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TRVP_ANGEL
Posts: 12705 - Karma: 120,044
only apex
2 years ago
0 0
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