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SPK vs Dalbello Virus? (Please help! Pulling the trigger on one of these 2 tomorrow)

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ButteredToast.
Posts: 6459 - Karma: 2,570
I went to my local shop today and these are the 2 boots that fit my feet the best.

The biggest issue I have is shinbang. I know a lot of people get it from backseating but I hardly ever backseat and with a proper boot you really shouldn't get shinbang.

Anyway, my question is this:

Has anyone here had experience with the Dalbello Virus? I know its a freeride/touring boot so I'm not sure if I should buy it seeing as I ride mostly park here in the midwest. I love the boot as it feels softer than the SPK to me and I feel as if that might be what I need to ward off shinbang for good...

However, the SPK is a fantastic boot from what I've heard and it's a designated park boot...

They both fit my feet equally well.

Anyone have anything to say about either of these?
Dec 13 2011 1:25AM
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ButteredToast.
Posts: 6459 - Karma: 2,570
bedtime bump

cmon guyyys
Dec 13 2011 2:00AM
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SteezoSaurus
Posts: 2630 - Karma: 2,670
I haven't ridden the Dalbello but I do have a lot of experience with the SPK.
It was a decent boot. The liners were shit though and they wore out much more quickly than I expected.

Either way, get some Booster Straps with them. Definitely the best cure for shinbang.
Dec 13 2011 2:10AM
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jca
Posts: 4171 - Karma: 6,311
talk to a boot fitter. besides the fact that the virus is a touring boot which you really don't need (and likely wont ski as well as an alpine boot) there's no way that both of these boots fit you equally. talk to a boot fitter, try on as many different boots as possible then go from there.
Dec 13 2011 2:11AM
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snomaster
Posts: 3344 - Karma: 5,748
ha. virus is sick but I would never want a walk mode [read: something that could break] on a park boot. if you like that boot try nordica ace of spades, full tilt, or any other dalbello.

I just got my first day on my virus tour today. skinned 3k vert to pow pillows. mmm I love fresh.
Dec 13 2011 3:05AM
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jason...
Posts: 9006 - Karma: 780
step one: go to a bootfitter
step two: buy the boot he recommends
Dec 13 2011 8:54AM
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MacMahoooon
Posts: 9009 - Karma: 3,305
If you are riding park and a fitter suggested a VIRUS, go somewhere else. That is a horrible recommendation.

If the SPK fits well its a much more appropriate boot
Dec 13 2011 9:38AM
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ButteredToast.
Posts: 6459 - Karma: 2,570
Our boot fitters are generally pretty competent.

What's wrong with the Virus as a park boot?
Dec 13 2011 10:24AM
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MacMahoooon
Posts: 9009 - Karma: 3,305
Well for the main thing, the Vibram tour sole isn't really compatible with most bindings without a toe height adjustment, so that should be the biggest flag.

Second it is not meant to take the constant impacts the park produces. With the added moving parts of the walk mode, there's a good chance you'll be breaking things constantly

If the Dalbello's fit you, try some of the Krypton series, including the Il Moro which is specifically designed for park
Dec 13 2011 10:52AM
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Session
Posts: 5379 - Karma: 22,164
I would do 1 of 2 things. Get the SPK, or run as far as you can from that shit show, and get some other rec's.
Dec 13 2011 10:58AM
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Pipe_Munky
Posts: 10888 - Karma: 2,184
the fact that both boots fit completely different should be a sign to stay away from those guys.

like Macmahooon said, the vibram soles don't necessarily with with alpine bindings. you may be able to get your foot into the bindings but they are not DIN rated and with not release the same as an apline boot. if you fit into the VIRUS I would suggest something from the Krypton line.

as far as fit goes, you need to have a really wide foot (like EE width) to properly fit into an SPK.
Dec 13 2011 1:18PM
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NEEDMOSNOW
Posts: 344 - Karma: 39
question do u like doing butters if you anwsered yes consider something other than the spk because when you try to butter your heel pulls up and it is very anoying but other than that i personally love the boots
Dec 13 2011 6:30PM
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ButteredToast.
Posts: 6459 - Karma: 2,570
Im absoutely retarded. It was the Voodoo and not the Virus. WHOOPS.

Anyway I ended up going with Salomon Quest Access 70's. They were by far the best fitting boot in stock. I skied really hard on them all day with zero pain. Couldn't be happier.
Dec 13 2011 8:57PM
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