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Making the Switch: Full Tilt

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bdowning
Posts: 1630 - Karma: 249

In my unfortunate "old" age of 26, I'm getting a bit old in the park skiing arena and am slowly making my way to the big mountain arena. Although I'm on the East Coast and do my fair share of park still, my buddies and I are making more trips west through out the year to do some off piste skiing, last year being Jackson Hole. I did that trip in the Salomon SPK Pros, which did not give me enough support to truly feel comfortable with some of the OB terrain we were dropping.  I'm hopping on the Full Tilt train band wagon this winter (better late then never) and am looking for a perfect mesh between their big mountain boot, like the Konflict or Seth, and their Booter and Wallisch boots for park.  I'll still spend a large part of my time in the park but will be spending more and more time out of it as well....

With all of that being said, what boot should I be leaning most towards? The First Chair?....or one of their other models. Any insight or opinion would be appreciated. Thank you in advance!

Aug 28 2012 11:22AM
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bobs
Posts: 4801 - Karma: 868
SPK's and Full Tilts have very different lasts and fits. Rarely will the same foot fit properly in both.

This is why you need to see a boot fitter. If a boot fitter says they fit your foot shape, I would look into models with a pro liner, at least a flex of 6 (more likely a 8 or 10 if you're charging mt hard) and a rubber foot board since you still dabble in the park. All of those parts can be bought after market if you find a deal with only 2/3 of what you're looking for.
Aug 28 2012 11:56AM
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,565
If you've been riding in SPKs I doubt FTs are going to be a good fit for you. SPKs are a pretty cavernous boot (104 last) compared to FTs which are smaller (99 last). The Booters and the HighFive have a larger 102 last so they are roomier. However you can't just step into FullTilts and have them work for you, it's really important you go and get properly fitted, the best boot for you is the boot that fits you best not the one that's marketing campaign grabs you most.
Aug 28 2012 12:06PM
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pbandj
Posts: 5610 - Karma: 28
the first chair is a big mountain boot with their stiffest tongue, basically the seth and konflict are the same boot, minus the fact that the new seth has the rubber inserts in the bottom of the boot now.

i ride my konflicts in the park all the time... the only main difference between the konflict and say.... the tom wallisch pro model... is the tongue stiffness, and the fact that the konflict has the aluminum buckles... basically what i'm saying is that if full tilts work for you... get the konflict, and then buy a softer tongue for park days.
Aug 28 2012 12:26PM
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BWalmer
Posts: 9141 - Karma: 12,886
This is all assuming Full Tilts fit your feet correctly, but...

If you're not worried about the cost, get the Seth. I rock a 10 flex tongue in the park, I've never had any problems (in fact, I have a World Cup booster strap to make them even stiffer), and they handle great in all snow conditions, park, ice, groomers, even some late-spring Utah powder. With the Seth you'll get the stiffer 8 flex (you could consider getting a 10 flex too, but that's a personal preference), the active boot board, and the new replaceable sole and aluminium buckles. Seems to be exactly what you're looking for.
Aug 28 2012 12:47PM
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bdowning
Posts: 1630 - Karma: 249
Sweet thanks guys, I know Full TIlt runs more narrow and thats part of the reason i'm making the switch.
Aug 28 2012 12:58PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7256 - Karma: 18,388
All the most inportant points have been said, but I will add that a 10 flex tounge will only be as stiff as your old SPK pro's. So you may want to look at differnt boots altogether. a 120 flex boot may be much more suitable and there are any number of those available.

Just go get fitted and see what the fitter recomends, and dont forget to get a custom footbed when you get them fitted.
Aug 28 2012 1:00PM
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Pipe_Munky
Posts: 10888 - Karma: 2,184
actually the konflict and the seth are different boots. not only did the seth get the replacable soles this year, the shell is different as well. the new toe box has a more height and is a little wider.

the new SOUL shell is on the following boots:
SETH
FIRST CHAIR
TOM WALLISCH PRO
Aug 28 2012 1:03PM
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NinetyFour
Posts: 8650 - Karma: 13,410
This guy knows whatsup. Although a few of Full Tilts models look the same, they are different boots with only subtle differences.

Here is the three different boots that FT offers:

http://fulltiltboots.com/ski-boot-parts

That takes you to the parts for each boot, but gives us a good comparison. If you ever buy parts for your boots, take note of this!
Aug 28 2012 7:41PM
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