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Fischer Soma Vacuum Ranger 12 / Other Sidecountry boots

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aSkiingWarPig
Posts: 92 - Karma: 48
Hello,

I'm 6'3'' tall, I weigh 185ish lbs, and ski mostly in variable (almost never fresh) snow conditions in trees, sidecountry and some backcountry tours. I love playful skiing and fooling around off-piste, doing also some backcountry booters. Currently I have 182 Line Sir Francis Bacons and I'm also going to throw some sidecountry binding on them (MFD, Barons, Guardians or - God forbid - Trekkers).

I decided to buy new boots for the next season to get something that actually fits. I'm looking for a backcountry-boot that can handle variable conditions and even some charging, but still be playful and forgiving, as I am not an expert skier. I believe that the on-piste capabilities of this type of boots are good enough for me in any case.
So I'm guessing around flex 110-120(?) as a starting point if not taking into account the hugely variable flex indexes between brands. Unfortunately, I cannot say which brands I fit into (my current boots are old Dalbello Voodoos that are overly comfortable and I'd say too loose, can't make any tests atm), so I might have to find myself a boot fitter (which is pretty damn hard here in Finland).

While doing my research on brands that might suit my foot before trying to get a hold of a bootfitter, I came across these bad boys. Everything about the Vacuum Ranger sounds exactly perfect for me - too good to be true - so I would like to hear experiences from someone who has these boots, or some other Vacuum fit boots from Fischer.

Also experiences/opinions of the 4-buckle design vs. the common 3-buckle, and the functionality of the 3-position touring/riding switch.

These boots would supposedly even remove the need to try and find a bootfitter - I would just have to make sure the shellsize is right.

Blister already praised the Vacuum technology in their review: http://blistergearreview.com/gear-reviews/review-2011-2012-fischer-vacuum-130

Other boots I have considered (depending on what fits me):
- Salomon Quest Max 120 also with the semi-universal fit due to the moldable shell - although not quite to the same degree as Vacuum
- Dalbello Krypton2 Pro/Fusion / Lupo SP / Il moro
- Atomic Waymaker Carbon 110
- K2 Pinnacle 110
- Tecnica Cochise 120/110
The boot does not absolutely have to have a touring mode, but it is a big plus, the priority is to have a boot that fits.
Of course, if some of these boots' soles have compatibility problems with any of the bindings mentioned earlier, I'd like to know that too.


Tl;dr: Gief experiences of Fischer Soma Vacuum Ranger 12 or other Vacuum fit boots


Thanks.
Mar 23 2013 10:34PM
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pcurran871
Posts: 263 - Karma: 152
Always get a reputable boot fitter to fit your boots. Nothing worse than trying to save $100 on a pair of boots that you think might do the trick. There are too many variables with choosing the right boot. Knowing your foot size (mondo), foot width, how high your instep is, and what your cuff alignment are like are things that can help a lot when you go into a shop to make sure the boot fitter is doing their job properly. Nearly all the boot companies make at least one side country boot so finding one usually isn't a problem. Definitely get a foot bed and don't buy a boot until you can try it with a footbed in as this will often change the feel of the boot. Custom foot beds are worth it and do last a long time but IF you don't have the money and can get away with a standard footbed then it isn't the end of the world.
Mar 24 2013 3:13AM
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pcurran871
Posts: 263 - Karma: 152
I dont know about the other bindings but the salomon guardians/ atomic trackers (same bindings, different colours) are very good. Really easy to switch from ski to tour mode and very durable too. Also one note on the Fischer boot... I have heard (but cannot say from experience as I haven't skiied them) that the shell is almost too soft and can create problems with the shell packing out quite quickly while skiing which creates obvious problems with changing how the boot fits around your feet and legs.
Mar 24 2013 3:37AM
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k2andcannoli
Posts: 644 - Karma: -36
Another boot to look into... Salomon x-pro 110-130. Its like the xmax (4blk kinda race, custom shell) but with rubber sole and tour mode. Its new next year
Mar 24 2013 6:51AM
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aSkiingWarPig
Posts: 92 - Karma: 48
Thanks for the replies.

I'm not trying to save money by not going to a boot fitter, it's just so hard to find a reliable one instead of some sports megastore employee here in Finland. But with the Vacuum technology, it seems that I might be able to trust any retailer of the Vacuum boots, which is still just some general sports shop.

And yes I will most likely get myself custom foot beds as I read in multiple articles that they are the cornerstone of boot fitting. But It didn't cross my mind to get them before going shopping for boots. Thanks for the point, I'll have to try and do that.
Mar 24 2013 8:49AM
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aSkiingWarPig
Posts: 92 - Karma: 48
I already did some measuring of my foot. I did these measurings by sitting on a chair and drawing the shape of my feet on paper. I measured my foot lenght to be 295mm on one foot and 298-300mm on the other, which would translate to 29.5 size Mondo, right?

When I tried to measure my foot width, I got around 112-114mm as a result. I have no idea what to make of these width results. Maybe I shouldn't be looking for 98mm last boots at least? :D

I also tried measuring my instep height and with an educated guess, I'd say it was a little over 70mm.

Can someone say something about which brands I might fit into, judging from these results?

And with the help of an article by the almighty Blister, http://blistergearreview.com/gear-101/boot-fitting-101/boot-fitting-201, I have come to the conclusion that I probably need a quite supportive foot bed, rather than a flexible one. But the Canting / Stance Balancing is something that I didn't even bother trying to measure at home. Can cuff alignment be measured at home or is it practically the same thing as canting?

Of course, first hand experiences of Fischer Vacuum boots - the Soma Ranger 12 especially - are much wanted.
Mar 24 2013 10:59AM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
Just get whatever fits. Walk mode is not essential.
Mar 24 2013 11:26AM
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aSkiingWarPig
Posts: 92 - Karma: 48
I've read so many good things about the Vacuum fit that I will most likely try them first in the beginning of the next season.

Any experiences still welcome.
Mar 25 2013 2:52AM
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pcurran871
Posts: 263 - Karma: 152
Canting and cuff alignment are different. This explains it very well without getting too technical about it: https://www.newschoolers.com/ns/forums/readthread/thread_id/558749/ If there are any ski racers in your town try asking them where they get their boots fitted. They need performance fitting boots that are in contact with nearly all of their leg and foot so whoever fits their boots will usually be pretty good. Most ski shops which cater for racers also stock responsive freeride boots so this is usually a very good place to start.
Mar 25 2013 3:55AM
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aSkiingWarPig
Posts: 92 - Karma: 48
I already had some basic understanding of the differences of cuff alignment and canting, but I was wondering if there are different methods of measuring them, and if this can be done at home.

A good point about the ski racers, I'll have  to ask around the next time I go to my local hill.
Thanks.
Mar 25 2013 1:29PM
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