you seem to be going through a major dilemma here. i don't know if this will solve your problems or not but in the past 20 odd years there's been a major step forward in communications technology call the internet. since you're using Newschoolers.com, i'm guessing you've heard of it. what you might not know is that Full Tilt ski boots is also on the internet at
http://www.fulltiltskiboots.com. there you will find all the answers to such questions as "is there a boot with a metal buckle?" or "are the 2013/14 boots different?"
the internet has a plethora of information that is right at your finger tips. even the laziest of laziest people can find all the answers to any question they want.