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Who needs "park" boots?

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s-hand
Posts: 1334 - Karma: 1,800
Just saw this (sick) video posted on Jossi Wells's FB page and happened to notice the boots he is sporting: The Atomic Redster Pro 130--Atomic's top of the line race boot. You can see them within the first few seconds of the clip.

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/750481/Jossi-Wells-at-X-Games-Aspen-2015

Pic of the boots:

Jan 22 2015 7:43PM
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s-hand
Posts: 1334 - Karma: 1,800
Get the boot that fits you, blah blah blah. We have all heard this a million times, but its rad seeing proof that no one needs "park-specific" boots to kill it in the park.
Jan 22 2015 7:45PM
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rozboon
Posts: 1642 - Karma: 868
It's hardly a plug boot. But sure, it's a stiff, responsive boot and that's probably what he's looking for in a boot.
Jan 22 2015 7:48PM
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S.J.W
Posts: 7609 - Karma: 31,186
None of the Atomic boys ride a boot with a flex any less than 120. Flex is flex and just because you know 3 buckles omg full tilt doesn't make it a park boot
Jan 22 2015 10:42PM
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Negromancer
Posts: 1014 - Karma: 1,499
I wear Lange RS 130 ski boots and ride park in them because they fit. Pick a proper fitting race or all mtn boot over a poor fitting park boot any day.
Jan 22 2015 10:53PM
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MitchT
Posts: 560 - Karma: 4,095
Lots of pros and regular park rats ride stiff boots out of prefeference.

I ride with softer boots because im not nailing 70 footers on the daily and to me, they fit comfortably and well.
Jan 22 2015 11:32PM
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hippystinx
Posts: 937 - Karma: 171
NegromancerI wear Lange RS 130 ski boots and ride park in them because they fit. Pick a proper fitting race or all mtn boot over a poor fitting park boot any day.


there is no way you can ski park for more than 2 weeks straight with a boot like that.

the answer to who needs park boots is,
a. do you have disposable income
b. do you ski a variety of terrain
c. can you actually ski.

For example i have a pair of fulltilts for park just because of the impact absorption and range of motion. I have another boot for charging inbounds and i have an at boot for touring. It is all about your need and can you justify having more than one pair of boots
Jan 23 2015 12:26AM
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icydope
Posts: 450 - Karma: -2
New infamous beautiful
Jan 23 2015 12:42AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6674 - Karma: 10,977
hippystinxthere is no way you can ski park for more than 2 weeks straight with a boot like that.


One of the things you guys will see is that not a single Atomic athlete is now on a park "specific" boot. The entire Wells family, Mike Riddle, Todd Ligare all ski Redster Pro (not our real race boot, that is Redster WC/FIS) because they have a narrow foot. On the other hand, guy like Gus, Keefer, Permin, Sage, Benchetler and Elias ski Hawx 2.0 because they have a medium foot shape. The Hawx guys use Waymaker Carbon when they want a walk mode freeride boot.

The point is and always has been- get the boot that fits your foot/flex needs/geometry requirements and you will have an amazing skiing experience.

Our Overload series of boots was one of my favorite boots to develop and for those who have it, it's awesome- it fits and skis super well. But unfortunately it never sold really well because of the fact that the right boot is the boot that works for you and with the boot offering we have, we can fit any foot in any flex with any geometry requirement. When you have that kind of arsenal of fit solutions, people/boot-fitters don't need anything else.
Jan 23 2015 2:44AM
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S.J.W
Posts: 7609 - Karma: 31,186
onenerdykidOne of the things you guys will see is that not a single Atomic athlete is now on a park "specific" boot. The entire Wells family, Mike Riddle, Todd Ligare all ski Redster Pro (not our real race boot, that is Redster WC/FIS) because they have a narrow foot. On the other hand, guy like Gus, Keefer, Permin, Sage, Benchetler and Elias ski Hawx 2.0 because they have a medium foot shape. The Hawx guys use Waymaker Carbon when they want a walk mode freeride boot.

The point is and always has been- get the boot that fits your foot/flex needs/geometry requirements and you will have an amazing skiing experience.

Our Overload series of boots was one of my favorite boots to develop and for those who have it, it's awesome- it fits and skis super well. But unfortunately it never sold really well because of the fact that the right boot is the boot that works for you and with the boot offering we have, we can fit any foot in any flex with any geometry requirement. When you have that kind of arsenal of fit solutions, people/boot-fitters don't need anything else.


I would actually pay to listen you lecture about boots
Jan 23 2015 10:21AM
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Stose
Posts: 7109 - Karma: 4,123
So what is the point of park boots if they are pretty much not needed
Jan 23 2015 4:51PM
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s-hand
Posts: 1334 - Karma: 1,800
StoseSo what is the point of park boots if they are pretty much not needed


Its not that they arent needed at all, its that they arent for everyone and every type of foot.
Jan 23 2015 4:53PM
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Negromancer
Posts: 1014 - Karma: 1,499
hippystinxthere is no way you can ski park for more than 2 weeks straight with a boot like that.

the answer to who needs park boots is,
a. do you have disposable income
b. do you ski a variety of terrain
c. can you actually ski.

For example i have a pair of fulltilts for park just because of the impact absorption and range of motion. I have another boot for charging inbounds and i have an at boot for touring. It is all about your need and can you justify having more than one pair of boots


No you're wrong. Firstly these boots fit me perfectly, better than any other park boot or all mtn boot and so I can ski weeks on them without issues. I get almost no shinbang in these boots. I can guarantee you I'd get a shit ton more shinbang in some poorly fitting full tilts or any other park boots.

Secondly most impact absorption comes not from some rubber "shock absorbing" bootboard it comes from having a well made custom footbed. Having your foot in the proper position will cause your foot to naturally absorb most of the force. A good footbed will also absorb a lot of force.

Thirdly you choose your flex and forward lean based on your ankles range of motion and a bit of personal preference. Personally I'd choose a highly responsive powerful stiff boot over some sloppy soft full tilts.
Jan 23 2015 9:55PM
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Cyanicenine
Posts: 966 - Karma: 2,294
StoseSo what is the point of park boots if they are pretty much not needed


Marketing. If you can say that XY or Z boot was specifically designed with park skiing in mind then plenty of kids will believe the hype and think that maybe this "park" specific boot will make them better at park. And that means extra $$$ in Full Tilts pocket over their competition.
Jan 23 2015 11:19PM
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rtl32
Posts: 679 - Karma: 1,161
hippystinxthere is no way you can ski park for more than 2 weeks straight with a boot like that.

the answer to who needs park boots is,
a. do you have disposable income
b. do you ski a variety of terrain
c. can you actually ski.

For example i have a pair of fulltilts for park just because of the impact absorption and range of motion. I have another boot for charging inbounds and i have an at boot for touring. It is all about your need and can you justify having more than one pair of boots

No, just no.

I ski an aggressive all-mountain boot that is fitted for me. I got it because it fits me well and the flex is what I need for what I ski (park and icy race courses). It works far better than the race specific boot I had before this, and especially the park specific boot I had before that one. If you really think that 1.) a non park boot doesn't give you a good range of motion 2.) the "shock absorption" they offer in the footbeds do anything or 3.) that you actually need a different boot for every aspect of skiing you're very, very wrong.
If you haven't picked up the memo that proper fit is triumphant among any other aspect a boot might have, your skull is obviously too thick to get the truth into. Please go get fitted properly and use that boot for everything (ok maybe not touring, but that's different) and you will find it works better for all aspects of skiing. Maybe then you will realize what's actually important.


NegromancerNo you're wrong. Firstly these boots fit me perfectly, better than any other park boot or all mtn boot and so I can ski weeks on them without issues. I get almost no shinbang in these boots. I can guarantee you I'd get a shit ton more shinbang in some poorly fitting full tilts or any other park boots.

Secondly most impact absorption comes not from some rubber "shock absorbing" bootboard it comes from having a well made custom footbed. Having your foot in the proper position will cause your foot to naturally absorb most of the force. A good footbed will also absorb a lot of force.

Thirdly you choose your flex and forward lean based on your ankles range of motion and a bit of personal preference. Personally I'd choose a highly responsive powerful stiff boot over some sloppy soft full tilts.

Agreed
Jan 24 2015 1:40AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6674 - Karma: 10,977
ChubbyBoyI would actually pay to listen you lecture about boots


Perhaps I should look into that as a side business...
Jan 24 2015 3:06AM
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Charlie*
Posts: 198 - Karma: 579
rtl32No, just no.

I ski an aggressive all-mountain boot that is fitted for me. I got it because it fits me well and the flex is what I need for what I ski (park and icy race courses). It works far better than the race specific boot I had before this, and especially the park specific boot I had before that one. If you really think that 1.) a non park boot doesn't give you a good range of motion 2.) the "shock absorption" they offer in the footbeds do anything or 3.) that you actually need a different boot for every aspect of skiing you're very, very wrong.
If you haven't picked up the memo that proper fit is triumphant among any other aspect a boot might have, your skull is obviously too thick to get the truth into. Please go get fitted properly and use that boot for everything (ok maybe not touring, but that's different) and you will find it works better for all aspects of skiing. Maybe then you will realize what's actually important.


Not saying your wrong, but thats your opinion...

I also have two pairs of boots. One for dedicated park riding and another for more all mountain/powder purposes. Both came from a bootfitter, and both fit perfectly. Boots have different characteristics for a reason, not to just accommodate different sized feet. Some people just want different things out of their boots depending on what they're skiing...

And to clarify, there is a big difference between bootboards and footbeds. Both of my boots have custom footbeds, but the rubber bootboard in my Konflicts are very soft, very good at dampening impacts and overall very forgiving on jumps of any size. My Rossi World cup boots on the other hand have very rigid bootboards, meant solely for power transfer; but dont do ANYTHING for absorbing impacts/vibrations. Its a very noticeable difference. Its like walking in sand versus walking on concrete.

Just comes down to preferences, thats all.
Jan 24 2015 1:40PM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 37548 - Karma: 121,705
different strokes for different folks. i personally enjoy the performance and stiffness of 130 flex freeride/all mtn boot over some soft, noodly park boot.
Jan 24 2015 4:06PM
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cydwhit
Posts: 5074 - Karma: 43,034
onenerdykidPerhaps I should look into that as a side business...


Someday I will save all of my money for like three years and then pay you and Tom P to spew all of your boot knowledge to me while properly fitting my boots for the first time ever.
Jan 24 2015 6:04PM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6674 - Karma: 10,977
cydwhitSomeday I will save all of my money for like three years and then pay you and Tom P to spew all of your boot knowledge to me while properly fitting my boots for the first time ever.


Jan 25 2015 9:15AM
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