FT Ascendant reviews?

The new shell has nothing in common with the classic full tilt shell. It's a bucket, and the AX shell of Dalbello is not even similar. You should probably visit a bootfitter.

SessionThe new shell has nothing in common with the classic full tilt shell. It's a bucket, and the AX shell of Dalbello is not even similar. You should probably visit a bootfitter.

This.

That's my review, I can answer technical questions, but you NEED to put your foot in the boot first. Especially with a shell like this that has a very roomy fit. It's going to feel very different from your other Full Tilts, as well as from the Dalbello. Bootfitters are really, really cool

pretty much every boot fitter within 4 hours of me doesnt have them in stock, so to even try them i'd have to order them online. I have a ridiculously wide forefoot and very high instep, so it makes me think the high volume of these will work well. I've never tried on a boot that was too high volume, usually FT's and dalbello's i have to punch out.

Anyway, the bootfitter that previously had ascendants in stock that I was trying on lupo's with said I can go with either boot, and he thinks he can get it to fit my foot. so im willing to risk it and give it a shot.
The last bootfitter I completely trusted to choose my boot (larry's in boulder) put me in a scarpa and after going back 5 times for adjustments its still the worst boot/fit i've ever had..
I tried the lupo 120, felt soft for a 120, im thinking the liner has something to do with it. otherwise it fit great, just hard to get an idea of how it'll ski. If i go lupo though i think i'd go with the 125.

I'm looking for the most downhill/park friendly boot i can get that will fit alpine bindings and pins (shifts) I've always liked the way dalbellos and FT's ski, so i'd really like to stick with either of those unless theres something else that i'm not thinking of that could be better.

if you're in colorado a couple shops around boulder have them in stock still. namely larrys.

JaquinGuzmanif you're in colorado a couple shops around boulder have them in stock still. namely larrys.

Hmm good to know, thats 3 hours away for me but might be worth the drive. i was a bit turned off by larrys after my last fit there, but worth trying on the boot at least.

cydwhitThis.

That's my review, I can answer technical questions, but you NEED to put your foot in the boot first. Especially with a shell like this that has a very roomy fit. It's going to feel very different from your other Full Tilts, as well as from the Dalbello. Bootfitters are really, really cool

Talked even more with my bootfitter, and he has me pretty confident that if I order one he can make it fit well, he says my instep is as high as what he typically sees in someone with feet 2 sizes bigger than mine. So the roomieness should be good.

For sizing did you need to size up or down at all compared to other boots? In 26.5 these have a 301 bsl, where my current dalbellos and scarpas are a 306/307. Just not sure if that shorter bsl translates to being actually shorter inside the boot.

Have you found any negatives to the shorter cuff?

First off, get to a bootfitter even if they're 5hours away.

I got the Descendant which I believe is the same Evolution shell as the Ascendant got? I just wanna note out that I had to get some work done for my high instep, and my nerves are still getting crushed. I would size up if you have a high instep, no idea how they compare to different brands lengthwise "inside the boot" tho.

XtRemE11Talked even more with my bootfitter, and he has me pretty confident that if I order one he can make it fit well, he says my instep is as high as what he typically sees in someone with feet 2 sizes bigger than mine. So the roomieness should be good.

For sizing did you need to size up or down at all compared to other boots? In 26.5 these have a 301 bsl, where my current dalbellos and scarpas are a 306/307. Just not sure if that shorter bsl translates to being actually shorter inside the boot.

Have you found any negatives to the shorter cuff?

BSL is pretty irrelevant to how a boot fits, especially with touring boots. It's an external measurement of how the boot is going to fit into bindings, not an internal measurement of how your foot will fit in the boot. Another reason to get fit.

Yeah, short cuffs suck inbounds. If the Ascendant had the higher cuff of other full tilts I'd still be skiing it. So if the Descendant fits you, and you don't mind the short cuff, then the Ascendant will be great. Otherwise I'd recomend other options, based on what a bootfitter says. Another three piece boot in this catagory with swapable soles is the Roxa R3 which has a higher cuff, and more anatomical fit (and is heat moldable shell-wise)

cydwhitBSL is pretty irrelevant to how a boot fits, especially with touring boots. It's an external measurement of how the boot is going to fit into bindings, not an internal measurement of how your foot will fit in the boot. Another reason to get fit.

Yeah, short cuffs suck inbounds. If the Ascendant had the higher cuff of other full tilts I'd still be skiing it. So if the Descendant fits you, and you don't mind the short cuff, then the Ascendant will be great. Otherwise I'd recomend other options, based on what a bootfitter says. Another three piece boot in this catagory with swapable soles is the Roxa R3 which has a higher cuff, and more anatomical fit (and is heat moldable shell-wise)

Hmm yeah bummer the cuff height holds them back inbounds. having not skiied a low cuff boot i wasnt sure what that'd be like. the bootfitter i was talking to about it said he thought it might have more inbounds performance than a lupo looking at how its built, its flex, etc.. but similar to me i dont think he thought of the cuff heights effect much. Im looking for basically the closest to a no compromise inbounds/park boot that happens to be able to tour. knowing that ill get a light touring only boot next year.

But thanks that helps my decision a lot. might just end up going with the lupo then, probably the 125, tried it on, know it fits, etc..

XtRemE11Hmm yeah bummer the cuff height holds them back inbounds. having not skiied a low cuff boot i wasnt sure what that'd be like. the bootfitter i was talking to about it said he thought it might have more inbounds performance than a lupo looking at how its built, its flex, etc.. but similar to me i dont think he thought of the cuff heights effect much. Im looking for basically the closest to a no compromise inbounds/park boot that happens to be able to tour. knowing that ill get a light touring only boot next year.

But thanks that helps my decision a lot. might just end up going with the lupo then, probably the 125, tried it on, know it fits, etc..

Yeah, always get the boot that fits.
That said, next year's updated Roxa R3 is the absolute best "Full Tilt-style" touring boot out there I've skied so far. It's a lot lighter than the Descendant, has a higher cuff and skis just like a Konflict inbounds, and walks about as well. And it's heat moldable. So that's also an option.

XtRemE11pretty much every boot fitter within 4 hours of me doesnt have them in stock, so to even try them i'd have to order them online. I have a ridiculously wide forefoot and very high instep, so it makes me think the high volume of these will work well. I've never tried on a boot that was too high volume, usually FT's and dalbello's i have to punch out.

Have you tried the Descendant models, at least? Those would be easier to find and would give you an idea on how the shell fits your feet.

I bought my boots last week have two days one at a resort and one in the backcountry doing a light 5 mile touring, (mainly just testing out my marker dukes). I have a really wide foot and I completely agree about the getting to a boot fitter. I am 6' 8" and inbounds the low cuff hasn't proven to be too much of an issue so far. I am having them warrantied as they are missing a bolt holding the gaiter so the gaiter on the boot is broken. I was deciding between the lupo and the ascendant and even had the shells of the lupo in the oven for molding before I tried on the FT's. They are very soft if you charge hard but super smooth in landings (these are my first full tilts).