Are FT First Chair and FT Drop Kicks the exact same boot, but with different tongues? (2019)

WisconsinBadger4inb4 "go to a bootfitter, don't get full tilts"... Please just answer my question instead of destroying this like all FT threads

Basically these are 2 FT options I see on craigslist, and for the price, I might as well give em a shot, while keeping my current boots for backup (they're not the worst-- if the FTs suck I'll just keep the intuition liner and put it in my current boot).

Here's the dropkick : https://en-us.fulltiltboots.com/ski-boots/drop-kick
Here's the first chair 8: https://en-us.fulltiltboots.com/ski-boots/first-chair-8

From an outsider's perspective they look exactly like the same mold, hardware, and everything, just with different replaceable tongue stiffnesses. In the "technology" section they literally have all the exact same specs, listed in a different order. Same last even! Is there any difference in these boots other than coloration, tongue stiffness, and price?

Thanks NS

Yes. When looking at Full Tilts you just need to check on if it's the Classic shell or the Descendant style shell, the liner it has, and the tongue it uses. How much do you weigh and what style of skiing do you do?

I ask this same thing with Descendant 6 and B and E’s, and TW with Classics and/or dropkicks

weastcoastI ask this same thing with Descendant 6 and B and E’s, and TW with Classics and/or dropkicks

Read what I said above. Get fitted and see if either the Descendant or Classic style boot is better for you. If neither is a good fit don't buy any FTs at all, they're only worth the hype if they fit like a glove. Then get whatever has the best tongue for you or get what looks best/is cheapest and buy the tongue you prefer and swap them out. I personally switch between #6s and #10s and I'm pretty tall/heavy (178lbs). I'd take 10s over 6s if I only had one pair of tongues but when I'm just jibbing midwest rails and small jump lines I prefer a flexy boot.

WoosYes. When looking at Full Tilts you just need to check on if it's the Classic shell or the Descendant style shell, the liner it has, and the tongue it uses. How much do you weigh and what style of skiing do you do?

Wisco represent!!

I have relatively narrow calves and feet but weigh 200 lbs because I'm 6'3". I'm an advanced skier. Don't ski a crazy amount of park other than jumps, but I ski steeps and moguls, and like launching off side hits and buttering all over the mountain-- I'm not too worried about the tongue... if that's the only difference I'll just get a new one if I don't like the one it comes with.

Both boots are the same shell (classic) but the first chair 8 has an 8 tongue and the drop kick has a 6 (hence my question, are they the exact same except for the tongue)-- the first chair has a "pro liner" while the dropkick doesn't really say.

There are actually 3 full tilt shells made today. The Classic (easy to tell because of the non replaceable toe), the soul and the descendant. The decedent is the wider boot completely different look. The difference in the soul and the classic shells are:

1. Soul has a roomier toe box
2. Soul has replaceable toe and heel pieces

The first chair is the soul shell and the drop kick is the classic shell. They will also have different liners and boot boards depending on what model first chair you get.

WisconsinBadger4Wisco represent!!

I have relatively narrow calves and feet but weigh 200 lbs because I'm 6'3". I'm an advanced skier. Don't ski a crazy amount of park other than jumps, but I ski steeps and moguls, and like launching off side hits and buttering all over the mountain-- I'm not too worried about the tongue... if that's the only difference I'll just get a new one if I don't like the one it comes with.

Both boots are the same shell (classic) but the first chair 8 has an 8 tongue and the drop kick has a 6 (hence my question, are they the exact same except for the tongue)-- the first chair has a "pro liner" while the dropkick doesn't really say.

Where in Wisconsin are you? I'd go to a bootfitter due to how odd Full Tilts fit compared to most boots (you want to go to a bootfitter for all boots though). If you are in the 920 area Pete's Garage in Green Bay has Full Tilt Classics you can try on. Otherwise if you are the same size as me and at Granite Peak ever you can check out my 29.5 Morrisons. With your size, weight, and type of skiing you want #8 or a #10 tongues for sure dude. I'm 5'11" 175-180lb and would use a 10 for bumps hands down.

Make sure you buy insoles/footbeds for them too. It's a night and day difference and you want to do it before the Intuition layer starts forming to your foot so they mold to the footbed instead.

WoosRead what I said above. Get fitted and see if either the Descendant or Classic style boot is better for you. If neither is a good fit don't buy any FTs at all, they're only worth the hype if they fit like a glove. Then get whatever has the best tongue for you or get what looks best/is cheapest and buy the tongue you prefer and swap them out. I personally switch between #6s and #10s and I'm pretty tall/heavy (178lbs). I'd take 10s over 6s if I only had one pair of tongues but when I'm just jibbing midwest rails and small jump lines I prefer a flexy boot.

Nah I understand what you said but like the boots are the same besides the paint job it seems like

weastcoastNah I understand what you said but like the boots are the same besides the paint job it seems like

No. Different boot boards and different liners. First chair is the soul shell so is the twall. Drop kick is the classic. The drop kick is pretty much Full Tilts budget boot.

CatdickBojanglesNo. Different boot boards and different liners. First chair is the soul shell so is the twall. Drop kick is the classic. The drop kick is pretty much Full Tilts budget boot.

Ah, gotcha. I get it now.

weastcoastAh, gotcha. I get it now.

Like he said they have slightly different features for their shells and different liners (and tongue but you know that already). The Pro Liners are their better liners and their Soul shell is basically a Classic but a better toe box. As far as the shell differences go I'm retty sure the only difference is that you can only remove the heal and toe piece of the Soul style shells but you can't do that with the Classics. They will fit the same though (other than your toes may feel a bit different).

I ride FT Seth Morrison's which are the Soul Shell. I shouldn't have called them Classic style up top because that made it confusing for you. I said that because the shape is the same and the buckles are the same as the Classic. I wouldn't spend the extra money for just the toe box or for the removable heal/toe piece but the Pro Liner is dope AF.

**This post was edited on Mar 5th 2019 at 11:21:35pm