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October, 2024

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What boot flex do I really need? Walk mode....

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WHITEFISHNATE
Posts: 93 - Karma: 131
I'm 44, 5"11, 195 pounds. I ski at Whitefish Mt Resort in Montana. I am going into my 3rd year of skiing. I mostly ski the trees and try to find powder stashes when I can. I am not a hard charger, I dont go over big drops or jumps. I will hit the occasional 10 foot drop if I am landing in powder and there's no immediate trees in the area. My maprika said that my top speed last year was 40 mph, and that was plenty fast for me.

I do like to toe poke a little bit, 10-15 min hikes to get to a few places on the mtn. So I am looking for something that is on the lighter side and has a walk mode.

I just bought a demo set of 174 Sakanas with Marker Griffon demo bindings.

I currently have Dalbello ii Moro MX 90 boots. They have a 103 last and are too wide for me. I have fairly narrow feet. Size 11 and wear a 28.5 boot.

I didnt mind the boots, but felt like they were a little sloppy, and that I really had to crank down on them to get them tight. I ended up putting in a custom red footbed and heel lock and that helped a bit.

I definitely have an issue with not getting my weight over the balls of my feet and pressing forward. Something I plan on working on and maybe getting a lesson. At times I felt like my skis (108 Bacons and Magnus Opus) had a mind of their own and really floated around on the groomers vs staying on track.

I am ready to invest in a good pair of boots. I'll spend $6-700 if I need to, but do I really need to? Do I need 130 flex boots?

I'm looking at the Lupo, Hawx xtd, QST Pro, Cochise, and Lange XT Free.

Some pretty good deals can be found on the 100-110 versions of these boots, but it seems like all of the top technology is going into the 120-130 versions.

I found a screaming deal on a new pair of DALBELLO LUPO AX 115, and I also really like the looks of the Salomon QST Pro 100.

I have tried on the Technica Cochise 130s and they felt pretty good. I believe they are 99 wide so I am looking at the 98-100 width boots. I do plan on trying everything on before I buy.

Biggest question is will I ever need a 120-130 flex boot? I don't see myself getting more aggressive or skiing a whole lot faster than I do now.
Sep 25 2019 12:33PM
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WHITEFISHNATE
Posts: 93 - Karma: 131
Also, when I tried on the Cochise, I also tried on my old boots and they both felt like they had the same forward flex. The Cochise were 130, and mine were 90s.
Sep 25 2019 1:16PM
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Ghost_BLandzV2
Posts: 1037 - Karma: 8,432
Ask @tomPietrowski He is the boot master
Sep 25 2019 1:39PM
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Non_State_Actor
Posts: 4811 - Karma: 17,052
Just find the best bootfitter in your general area and they'll help you out more than any of us can.

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess your current boot is too big for you. What does your "she'll fit" look like? You'll want to pull the liner and put your foot in the shell so that your toes are just touching the toe of the boot and measure the space between your heel and the heel of the shell.

With your height and weight you should have the strength to flex any boot but it's not that simple.
Sep 25 2019 3:09PM
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Brayblade
Posts: 333 - Karma: 2,635
If you don't charge too hard you can find a good pair in the 110 to 120 range that still have a walk mode and tech fittings! Lange Free tour 120's are a great option
Sep 25 2019 3:38PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7147 - Karma: 17,499
Thanks for the recommendation to the poster above.

Op boot flex has many factors which will determine what you need. Your physical size and strength is one aspect, your skiing ability and style is another but what people often forget is your actual mobility will have an influence too.

Peoples ability to flex and the amount the ankle moves is not consistent. Some people may be ok skiers and weigh nothing but still need a stiff boot to help them.

By the sounds of it the boot you had was not was not a great fit. You should not really have to tighten a boot much to have it both hold you securely but also support you.

Best advice would be to be to visit a good bootfitter. They should ask you questions about your skiing and needs from the boot but also asses you to see how you work bio-mechanically.

90 may be a little soft for you but it could also possibly work. The only way to know is have a fitter figure it out. Well no not the only way but certainly the easiest and cheapest way.

Go go in with no pre-conceptions of boots and go with what they recommend.
Sep 26 2019 4:19PM
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SavageBiff
Posts: 3483 - Karma: 14,753
Measure your foots last , instep , mondo , I imagine going to a “ good “ bootfitter they do these things , I wouldn’t know the guy that fit me is an idiot so I learned and am improving in fitting myself til I find a great fitter
kmowing your exact measurements will help , and just learn as much as you can about how boots relate to skiing , know your own flexibility not even a bootfitter knows you like you , so the more you know the more accurate info you can provide your fitter
Sep 26 2019 6:36PM
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