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Why is softer flex generally "preferred" for park?

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FruitBootPro
Posts: 3103 - Karma: 13,866
I've heard a lot that softer flex boots are preferred for skiing park, but I feel like buttering would be very hard in soft boots. Is it generally because you can absorb landings easier and adjust your weight easier on rails? Do most pro freestylers jib with soft boots or is it a mix?
Nov 9 2020 1:23AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6674 - Karma: 10,977
They're not better for park.

It's because softer boots are less expensive boots and most people buying "park" boots are teenagers or parents buying it for teenagers, so the price needs to reflect that.

If you pay attention to what the pros actually use, they are usually 120-130 flex boots. But, they select the boot that works for them, not because a certain flex is good for certain skiing.
Nov 9 2020 2:36AM
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N41v131355
Posts: 220 - Karma: 386
Yeah, basically what @onenerdykid said. For example, Magnus Graner skis 130 flex Nordica Strider. As for jib, I don't think there is much difference between soft or stiff boots, more of a balance thing. Only if you are talking about tail/nose press while jibbing, but once again, that brings us back to butter. And doing butters is much easier in stiff boots. Choose a boot that fits and feels better, do bootfitting, that's the way to go
Nov 9 2020 2:47AM
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anders_a
Posts: 1680 - Karma: 5,603
buttering in my atomic 130s "race" boots are so damn easy vs even the technica cochise dyn 130 which feels supersoft in comparison when manualy flexing them strapped into a ski, or other 110 boots, most landings are also better.


its also a ting with height/weight imho.



Its a "once you go higher flex you dont go back" thing imho.

**This post was edited on Nov 9th 2020 at 8:20:32am
Nov 9 2020 8:11AM
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drifts
Posts: 604 - Karma: 4,392
The referenced post has been removed.


I’d almost guarantee no pros wearing full tilts ski stock flex. They all swap out the tongues to the #10 or #12 and add booster straps

**This post was edited on Nov 9th 2020 at 1:44:28pm
Nov 9 2020 1:43PM
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FruitBootPro
Posts: 3103 - Karma: 13,866
Thanks for the info guys. Follow up question: For what reason WOULD a freeskier opt for a lower flex boot? Are they only for tourists and/or children?
Nov 9 2020 3:21PM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6674 - Karma: 10,977
FruitBootProThanks for the info guys. Follow up question: For what reason WOULD a freeskier opt for a lower flex boot? Are they only for tourists and/or children?


The right flex is based on someone's weight, height, strength, and ankle flexibility. If a pro is happy with 90 flex boots, it would tell me they are super light, short, and don't ski very hard or they have no idea what the right boot actually feels like.
Nov 9 2020 5:05PM
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CLQ
Posts: 2709 - Karma: 11,261
Ok follow up question, I havent event tried on full tilts, why do people like them for the park? Getting into park this year and dont know whether i should stay on my cochise 120s which fit me well or look at FTs or dalbellos.
Nov 9 2020 5:30PM
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Cade2
Posts: 2124 - Karma: 2,707
CLQOk follow up question, I havent event tried on full tilts, why do people like them for the park? Getting into park this year and dont know whether i should stay on my cochise 120s which fit me well or look at FTs or dalbellos.


Marketing
Nov 9 2020 7:15PM
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FruitBootPro
Posts: 3103 - Karma: 13,866
CLQmy cochise 120s which fit me well


There's your answer
Nov 9 2020 9:49PM
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corkr900
Posts: 64 - Karma: 378
CLQOk follow up question, I havent event tried on full tilts, why do people like them for the park? Getting into park this year and dont know whether i should stay on my cochise 120s which fit me well or look at FTs or dalbellos.


I can vouch for Dalbello boots for park skiing. I used the Voodoos back when those existed, and have been skiing Bosses for many years now. Personally, not a fan of FTs unless you have narrow feet and are willing to spend extra on top of their brand premium prices to swap out the stock tongue for one that's going to be stiff enough to hold you up
Nov 11 2020 3:14PM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6674 - Karma: 10,977
corkr900I can vouch for Dalbello boots for park skiing. I used the Voodoos back when those existed, and have been skiing Bosses for many years now. Personally, not a fan of FTs unless you have narrow feet and are willing to spend extra on top of their brand premium prices to swap out the stock tongue for one that's going to be stiff enough to hold you up


Just because it worked for you, it doesn't mean that it will work for him.

Also, not all FTs are narrow- there are wide options too.

OP - just go with what works for you.
Nov 11 2020 6:01PM
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ScaryDumpTruck
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but full tilts
Nov 11 2020 6:52PM
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animator
Posts: 4555 - Karma: 26,277
Some guys I ride with ride 6 flex FT Tongues because the deeper flex of the boot gives them more leverage, they can lean farther forward to do butters and presses and stuff. They ski only park so take that with a grain but yeah they dig it it’s all personal preference. Power transfer and response are gonna be better in a stiffer boot but like said already if you’re shorter or lighter some of the stuff boots out there can be overkill
Nov 11 2020 10:11PM
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FruitBootPro
Posts: 3103 - Karma: 13,866
animatorSome guys I ride with ride 6 flex FT Tongues because the deeper flex of the boot gives them more leverage, they can lean farther forward to do butters and presses and stuff. They ski only park so take that with a grain but yeah they dig it it’s all personal preference. Power transfer and response are gonna be better in a stiffer boot but like said already if you’re shorter or lighter some of the stuff boots out there can be overkill

I've also heard some people say they like it because it's easier to adjust your weight on rails and flex forward on landings. But I really wanna get good at buttering so I'll take all the stiffness I can get
Nov 11 2020 10:34PM
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