TI Boots

muffMan.I’m looking for some solid recommendations, for a stiff boot with tech inserts, but no walk mode.

Im definitely planning on going with a bootfitter but trying to get a feel of what’s good/bad out there before spending the time.

On some 120 krypton ax, fit is nice, not too partial to two or three piece designs, just any insight on what I’m looking at.

Also if anyone knows of a decent boot fitter in Denver or maybe Georgetown let me know.

If you fall in love with a boot but it doesn’t have inserts I know cast offers the service of adding I believe at least toe inserts, so you can use any boots for uphill

Why inserts but no walk mode?

krypton 130

PartyBullshiitIf you fall in love with a boot but it doesn’t have inserts I know cast offers the service of adding I believe at least toe inserts, so you can use any boots for uphill

Yeah I do like the fit, but lacks a bit in how stiff they are. I’m around 200 lb and feels too soft at times

saucemastrscottyWhy inserts but no walk mode?

Don’t really do long tours, and honestly I’ll just unbuckle my boots for bootpacking or skinning.

I think the benefits of walk mode are outweighed by not having a static back piece for me at least.

powpatrolkrypton 130

Definitely my first choice, although the last is a bit different, I’m sure a bootfitter could try at least

Obviously fitter is the only way to know but the K2 Recon Team. Yes it's a 98 last but I think it'll compare plus it's easy to get extra room if you need it. 140 flex that definitely compares to 3-piece 130 flex as well. Comes with toe pins

Atomic hawx ultra xtd with the gnar bar? Gnar bar should make the boot ski like an alpine boot.

I think there is only one official option of a fixed-cuff boot with toe tech inserts. Which means, you don't have options for boots off the shelf. You're most likely going to be modifying a boot in some way.

Now, as others have said, this can mean adding tech inserts to a fixed cuff boot through CAST's conversion process or it can mean adding a Gnar Bar to an Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD or a Prime XTD.

The first route means you will absolutely be able to find a boot that fits your foot and is supportive enough for you, but you have to send your boots away for a few weeks/month for the modification.

The second route means you pick between a genuine Low Volume fit and a genuine Medium Volume fit (not merely a forefoot width change). Both version have full PU shells and cuffs (unlike most other brands in this segment) so they will flex & perform as closely to fixed cuff boots as possible, have tech inserts, legitimately supportive liners (not lightweight touring liners that fit poorly) and you just swap out the ski/walk mechanism for a full metal bar that locks the cuff to the shell. And if you ever do want to spend more time touring, just change back to the ski/walk mechanism.

Both options make sense and our athletes go both ways depending on what boot is their starting point.

JuviticusObviously fitter is the only way to know but the K2 Recon Team. Yes it's a 98 last but I think it'll compare plus it's easy to get extra room if you need it. 140 flex that definitely compares to 3-piece 130 flex as well. Comes with toe pins

Yeah recons are what kinda started the search too, the team looked nice. I don’t mind a smaller last, as if fitted properly I imagine it would work out great.

JalmarKalmarAtomic hawx ultra xtd with the gnar bar? Gnar bar should make the boot ski like an alpine boot.

That’s actually pretty sick, didn’t even know they added those.

onenerdykidI think there is only one official option of a fixed-cuff boot with toe tech inserts. Which means, you don't have options for boots off the shelf. You're most likely going to be modifying a boot in some way.

Now, as others have said, this can mean adding tech inserts to a fixed cuff boot through CAST's conversion process or it can mean adding a Gnar Bar to an Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD or a Prime XTD.

The first route means you will absolutely be able to find a boot that fits your foot and is supportive enough for you, but you have to send your boots away for a few weeks/month for the modification.

The second route means you pick between a genuine Low Volume fit and a genuine Medium Volume fit (not merely a forefoot width change). Both version have full PU shells and cuffs (unlike most other brands in this segment) so they will flex & perform as closely to fixed cuff boots as possible, have tech inserts, legitimately supportive liners (not lightweight touring liners that fit poorly) and you just swap out the ski/walk mechanism for a full metal bar that locks the cuff to the shell. And if you ever do want to spend more time touring, just change back to the ski/walk mechanism.

Both options make sense and our athletes go both ways depending on what boot is their starting point.

That’s actually pretty cool about the metal bar, I’ll look into that as well when I find a quality boot fitter. I was most likely wanting to avoid the CAST conversion, as it’s a bit pricy

Cause that’s the goal, some short tours and in a year swap my frames for cast.

most likely a bit down the road until I get a dedicated pin setup

**This post was edited on Nov 25th 2023 at 6:54:29am

muffMan.That’s actually pretty cool about the metal bar, I’ll look into that as well when I find a quality boot fitter. I was most likely wanting to avoid the CAST conversion, as it’s a bit pricy

Cause that’s the goal, some short tours and in a year swap my frames for cast.

most likely a bit down the road until I get a dedicated pin setup

**This post was edited on Nov 25th 2023 at 6:54:29am

If anyone here is a Blister member, scroll to the bottom of the review and you can read about the comparison of the Hawx Ultra XTD 130 as BOA vs. buckle and as ski/walk mechanism vs. Gnar Bar.

https://blisterreview.com/gear-reviews/2023-2024-atomic-hawx-ultra-xtd-130-boa-gw

Get the raptor wcr 1 and the cast insert kit. 170 flex should be good.

As others have said the recon team has inserts but it is a buckle boot for f23. What you may want to consider is the mindbender 130 boa boot. It will be just as stiff as the recon team buckle (the new boa shells have some durability and performance updates) due to the nature of the boa system. We also have the locking walk mech now which means it can not slip and it skis basically exactly like the recon, it’s just slightly stiffer at the start of the flex. So you get all the performance of a fixed cuff boot and the security of the locking walk mech but if you ever do some longer tours you have a walk mech too. Win win.

Or wait until next season when we may have a couple of really interesting options coming :)

**This post was edited on Nov 25th 2023 at 2:43:09pm

**This post was edited on Nov 25th 2023 at 2:43:59pm