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September, 2024

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Full tilt/K2 flex buckles vs cables; benefits and drawbacks?

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Wojtec
Posts: 8 - Karma: 44
I am looking to buy FT/K2 F Ski Boots, but noticed the difference of some boots having cables, and some buckles. Is there any real difference?

+ I tried the K2 Method B&E at a local boot fitter and they fit me pretty well, but I am also considering buying used FT 2016 Seth Morrisons (in good condition) instead, but they have cables unlike the K2 ones. So that's what has sparked my interest.
Thanks in advance for any answers.
Dec 15 2023 6:27AM
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tdollo
Posts: 3753 - Karma: 18,220
well the ones with buckles tend to be 102mm last whereas the ones with cables are 99mm last. So depends on the width of your foot. When I ran FTs back in the day I never had issues with the cables tho
Dec 15 2023 7:57AM
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NoMasCork
Posts: 29 - Karma: 86
Cables suck when you got cold fingers
Dec 15 2023 11:21AM
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isaacwrong
Posts: 2262 - Karma: 17,305
Clearly you should get fitted...those two boots have a completely different fit
Dec 15 2023 11:57AM
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deac
Posts: 740 - Karma: 2,964
NoMasCorkCables suck when you got cold fingers

fr also sucks when ur bottom buckle gets stuck
Dec 15 2023 12:01PM
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Wojtec
Posts: 8 - Karma: 44
isaacwrongClearly you should get fitted...those two boots have a completely different fit


The store in my city only has the K2 Method B&E, so I called around 10
stores (supposedly verified K2 dealers) in the area I am going to ski in, only to find out that they don't have them (I live in Europe).

I am not inclined to buy 500€ boots 400 kilometers away from the mountains, just to then find out they might not fit me as well as I thought they would. That's why I figured that buying a used pair for a 6th of the price would probably be a better idea. Afaik the liner itself should be practically the same (correct me if I am wrong), though I am aware of the width difference. + they're heat mold-able, so I do thing I should manage to get them to fit right.
Dec 15 2023 12:23PM
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tdollo
Posts: 3753 - Karma: 18,220
WojtecThe store in my city only has the K2 Method B&E, so I called around 10
stores (supposedly verified K2 dealers) in the area I am going to ski in, only to find out that they don't have them (I live in Europe).

I am not inclined to buy 500€ boots 400 kilometers away from the mountains, just to then find out they might not fit me as well as I thought they would. That's why I figured that buying a used pair for a 6th of the price would probably be a better idea. Afaik the liner itself should be practically the same (correct me if I am wrong), though I am aware of the width difference. + they're heat mold-able, so I do thing I should manage to get them to fit right.


Heat molding will not make them fit. Maybe look for something other than a K2 boot. Sounds like you want a K2 boot regardless of whether they fit
Dec 15 2023 1:00PM
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NoMasCork
Posts: 29 - Karma: 86
deke_skifr also sucks when ur bottom buckle gets stuck


honestly, last time I went up my bottom buckle got stuck and a little frozen and my friend had to pry the buckle up with his pole
Dec 15 2023 1:42PM
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Wojtec
Posts: 8 - Karma: 44
tdolloHeat molding will not make them fit. Maybe look for something other than a K2 boot. Sounds like you want a K2 boot regardless of whether they fit


Regarding the latter part, you are probably right, but wanting that isn't wrong now is it? I was riding rental for the last few times and those times were not great. As I've mentioned, I did try on a K2F pair, and I am really inclined to believe that 3 millimeters are not going to make a world's difference. But I'll ask around in person to make sure.
Dec 15 2023 3:12PM
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PartyBullshiit
Posts: 3520 - Karma: 16,245
WojtecRegarding the latter part, you are probably right, but wanting that isn't wrong now is it? I was riding rental for the last few times and those times were not great. As I've mentioned, I did try on a K2F pair, and I am really inclined to believe that 3 millimeters are not going to make a world's difference. But I'll ask around in person to make sure.


3mm in last will 100% effect the fit.
Dec 15 2023 3:18PM
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hamsauce
Posts: 281 - Karma: 2,482
I will add in that a 3mm difference in last will 100% make a difference and you will most likely regret it. Im on team "Get whatever boot fits", not team "get whatever boot you like the marketing of". If a K2 or other 3 piece fits your foot, then 100% get those.
Dec 15 2023 4:28PM
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Wojtec
Posts: 8 - Karma: 44
hamsauceI will add in that a 3mm difference in last will 100% make a difference and you will most likely regret it. Im on team "Get whatever boot fits", not team "get whatever boot you like the marketing of". If a K2 or other 3 piece fits your foot, then 100% get those.
The referenced post has been removed.


Well then thanks for the advice. I'll check if a 99mm boot fits me.

To return to the original question for a second: The only practical difference between the cable and buckle FT/ K2 boots is the width, right?
Dec 16 2023 3:47AM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7126 - Karma: 17,343
WojtecWell then thanks for the advice. I'll check if a 99mm boot fits me.

To return to the original question for a second: The only practical difference between the cable and buckle FT/ K2 boots is the width, right?

even though the method boots (and diverge) use more traditional buckles they still buckle a buckle rack attached to a cable so you get the same flex characteristics from either. We just felt the buckle system was a little easier to use and would also be more familiar to more people compared to the system employed on the revolve and revolve plus boots. Go for whichever fit the best.
Dec 16 2023 12:28PM
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