Member of the Month

theabortionator
April, 2025

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Hybrid ski boots to do it all

profile picture
Repolainen
Posts: 3 - Karma: 13
Hey all,

I'm an old-school park skier on the hunt for a ski boot that can do it all. Must-haves are a wide toe box/last, about a 120 flex, and tech inserts.

I've got wide feet and Morton’s neuroma, so I’ll probably need shell mods no matter what. Back in the day, I used to travel with park-specific boots only, but since I’ve been taking my game from parks only into the backcountry and side hits more, I’d like a single boot that I can skin up with (using tech bindings) and still hit the park with my park skis.

The K2 Diverge SC has been on my mind, but after trying out the K2 Method, I’m not sure the Diverge SCs will be any better fit-wise. Plus, I’ve heard some mixed reviews about Diverge’s fit, so I’m hoping there might be better options in the backcountry freestyle category.

Any thoughts or hints about prober boots to scout for?
6 months ago
3 0
profile picture
Raf.Diaz.
Posts: 748 - Karma: 11,373
Salomon shift could be good for you
6 months ago
0 0
profile picture
lil.Boye
Posts: 2784 - Karma: 12,647
heard technica have some wider boots on the market.
6 months ago
0 1
profile picture
Repolainen
Posts: 3 - Karma: 13
I actually already own a couple of pairs skinning boots - the Salomon Shifts and Technica Cochise. Both are lightweight and great for uphill, though they could probably still use some mods to fit my duck feet better. However, neither of them really feel like a right choice for anything on-piste or park. Maybe it's the stiffness or just the weight, not sure, but they just don't feel light park tools.

I think the K2 Diverge SC could be what I'm looking for being pretty much more like a park boot with just tech inserts, but the fit just seems super off. So I'm really looking for a stiff, high-performance boot that shines on the downhill more than uphill. Seems like all the higher-end boots are geared towards uphill, and the downhill performance often takes a hit because of it. Not sure, but maybe the Phaenom FR 01 could be one of the very few options that fit the bill. Anyone have experience with Phaenom?
6 months ago
0 0
profile picture
tomPietrowski
Posts: 7290 - Karma: 18,697
Diverge are good for sure but honestly it sounds like you want the mindbender boot. Check out the mindbender 120 boa
6 months ago
3 0
profile picture
Repolainen
Posts: 3 - Karma: 13
tomPietrowskiDiverge are good for sure but honestly it sounds like you want the mindbender boot. Check out the mindbender 120 boa


Thanks, The Mindbenders are worth considering for sure. The big downside, though, is that they're narrow, so they might not be the best fit for duck-footed needs.

I'd love to hear if there are any other boots out there that focus on downhill performance with similar specs than let's say the Diverge. I'm thinking if getting the Diverge and swapping out the liner for a different model might work. Or maybe then the Phaenom FR boot line, I'd be happy to hear any experiences from.

I wish more all mountain boots just had the inserts.
6 months ago
0 0
profile picture
kalle.
Posts: 771 - Karma: 4,931
dalbello cabrio free
6 months ago
0 0
profile picture
Repolainen
Posts: 3 - Karma: 13
kalle.dalbello cabrio free


Thanks, the Cabrio Free seems great! Not the widest boot out there, but it's still probably the most promising one I've heard of after the Diverge, so I might give the Cabrio a try.
6 months ago
0 0
All times are Eastern (-4); Currently it's 10:19AM