Full Tilt Classic 2010

Overall

This boot is a great boot with some problems that make it average. Between the durability of the buckles and the sub par costumer service it makes it hard to recommend. But when the buckles are all there, the boots preform great, exactly what you want in a park boot. If I did not have such a hard time with costumer service and the buckles this boot would be a ten. If you fork up the money for all aluminum buckles you will have less calls to customer service and be happier. But the boots do come with plastic buckles, and come people don't want to have to pay an extra 180 dollars for 6 aluminum ones on top of the 380 they already cost. Great boot, but just an average value for you money.

Performance

The performance has been really good on these boots. Even before they where completely packed out, I could feel a distinct difference in my riding. They helped me to stay forward better, good cushion on the heals for those flat landings, and as they advertise, I never had problems with shin bang. They are also light weight which is a great plus to any one that prefers a super light setup. All these things, combine with the boots flex pattern makes them great for urban an urban or park setting. The limitations of these boots only really apply to the steeps. It is an interesting feeling charging the steeps with these things on and their 6 flex index tongue. Almost a slight unsteadiness in time where you need something really sturdy. So as long as you are the type to stick to the groomers or park, these are great. If you want to venture elsewhere, at the very least get some stiffer tongues, otherwise get a different boot.

Design

The design of the product is great. The three piece design provides a distinct look that allows for a sexy boot and great color placement. They are lightweight and packed with little features that make the boot your own. The only annoyance I had with the design are the buckles. When I take a break from riding, I like to loosen by boots. But if you loosen the buckles on these boots to a certain amount, the wires can get jammed under the buckle and it is annoying as hell to get out. You either have to crank the rest of the buckles as far as you can, or use something to pry it out. Besides this, the design is cool looking and provides many nice features.

Value

I got these boots for 380 dollars. After using these boots all season, I feel I got my moneys worth. They have served me well and did exactly what they said they would. Where I do feel they are lacking is in customer service and warranty policy. I had an issue with my buckles a week after purchase. I had to jump through hoops and ultimately drive 2 and half hours back to where I purchased the boots to just get a new buckle. Something as small as a broken buckle, you would think a company would just send you a new buckle free of charge. I heard of companies like Volkl sending out completely new skis if your old ones started to delaminate, but Ful Tilt made me return to where I purchased the boots to get a new buckle. The boots themselves where a good value, I would not say an amazing one, but the customer service is terrible.

Fit

I had my boots fitted at a local shop. Full Tilt boots are notorious for being narrow, making them uncomfortable for people with wider feet. The boot fitter said I was right on the edge of weather or not the Classics would be comfortable. So I tried on both the classics and the booters. The booters are made wider which is good for someone with wide feet. I found them too roomy so I went with the classics. The fit is good but snug, so snug that I can only wear really really thin sucks otherwise my feet fall asleep within a few minutes. So the moral of the story is if you are in the market for Full Tilt boots, try on both the booters and the other pair you are looking at. If the booters feel to roamy and you can live with your foot falling asleep once in awhile, than go for the non-booters. Otherwise get the booters or consider a different brand.

Characteristics

The Full Tilt boots all come with the ability to replace the tongues to get a different flex. This boot comes with a Flex Index of a 6, which is described as medium. Compared to other boots I have had, such as Salmon SPKs, I would say that calling the flex medium is a giving it too much. They are a little softer than most park boots that I have used before, more of a soft medium than a dead center medium. I was lucky enough to have a friend with a couple of the different tongues. I tried a 4 and an 8 and I personally liked 6 the best for park riding. Besides the toungues, the boots flex in only the directions you want. There is no give side to side but you still feel unconstrained. It is a nice feel and should be how all boots are.

Durability

Everything besides the buckles are rock solid on these boots. They feel light but at the same time sturdy. the liner is comfortable but as withstand blood, sweat, water, and mud. The shells and the hinges are all still in great condition after a rough year. The buckles on the other hand just feel like they are going to break. The levers are made from plastic and there hinges are made from aluminum. I have broke both the hinges and the levers in not so unusual falls. I have broken 2 buckles, and after the second one I had extremely difficult time finding a replacement buckle. At the time all dealers in this area were sold out. I called Full Tilt and they said there would not be anymore available for a month. Apparently this is a common problem. So I had to ski for an entire month with two out of three buckles functioning.

• Terrain
  Park
  Pow
• Design
  Clean
  Busy
• Durability
  Fragile
  Durable
• Weight
  Light
  Heavy
• Style
  Uncool
  Cool
• Width
  Narrow
  Wide
• Comfort
  Uncomfy
  Comfy
• Flex
  Soft
  Stiff