http://www.backcountry.com/store/GAR003 ... -Boot.html
Would something like this work? If so why are they not used??
There seams to be a much larger selection of Alpine touring boots than hard boots designed for snowboarding.
Why Not Alpine Touring Boots??
Moderators: fivat, rilliet, Arnaud, nils
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Rob Stevens
- Rank 3
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Friday 25 February 2005, 23:22
- Location: Banff, CANADA
Ice climbing boots
Hi;
When I started riding in '84, the only boots available were limp-wristed Sorels (a Canadian brand). Since this "snow-shovelling" boot had no support at all, save for an optional, added ski boot liner, I decided to use a plastic-shelled Koflach "Hunter", an ice climbing boot. After a few years, Koflach came out with a boot known as the "Superpipe". This was a "Hunter" with a higher ankle cuff and hideous colours.
No one bought into it at the time (save me and anyone I could get to try them. I owned 4 pairs myself) and the boot dissappeared as if it had never existed.
It was really a shame. The ankle mobility was good and the Vibram sole gave amazing support and edge control, with no cramped, bent arches. The type of edge control possible was far superior to what others were getting in a time long before baseplates with toe and heel ramps. You could also bevel the heel and toe off the boot, giving a size 10(U.S.) the same sole length as an 8. With no overhang, you could easily E/C on the toeside edge.
Around the same time, Jose Fernandez and, later, Damian Sanders were using a buckled version. I didn't really like it as I felt it was too stiff in the ankle and not a good "soft boot".
So you don't have to go looking for any old Koflachs, Burton (everything old is new again) now has a Vibram-soled boot. I think it's the "Driver". While you may not be able to shorten the sole length like on the Koflach, the stiff sole will keep your feet from fatiguing on those long-ass Euro traverses I see at your resorts.
Lates.
P.S. Don't even think about buying a pair of "mixed" climbing boots. They're shit for this application. I would say, however, that if you can find a pair of "Superpipe" Koflachs in your size, pick them up. If your foot is the right shape for them (though they're moldable) you'll probably like them alot.
When I started riding in '84, the only boots available were limp-wristed Sorels (a Canadian brand). Since this "snow-shovelling" boot had no support at all, save for an optional, added ski boot liner, I decided to use a plastic-shelled Koflach "Hunter", an ice climbing boot. After a few years, Koflach came out with a boot known as the "Superpipe". This was a "Hunter" with a higher ankle cuff and hideous colours.
No one bought into it at the time (save me and anyone I could get to try them. I owned 4 pairs myself) and the boot dissappeared as if it had never existed.
It was really a shame. The ankle mobility was good and the Vibram sole gave amazing support and edge control, with no cramped, bent arches. The type of edge control possible was far superior to what others were getting in a time long before baseplates with toe and heel ramps. You could also bevel the heel and toe off the boot, giving a size 10(U.S.) the same sole length as an 8. With no overhang, you could easily E/C on the toeside edge.
Around the same time, Jose Fernandez and, later, Damian Sanders were using a buckled version. I didn't really like it as I felt it was too stiff in the ankle and not a good "soft boot".
So you don't have to go looking for any old Koflachs, Burton (everything old is new again) now has a Vibram-soled boot. I think it's the "Driver". While you may not be able to shorten the sole length like on the Koflach, the stiff sole will keep your feet from fatiguing on those long-ass Euro traverses I see at your resorts.
Lates.
P.S. Don't even think about buying a pair of "mixed" climbing boots. They're shit for this application. I would say, however, that if you can find a pair of "Superpipe" Koflachs in your size, pick them up. If your foot is the right shape for them (though they're moldable) you'll probably like them alot.
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Rob Stevens
- Rank 3
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Friday 25 February 2005, 23:22
- Location: Banff, CANADA
soft hardboots
I know the Nordicas you're talking about.
If you wanted a "hardboot' for pow, that would be the one. They're probably a bit soft for hardpack, though.
The Koflachs I spoke of were lace-ups.
If you wanted a "hardboot' for pow, that would be the one. They're probably a bit soft for hardpack, though.
The Koflachs I spoke of were lace-ups.