any salomon boot experts?

[britney]

here are my questions:

1) how does the stiffness of the mens xwave 8 (which is same stiffness as womens 9.0) compare to the 1080?

2) is it true that salomon liners suck (at least on the xwaves), and pack out way too quickly, esp in the heel?

3) if so, do the womens liners suck any worse than the mens?

4) have there been any major improvements in the xwave series (including the rumored liner issue) since the 2001-02 boots?

5) is the womens xwave 8.0 (stiffness of mens 7.0) a respectable boot for an aggressive all mtn skiier on new rossi scratch bc's?

thanks in advance!
-brit

[milkman]

Hey Brit. The x-wave 8 (mens) is the same stiffness as the 1080 (I think it's like 85). I've heard that the Salomon liners are great. The x-waves are a little comfier (padded) than the course models, but as for packing out too quickly, if you fit your boot right, it should be a little tight to begin with and you want it to pack out quickly. After it's packed out, it should be the proper fit. I think the womens 8 would be an acceptable boot for an all mountain aggressive female. Can't answer the rest of your questions without making sh1t up. Good luck with your search.

[KQ]

I can't address all your questions but I can tell you I have the Equipe 9.0 and love them. They've got about 90 days or so on them and didn't start feeling like they might be packing out until about day 70 or so and even then I just moved the buckles in - they still have quite a bit of life to them. The have the heat molded liners which I feel have a lot of memory retention to them - that is to say they "spring back."

I'm really happy with the shell and liner. Never had any trouble with the heel - it's always nice and snug. I have a slightly wider than average foot and a very high instep. I have trouble getting into any boot but these are better than most.

Here's a review I found on the women's boots:

Edit: Well the link doesn't seem to want to work. Let's try this:

Reviews (http://www.outdoorreview.com/Ski,Equipment/PSC_3712crx.aspx)

[CUBUCK]

I have the X-wave 10s. I have never had a problem with the shells or liners. I have put probably about 100 or so days on them and they are still going strong. As far as an major improvements to the line since 01-02 I'm pretty sure their have been no major changes to the line. Hope this helps

[dude_le_skibum]

the way salomon boots work is they have a super wide volume and a hole lot of padding and pack down where the need to.
check the shape of your foot. don't go into a boot blind


here is how i sell boots we carry 3 brands at the shop lange,rossi,technica
Take a look at the shape of your foot:

if its narrow - lange
medium - rossi
wide - Technica.

as simple as that try to fit in a boot that is similar to the shape of your foot. dont be scared to go small.
its not always that simple, the arch will play in there too, if you have a super high arch you will need a bit more volume and looking at a footbed could be a wise choice too


my shoe size is 9.5 and my foot is pretty medium and i have a high arch.
my boots are lange banshee 8,5 with a race line in it. i like the tight fit.

my sister has size 7 shoes and her ski boots are 4.5.


i'm not a boot expert.
i'm not saying that's what you need but if you buy a boot, you have to do it right, take time. if it fits too good try dropping a size.
boots will pack


anyway thats my 2 cents

[BakerBoy]

My 03-04 Salomon ProModel boots completely disagree with you dude. You tend to post a lot of generalized assumptions, and I think this is another one of them.

Perhaps it is just my foot, but the Course model lasts (Course and ProModel) are much, much tighter fitting than the new Lange Comp 120 LF's, especially around the heal cup and forefoot. Lange has done nothing but get wider this year, moving away from their traditional fit and traditional super-stiffness. The 120 Comps are considerably softer than the ProModels, which rate a 95 on the Salomon scale (X-Wave 10 = 100, Course = 120). The liners of the Course and ProModel boots are the CF ProFits, which are heat moldable and super thin. There just isn't enough material to pack out very much -- maybe a quarter size or less.

[dude_le_skibum]

Originally posted by BakerBoy
My 03-04 Salomon ProModel boots completely disagree with you dude. You tend to post a lot of generalized assumptions, and I think this is another one of them.

Perhaps it is just my foot, but the Course model lasts (Course and ProModel) are much, much tighter fitting than the new Lange Comp 120 LF's, especially around the heal cup and forefoot. Lange has done nothing but get wider this year, moving away from their traditional fit and traditional super-stiffness. The 120 Comps are considerably softer than the ProModels, which rate a 95 on the Salomon scale (X-Wave 10 = 100, Course = 120). The liners of the Course and ProModel boots are the CF ProFits, which are heat moldable and super thin. There just isn't enough material to pack out very much -- maybe a quarter size or less.


oh' i'm suprised, a lange 120 lf is a pretty narrow fit...and eh, they are not super stiff and eh, salomon use to be wide, maybe they narrowed it down...

[milkman]

Originally posted by BakerBoy
The 120 Comps are considerably softer than the ProModels, which rate a 95 on the Salomon scale (X-Wave 10 = 100, Course = 120).

Not a huge deal, but the x-wave 10 has a flex index of 110, x-wave 9 has 100 and the course that I checked was 130.

[BakerBoy]

Originally posted by milkman
Not a huge deal, but the x-wave 10 has a flex index of 110, x-wave 9 has 100 and the course that I checked was 130.

www.salomonski.com

Course = 120

X-wave 10 = 100

[milkman]

I see. Those numbers changed from last season. I was trying on all the last season models and the 10 was 110 and the 9 (which i bought) is 100. Even says so on the back.....Wonder if they changed the flex or just the numbering system?

edit: I just checked the site and the 9 is listed as 100 as well. I think the 10 must be a misprint, otherwise what would be the point of the 10?

[L7]

Originally posted by britney
here are my questions:

1) how does the stiffness of the mens xwave 8 (which is same stiffness as womens 9.0) compare to the 1080?

I believe the Xwaves are stiffer but I'd have to check my book at work

2) is it true that salomon liners suck (at least on the xwaves), and pack out way too quickly, esp in the heel?

Yes, They are heavily padded in the heel for the snug 'oh it feels so good I must buy it now' feeling. Sadly on the flip side it packs out quickly for that 'crap I'm swimming in these things' feeling.

3) if so, do the womens liners suck any worse than the mens?

No they suck equally. I should say the woman's shell sucks more since it is the same upper as the men's despite claiming to be woman specific. The shell upper is the same height as the men's which doesn't do it for most woman.

4) have there been any major improvements in the xwave series (including the rumored liner issue) since the 2001-02 boots?

No, although they did send a survey from Europe about the boots and when I mentioned these specific issues they got back to me right quick for more info. I think they're starting to hear about it some.

5) is the womens xwave 8.0 (stiffness of mens 7.0) a respectable boot for an aggressive all mtn skiier on new rossi scratch bc's?

It CAN be an excellent boot if you have a wide forefoot and/or a high instep. SHELL fit it and be prepared to buy it very tight anticipating the pack out. Be VERY AWARE of the problems you can run into with the high cuff. If the bulk of the calf muscle gets down into the boot be very afraid. Causes pitch forward in leg resulting in hips back and leg squat, also cold feet when blood is choked off at top of calf. You could try the Course GT junior race or Lange WC team junior race boot. Neither has as wide a forefoot but the course will manage a high instep fine.

thanks in advance!
-brit