Salomon Ghost Pre-Ski Review

**mntlion** · 03-13-2009, 04:39 PM

about the same fit (length, width and instep height)

**locknload** · 03-14-2009, 08:46 PM

Picked these up and rode in these for the first time the last two days. Sweet, buttery flex that I really, really like. The fit is incredible and I think they may be the best boots I've ever had...which is saying something since I've always been a loyal Lange guy. They are stiff enough but not overpowering and they are super-nice in the bumps. They feel lower to the deck than Langes and I it felt like I had a bit more contact with the skis as as result.

I will echo previous comments on this thread that they are an absolute BITCH to get into. Its potentially a problem that could make it a dealbreaker for me. Unless you have good leverage--like a bench that's high enough--AND you are inside so that you can pry back the lower part of the upper cuff...they are almost impossible to get into. The leash for the lace-up liner needs to be a couple of inches longer to allow the throat of the boot to open up wider. I honestly don't know how people are getting in these things. Once they are on, they are incredible but it seems to take an act of God to jam your foot in there. I'm honestly concerned about damaging soft tissue on the top of my foot and ankle when I pull them on. How could Salomon mess this up? Is this experience I'm having universal to others here on the board who have these boots? Have you come up with any tricks as to how to make this easier? If so..please advise...there has got to be a better way!

**huge-go** · 03-14-2009, 11:50 PM

I will echo previous comments on this thread that they are an absolute BITCH to get into. Its potentially a problem that could make it a dealbreaker for me. Unless you have good leverage--like a bench that's high enough--AND you are inside so that you can pry back the lower part of the upper cuff...they are almost impossible to get into. The leash for the lace-up liner needs to be a couple of inches longer to allow the throat of the boot to open up wider. I honestly don't know how people are getting in these things. Once they are on, they are incredible but it seems to take an act of God to jam your foot in there. I'm honestly concerned about damaging soft tissue on the top of my foot and ankle when I pull them on. How could Salomon mess this up? Is this experience I'm having universal to others here on the board who have these boots? Have you come up with any tricks as to how to make this easier? If so..please advise...there has got to be a better way![/QUOTE]

Seriously. I would probably buy another pair if salomon made them easier to get into. I find it works well if you heat the shells, like turn the heat on the feet on the passengers side of the car, and stick the shells down there. Makes it buttery smooth getting in. I'd say make sure to keep the liners out though. Might end up heating them, and potentially packing them out faster. For the time being, just suck it up, put them on, cry a little, and then skiing.

**dexterq20** · 03-15-2009, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by locknload

Is this experience I'm having universal to others here on the board who have these boots?

No real problems getting into mine, unless they're frozen from sitting in the car overnight.

**XtrPickels** · 03-15-2009, 01:12 PM

Racers, with lace up liners in their plug boots, tend to put the liner on the foot and then the foot/liner into the boot.
Food for thought, if its not the way you're doing it already.

**bisnibble** · 03-15-2009, 04:39 PM

mine are hard to get on, but I love them

**squirrelmurphy** · 03-15-2009, 06:17 PM

Is everyone finding them capable of driving big skis? People coming from 120+ flex race boots? After trying to ski 196 lhasa's with BD Factors, a bit worried about their relatively soft flex.

**crispy4505** · 03-16-2009, 12:29 PM

Well Im sold, looks like I will have to trade in my Guns for some Ghosts. I wish they would change the graphics on these to look less park rat-ish. Thanks for all the info guys

**locknload** · 03-16-2009, 12:35 PM

Good points and good tip XtrPickels about putting on the liner and then slipping that into the boot. I may try that. I had an easier time yesterday morning inside where it was warm. I have to pry apart the lower part of the cuff and that helps. I wish I had some freaking jaws of life that I could carry around and pry these things open when I want to get them on. I also have a snag in the leash that laces up the liner and if that breaks, I may have a problem. Not sure if I would take them to my ski shop and see if they can fix it. If that's the case, I might ask them to make the leash longer so its easier to spread the boot open.

Squirrelmurphy...I can't speak to your specific question...my biggest ski is the 189 Praxis RX which I have not skied with the Ghosts yet. I also have the Lange WC 120 and the Ghosts feels smoother flexing but no necessarily a ton softer..not sure if that helps.

**squirrelmurphy** · 03-16-2009, 02:18 PM

That does help, thanks! Let us know when you ski the RX with 'em.

**crispy4505** · 03-17-2009, 02:52 PM

Has anyone compared the Ghost to the Tecnica Agent 130? Id be curious to know which is stiffer. deciding between those two boots for next year

**khyber.pass** · 03-18-2009, 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by squirrelmurphy

Is everyone finding them capable of driving big skis? People coming from 120+ flex race boots? After trying to ski 196 lhasa's with BD Factors, a bit worried about their relatively soft flex.

I got beat around a bit in my Ghosts driving the 196 Lhasas. That said it was day 4 of pow & I was beat. They drive everything else in my quiver, from ANTs to 190 Goats to 189 LL2s.

I also found they got easier with the on/off after about 30 days. IMO they are the best boot I have ever owned.

**jwitzz** · 03-25-2009, 11:00 AM

I have been skiing the Ghosts for 15 days this season. Me: 5’9”, 178lbs, aggressive skier, wide foot. So far these are the best boots I have ever been in. I sized them 0.5 smaller then my prior Atomic boots. At first I thought it was an issue but the boot packed out nicely after just a few days. These boots are far and away the most comfortable boots I have owned. I used to have major problems with cold feet and comfort when the weather was below 30 degrees but in these boots I have not had a problem even on the coldest of days. The overall flex is noticeably softer then what I have been in but the transition to a softer boot has not been an issue. In my opinion these boots perform as well as I need them to in all conditions from deep powder to firm groomers and everything in between. The lace up liner is a nice feature especially when loosening them up to hike. The rubber sole I thought at first was very gimmicky but it has been helpful in some hiking situations. The two buckle set up is great as well, much easier then four with out compromising performance. Overall this is a phenomenal boot…super comfortable with very high performance.

**J-ROCK** · 03-30-2009, 09:12 AM

Disapppointed in the liners. I was told by the shot that these had a high performance liner comparable to the Falcons but after about 8 days on the boots they have packed out like a cheap $300 boot. The volume has increased substantially in the heel pocket and there seems to be an increase in the forefoot.

Has anyone else had any experience with this in their liners? Looking at the new Salomon X3 10 CS as a replacement. What do you think the going rate would be on selling my current ghosts?

**sps89** · 03-30-2009, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by locknload

Picked these up and rode in these for the first time the last two days. Sweet, buttery flex that I really, really like. The fit is incredible and I think they may be the best boots I've ever had...which is saying something since I've always been a loyal Lange guy. They are stiff enough but not overpowering and they are super-nice in the bumps. They feel lower to the deck than Langes and I it felt like I had a bit more contact with the skis as as result.

I will echo previous comments on this thread that they are an absolute BITCH to get into. Its potentially a problem that could make it a dealbreaker for me. Unless you have good leverage--like a bench that's high enough--AND you are inside so that you can pry back the lower part of the upper cuff...they are almost impossible to get into. The leash for the lace-up liner needs to be a couple of inches longer to allow the throat of the boot to open up wider. I honestly don't know how people are getting in these things. Once they are on, they are incredible but it seems to take an act of God to jam your foot in there. I'm honestly concerned about damaging soft tissue on the top of my foot and ankle when I pull them on. How could Salomon mess this up? Is this experience I'm having universal to others here on the board who have these boots? Have you come up with any tricks as to how to make this easier? If so..please advise...there has got to be a better way!

You're not kidding either.

Just got a pair and took two of us to get the damn boots on.

I hope these things loosen up a little so i can actually get them on solo.

Holy shit, any tips?

**mntlion** · 03-30-2009, 01:34 PM

on/off tips..

keep the boots warm.

use the bathroom hand dryer to pre=warm the shells

pull the tongue to the side, not up or forward

thin socks.

stronger forearms?

**sps89** · 03-30-2009, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by mntlion

on/off tips..

keep the boots warm.

use the bathroom hand dryer to pre=warm the shells

pull the tongue to the side, not up or forward

thin socks.

stronger forearms?

I think i got it now.

I find if i pull the tongue forward that keeps the shell out the way so my foot slides in easier. Fucking agony the 1st time i tried tho lol.

They feel pretty good out the box. Maybe a lil narrow but im getting them fitted on wed. Anyone find heating molding the liners helped? Anyone put an intuition in them?

**jwitzz** · 03-30-2009, 03:52 PM

I had the same issue the first few times in them. When i went to get a binding adjustment i couldn't get them off at first then couldn't get them back on. After a few times out it got much easier and keeping the boot warm overnight/in the morning makes a HUGE difference.

**Scooter_ski** · 04-08-2009, 07:41 PM

Had a pair of Lange Bashee's which just didn't fit right. So on to the Ghosts...

Very comfortable once on, but like everyone else they are a brutal to get on and off at least initially - I really hope that changes because, I haven't even skied them yet in true icE-coast conditions, not looking forward to 8 degree days in VT

Swapped out the stock foot bed for a custom, helps with the glove like fit

They came with a pile of parts, I can figure out the spoiler and the heel lift. But, how does one attach this stiffener plate thing? Probably won't do it, but curiosity has got me.

Has anyone used the heel lifts that come with them?

The Salomon website says the liners are thermoformable, but they don't seem like it. Then again, they also talk about how they should have fur, mine don't have that either. A mid-run change?

**huge-go** · 04-09-2009, 03:12 AM

Originally Posted by Scooter_ski

Had a pair of Lange Bashee's which just didn't fit right. So on to the Ghosts...

Very comfortable once on, but like everyone else they are a brutal to get on and off at least initially - I really hope that changes because, I haven't even skied them yet in true icE-coast conditions, not looking forward to 8 degree days in VT

Swapped out the stock foot bed for a custom, helps with the glove like fit

They came with a pile of parts, I can figure out the spoiler and the heel lift. But, how does one attach this stiffener plate thing? Probably won't do it, but curiosity has got me.

Has anyone used the heel lifts that come with them?

The Salomon website says the liners are thermoformable, but they don't seem like it. Then again, they also talk about how they should have fur, mine don't have that either. A mid-run change?

You figured out the spoiler? I've been having trouble figuring them out. I figured the only way is to drill holes, which I'll have no problem doing. Just scared of drilling them and then later being shown an easier way to attach them. And I'd like to offer help on the stiffener, but I have no idea on those either. Haven't really looked at them to be honest.

**locknload** · 04-09-2009, 05:45 AM

I talked to the guys in my shop...Salomon apparently is getting a lot of feedback on the difficulty of getting them on and off. Next year's version will have a longer leash AND for those of us who already own them, we can simply order a pair of leashes to put in this years boot. In the meanwhile, my technique is to keep them warm before pulling them on and pry apart the lower cuff with both hands while pushing my foot it...this works pretty well. I will try the suggestion someone mentioned of pushing tongue to the side as well. I am using the spoilers and was able to screw them in fairly easily...however lining up the screws was a bitch.

**khyber.pass** · 04-09-2009, 02:10 PM

^^ Leash? What does the longer leash mean? You mean the powerwrap cuff? Or the BOA system?

**Howie** · 04-09-2009, 02:28 PM

Tried some ghosts on in a shop. They were mad comfy. I might be getting a pair for next year actually.

**dexterq20** · 04-09-2009, 08:23 PM

Originally Posted by crispy4505

Has anyone compared the Ghost to the Tecnica Agent 130? Id be curious to know which is stiffer. deciding between those two boots for next year

Agent 130 is MUCH stiffer, and much lower volume. I've owned both, and prefer the Ghost by far. I couldn't wear the Agent 130 for more than an hour at a time; way too painful.