Thread: Touring boot for a long tour in Idaho?

I'm going on a 14 day tour deep in the Idaho backcountry next February and I'm in the market for a new touring boot. I've had the Tecnica Agent AT and the BD Factor in the past and I wasn't really happy with either of them. The Tecnica was too soft and the factor was too heavy. I'm really looking for something that will be both light weight and yet powerful enough to drive my skis in the Idaho deep. I've looked at the Dynafit Titan and the BD Quadrant but I have concerns about both. Is there anyone with experience with both of these boots. Other suggestions are welcomed as well!

Originally Posted by esales09

Other suggestions are welcomed as well!

www.google.com ---> dynafit titan BD quadrant site:tetongravity.com

14 days and deep in? Easy answer for me: Dynafit TLT5

If you want something as stiff as the Factor, but actually has a decent walk mode: Titan (though it won't be that much lighter than the Factor).

If you want something lighter that will make the 14 day trip a bit easier, TLT5, Maestrale, etc. Mine drive 112 waist skis just fine (requires a bit more finesse than 130 flex alpine boots). There are extensive threads on each of these.

Here's a suggestion: try utilizing the nifty "Search" function.

Entering the words "Dynafit Titan" in the search function yields all kinds of info: http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...earchid=783863

Entering the words "Black Diamond Quadrant" in the search function yields all kinds of info, as well: http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...earchid=783867

Then of course, using proper search tactics, you can start varying the parameters, perhaps entering the words "Touring Boots", "AT Boots", "Backcountry Boots", simply "Titan" or "Quadrant". The possibilities are endless and the results will probably serve up the answers you are looking for.

Best of luck considering if you can't find your way around a website I certainly hope you don't get lost in the backcountry.



PS
marshalolsen has a ton of great, in-depth reviews of various AT boots littered about in the Tech Talk section as well as here: http://blistergearreview.com/blister/

Don't overlook the Dabello Virus , an underrated boot IMHO.. take out liners and replace with Intuition overlaps....excellent and light BC boot with terrific rear movement for extra stride and glide on those flat sections. They are my only boot now for both inbounds and BC.

Thanks for the input. I've already done a lot of research on TGR and read several of marshalolsen's reviews. I've never skied idaho before and I was more wondering what you guys would prefer for a longer trip in deep powder. I'll definitely have to look at the TLT5 and the Virus. I plan on putting intuitions into whatever I get so the liner doesn't really matter to me.

+1 on both the TLT5 and the Virus. I've skied both. Both are great boots.

I've been on the Virus for the past season and ultimately found that I don't like it.
1. it's really stiff
2. it's not terribly adjustable around the shin area (i.e. getting it really tight, as it doesn't have a power/booster strap)
3. while most folks rave about the walk mode, i find it to be really wonky. the walk mode is really a leaning back mode, which makes you walk like the Robert Crumb "Truckin'" poster from the '60s. I honestly don't walk like that (and wonder how many folks really do). I like more forward lean and forward flex when walking and these are really upright.
4. considering it's a Dalbello, modeled after the Krypton, it's not very versatile. Really curious why they didn't make it so you could change out the tongues (i.e. have a softer flexing walk mode tongue and then a stiffer ski mode tongue).

That said, I know a lot of folks who dig the boot, which just further accentuates that boots are really a personal taste. Try and find a shop where you can try on a number of brands and styles and also realize that if you go for comfort (i.e. a softer boot) you may sacrifice downhill performance and vice/versa (if you go for a stiffer boot you may sacrifice uphill/hiking performance).

I'm in the process of hunting for new boots, myself, and the Dynafit line is at the top of the list (Titan is on the short part of that list).

Also, keep in mind that AT boots' flex index is a lot different than alpine boots (refer to that thread on AT comparative boot flexes....seems that a lot of the stiffer AT boots with 120/130 index ratings are really more in the 90-110 range when compared to alpine boots).

Lastly, I'd get a boot that you know you will and can use wherever you end up touring. I wouldn't just buy a boot that will only be good in Idaho.

dookey- how would you compare the flex of the virus to other touring boots, especially the Titan which it seems like you have some experience with? I didn't see it in the comparative at boot flex thread.

Esa: I've actually never used the Titan. I've only tried it on once last summer.

The AT thread lists it as a 100 flex in relation to standard alpine boots, though: http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...t=AT+boot+flex

And I've talked to Marshalolsen about it.

All i know is that I recall it fitting pretty well to my foot out the box when I tried it on in the shop almost 2 seasons ago.

Other'n that, I can't comment.

I just know that the Dalbello Virus Tour I've been using ain't to my liking and the Garmont Adenalin I've borrowed from a friend ain't working either. I plan to scope out the Titan more copiously in the next month or so and see if it 1. fits better and 2. will be a bit more to my liking (i.e. not as stiff as the Virus, but not as soft as the Adrenalin). A lot will also depend on whether I can score a Pro Deal on the Titan, too (I'm a ski instructor).

The one thing I do know that I don't like about the Virus is the lack of forward lean. It's a pretty upright boot. And the walk mode, to me, at least, is wonky, in that it favors backward lean, which to me isn't natural in the least.

I'm also still bouncing back and forth between whether I want a super stiff A/T boot or a softer one. I use a 130 Nordica Doberman Aggressor as my everyday resort and teaching boot, which sometimes I find to be a bit stiff, yet I know that I don't want a boot that's totally noodly.

This is really something you're going to have to consider. I have friends who absolutely swear by super stiff AT boots and others that love softer ones.

Me, I'm still looking for that "perfect" combo of AT boot, ski , and bindings and my current set-up of Dablello Virus Tour/AK King Salmon/Marker Duke just ain't cutting it...

Maybe Dynafit will come out with a Eric Hjorliefson pro model. (it won't be out by next Feb., maybe a prototype by then). I vote for Virus. I love mine. I've tried to get in my friends Titans, I can't get my feet in. My feet slip right in the Virus, & ski fine for me. I ski them everyday. In & outbounds.

Originally Posted by ARpowhound

I've tried to get in my friends Titans, I can't get my feet in.

The Titans are not actually that low-volume. The stock liners just make it tricky to take the boots on and off. Once they break in it gets easier, but you can also slide into the shells with the liners on your feet.

I found the Virus too roomy and too upright (in the shop) but YMMV.