Thread: Going back from AT boots to alpine?

Get some alpine boots and tour in them anyway. AT boots are noodles no matter how big they write 130 on the side.

As several have said, the game has changed. And sounds like you were in the wrong boot for your size and foot shape. But at the end of the day, a high end Alpine boot will still give you more efficient mechanics for moving force to the snow than a high end AT boot. Just the physics of the two designs. OTOH, are you personally going to notice the difference? Harder call. If you're mostly concerned about trees and bumps, probably a wash, although IMO a cabrio design is superior there either AT or Alpine. If you're going to be etching railroad tracks on hardpack, yeah, get some Alpines. If you're just skiing lift served, with modern Alpines, moot issue; why are you on AT's at all?

Originally Posted by Beyond

If you're just skiing lift served, with modern Alpines, moot issue; why are you on AT's at all?

I used them for AT but how it was back in the day when I bought the garmonts with the convertible sole, they did fit my foot pretty well because of the shitty but moldable G-fit liner and because the same boot could be used for AT or Alpine bindings by spending 15mins with a screw gun, people who might not own alpine or AT bindings or skins could all buy those boots and be happy

IME the #1 boot of choice for course workers at the 08whistler world cup & 2010 olympics was garmont AT boots either the Adrenalins/endorphin/zena in alpine bindings

last years winner of the DH at the local hill always skis on Garmont Adrenalins but he probably wins all the time cuz he is 240lbs and can ride a flat ski in any boot

Originally Posted by Beyond

If you're just skiing lift served, with modern Alpines, moot issue; why are you on AT's at all?

I used them for AT but how it was back in the day when I bought the garmonts with the convertible sole, they did fit my foot pretty well because of the shitty but moldable G-fit liner and since the same boot could be used for AT or Alpine bindings by spending 15mins with a screw gun, people who might not own alpine or AT bindings or skins could buy the same boot and be happy

IME the #1 boot of choice for course workers at the whistler world cup & olympics was a garmont AT boot being used in an alpine binding some with the din soles and some with the AT soles

last years winner of the DH at the local hill always skis on Garmont Adrenalins but he probably wins all the time cuz he is 240lbs and can ride a flat ski in any boot



Localy all the people I see touring in stiff 4 buckle alpine boots appear to be 20 something and I am reasonably sure ... broke

Originally Posted by Beyond

As several have said, the game has changed. And sounds like you were in the wrong boot for your size and foot shape. But at the end of the day, a high end Alpine boot will still give you more efficient mechanics for moving force to the snow than a high end AT boot. Just the physics of the two designs. OTOH, are you personally going to notice the difference? Harder call. If you're mostly concerned about trees and bumps, probably a wash, although IMO a cabrio design is superior there either AT or Alpine. If you're going to be etching railroad tracks on hardpack, yeah, get some Alpines. If you're just skiing lift served, with modern Alpines, moot issue; why are you on AT's at all?

1. I don't think the Garmont was the wrong boot for my size/shape. I bought it from Larry in Boulder (top-notch bootfitter) after trying on a bunch of boots from him, and it felt like the best fit. He then adjusted it until it fit, and put Intuition liners in when I was having trouble with the stock liner. I think the fit is OK, the issue is mostly with the control and stiffness.

2. I do spend most of my time in the powder, crud, bumps and trees, but it seems like that's where you're going to get a lot of benefit from a quicker-responding boot. I like to rail a groomer now and again (mostly when there's no fresh snow and it's the best option available), but I wouldn't buy a boot primarily for that purpose.

3. I'm probably 80% resort, 20% backcountry these days (most of which is multi-day trips, not lapping car shuttle runs).

From what I'm hearing, I think I'd be best off keeping my Garmonts for BC trips and getting an alpine boot as my day-to-day driver, so that's where I'm headed.

It also depends heavily on what type of resortskiing you do. If you're a racer type and like high-speed, with an aggresive slalom/GS stance, then YES, stiffer alpine-dedicated boots will definitely make a noticeable difference.

The boot is one of the two main interfaces between your foot and the ski, the binding being the other. The less movement in that interface the better...and the more control you'll have over your ski and the more feedback you'll get back from your ski. Technical skiing is all about control and feedback...at least that's what my race coach always used to drill into my noggin. The stiffer plastic and more aggressive angles on an alpine race boot will give you a better, more precise downhill experience...of that there is no question.

Now, you don't need to go for an all-out race boot for a feel of precision. I haven't bought strictly alpine boots for eons...but I still have my last ones....which were also my most comfortable ones. A pair of Lange Mid 5.5.....not quite as stiff as the Langes I used to race in, but nearly so...and WAY more comfortable too. Just go to a good boot-fitter and ask to try on a range of expert-level boots as many companies as possible. Drive him crazy with questions...that's what he's there for.

EDIT:
XXX-er: Yeah, but that's course work. You spend 80% of the time either OFF your skis drilling holes for gates or fixing downed gates or ON your skis but side-stepping and side-slippiing. I've been there, done that. After doing enough of that in race-boots, I'd want ATs too.....damn betcha!! Way more comfortable for that kind of work...but not really relevant to using the boots in technical, full-on alpine descent mode. The race-boots will always outperform in that regard...just a matter of physics.

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