Black Diamond boot website up

[bean]

Figured I'd take a look and see if it was up yet since the OR show is going, and it's finally up:

www.skibdboots.com

$729 + $40 for the Factor plus AT blocks
$669 + $25 for the Method plus DIN blocks (and doesn't have the good liner)

Sucks that the boa liner isn't available with the Method.

[squirrelmurphy]

yesssssssss!!!

factors are sick. can't wait.

[whitethrash]

Factors seem to good to be true, whose tried them on? I heard they are high on instep, which makes my hobbit feet even happier?

[bigairnbumps]

Both are pretty stiff.

Method = 110 flex
Factor = 130 flex

[Sirshredalot]

I'm going to go rub one out to the Factor. 130 flex 4 buckle at boot? Fuck yeah. It better be the right shape for my foot.

[squirrelmurphy]

I skied them, and have a review somewhere in tech talk. Alta demo day thread.

They have a wide forefoot and a pretty narrow heel. Don't know about the arch, my feet like to sit pretty flat (I don't usually use footbeds at all) and I didn't have any real problems with them. I just know they rocked and ski very well for their weight and touring capability.

[troy67]

I kind of like the methods... more all-round, they seem way better for freestyle than the Factors. For somebody who tricks and pistes, they seem like a good match for me. And now? Deal searching!

[skiwithcharlie]

Who owns BD nowadays anyway? Volkl/Tecnica? Some sweet looking boots in there. A match made in heaven to go with Dukes....

[troy67]

Who owns BD nowadays anyway? Volkl/Tecnica? Some sweet looking boots in there. A match made in heaven to go with Dukes....

Good call, I love my '08 Volkl Karmas, Volkl is the way to go. Their new Wall model is looking good. Off topic but true.

[Meathelmet]

Here I am,sitting with a fistfull of dollars.

I will definately grab a pair of Factors as soon as they land on this side of the pond.And thank god the sizing goes down to 24 as well..


For what I heard,a dude that had tested the boot quickly,said that it aint a "true" 130 flex boot,like the Doberman, but still way stiffer than any other dynafit compatible boot.
Squirrel murphy:what do you think about that statement?

[Jonathan S.]

Who owns BD nowadays anyway?

I don't know if they're still owned only by their employees, or whether they've sought outside non-employee equity investors, but I'm pretty sure that no other ski/outdoor industry company has any ownership interest in BD.

For what I heard,a dude that had tested the boot quickly,said that it aint a "true" 130 flex boot,like the Doberman, but still way stiffer than any other dynafit compatible boot.

Well, yes, any sort of touring boot is never going to ski as well as a plug boot (unless a vibram sole were just slapped on a plug boot, which would create the most miserable boot imaginable for the ascent).
So this dude who tested the boot quickly, was he comparing it to other upcoming more descent-oriented Dynafit-compatible boots, like the Zzeus, or just what was already on the market for the 07-08 season? (Given that at around nine pounds they're so much heavier any 07-08 Dynafit-compatible boot other than the Garmont Axon, they'd better ski well...)

[squirrelmurphy]

For what I heard,a dude that had tested the boot quickly,said that it aint a "true" 130 flex boot,like the Doberman, but still way stiffer than any other dynafit compatible boot.
Squirrel murphy:what do you think about that statement?

Truth. Not as stiff as my Salomon Course boots (120? 130?) but not at all soft.

[altasnowbirdripper]

MUCHO GRACIAS! Got a pair of Factors coming! SO STOKED!!!!

PS: 38 degrees last night at Kimball Junction - SUMMER'S OVER !!!!!

PSS: Hey squirrelmurphy! Gotta get ya to a good show - look at the Hard Rock Casino/ The Joint and see what's coming up - I'll do the same - might as well take advantage of free ticket schwag, man!

[zion zig zag]

Holy shit, did anyone watch the 'What is Freeride" vid on that site? Did they supply weed to all those athletes before the interviews or are those guys just that dumb?

[zion zig zag]

Oh and apparently, none of those boots will work for me. I thought the method might be the ticket but they are for guys that like to remodel the upstairs bathroom on days off, drive an f250 and goes to the Coachella fest.

Lame BD, very lame.

[mc_roon]

do the factor AT blocks have dynafit compatibility?

[AKbruin]

I'm happy with my Scarpas, but that photo of Billy Poole doing a double grab is amazing.

[Sinecure]

do the factor AT blocks have dynafit compatibility?

My guess is yes. It looks like they pictured the Factor with the Alpine soles and the Method with the AT soles. At least the heels look like the same insert.

But I'm sure someone here will weigh in definitively.

Looking like nice boots. Now why won't BD allow volunteer patrollers to use pro form?

[Jonathan S.]

do the factor AT blocks have dynafit compatibility?

Yes (at according to the preview released this past winter, as described in part #120401) -- the code word BD has used elsewhere is "Tech Inserts" i.e., Dynafit-compatible interface that isn't licensed by Dynafit now that the patent on the original interface (as opposed to the slotted toe sockets on Zzero and Zzeus boots) has expired.

[altasnowbirdripper]

[QUOTE "Holy shit, did anyone watch the 'What is Freeride" vid on that site? Did they supply weed to all those athletes before the interviews or are those guys just that dumb? " QUOTE]

Oh and apparently, none of those boots will work for me. I thought the method might be the ticket but they are for guys that like to remodel the upstairs bathroom on days off, drive an f250 and goes to the Coachella fest.

Lame BD, very lame.

Yeah I wondered the same thing - boots are great but yeah the website stuff is lame and the athletes certianly seem to be slightly "altered" ... cool skiing footage though..

[Jonathan S.]

It looks like they pictured the Factor with the Alpine soles and the Method with the AT soles.

That's also the way they're sold, i.e., have to pay extra if you want the Factor to tour with Dynafits or tromp around off snow better, and have to pay extra if you want to Method to work (safely and reliably) with alpine downhill bindings.

[GapersGoHome]

All I have to say is that these things are HEAVY. Never really fondled the AT boots, but I'm all about the tele, and those things are wicked heavy. BURLY as fuck, though.

[altasnowbirdripper]

That's also the way they're sold, i.e., have to pay extra if you want the Factor to tour with Dynafits or tromp around off snow better, and have to pay extra if you want to Method to work (safely and reliably) with alpine downhill bindings.

Why didn’t they just include both soles with all three models - come on BD - these are supposed to be the trickest at/resort/slack country/touring 4 buckle overlap boots made complete with all the bells & whistles - but - I have to BUY the AT soles separately? My stoke level just dropped ...

[Sirshredalot]

My guess is yes. It looks like they pictured the Factor with the Alpine soles and the Method with the AT soles. At least the heels look like the same insert.

But I'm sure someone here will weigh in definitively.

Looking like nice boots. Now why won't BD allow volunteer patrollers to use pro form?

Ahem, out of curiosity, how do we find out if we're eligible for a BD pro form? Shoot me a PM.

[Hugh Conway]

Those will look nice on clearance in the spring

Ahem, out of curiosity, how do we find out if we're eligible for a BD pro form? Shoot me a PM.

You ask them - no big secret:
http://www.bdel.com/about/pro.php