Review: Crisipi Diablo Freeride AT Boot

[Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer]

So I picked up the Crisipi Diablo's towards the end of last season and got about 5 days on them, as well as another 7 days in Chile this August. Figured I had not seen a review of them on here so I would do the honors.

The Boot:


Sizing:
These are a very goot fit for narrow feet. Scarpas are WAY to big for me and Garmonts fit OK, but after packing out are generally too wide as well. These have pretty ample room in the toe box, but maintain a narrow arch into a tight heal pocket.

I would note that the liner is somewhat thin. I had it baked (it is a Crispi thermofit liner), but only heated the toe box primarily. After around 10 days on the boots, I had already notice the liner packing out. I had heard this from other random reviews I picked up on the web. I feel that a full blow bake would really increase the pack-out process.

Another issue is that (for me at least), the shell sized seemed to fit 1/2 size larger mondo size than I usually wear. I ordered my typical size and I felt it had about 1/2 finger more space.

Due to the (i) pack out and (ii) larger size, they are too loose for my tastes at this point. After a mod on the buckles to give more room to crank down, I am still lifting the heal about 1/2 centimeter off the footbed when leaning forward.

I think the issues above will be corrected by replacing the stock liner with an Intuition liner (which will easily decrease the volume.

Flex:
This is marketed as a boot to drive big skis. I, however, would say the stifness is in between a Garmont Adrenaline and Garmont Endorphine. When locked down into the forward lean mode, it is around 25 degrees and you definitely can push larger skis.

They include carbon fiber around the sides of the ankle and a high cuff (much higher on the shin than Scarpa or Garmont boots).

When adding an Intuition Liner and Booster Straps, I think this boot will be as stiff, if not stiffer, than the Endorphine.

Weight:
I don't have the exact weight for my size, but I personally think these are very light. They are certaintly not Rando-race boots, but comparable in weight to boots in the same category (e.g., Endorphines). They have a carbon fiber wrap around the ankle for lost weight.

Touring/Skinning:
Due to the weight and very comfortable walk mode, I thought these were AWESOME to tour in. The walk mode is VERY flexibile, and the vibram-like, rockered rubber sole handled well over loose rocks in Chile. There is a bit more rubber in the toe and heal than Garmonts, so I feel these will be re-soled less. However, that extra rubber did not interfer (at least noticeably) with the FR binding performance.

NOTE: I did not even loosen the buckles when touring b/c (i) the walk mode is very flexible (a nice contrast to the general stiffness in the ski mode) and (ii) the cuff is high so no shin bang. The Intuition liners will obvi add more stiffness, so this may change.

Price:
I think these are going on back-order (not sure of Crispi's next plan), but I got these uber-cheap (like $350 brand new). Look around and you can probably find them.

Conclusion:
With mods (Intuition liners, booster strap), I think you have a boot that tours better than the Endorphin (better walk mode, lighter), but will have as stiff as a flex. Only downside I see is that no one carries these, so repairs and repair parts may be an issue (Crispi website is a joke). With that said, if you can find a cheap pair, definitely worth checking out.

[Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer]

One follow-up after a couple PMs. The bellows on the front are not actually working bellows like a tele boot. Just cosmetic (not sure why they are there - perhaps Crisipi uses a similar mold from their tele mold?).

[Particle]

Nice review, I'll echo everything you said. I need to re-bake my liners.

[Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer]

Nice review, I'll echo everything you said. I need to re-bake my liners.

Are you still using the stock Crispi thermofit liners? If so, how many days did you get out of them before packing out?

I am going Intuition just to fill up some space and make them fit better (also will obvi make them a little stiffer of a flex). Just curious how the shell liners held up. They basically felt like the old Garmont liners to me (e.g., what is in the Endorphin v. the new Axon liners) - easily "pack-out-able".


Also: just noticed the pic I posted had a tel-like 4th buckle. The ones I got have 3 regular buckles and just the 2nd buckle with the 2 wires.

[Particle]

I would say the liners lasted me 20 days or so. They are thin...comfy at first but now I am getting hot spots on my heels when skinning. I think just re-baking them should do the trick.