REVIEW: Scarpa Typhoon

[pappag]

I've log 6 days on these so far including two 2,000-foot tours, so I thought a review would be appropriate by now. This is my first AT boot so I can't compare to others which is unfortunate considering that most of you look for that to gauge your interest.

While these are on the heavy side as far as AT boots go (size 27.5 = 8lbs, 4.4 oz.), their downhill performance has been more than adequate thus far. My alpine boot has a 95 flex (Technica Vento 10) and I would say that the Typhoon is very close to that which is indicative in the AT flex boot thread. I've yet to feel a loss in downhill performance with these versus my alpine boot. Others here certainly love their stiff boots, but I'm not one of them and the comfort level here is much higher (like "I don't feel like taking the boots off at the end of the day" higher). I've been on skis with waists of 96mm, 112, and 136 and haven't had any problems driving them on the early season hardpack which has been pretty variable of late. Additionally, I haven't felt any instability at high speeds.

My first tour was with the stiff tongue in place which I did feel a bit of a setback which could have been due to the tongue choice or it being my first tour of the year. Regardless, I used the touring tongue on the second go around and I certainly felt the difference. With the touring tongue in, longer strides are easily achieved and obviously there's less resistance on your muscles. Swapping out the tongues takes all of 15 seconds.

Walk mode has been a dream and is certainly a sweet feature to have. Haven't done any mountaineering so no input on that, but perhaps that will change in a couple months time.


Overall, I'm very pleased. Some might find the Typhoon unsuitable for resort use, but I have no complaints there. Again, there are lighter options out there, but the extra .5-1 lbs is worth it to me.

[GBB]

Do these have the interchangeable soles?

[pappag]

Yes, they do. There's a rally sole you can purchase separately.

[GBB]

I was just looking for that rally sole for my Tornadoes. Do you have to order through Scarpa directly?

[pappag]

Not sure, but you can email Scarpa directly. Someone usually responds within a day. Either customerservice@scarpa.com or steve@scarpa.com will work.

[squatch]

are you using the tongue or wrap liner?

[GBB]

Not sure, but you can email Scarpa directly. Someone usually responds within a day. Either customerservice@scarpa.com or steve@scarpa.com will work.

Perfect, thank you.

[ludorhb]

So I've skied these boots about six days. Two days at Taos and four in the backcountry. I am 6' 1" and weigh 200#. Skied these with 181 Coombas with Dukes and Line EP Pros with Barons. I have had Scarpa Spirit 4, Denali TT, Scarpa F3, and Garmont GSM and Dynamite for reference.

Pros: These boots ski and tour great. They are light weight for their beef. They have a nice even flex. The liners mold great and are comfy. Come with two tongues.

Cons: The plastic is soft. The Duke heels trashed the heels to the point where I am concerned with the boot/binding interface. The cant adjustment screws will not stay tight (on both boots) because the tolerance is too tight, and touring causes the screw to back out. I bought the rally sole, but had to return it because it made the heel too thick to fit in the bindings.

Bottom line: For a beefy freeride boot, you would think Scarpa would have tested them in Dukes for compatability/durability. I sent them in for warranty. I'll see what Scarpa says and post back.

[axebiker]

I've got a set of these on the way. I normally wear a 27.0 in nearly every boot I've been in the last decade, but bought these in the 27.5/28.0 because the BSL is right around 316mm, which reflects where the BSL is on the rest of my skis. The 26.5/27.0 is 307mm, which would be a bit too snug I think.

Anyway, I bought these for patrolling, since I think a boot with a walk mode and interchangeable soles will be the ticket. I've had a couple nights where I was free skiing tele, and had to help out on a few calls, and I'll say that tele boots are wicked cool for patrolling, so I decided to try for the "next best thing" to use with alpine gear. Unfortunately, I've got about 8-9 months before I'll get to make any turns in these. I was looking for a boot that had more "ski" than "tour" capability, as I don't really tour anyway. At least not yet... (Of course I could just solve the problem altogether, and just patrol tele... Why take the easy way out, though! Actually, I still need to long more tele-days before I'll be trying to test out in that gear.)

I do like the way Scarpa fits me though - my T1's have been great, and I have some T2X's that I'll be molding soon. I was dreading the day I had a "boot quiver", but it seems that day has arrived...

[pappag]

Cons: The plastic is soft. The Duke heels trashed the heels to the point where I am concerned with the boot/binding interface. The cant adjustment screws will not stay tight (on both boots) because the tolerance is too tight, and touring causes the screw to back out. I bought the rally sole, but had to return it because it made the heel too thick to fit in the bindings.

I'm starting to notice that very issue after 40+ days I've put on the boots while using the Dukes exclusively. There is a pinch on both sides of the Typhoon's heels that dig into it about 2-3mm. There also seems to be some wear on the toe, but that was attributed to a bad fall very early in the season where my release was far from clean.

Anyway ... I was told to just use a lighter and smooth out the heel and toe areas to conform to the original shape. As long as the plastic hasn't ripped off completely, it should be easy to fix, but hopefully Scarpa addresses the issue.

[Chowda]

Just for the record, I haven't seen any indents using Naxo (1 day), FFR+, or Looks. A buddy of mine has dents from his Atomics.

[schindlerpiste]

Cons: The plastic is soft. The Duke heels trashed the heels to the point where I am concerned with the boot/binding interface. The cant adjustment screws will not stay tight (on both boots) because the tolerance is too tight, and touring causes the screw to back out. I bought the rally sole, but had to return it because it made the heel too thick to fit in the bindings.

Bottom line: For a beefy freeride boot, you would think Scarpa would have tested them in Dukes for compatability/durability. I sent them in for warranty. I'll see what Scarpa says and post back.

I have the same issue with my Tornado Pros. I think that it is a Duke issue, not a Scarpa issue. Scarpa's fit my foot the best. They have had no issues with Naxo clamps. I can't knock the boot for what a particular OK clamp, does to it.

[Jordo]

The issue for me seems to be the pebax Scarpa is using. My old pair of red Denalis (made out of PU) had seen hundreds of miles of walking on logging roads, scrambling through boulders, years of being thrown in the backs of trucks, etc, and only had superficial scuffs on em. My current Spirit 4's get sliced up constantly with ski edges, and the heels are getting chewed up a bit from Freerides. I'm not looking forward to any lengthy logging road walks this spring.

I know pebax is lighter and stiffer than PU, but it sure doesn't seem as durable in the long run.

[YoEddy]

If I'm not mistaken the Typhoon has two locked ski modes (at least mine locks in two places). The first stop is rather upright, the second one down is similar to my race boots.

[coreyb]

I HAVE USED THE TYPHOONS LAST YEAR AND I LOVED THEM AND STILL DO .ONE THING I DID READ AND NOTICE AFTER THAT THE ANGLE OF LEAN IS QUITE UPRIGHT COMPARED TO MOST RESORT BASED BOOTS SO I TRIED THEM WITH MY TIGER SHARKS AND THEY DIDNT DRIVE THEM VERY WELL AS IN INITIATING THE TIPS NOT GOOD WITH PISTE SKIS BUT WITH MY MANTRAS DIFFERENT STORY WICKED BOOTS COMFY WARM AND I DONT STRUGGLE AFTER A FEW BEERS WALKING IN THEM RESULT

first post and it's all in caps eh? interesting way to start off...

[axebiker]

I HAVE USED THE TYPHOONS LAST YEAR AND I LOVED THEM AND STILL DO .ONE THING I DID READ AND NOTICE AFTER THAT THE ANGLE OF LEAN IS QUITE UPRIGHT COMPARED TO MOST RESORT BASED BOOTS SO I TRIED THEM WITH MY TIGER SHARKS AND THEY DIDNT DRIVE THEM VERY WELL AS IN INITIATING THE TIPS NOT GOOD WITH PISTE SKIS BUT WITH MY MANTRAS DIFFERENT STORY WICKED BOOTS COMFY WARM AND I DONT STRUGGLE AFTER A FEW BEERS WALKING IN THEM RESULT

STOP YELLING USE PUNCTUATION CUZ IT'S EASIER TO READ AND ITS GOOD THEY ARE COMFORTABLE I HOPE MINE ARE TOO BUT TYPE IN SENTENCES SINCE ITS EASIER TO READ ESPECIALLY IF ITS MORE THAN ONE THOUGHT THANKS FOR YOUR REVIEW THOUGH OKAY BYE NOW...

[shittybritty]

first post and it's all in caps eh? interesting way to start off...

sorry about the typing skills not a big computer user i iwll take the post of as it bothers you so much sorry again

[axebiker]

not a big computer user

ORLY?

Now let's try typing in sentences WITH punctuation. It has nothing to do with computer skills and EVERYTHING to do with being...basically illiterate.

[shittybritty]

you fucking stuck up cunt didnt know you had to be word perfect and have a perfect knowledge of punctuation why have a pop a me over a couple errors.Wont be on here again you wanker

[Skidog]

you fucking stuck up cunt didnt know you had to be word perfect and have a perfect knowledge of punctuation why have a pop a me over a couple errors.Wont be on here again you wanker

Good riddance douche...

[axebiker]

you fucking stuck up cunt didnt know you had to be word perfect and have a perfect knowledge of punctuation why have a pop a me over a couple errors.Wont be on here again you wanker

Sorry, butthurt. Okbye.