lange boot flex?...

[jeffro83]

so i've been skiing on a pair of lange x09's for probably 300 years now. i know i'm due for a new set of boots...especially since i want to get into touring a bit. the x09's are probably only my 3rd boot since i started skiing (had a couple sets of old nordica's 15yrs ago or so).

i have no idea where my boot compares to boots these days in terms of flexibility and versatility. the x09 was a good race boot back in the day...which i never did, apart from racing moguls. it would definitely blow up my shins before i could ever blow the pretty blue and neon yellow colours off it.

i've never been to a boot fitter, though i'm thinking that might be a worthwhile endeavour this season too. all i know is i have slightly wider feet than normal, and the x09 has done me pretty well for the past lots of seasons.

i'd call myself a good skier, charge hard, love chutes, drops, bowls...but i'd also like a set of boots i could tour comfortably on for hours at a time...i'm thinking the x09's are gonna kill me this season.



(sorry for hijacking your 5yr old image, syncrotec)


thoughts?

[Neuro]

I believe the X9s were about a 110 Flex. (Caveat being the usual there is no actual standard for boot flexes, they're just approximations made up by each manufacturer). If you want something a bit more tour-able, something on the stiff end of the spectrum from one of the AT boot makers (Factors come to mind if you foot works for them.) would be a decent bet. I'm assuming you don't need tech fittings, so some of the offerings from salomon, technica, etc. would also be good bets. Go see a bootfitter and see what works for your foot.

[iscariot]

I had an older version of the X9 RACE, the metallic purple one a generation previous to the one you have, that I used for about 8 years. I'm in a Lange Freeride 130 for my last two pairs of boots (about 8 years total) and its perfect. Try the Lange RX. It will feel like home, but with a slightly taller toe box so you can feel your toes, which is kind of a novel idea.

Nordica, Technica, and Salomon will all have boots in one of their ranges that will fit similarly to your Lange, but with maybe a shallower heel pocket, or a higher instep, or a slightly wider forefoot, etc...

Obviously a good boot-fitter is the way to go, but this is intended to get you started in the right direction.

[jeffro83]

thanks for the replies. yea i've had my eye on the factors for a couple seasons now, but have never actually tried them on. maybe i'll do that today...but yea, i've definitely felt at home wearing langes for the past eon, so i might look into the rx. see if anyone in town stocks lange/that line of lange boots. cheers!

[jeffro83]

also...i'm sure this question's been beaten to death before, but feel free to chime in

AT or alpine boots, in general? i plan to be probably 75% or more, in-bounds. should i just ditch the idea of an AT boot?

[cat in january]

You have been around too long for this:SEARCH

[skimaxpower]

i've never been to a boot fitter, though i'm thinking that might be a worthwhile endeavour this season too. all i know is i have slightly wider feet than normal, and the x09 has done me pretty well for the past lots of seasons.

Go to a bootfitter. Bring the credit card. Plan to spend 3 hours trying on boots. Go an a weekday when you'll get LOTS of personal attention.

Plan to spend money on good boots - hell, just think about all the money you've saved by not buying boots since 1995.

[jeffro83]

...hell, just think about all the money you've saved by not buying boots since 1995.

fair enough

[pollydog]

Had similar boots and loved them (some sort of x9zero purple and neon pink). After 50+ days a year over the last few years they were shot. Would say if you liked them stick with Rossi/Lange boots. Tried a lot of boots but ended up with a 110 flex Rossi/Lange. After 20 days wished I had gone with the 120 flex as they became broken in. Hope that helps on your X9zero flex question. I looked at AT boots, but decided why use a touring boot for downhill skiing when what I'm doing the majority (90% of the time) is downhill skiing.

[bendtheski]

I'd put the X-9 at about a 120 flex comparable to the later L-10 or comp 120.

X-9 was one of the last true "lange fit" boots. Since then lange has progressively opened up the toe box and pissed off a lot of loyal customers.

I skied lange for about 12 years; Banshee, X-9, L-10, comp 120 LF.
I got tired of the shells cracking every two years so made the change to dalbello kryptons. Similar narrow last and narrow heel pocket. Seems like I could get more forward flex out of a 120 flex lange than my current 90-120 flex kryptons (set up at 90, but easy to stiffen) but otherwise warmer, lighter, cheaper (bought on closeout) and a better fit for me than any of the current model langes.

I'd start with an alpine boot and see if touring floats your boat enough to pony up for an AT boot. Hiking in alpine boots sux FWIW. I haven't sprung for AT boots just yet and will typically schlep along hiking boots if I can't skin all the way in = also sux.

[jeffro83]

so i just tried on the new bd factor 130's, and they felt pretty good (actually SOFTER than my lange's....which was kind of surprising, given the 130 rating). i like the feel of an AT boot in walk mode...as i've only ever been used to a race alpine boot; stiff flex when walking around.

also tried on last year's lange banshee pro. good boot quality, but a really wonky fit, out of the box. something up w/ the toe-box. a lot bigger toe box than my older lange (not sure if that's something they changed?).

i actually liked the malleability in the flex of the bd's much more....however, the ~$700-750 price range freaks me out a lot (the local shop wanted $420 for last year's banshee pro). time to start saving my pennies, or looking for a decent used set.


so far bd wins in the mere 2 boots i've tried out. just wondering how they would hold up as a mainly alpine boot for me.

[DougW]

so i just tried on the new bd factor 130's, and they felt pretty good (actually SOFTER than my lange's....which was kind of surprising, given the 130 rating). i like the feel of an AT boot in walk mode...as i've only ever been used to a race alpine boot; stiff flex when walking around.

also tried on last year's lange banshee pro. good boot quality, but a really wonky fit, out of the box. something up w/ the toe-box. a lot bigger toe box than my older lange (not sure if that's something they changed?).

i actually liked the malleability in the flex of the bd's much more....however, the ~$700-750 price range freaks me out a lot (the local shop wanted $420 for last year's banshee pro). time to start saving my pennies, or looking for a decent used set.


so far bd wins in the mere 2 boots i've tried out. just wondering how they would hold up as a mainly alpine boot for me.

if Banshee pro then from two years ago as last year was blaster. Being able to move toes around a bit is good in my books.

Flex is relative to company and model year. What was 110 couple of years ago is now 120 etc. and between companies not directly comparable as no industry standard.

[jeffro83]

so more than one person has suggested i stick with my current boots for now, and consider getting some intuitions to replace the stock liners. think it's worth it in these old shells? there's nothing really wrong with them, apart from being scratched and beat up to hell. no cracks, no bent metal parts, power strap's still fine, etc.

i guess, that said....if i went the new liner route, which would be a good bet for me? race boot shell, but don't race, planning on doing a BIT of touring, but predominantly i'll be skipping down glades/chutes/bowls.

would something like the pro tour be a waste of time in such a rigid boot in the first place? powerwrap instead?