Dynafit boot with ISO Alpine binding - your experience/advice

[Buke]

This has been talked to death. I know, I searched but I didn't find quite what I was after.

I need a new alpine boot. I spend about half my days in-bounds and half doing relatively easy tours. Currently I have 183 bros mounted with alpine bindings and another pair of the same ski mounted with dynafit bindings. My dynafit boots are getting worn out but have some life left.

I'd like to buy a boot that can work in both dynafit and alpine bindings so that I don't have to maintain two sets of gear, which is expensive over the long run. I know that there are a handful of boots with swappable soles.

My questions are:
- Are any of you consistently using the same boot for both dynafit bindings and alpine bindings throughout the season? Are you doing it in a way in which it's approved or are you just making the AT sole get by in the alpine binding?
- What are your experiences with swappable soles such as the Dynafit Titan or Tecnica Cochise?
- Do the attachments wear out if they are swapped often?
- Is it relatively quick (10 minutes or less) to swap the soles?
- Is there a boot that would allow me to leave the alpine sole on while using the dynafit bindings if I'm just doing a quick tour that won't involve much hiking around without skis on (It looks like this can't be done with the titan because the dynafit fittings are part of the removable portion)?
- Are there any boots that can be used in both types of bindings without swapping the soles? I realize that you can make some dynafit compatible boots stay in alpine bindings but I want something that actually releases consistently.

I could go into my foot shape, stance, stiffness requirements but rather than waste your time with that I'll just go try on boots that make the short list once I've figured out what will work with my ski kits.

[Neuro]

- What are your experiences with swappable soles such as the Dynafit Titan or Tecnica Cochise?
- Do the attachments wear out if they are swapped often?
- Is it relatively quick (10 minutes or less) to swap the soles?

I have a set of 2010/2011 titans as my touring boot, initially I used the alpine sole when I was in dukes and subsequently switched to the tech fitting sole when I went dynafit. I probably swapped the soles half a dozen times. Unfortunately as far as I could tell, the soles are held in by screwing into the plastic, and I would expect regular swapping (especially if you overtorqued it) would wear it out and and add play.. It is fairly quick (probably under 15 mins) to swap the soles. I know some of the BD offerings had metal T-nuts, which means they could be swapped as many times as you wanted.

- Is there a boot that would allow me to leave the alpine sole on while using the dynafit bindings if I'm just doing a quick tour that won't involve much hiking around without skis on (It looks like this can't be done with the titan because the dynafit fittings are part of the removable portion)?
- Are there any boots that can be used in both types of bindings without swapping the soles? I realize that you can make some dynafit compatible boots stay in alpine bindings but I want something that actually releases consistently.

If your binding has a floating AFD and height adjustment, you can jam a vibram sole into it. Alternately I have seen ghetto mods where people have ground down the Vibram where it sits on the AFD to get more consistent release (needless to say, either option would not be endorsed by any shop or manufacturer).

[Lindahl]

> Is it relatively quick (10 minutes or less) to swap the soles
Yes, about 1+ minute. I just swap the toe pieces on my Cochises.

> Are there any boots that can be used in both types of bindings without swapping the soles?
None that are DIN-standard. Next year there'll be a few boots.

I'd say you should wait on buying boots for a year. Next year there will be many more options for a one-boot Dynafit+Alpine quiver, and more options is good, especially if your feet don't fit the current options.

[Buke]

>...Next year there'll be a few boots.

I'd say you should wait on buying boots for a year. Next year there will be many more options for a one-boot Dynafit+Alpine quiver, and more options is good, especially if your feet don't fit the current options.

Can you expound on this? Who will offer them? My feet do seem to have trouble working with boots. I'm throwing away a pair of Tecnica Agent 130's that I never could get to work, despite many trips to the boot fitter.

[Skidog]

if you couldnt find this answer in searches you suck at searching. This has been answered over and over....

[Shorty_J]

Don't do it... YOU'RE GOING TO DIE!!!

[Buke]

if you couldnt find this answer in searches you suck at searching. This has been answered over and over....

I'm sure the answer's out there. I did a half dozen searches with various search terms and read through a handful of threads with useful dynafit/alpine boot discussions. However, none of them had much, if any, discussion about my specific questions. The closest thing that I found was along the lines of, "it's a hassle" or "you should just ski dynafit" or "don't worry about it, cram those boots into solly bindings and set the din to 16".

You obviously have a lot more experience at this than I do though, so how about you do the search and post up links to those threads that answer my questions over and over. That way the next guy that comes along will have a much better chance of getting the answer rather than having to post his own thread.

[Huskier]

I was in your exact situation last year, looking for a cross-compatible boot, ended up going with Zzeus's. 7-8 swaps so far. No slop observed although it is a royal PITA. If you don't have the boot yet and don't do much scrambling, try holding out for one of alpine sole/Dyna-fitted offerings. If I could do everything fresh, I'd go for a heavier AT-compatible binding for inbounds/slackcountry and reserve my Dynas for legit touring. Then pick whatever boot's comfy.

[slobmonster]

Your question is valid, "search jong" sentiment notwithstanding.

At present, and as you are probably aware, sturdier alpine boots with swappable soles (tech and DIN/ISO) include the following:

Tecnica Cochise line
Dynafit Zzeus, Titan, Tital UL
Black Diamond Factor 110 & 130

and there has been report of Salomon (re)introducing a tech sole to mate with its Quest line of boots later this winter.

As noted above, probably more boots in the pipe for '13-'14.

You already have a pair of Dynafit-compatible boots, right? I would humbly suggest purchasing a pair of real alpine boots (they're cheaper anyway) that will drive your skis on-area without any real liability. Go to a shop with a competent bootfitter. There are some really good alpine boots on the market right now for <$500 retail.

If you're still itching for the one boot to do it all, something from the above list must surely fit. Some soles are screws into plastic, some other have T-nuts inside (so, metal-on-metal). I wouldn't freak out too much over this one distinction, just get the boot that fits.

Do you ski 30 days/year? Over a hundred? Keep in mind that no gear lasts forever; 300-400 days on one pair of boots is a solid lifespan.

[Mike Pow]

Dynafit TLT 5 Performance boot making do in a Tyrolia binding on Head i Supershape Magnum skis.

If I hit something funky under the powder then I pop out of the binding fairly easily.

More than adequate for groomed, crud and good powder.

[Buke]

You already have a pair of Dynafit-compatible boots, right? I would humbly suggest purchasing a pair of real alpine boots (they're cheaper anyway) that will drive your skis on-area without any real liability. Go to a shop with a competent bootfitter. There are some really good alpine boots on the market right now for <$500 retail.

Yes, this was my original plan. I don't have an unlimited budget and between replacing skis, boots, outerwear, packs, goggles, helmet, etc at reasonable intervals it's hard to stomach the thought of maintaining two separate pairs of ski boots if it would be possible to just have one. I seem to have a very difficult time getting ski boots to fit and perform correctly which means that I'm probably spending an extra few hundred bucks on custom foot beds and more in-depth fitting than the average skier.

Getting standard alpine boots is probably my best option but I know that my old dynafit boots are due to be replaced in the next season or two. I figured if there was a reasonable option that would work in both situations then that would be the best option.

Do you ski 30 days/year? Over a hundred? Keep in mind that no gear lasts forever; 300-400 days on one pair of boots is a solid lifespan.

I ski 20-30 days a year so I'm not trying to make it last forever.

[Bird Blaster]

Running Titan UL on dynafits and STH16's. I have been keeping the tech soles on as the StH is adjustable. No issues so far...

[Lindahl]

Check out the 2013-2014 gear rumors thread. K2 and Full Tilt are rumored to have Dynafit alpine models next year. I would also be surprised if Fischer didn't introduce a Vacuum Fit one, as well (probably based off their Ranger boot). Scarpa will also have a freeride series next year that will likely have either a Dynafit alpine option or a replacable sole option - probably based on the Maestrale RS. Thats 3-4 new options right there. I'd also be surprised of Lange didn't come out with one, so maybe even 5, or even 6 if Salomon puts out Dynafit sole blocks for their Quest boots

Running Titan UL on dynafits and STH16's. I have been keeping the tech soles on as the StH is adjustable. No issues so far...

Problem is, you might not find out there are issues until you get injured from a non-release. Standard DIN release testing at a shop is really the best way to go - I think Marshal has tested his own personal combo (Cochise ground down in STH), and was in the normal range.

[weasel1]

^^^^best answer yet. Patience will reward you in your search.

[Dr_Moreau]

So far really happy with my Cochise lights. Good walkmode, light, nice flex, easy to swap soles (prob around 5 min).