POLL: Alpine or AT boot inbounds?

[Below Zero]

It appears that many are going with a one boot quiver in and out of bounds now. So what say you?

If you are riding AT boots inbounds, whatcha got?

[adrenalated]

Although I'm still using alpine boots, I came very near to using the Scarpa Freedom SL as my only boot this year. Decided to go with a Maestrale RS/Full Tilt Drop Kick combo instead. Still not sold on the Full Tilts.

[icelanticskier]

Alpine boots for both.

Rog

[userA]

garmont endorphin & lowa struktura whenever.
b

[cooks]

I'm skiing BD Quadrants as my only boot this year. Powerwrap liners and a booster strap. With longer tours, I'll ditch the booster strap for the shitty stock velcro thing. Working out really well so far aside from limiting my choices of alpine bindings.

[Beyond]

Given that many solid alpine boots now have a walk function, what you call AT = tech. And not into tech set ups for inbounds.

[icelanticskier]

Only a walk function if you choose to use it

And AT boots have non din soles with or without tech holes.

Rog

[Shredhead]

You really need two pairs of boots to get the best performance in each.
Everything else is a compromise.

[skialpy]

Lange with fks inbounds, vulcan with dynafit outbounds.

[east or bust]

Given that many solid alpine boots now have a walk function, what you call AT = tech. And not into tech set ups for inbounds.

This.

For people using AT binders like Dukes or Guardians that walk mode is about as good as you're going to get. IMO it's only a matter of time before most all mountain and freeride alpine boots come with tech fittings.

I really want to try the Rossi Alltrack Pros.

[Stowelen]

Vulcans all the time.

[mfa81]

IMO it's only a matter of time before most all mountain and freeride alpine boots come with tech fittings.

Kinda hard to say what's happening faster if alpine boots are getting more tour friendly or AT boots are getting more ski friendly!

Looks like most of the people prefer to compromise on touring ability and go towards more alpine oriented boots!

[Mudfoot]

I am skiing BD Factor 130s inbounds with alpine sole blocks. These are basically a standard 4-buckle alpine boot with a walk mode, and they are too heavy for actual AT skiing. I have lighter Dynafit AT boots for skiing the backcountry.

[XXX-er]

If you can afford it the best ... IS the best

which means the best alpine boot/binding inbounds and full dynafit for touring

the new AT boots are a generational leap over the offerings of 5 yrs ago, closer but not quite at the level of a good 4buckle alpine IMO

[Beyond]

Only a walk function if you choose to use it

And AT boots have non din soles with or without tech holes.

Rog

Well, depends on how you define AT, doesn't it? If you're old school, then yep AT by definition means Randonee means non-DIN rockered soles, and so AT boots necessarily have non-DIN soles with out without tech. But IMO AT now means something way vaguer: A boot with a walk mode and some rubber on the sole that can fit into a binding that allows a free heel. Period. The boot can be alpine or not, tech or not, DIN or not. And I'd bet very soon now, rockered non DIN soles will be reserved for tech - and occupy a very small market share - while non-tech versions of same are either scrambling to become DIN-compliant or being swamped in the market by alpine boots with screw-in Vibram pads and a walk mode, designed to fit nicely into a Duke. Unless the Beast makes believers out of folks who want alpine level performance from a tech setup.

[shirk]

Sheep skin boots. Nice and warm. Zip Ties for keeping the on skis.

[Angle Parking]

Recently picked up a pair of Dalbello Tour Virus. Like em so much (on both the touring and skiing front) that I am considering making them my only boot.

[Lindahl]

I do things a bit differently. I have a Cochise for resort and some touring and a TLT5 for the long days or meadow skipping. When I'm charging hard while touring, I want a boot to act just like my resort boot, so I know what to expect. However, if I'm not going big, I really really want my Dynafits. On long tours, where I'll be skiing more conservative, I really want to go as light possible. Thats my rationale.

I really don't need more boot than the Cochise, but the ankles and/or calves are too big for most people (the K2 would be a viable, but heavier, option for others). I think people should be really excited about next year's Cochise last which will shrink the ankle and calves down a bit (per rumor mill). I hope they have a swappable DIN sole with inserts also. It'd be nice to not swap anymore.

The K2 is a well executed boot, but the shell is PU instead of Triax, which is softer in warm temps and likely the reason for the 1lb weight difference.

[Dry]

I went all in a few years ago with tech bindings on everything. Boots (which I really don't care that much about after years in race boots) have continued to get better. These days it seems the all in for tech bindings was a good bet with the boots now up to the task on any ski and any terrain.

Only real issues I have now are ramp angles and lack of ski brakes. Both are easily fixed (ramp) or over looked. (brakes).

I do occasionally look longingly at a pair of Langes and then quickly come to my senses when I pick up a pair of alpine boots and the bindings.

[Jethro]

I am skiing BD Factor 130s inbounds with alpine sole blocks. These are basically a standard 4-buckle alpine boot with a walk mode, and they are too heavy for actual AT skiing. I have lighter Dynafit AT boots for skiing the backcountry.

I ski Doberman 130s inbound and the original 130 factors with intuitions for AT. They seem to work fine for me, but I am a big guy. I need to get several seasons out of a boot before I upgrade to the newest/best, and the Factor was pretty good when it came out. Not the lightest though.

[Skree]

I really don't need more boot than the Cochise, but the ankles and/or calves are too big for most people

Starting to fear that I have this problem.

[Flounder]

I am skiing BD Factor 130s inbounds with alpine sole blocks. These are basically a standard 4-buckle alpine boot with a walk mode

My setup as well except I do tour with them. Works ok but I haven't ruled out going back to 2 dedicated setups with a nice alpine boot and a lighter touring boot. This will only be done when I give up the markers for dynafits.

[XXX-er]

Recently picked up a pair of Dalbello Tour Virus. Like em so much (on both the touring and skiing front) that I am considering making them my only boot.

quit that crazy talk and besides you won't get them things into your DH race skis

[Fritz]

Vulcans all the time.

This. If you need a stiffer boot inbounds you're doing it wrong.

[Lindahl]

This. If you need a stiffer boot inbounds you're doing it wrong.

I want something more progressive and alpine-like (absorbs terrain smoother). Plus, no DIN soles. Also expensive and won't last long due to sole wear (my Cochise soles don't last for more than a couple seasons). No microadjust buckles for fine tuning fit (i.e. I'm in between two notches on the TLT5s, not a big deal since I don't charge in them). The Vulcans are great, but don't quite perform like an alpine boot and could be a lot better.