Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 49
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    my own little world
    Posts
    5,838

    Ski boot stiffness....

    Quandary - I got a good deal on some Salomon s/max 130 carbon and pulled the trigger.... then immediately questioned whether I’d overbought boots.

    I’m coming from ghost 120 cs, which never felt too stiff. On some (warmer) days I wished they were a bit stiffer even.

    I’m no kind of racer, but I’m the best skier on the mountain when yetiman isn’t around. Weigh 150-160. Prefer crud/ungroomed.

    The boots themselves fit ok. They need to be molded, but I’m confident after doing the CS thing they’ll be money as to fit.

    If I was doing it over I’d get the s/pro 120 (I know, totally different last) with the heaters, because I’m old and my toes get cold (reynaud’s). But anything has to be warmer than the fucking ghosts.

    So, overthinking? Just ski ‘em? Sell them?
    focus.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Posts
    6,176
    If they're too stiff, get em cut.

    Simple solution. Any bootfitter should be able to do that.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    MA
    Posts
    4,496
    What size are they?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    my own little world
    Posts
    5,838
    Quote Originally Posted by Self Jupiter View Post
    What size are they?
    25.5
    focus.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    MA
    Posts
    4,496

    Ski boot stiffness....

    I have a Salomon Xmax 130 I would consider trading. Good shape, not used much, 3-4 days iirc. The black ones. Pretty sure they’re the same mold. Definitely a softer boot.

    Try/Sell that thing before you mod it imo, I want that boot for exactly the reason you don’t and I’m sure I’m not the only one. 190lbs.

    Also just noticed the skimonster.com has a set of the same model 25.5 Xmax for $200 and they’re a great shop.
    Last edited by Self Jupiter; 10-26-2019 at 06:02 PM.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    YetiMan
    Posts
    13,370
    I think you're going to be fine. You ski fast on hard snow...stiff boots make sense.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    my own little world
    Posts
    5,838
    Quote Originally Posted by Self Jupiter View Post
    Try/Sell that thing before you mod it imo, I want that boot for exactly the reason you don’t and I’m sure I’m not the only one. 190lbs.
    I’ll def try before modding. I’m just holding off on heating/CS until yetiman tells me I’m man enough to ski them.

    Now that I have that I’ll bake away....
    focus.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    MA
    Posts
    4,496


    (Jk)Will be curious to hear how they ski.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Hell Track
    Posts
    13,845
    Can't you just remove one of the "rivets" (that's actually a bolt)? That'll soften it, and it's about a 20 second process to undo if you don't like it.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    my own little world
    Posts
    5,838
    Quote Originally Posted by toast2266 View Post
    Can't you just remove one of the "rivets" (that's actually a bolt)? That'll soften it, and it's about a 20 second process to undo if you don't like it.
    Not obviously, no. Not on these. There’s a stiff/soft flippy thing that basically accomplishes that, though.

    I don’t know that they’re too stiff, so I’m not there yet. Just no sense putting any miles on them at all if they don’t make any sense. I’m gonna throw these babies in the oven, though, and give them a whirl.
    focus.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    SkiTalk.com
    Posts
    3,369
    Quote Originally Posted by toast2266 View Post
    Can't you just remove one of the "rivets" (that's actually a bolt)? That'll soften it, and it's about a 20 second process to undo if you don't like it.
    No no no. that is NOT the way you soften a boot. The cuff of the boot is connected to the clog by three points, side hinges and the bolt on the spine. removing one is like removing a leg from a three legged stool. Not good. If there are two bolts, removing one is not going to make any difference in flex at all.
    Click. Point. Chute.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    voting in seattle
    Posts
    5,122
    The smax 130 carbon is pretty ducking stiff to be honest. Yes your boots can be too stiff.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    MA
    Posts
    4,496
    Quote Originally Posted by XavierD View Post
    The smax 130 carbon is pretty ducking stiff to be honest. Yes your boots can be too stiff.
    Or Flexon Phil, whoever has tried these-
    How would it compare in stiffness to say a cir 2014 Nordica Patron, Garmont Shaman / whatever Scott namer that boot, etc— the stiffer 130s freeride boots of 5-6+ years ago?

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    西 雅 圖
    Posts
    5,360
    With the S/Max 130 Carbon, Salomon went from having one of the softer 130 flex consumer boots (X Max 130) to perhaps the stiffest. I tried it on when they showed up last year and couldn't flex it at room temperature (170 lbs). This is with my larger than average lower leg and calf, so they didn't have much overlap, either.

    The regular S/Max 130 was more reasonable (still stiff by 130 standards), but I didn't care for white (it's black this year). The 120 feels like some of the other "130" boots in my collection with walk modes.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    MA
    Posts
    4,496
    Thanks gregL. Are they the same mold / fit from the Xmax series? Love that fit. Called Salomon cs to ask and the person I spoke with didn’t sound too certain either way.

    Salomon needs to completely rethink the way they’ve named their boots in the past few years. It’s impossible to remember the model names.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    The Fish
    Posts
    4,716
    These are stiff boots, but they do have the chip thingy and that will change them. I'm not a large human l but can't move them at room temp while most 130's I can. They also have removable cuff bolts so they can easily be modified to be softer by making deeper cuts in the lower clog. I have to disagree with Flexonphil here, anytime you change the number of connection points it will alter the rigidity of the connection. If a boot has two bolts in the back removing one of the bolts will alter the flex... but only slightly, most reps will tell you 10% but I don't think its that generic of an outcome. The stiffness of the plastic will alter the affect of 1 bolt vs 2 bolts so in some boots you will notice the difference more others.
    a positive attitude will not solve all of your problems, but it may annoy enough people to make it worth the effort

    Formerly Rludes025

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    The Fish
    Posts
    4,716
    Quote Originally Posted by Self Jupiter View Post
    Thanks gregL. Are they the same mold / fit from the Xmax series? Love that fit. Called Salomon cs to ask and the person I spoke with didn’t sound too certain either way.

    Salomon needs to completely rethink the way they’ve named their boots in the past few years. It’s impossible to remember the model names.
    Amer CS people are most likely not skiers. Sometimes you get one that knows their shit but i wouldn't expect it. If someone can explain why the Max boots are the smaller last and the Pro boots are the bigger last that would would be great...
    a positive attitude will not solve all of your problems, but it may annoy enough people to make it worth the effort

    Formerly Rludes025

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Golden
    Posts
    1,023
    Smax and Xmax are not the same last. The Smax definitely has a higher instep.

    Softening a boot is easy.

    If you think a little boot work will make the Smax fit you, the Spro is definitely way too roomy for you. I guarantee it.

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    西 雅 圖
    Posts
    5,360
    Quote Originally Posted by Self Jupiter View Post
    Thanks gregL. Are they the same mold / fit from the Xmax series?
    Not exactly, but still 98mm in the forefoot. The midfoot and ankle are closer to the foot and the instep is 1mm taller.

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    voting in seattle
    Posts
    5,122
    Feels significantly tighter around toes, heel, and ankle. A little more width around mid foot.

  21. #21
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Posts
    6,643
    I have the smax 130s. Haven’t skied or modded them yet. I’m 6’ 185 and flex them ok at room temp. They have that piece in the back that can be flipped to change flex. I’d say on the softer setting they are still slightly stiffer than the smax 120s.


    Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

  22. #22
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    SkiTalk.com
    Posts
    3,369
    Quote Originally Posted by Self Jupiter View Post
    Or Flexon Phil, whoever has tried these-
    How would it compare in stiffness to say a cir 2014 Nordica Patron, Garmont Shaman / whatever Scott namer that boot, etc— the stiffer 130s freeride boots of 5-6+ years ago?
    I skied the Patron Pro and now have the S/Max 130 in my boot quiver. I find the Sally to be more responsive and reactive than the Patron was. There werecold days that I could not get our of the Nordica but never the issue with the Salomon.
    Click. Point. Chute.

  23. #23
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    MA
    Posts
    4,496
    Quote Originally Posted by Flexon Phil View Post
    I skied the Patron Pro and now have the S/Max 130 in my boot quiver. I find the Sally to be more responsive and reactive than the Patron was. There werecold days that I could not get our of the Nordica but never the issue with the Salomon.
    Thanks. Are you on the Carbon s/Max?

  24. #24
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    SkiTalk.com
    Posts
    3,369
    Quote Originally Posted by Self Jupiter View Post
    Thanks. Are you on the Carbon s/Max?
    Not the uber light Carbon, the regular one.
    Click. Point. Chute.

  25. #25
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    my own little world
    Posts
    5,838
    They ski fine.

    Fuck they are tight, though. Hoping a second bake cures that.
    focus.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •