Atomic Dual (Booster) Strap

[gwat]

The Atomic dual strap looks interesting. Haven’t seen much discussion about it here (maybe I’m not looking in the right places).

Is this a game changing upgrade?

[J. Barron DeJong]

The Atomic dual strap looks interesting. Haven’t seen much discussion about it here (maybe I’m not looking in the right places).

Is this a game changing upgrade?

I replaced the stock non-elastic strap on my Lange RX 130 LVs with them last year, but switched back. I wasn’t really happy with how they sat on the boot (which may be a Lange issue, not a dual strap issue), and I found the flex too soft with them, even if cinching up the non-elastic part.

I did just get some Lange RS 140s for this season, so will likely end up trying the dual strap on those at some point.

[fbw360]

I've been pretty happy with mine, albeit limited to about 10 days at the end of last season when I got them fitted. Good variety of conditions though, spring corn through a few late season pow days. Using it with the Hawx Ultra Pro that it came with. I like that there is a bit of give before the stiffer non-elastic part kicks in - it is definitely noticeable when you A/B test it compared to cranking up the non-elastic portion. If there is anything soft I place the top 1-2 cm from the end of the velcro and it helps eat up any variation with a bit more of a curve before the boot stiffness really kicks in. Really nice for resort chop IMO where sometimes you are riding through tracks before hitting an untouched area. If it is a groomer day then crank them down and it feels like a standard strap IMO (maybe a bit softer? I cant say). I wouldnt say I actively mess with the strap on the day to day but it was novel to play with the first few sessions. At this point I just go between the two settings. Maybe only other noticeable thing is the split strap helps the liner itself stay on my shins.

Main caveat is that i'm only 170lb though so maybe the flex works better for me. Probably dont ski as hard as many people here either. I'd say it is a nice-to-have but far from game changer, but i'll probably be pulling them off and re-using for future boots in-place of stock. Mimic pro liner was a significantly more noticeable (and worthwhile) upgrade IMO if you are like me and dont have zipfits. I wouldnt go out of my way to buy it but I am happy I have it.

[gwat]

I replaced the stock non-elastic strap on my Lange RX 130 LVs with them last year, but switched back. I wasn’t really happy with how they sat on the boot (which may be a Lange issue, not a dual strap issue).

Thanks for the data point. I’m in RS130s.

[SacTo]

I like its adjustability and the rebound can be dialed in to fit your preference, but it’s a bit over complicated. I like my Booster strap better.

[Skeeze]

I loved mine and liked that it can hit both the liner and the shell, but unfortunately it didn't play so nicely with my Cochise + ZipFit Gara combo to truly slide under the top part of the shell, so I'm back to a Booster more.

[onenerdykid]

For those of you who are having "compatibility" issues, what challenges are you running into? Does the lower half of the strap sit on top of your top (4th) buckle or something else?

[J. Barron DeJong]

For those of you who are having "compatibility" issues, what challenges are you running into? Does the lower half of the strap sit on top of your top (4th) buckle or something else?

in appreciation of you taking the time to be here, I threw a strap back on and took some pics. Foot is in the boot, and the dual strap is snugged up pretty tight:










That outer layer of the lower section of the strap stays loose no matter what.

Not sure if it has anything to do with the Lange cuff shape above the buckles vs Atomic (haven’t handled an Atomic and in pics the strap is always blocking that area).



Edit: in this pic of a Hawx shell it looks like the outer wrap of the cuff that the upper buckle ladder attaches to extends above the buckle much higher than on the Lange RX (and maybe that the inner wrap of the cuff doesn’t extend as high on the Hawx, so the upper part of the dual strap can sit on the Hawx liner?)



Another view of the Lange cuff:

[onenerdykid]

in appreciation of you taking the time to be here, I threw a strap back on and took some pics. Foot is in the boot, and the dual strap is snugged up pretty tight:



Another view of the Lange cuff:

Looks like because the Lange cuff is only one "layer" of plastic up top, the Dual Strap doesn't sit where it should (in other words has too much extra material). You could try to punch new holes in the back of the strap to start it out more on the medial side, then when you pull it tight, it would take up that slack perhaps.

[RShea]

So other than the 2 pieces being sewn together at the one side, is there anything different than leaving the factory stock strap (non- elastic traditional not the ski boots that come with boosters on them now), and then having a booster either above or maybe below the factory strap- which I would think would limit the stretch on the booster more?

[Skeeze]

@onenerdykid appreciate you dropping in here. To follow up on the Atomic dual strap vs Booster topic, I played around with it again this morning with my Cochise boots and ZipFit Gara HVs.

In short, the the Gara HVs have way better heel hold than the stock Cochise liners, but the stock liners have a higher volume tongue, particularly at the top of the tongue. This means that I need to take up some additional volume at the top of the cuff of the boot, and the Booster strap is able to fit between the shell and the liner, whereas the dual strap, being much taller/wider, cannot. I can get a better wrap of the liner around my skinny shins/calves with the Booster than the dual strap.

This wasn’t an issue with the stock liner, and absent this issue, I clearly prefer the dual strap.

[onenerdykid]

So other than the 2 pieces being sewn together at the one side, is there anything different than leaving the factory stock strap (non- elastic traditional not the ski boots that come with boosters on them now), and then having a booster either above or maybe below the factory strap- which I would think would limit the stretch on the booster more?

The Professional Dual Strap is like having two straps in one, and it's mounted at one location. With two separate straps that you propose, you could achieve a similar result, but you would also need to attach two different straps at the back of the cuff, which might be awkward.

[onenerdykid]

@onenerdykid appreciate you dropping in here. To follow up on the Atomic dual strap vs Booster topic, I played around with it again this morning with my Cochise boots and ZipFit Gara HVs.

In short, the the Gara HVs have way better heel hold than the stock Cochise liners, but the stock liners have a higher volume tongue, particularly at the top of the tongue. This means that I need to take up some additional volume at the top of the cuff of the boot, and the Booster strap is able to fit between the shell and the liner, whereas the dual strap, being much taller/wider, cannot. I can get a better wrap of the liner around my skinny shins/calves with the Booster than the dual strap.

This wasn’t an issue with the stock liner, and absent this issue, I clearly prefer the dual strap.

It looks like the Dual Strap is sitting correctly on your boot but if I get your point, due to the thinner tongue on the ZipFit you're able to take up that excess volume better with the Booster strap?

It's all about finding the combo(s) that work for your unique situations.

I totally get that a "mono" strap (rather than the Dual Strap) might be a better solution for some of you. You might see some new Atomic strap ideas coming your way for 24/25 that cater to you all

[Skeeze]

That’s correct, Matt—it’s about taking up volume. I may look into adding more cork to the tongue this season, and if I do, the main reason would be to see if I can get back to using the Dual Strap.

[RShea]

The Professional Dual Strap is like having two straps in one, and it's mounted at one location. With two separate straps that you propose, you could achieve a similar result, but you would also need to attach two different straps at the back of the cuff, which might be awkward.

I for years have left the stock factory straps on and then taken the booster straps (that I have not permanently attached to any of the boots, just tucked them behind the back cuff for years. It is on top of the stock strap- backwards from the looks of the Atomic. But I am pretty tall and the elastic on top allows for a bit of movement before the factory strap starts to limit the movement further and engage. The way Atomic does it seems backwards- as the booster can't stretch much if the velcro top has little give and the bottom elastic strap would just keep the tongue against the boot front (which should happen anyways with the less flex stock velcro strap.

But I am not Atomic that I assume may have done some flex testing and measurement of the response and flex action out skiing as part of the design.

[onenerdykid]

The way Atomic does it seems backwards- as the booster can't stretch much if the velcro top has little give and the bottom elastic strap would just keep the tongue against the boot front (which should happen anyways with the less flex stock velcro strap.

Think of the outer velcro strap as your elastic "limiter" or even more metaphorical - the compression adjustment on your mtb shock/fork.

When you tighten up the strap, take off the velcro strap entirely. Undo it and cinch down on the strap so the elastic elements are snug & tight to your liking.

Do up the velcro strap tightness based on how much elasticity you want in the strap. Our racers run the velcro rather right, which makes for a firmer suspension setting. When skiing off-piste or in pow, I run the velcro strap super loose, done up only so it doesn't hang off my boot like a tourist. You can run the velcro strap tension anywhere in between depending on how much suspension vs. directness you want out of it.

One way to find a middle ground is after you have tightened the elastic straps, flex the boot forward a bit, hold position, and then tighten the velcro. The velcro strap will seem a little loose, almost floating. This will provide you with supple suspension in the beginning of the flex pattern but then as you get deeper into the flex pattern you hit the velcro strap and it becomes more direct & responsive. Great setting for skiing choppy groomers.

[bennettc14]

Find the Atomic strap plays really well with Head Raptors. The split sections on shell and tongue make them awesome. Like all these good Atomic aftermarket accessories lately, just need to be in more stores stateside.


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[AlecO]

Anyone know how the sizing on these breaks for the Redster CS? I am in a 28, but the atomic website only has s/m available. Would there just not be enough strap to pull it tight? (I need to be able to do it with gloves at the top of the lift.)

[onenerdykid]

Anyone know how the sizing on these breaks for the Redster CS? I am in a 28, but the atomic website only has s/m available. Would there just not be enough strap to pull it tight? (I need to be able to do it with gloves at the top of the lift.)

The goal of the sizing is to get the elastic & velcro front portion to sit centered on the cuff & liner. When the strap is too small, it will sit too far medially to provide all of its benefits.

Kinda also depends on how big of a calf you've got. If you've got chicken legs, you might be able to get away with it mounted in the "M" setting. But if you've got larger legs, you'll probably need the "L" setting.

If you're having trouble tracking down the M/L size, you might want to give the folks at A Racer's Edge (Breckenridge, CO) or Rodger's Ski and Sport (Lincoln, NH) a call to see if they have any left in stock to ship you.

[AlecO]

6987038[/URL]]The goal of the sizing is to get the elastic & velcro front portion to sit centered on the cuff & liner. When the strap is too small, it will sit too far medially to provide all of its benefits.

Kinda also depends on how big of a calf you've got. If you've got chicken legs, you might be able to get away with it mounted in the "M" setting. But if you've got larger legs, you'll probably need the "L" setting.

If you're having trouble tracking down the M/L size, you might want to give the folks at A Racer's Edge (Breckenridge, CO) or Rodger's Ski and Sport (Lincoln, NH) a call to see if they have any left in stock to ship you.

Awesome thanks! I’ll try to get ahold of a M/L.

[onenerdykid]

Awesome thanks! I’ll try to get ahold of a M/L.

Also forgot to add: anyone on size 26 & up should be looking at the M/L length. As you may have guessed, S/M and M/L both have "M" in them and are totally identical in this setting. So on size 26, "M" will work for a lot of people and therefore the S/M size will be fine for them. But, to play it safe, get the M/L.

I can't imagine a scenario where someone in size 26 would use an "S" (I don't think it even gets around that size cuff correctly), so grab an "M/L" and you'll be totally covered.

[m3f5b7]

Thanks for the data point. I’m in RS130s.

For those of you who bought this after market, do you have to buy two of them or one?

(i.e. do they come as a pair, or independently?)

[J. Barron DeJong]

For those of you who bought this after market, do you have to buy two of them or one?

(i.e. do they come as a pair, or independently?)

They come as a pair.

[samp]

Dumb question - how do you adjust between the M and L settings? Seems like there's only one set of holes, and nothing else obvious. Bought direct from Atomic in Canada.

[GoldenBC]

It’s a medium and large not a medium or large. There’s only one option.

That being said, you can always shift it over and mount with only one hole. I melted a new set of holes half way between.