AT Boot Flex Comparative List by model

[the_eleven]

Did a boot try-on session today.

-Maestrale for the second time: I really wanted to get this boot, and while the lateral support seems there. It is WAY too soft forward for the way I ski. Too bad.

-Mobe for the second time.. Good fit, still a bit soft in the forward direction. No buckle retention clips on the cuff buckles ala Dynafit or BD; a deal breaker for me. The buckles look exactly like Lange buckles from a few seasons back.

-Quadrant, excellent fit for me, a walk mode on par with the Maestrale IMO. Probably stiff enough, although not alpine boot stiff. I would say around 100, coming from a Lange 120. Shell runs a bit long for the size (320mm for a 28.5). Almost there.

Anyone skied the Quadrant?

[LeeLau]

Looks like the front page might need some updating

Maestrale review - http://www.wildsnow.com/2951/scarpa-...-boot-review/- flex 80

Mobe review - http://www.wildsnow.com/4031/mobe-scarpa-boot-review/ - flex 105

Upcoming - yet another TLT5 performance review. Also the Scarpa Rush

Marshal's excellent Titan review should also be cited if possible http://blistergearreview.com/blister/?p=316

and Marshal's Mobe review http://blistergearreview.com/blister/?p=244

[freak]

i have used my maestrales quite a bit now (50 days or so) and my opinion is still that they are way softer than my old denali xts, which are listed at 80. the walk mode is far superior to the walkmode of the quadrants though.

freak~[&]

[dookeyXXX]

So, yeah, any word on the Garmont Literider, which, according to the Garmont site, lists them as a 115 flex...

Would be interested to know how they compare stiff wise to some alpine boots and also what the fit is like.

Me: ski Nordy Aggressors 130, which I find a tad stiff at times. My AT boot for last summer was the Dalbello Virus Tour, which I ultimately found to be both too stiff and also not enough forward lean for my taste (that and they just don't fit tight enough around my skinny calves).

[harpo-the-skier]

Sticky please. And update the first post.

[Meathelmet]

Anyone skied the Quadrant?

I would say stock quadrant : 100. Pimped with a shim & intuition & Booster 120.

Reference :

Stock Radium 90 : with intuitions : 100.
Stock Zzeus 90 : never skied with intuitions.
Stock Factor 110 : With palaus : 120
Stock megarides 75: With intuitions & Stiff raichle tongues 100.

[panchosdad]

Any guesses on the TLT5P? My only point of comparison is the Matrix. If that's a 70 I'd give the TLT5P an 80. Who has skied both the Maestrale and the Dynafit? Lee?

[1000-oaks]

Great thread, bumping for current-model updates.

[I've seen black diamonds!]

Any guesses on the TLT5P? My only point of comparison is the Matrix. If that's a 70 I'd give the TLT5P an 80. Who has skied both the Maestrale and the Dynafit? Lee?

I thought the TLT5P's felt stiffer in the store but the Maestrales skied significantly better. I actually prefer their downhill performance to Titans, which I used extensively, for anything but railing groomers. The Maestrale's aren't stiff, but they have a nice progressive flex that just about every other AT boot lacks. I should note that the TLT5's didn't fit me well and that may color my opinion. Maestrales require the stretchy power strap to be pulled tight to perform at their best.

Edit: just realized I answered an ancient question.

[LeeLau]

I'll go through and add my flex guesses for TLT5P, Vulcan, Maestrale RS

[LeeLau]

Maestrale 80
Mobe 105
Titan UL 100
TLT5P 80
Maestrale RS 100
Vulcan 110


Many of these boots now have side to side stiffness but not as much fore-aft stiffness so this is all approximate. Stiffness can also be altered with removing tongues, changing liners etc. So all this is with tongues and stock liners and imo

[Buster Highmen]

Edit: just realized I answered an ancient question.

That's OK, they never get it in the first or second try anyway. The Maestrale really skis a lot like a slightly softer flexon and that's the money feel imo.

[gointhedistance]

Since this is bumped anyway - I'll comment on my BD Factor 130's I just stepped into... and bought.

I'm thinking... 110ish Maybe 110.4 for the one on my left foot, but the right I'm sure seems to be spot on 110.

[1000-oaks]

Can anyone add the Cochise & Skookum?

[Smiley]

Can anyone add the Cochise & Skookum?

I have some time on the Cochise´s touring and inbounds and would say they run a bit soft. 110 is my call. For comparison I ski an Atomic RT CS130 plugboot for most days inbounds, but looking to throw some Intuitions in the Cochise and just run one boot. Hopefully Intuitions will help stiffen them up a bit, maybe a booster strap for ripping around inbounds? I will update after getting new liners. To reiterate whats already been stated many times...the stock Cochise liner is absolute shit.

Off topic: If I get an Intuition liner could I swap between the Cochise and the plugboot? What I mean by this is it bad to do this?

[LeeLau]

Maestrale 80
Mobe 105
Titan UL 100
TLT5P 80
Maestrale RS 100
Vulcan 110


Many of these boots now have side to side stiffness but not as much fore-aft stiffness so this is all approximate. Stiffness can also be altered with removing tongues, changing liners etc. So all this is with tongues and stock liners and imo

A side note to indicate that the above is for a pre-production Vulcan. Any chance the front page could get an update? If Tony is MIA I'll pull together an updated list

[gregL]

Maestrale 80
Mobe 105
Titan UL 100
TLT5P 80
Maestrale RS 100
Vulcan 110

Wow, tough audience. If the Vulcan gets a 110, what boot (doesn't have to be AT) gets a 130?

[GeezerSteve]

Interesting, Lee. My TLT5 Mtn with tongue is a stiffer fore-aft than my Zzeus. (People on this thread are rating the Zzeus 80-85.)

I have no clue what numbers to put on fore-aft boot flex. Seems like a largely subjective process.

[LeeLau]

Wow, tough audience. If the Vulcan gets a 110, what boot (doesn't have to be AT) gets a 130?

I'm struggling with that one Greg. I've only skied plug racing boots on race courses. Are those the upper limit? Does that mean 130 is the upper limit? Is 140 basically then a solid block of billet? I'm basically being very conservative with the stiffness ratings. You think maybe too conservative? Maybe Mobe should be 110? Maybe Titan UL and Titan 105? Maybe Vulcan 120? Maybe Maestrale RS 110? It's all so subjective and I'd appreciate input as you're someone who's also been on lots of boots. If verbier or marshall is around maybe some input from them too.

On another note maybe we need another thread as Tony appears to be MIA. This is a pretty useful reference that kind of needs updating as so many new models are out there. At the very least its got a lot of data points

[gregL]

I use my Lange RS 130's as a measuring stick - they've been around for a long time and have remained largely unchanged (unlike the RX and LX, which I don't consider 130 boots), plus it's readily available in a reasonable width to try on (not always true of 140-150 flex plug boots). If you think that's a valid starting point, I think you should add at least 10 to those numbers, maybe 20 to the TLT5P. The production Vulcan (reportedly a little stiffer than the one you tried) is stiffer than the RS 130 out of the box.

[LeeLau]

Thanks Steve and Greg. Now my head hurts. Fwiw I agree that the TLT5P I had was at least as stiff laterally as the ZZeus. Not sure if it was as stiff fore-aft. Head now hurts more

[Mofro261]

Head now hurts more

but as long as the feet are comfy...

[RiderX]

Any thoughts on the Sherpa 7/3 or 5/5?

[kneedropper]

Any feedback/comparison on the 2011/2012 Zzero green machines and the new Mercury? I'm assuming the Zzero4 cf listed on page 1 at flex 85 is the same is the green machine. Trying to decide to buy the Zzero cheap (good fit) or make the leap and buy the pricier Mercury.

[harpo-the-skier]

Any feedback/comparison on the 2011/2012 Zzero green machines and the new Mercury? I'm assuming the Zzero4 cf listed on page 1 at flex 85 is the same is the green machine. Trying to decide to buy the Zzero cheap (good fit) or make the leap and buy the pricier Mercury.

Mercury is stiffer than the green machine and has more ankle movement in walk mode. ZZero is a good boot but is pretty dated. Caveat, I am talking about the first generation green machines, I am not sure how they have evolved.