Ultimate alpine TOURING boot?

Greg, if I remember correctly, you're skiing Teledaddies AT, right? Are you using your F1s on those? <br><br>I suspect that those who rip on light boots rip because of their skill. Over Christmas break I saw a guy on F1s and TM:11s on Tumalo. And in the tracked out slightly chunky snow he was just flailing. I'm sure I would do the same. Then again, maybe someone should videotape me trying to ski in my mountain boots...I'm sure it would be very entertaining.

I suspect that those who rip on light boots rip because of their skill.

<br><br>For sure a guy like Lowell has the advantage here; he's been ripping in variable snow conditions since childhood and could probably figure out how to ski most anything in tennis shoes if need be. On the other hand, no one's figured out how to comfortably do a 10 mile hike in ski boots yet.<br><br>Edited to add: I put Freerides on the Teledaddies. Still waiting for the powder this year to use them . . .

Edited to add: I had Jet Stix.

<br><br>I still have a pair.  <br><br>For some reason, I never bothered trying them on my Scarpa Invernos or any of my other mountain boots. But I just tried them on my Mountain Lites and they fit really well. Hmm... Irresistibly retro.<br><br>During my historical reading, I found ads for Jet Stix and similar gadgets in old Northwest Skier magazines. Here are some memories for you old-timers:<br><br> www.alpenglow.org/ski-history/notes/peri...kier-1970-oct-16-p11

<br>Northwest Skier<br><br>Oct 16, 1970, p. 11: "New Lange boot accessory"<br>The Spoiler, made of flexible epoxy and cushioned with foam, can be attached to the rear of the Lange competition model, extending the height of the boot by about one-third. "Mastery of the modern 'sit back' technique is made easier by the Spoiler while fatigue is reduced and control increased." A drawing of the Spoiler is included.<br><br>The 11-27-70 issue (p.11) reports on the popularity of Jet Stix, introduced by former U.S. Olympian Jack Nagel. "Jet Stix are simple to use--they fit around the boot top and require no modification of the boot. They're held in place by a single strap and fastened by a boot-type buckle. With Jet Stix, ski boots become like the new high-backed models."<br><br>The 10-22-71 issue (p.14) has the first display ad I noticed for a factory-produced high-back boot, the Dolomite Super-Comp. The 11-5-71 issue (p.3) has a display ad for Cheetah sticks.

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I guess part of the challenge put forward in this thread is what an individual wants or needs in a particular descent on skis. It certainly is a very personal thing. If the descent is the only interesting part of the trip then I guess a total control type boot will be put up with on the hike in, either on foot or on one's back. I still think that the industry hasn't provided much of a choice in this matter, though I did see a lace-up (dynafit?) last year that wasn't around this year when I bought.<br><br>I am really not down on this segment of the industry, however. I am actually amazed that with the relatively small market in these boots, compared to the downhill market, that these specialty boots are as numerous as they are. Also, being specialty as they are, I was shocked at how reasonable they are priced compared to new downhill gear, having bought my son (eight years old) a pair of downhill boots this year. With the variability in the plastics used to inject the mold and the extra features required, such as vibram soles, rocker soles and cushioning etc., these companies could easily have justified charging a lot more.<br><br>For me, I am now entering a grey area. My ski trips on leather had been more centered on being in the mountains and yes the descents were lots of fun, albeit somewhat limited and less elegant than might have been. I think I will continue to do these trips. But darn it I really like the way my new plastic stuff skis! I guess the positive is that I will gain in the amount of skiable terrain I will now access. But I have not really demanded much from the ski descent at this point in my career and if there was such a boot as Lowell suggested, I think I would have bought it and still been extremely satisfied with the increase in downhill performance. I don't see it as a problem or personal weakness to reduce speed by some degree to gain control. The challenge in skiing new terrain and push the ability of the gear can be as satisfying as speed, especially when one has the positive distractions of dropping down a line in a remote area of the Cascades that make you feel as if you were the first one to ever lay tracks there.<br><br>Regarding the plastic tele boots. I probably will go plastic. In fact I got my wife a pair of the lighter Scarpas (I think the T2 or 3) and she really likes them. She seems to be a little walk impaired, but since I weigh about twice as much as her, I suspect that I will have them broken in real quick. The modified Asolos are on their third resole and I think they might be saved for my museum some day.<br><br>Alan

I had used the Dynafits (the old green, blue, yellow, orange, pink ones) for many years and was comfortable with long approaches in them (Olympus, Ruth, the Ptarmagin, not to mention all of the timber roads we northwesterners travel to get to the snow) and was happy on steeps and firm - ice was a little tricky, but passable. I think a good part of it was the rocker and certainly the light weight.<br><br>Recently I "upgraded" to Garmont G-lites - searching for that magical combination of light weight and skiability. They are definitely a stronger ski boot and the weight is great, however, I can't say I'm overjoyed with how they walk. When scrambling across rock or walking for miles, these boots destroy my feet. I am always amazed by the boot reviews when they talk about how comfortable some of these boots are to walk in. These guys must be kicking vertical steps up snow slopes. <br><br>I think part of it is the liner. Old liners (both plastic climbing boots and ski boots) used to have laces which almost allowed the liner to act separately from the boot. Now the trend seems to be towards the thermofit liners with no laces - which then relies on the outer boot to hold the foot in place. It doesn't seem to work.<br><br>I think the Dynafits may represent the best attempt at a boot that can travel and ski. Maybe part of the key is a removable spoiler, but they seem to always get lost somewhere. I think you need something back there - I remember those first days of backcountry skiing in climbing boot - not pretty.<br><br>I think the AT boot world is still searching for the holy grail. They've got the weight down and power up - now to make them walk well. We need Ramer!<br><br>Has anyone tried to put a lacing system on their inner boot - like a thermofit?<br><br>

I think lacing on inner boots is overrated. My stock Denali liners had laces, but after a while I pulled them out and it made no difference whatsoever in either how they hiked or how they skied. If the laces make a difference, then the boot isn't holding your foot well in the first place. <br><br>I can't imagine a ski boot I'd like to walk in. Even my rigid mountain boots are uncomfortable compared to tennis shoes.