AT boots and downhill bindings

Garmont makes a line of Free Ride boots with interchangeable soles, one of which is an ISO norm alpine sole.  The web site shows four men's models in this category:  Shaman, Endorphin, Axon (dynafit compatible), and Adrenalin.

Axon does not have interchangeable soles (i.e., pretty much an Endorphin, but with Dynafit compatiblity and without alpine downhill compatability).
The only boots that can *safely* work in both Dynafits and alpine downhill bindings are the upcoming Dynafit Zzeus and BD Factor.

So I guess the question would be which bindings do you plan to get in the future? If you are set on dynafits you may wait for the other boots to come out (factor, Zzues) Or if you are thinking Freeride, Naxo, etc you should check out te Garmonts. The Adrenaline has a closer flex to the Megaride, but has an interchangable sole. I have been using the adrenaline for the past 3 years or so and have been very hapy with them. I only change the soles occasionally. Mainly to demo new skis or if I am traveling. Shops and rental establishments tend to get excited if you show up with a rubber sole. I have skied alpine binders in my rubber soles and at binders in my alpine soles. It will fit. But, as mentioned earlier you are comprimising the predictable release function of the alpine binding. Your 10 could now release @ 14, but you won't know. Just my 2cents, good luck.

I am slowly piecing together a back country setup and am starting with the boots.  ... I plan on just boot packing with the boots or using trekkers until I can afford AT bindings...

A couple of thoughts for you Ira:

If you intend to start building your set up with boots, you should plan on boot packing.  Alpine Trekkers will not accommodate a lug sole (AT) boot and I doubt that you want to buy and cut skins for your downhill skis anyway.

As cost is a factor, I would suggest that you keep your eye out for a used AT setup fist.  If you find a suitable ski (hopefully with skins) mounted with the proper size (S, M, L) Naxo or Freeride binding, you can use your alpine boots until you get a AT boot and continue using either boot as it suits you.  (I ski my AT skis with  my alpine boots when I ride lifts and have even toured in my alpine boots for the last couple of months as my AT boots are not stiff and aggressive enough)  You will definitely cover more ground skinning with alpine boots than you will walking in AT boots.  As an added benefit, when you do switch into a lighter boot you will kick more ass on the up track.   

Now is beginning a good time of the year to pick up a deal and you should be able to find a decent AT set up with skins for $500.  This will give you all summer to save, try on and search out a deal on an AT boot that fits you well.

Good luck and I’ll look forward to seeing you out there.

Safe is relative and in the eye of the beholder. For years Ive skied in telemark boots in silveretta 404s and now I have dynafits and they look scary to me! Go figure?

My wife does have a Garmont with removable soles. I don't remember the model, but it is two years old and is light blue. The soles swap real easy and they are DIN compatible. The DIN plate comes with (no extra cost) and it is real solid.

Alan