Alpine v. AT Boots for "All Purpose" Set-Up

I'm still hemming and hawing about getting an AT set-up, and wondered
how successful people have been using standard Alpine boots. Seems
like the new wave of AT bindings (especially the upcoming "Pure" from
Silveretta) make this more feasible from a weight and comfort point of
view.

I'm considering getting the Salomon X-Wave 8.0, which is a great
fitting, albeit very-heavy-compared-with-typical-AT-boot boot.
Assuming I'm half and half in the backcountry and half at a resort,
are there any issues besides the weight penalty that I'm missing
(versus investing in two separate pairs of boots)? (the boot actually
feels pretty comfortable to walk around a store with, and based on
where the pivot point of "The Pure" binding is, seems safe to assume
they'd climb in a way similar to the Dynafit bindings).

thanks in advance,

Jon

Jon wrote:

I'm considering getting the Salomon X-Wave 8.0, which is a great
fitting, albeit very-heavy-compared-with-typical-AT-boot boot.
Assuming I'm half and half in the backcountry and half at a resort,
are there any issues besides the weight penalty that I'm missing
(versus investing in two separate pairs of boots)?

The main issues are the weight penalty, the lack of a releasable
cuff and the smooth sole on alpine boots. Of course, you can still open
the upper buckles but they will not be as comfortable. I don't know
where you ski, but later in the season in the Sierra, walking some
distance over non-snow covered ground may be required. This would be
really uncomfortable in heavy alpine boots with a slick sole.

I only use one pair of boots, but I use my AT boots. I haven't put
on the alpine boots in years. The AT boots ski just fine at the resorts.
It took about a day to get used to having less stiff boots. Since I
get many more runs on lift served terrain than I do in the BC, I use
the lifts as an opportunity to hone my skills using my AT gear. You
don't want to drop into a steep chute using your AT gear if most
of your practice is on your alpine gear.

There isn't anything that I would do in my alpine boots that I
would not do in my AT boots. YMMV.

-Greg

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In article ,
Jon wrote:
I'm still hemming and hawing about getting an AT set-up, and wondered
how successful people have been using standard Alpine boots. Seems
like the new wave of AT bindings (especially the upcoming "Pure" from
Silveretta) make this more feasible from a weight and comfort point of
view.

I'm considering getting the Salomon X-Wave 8.0, which is a great
fitting, albeit very-heavy-compared-with-typical-AT-boot boot.
Assuming I'm half and half in the backcountry and half at a resort,
are there any issues besides the weight penalty that I'm missing
(versus investing in two separate pairs of boots)? (the boot actually
feels pretty comfortable to walk around a store with, and based on
where the pivot point of "The Pure" binding is, seems safe to assume
they'd climb in a way similar to the Dynafit bindings).


_ I wouldn't use a heavy boot with a binding like the Pure[1] and
I think you're asking for trouble using a binding like that as a
"resort" binding. Resort gear takes much more abuse in a shorter
time, than you'll ever get BC skiing. IMHO, it's pretty important
to match boot/binding/ski in relative strength.

_ A few years ago when some boots were being made with a decent
"walk" or hike mode I'd think this would be a much better
idea[2]. It's not just the weight, but the ability to flex your
ankle enough to stand up straight and having a sole that won't
send you sliding at the first mistep that seperates AT from
standard Alpine boots.

_ IMHO, it makes much more sense to get a beefy 4 buckle AT boot
like the Denali , Struktura or G-Ride. Get them with a close fit
and they should be nearly as beefy as all but the stiffest Alpine
boots. And there are always tricks to make them stiffer if you
really need it[3]. It's probably safest to use these with only AT
bindings, but I see a lot of people with AT gear like Fritschi's
and Naxo's at the resort these days. Some people use standard
alpine boots in them and some AT boots. If you are going to use
alpine boots, there is some concensus that the Naxo double hinge
will be more comfortable. I've heard of people using the Naxo and
regular Alpine boots to do fairly long climbs. I still think
you'll be happier in the long term with real AT boots in the
backcountry. You can get deals on AT boots, you just have to
wait until March or so. It's kind of a gamble but you can
get very cheap AT boots from Sierra Trading Post[4].

_ Weight is not the be all and end all of choosing BC gear.
It's important, but it's a mistake to compensate for choosing
a light weight component to "make up" for a heavyweight one.

_ Booker C. Bense


[1]- Rumor has it that the Pure still has some bugs to be worked
out. In general staying away from season 1 bindings, especially
"lightweight" season one bindings is a good idea.

[2]- Atomic and Dabello both made pretty good boots with a
"hike" mode that worked pretty well about 4 years ago.

[3]- Learning to ski in slightly softer boots will make you
a better skier, especially in wild snow.

[4]- http://www.sierratradingpost.com/

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Thanks to both you for some great insights.

I do get a deal on Salomon, which is what kind of put the idea into my
head, but didn't realize a place like Sierra Trading, or any other
discount place, offers AT stuff...

Why not get an AT boot as your all-purpose? Big weight advantages when you
go for a walk in the back country. AT boots have more flexible ankles too,
so no "frankenstein" gait.


"Jon" wrote in message
om...
I'm still hemming and hawing about getting an AT set-up, and wondered
how successful people have been using standard Alpine boots. Seems
like the new wave of AT bindings (especially the upcoming "Pure" from
Silveretta) make this more feasible from a weight and comfort point of
view.

I'm considering getting the Salomon X-Wave 8.0, which is a great
fitting, albeit very-heavy-compared-with-typical-AT-boot boot.
Assuming I'm half and half in the backcountry and half at a resort,
are there any issues besides the weight penalty that I'm missing
(versus investing in two separate pairs of boots)? (the boot actually
feels pretty comfortable to walk around a store with, and based on
where the pivot point of "The Pure" binding is, seems safe to assume
they'd climb in a way similar to the Dynafit bindings).

thanks in advance,

Jon

I'm still hemming and hawing about getting an AT set-up, and wondered
how successful people have been using standard Alpine boots.

Depends on what you want to do. I was on regular alpine boots fopr my
first two years, doing mostly short day tours with no problmes. Then
routes started to get longer and longer and my feet started to hurt
more and more. For me it was walking comfort, not weight, that was the
determining issue.

I know several people on Fritchi and Naxo bindings who use them full
on in and out of the resport with alpine boots and have no problems
with the setup.

-russ

I got Garmont G Ride boots this season and have been skiing them a lot
in bounds with a Fritcshi Freeride binding. They are comfy, and great
for almost all skiing.
They really suck at high speeds, where they are too soft to quiet the
tip with shin pressure.
Alpine boots are much better at speed. For other skiing, the AT boots
are a compromise, but not that bad considering the tradeoffs. Steeps,
Powder, crud, groomers, bumps, are all very skiable on the G Rides.
Walking on rocks and scree is a treat with the rubber soles.
One great benefit is the weight. JH WY has lots of bootpack hiking,
and these boots are filled with helium.
If you don't AT skin that often, you can use the Alpine boots in a
Silvretta Pure or a Naxo binding with their favorable pivot points.
One thing I don't like about the Pure is that the rails are carbon
fiber, which is way to sensitive to impact fractures for me to feel
comfortable using it. I would choose the Naxo or the Freeride for
more bomber construction.
If you want a stiffer AT boot, I would wait for next year's Garmont
Adrenaline. It is stiffer than G Ride, and has interchangeable alpine
and AT soles, so you can use it in either system.
Otherwise, Denali XT and G Ride are the stiffest so far.
Scott G

(Jon) wrote in message . com...
I'm still hemming and hawing about getting an AT set-up, and wondered
how successful people have been using standard Alpine boots. Seems
like the new wave of AT bindings (especially the upcoming "Pure" from
Silveretta) make this more feasible from a weight and comfort point of
view.

I'm considering getting the Salomon X-Wave 8.0, which is a great
fitting, albeit very-heavy-compared-with-typical-AT-boot boot.
Assuming I'm half and half in the backcountry and half at a resort,
are there any issues besides the weight penalty that I'm missing
(versus investing in two separate pairs of boots)? (the boot actually
feels pretty comfortable to walk around a store with, and based on
where the pivot point of "The Pure" binding is, seems safe to assume
they'd climb in a way similar to the Dynafit bindings).

thanks in advance,

Jon