tripler 0 Posted October 4, 2009 Share Posted October 4, 2009 I was looking on evogear's website and noticed you can group the boots by "ability level" - Beginner-Intermediate, Intermediate-Advanced or Advanced-Expert. How would the boots in the last two categories differ? Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted October 4, 2009 Share Posted October 4, 2009 advanced are a pair of sandals and expert are fip flops....you are that good that you don't need boots!! Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted October 4, 2009 Share Posted October 4, 2009 Expert is called noboarding no boots nor bindings Link to post Share on other sites
Jynxx 4 Posted October 4, 2009 Share Posted October 4, 2009 Stiffness ... stiffer gives more precision to edge controll (movement doesn't get absorbed that much by the books flex) Link to post Share on other sites
tripler 0 Posted October 4, 2009 Author Share Posted October 4, 2009 and what's the down side of stiff boots? Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 Originally Posted By: tripler and what's the down side of stiff boots? Comfort factor and walking in them. I'd be happy having stiffer boots IF they had BOA laces so I could have them looser for the walking parts of the day. But would you really need them unless you live in the park or are competing in X games? Link to post Share on other sites
Jynxx 4 Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 OK I see that you are a skier so I will give you details from that. Expert models do have a higher back, the boots goes high on your calves. It is designed to be ridden with more front lean. (bend your knees, boy!) It will have at least 5 buckles which can be micro adjusted. The whole setup is to get it as tight as possible can without getting into the pain threshold meaning better fit. The inners will be well constructed, walm, individually foamed, cant adjusted, etc... to provide better bio-mechanics. The cheaper boots will use the technology from the expensive models, but some models are really not worth it. ie) inner wobbles inside the boot (cheap Rossi models) The down side - you can break your leg easily. boot acts like a lever. Some models fit narrower feet, some models fit wider feet. I used to own a pair of racing Lange, and I had to un-buckle every time I was on the lift and buckle it up again when I was at the top. Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 Originally Posted By: Jynxx ..... I had to un-buckle every time I was on the lift and buckle it up again when I was at the top. Careful doing that - we witnessed a single ski with boot still in it flying down the mountain in Niseko SOLO 2 yrs ago!! We assume it fell off the fellow on the lift, and could only giggle about how in hell he was going to get off the lift and down again without getting frostbitten toes! But on a serious note - lucky no one was hurt by his 'freeriding' ski/boot. Link to post Share on other sites
tripler 0 Posted October 5, 2009 Author Share Posted October 5, 2009 Would a stiff snowboard boot be better for carving but not make any difference for powder? Link to post Share on other sites
greg 4 Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 Stiff boots aren't too bad to walk in and many come with a speed lace system so you can loosen them off easily for walking around etc if you want to. You can definately feel the difference in hard and soft boots. I guess it just comes down to what you prefer and what you are used to wearing. I like a harder boot. I feel like I am wearing sneakers whith soft boots on, but they are far more comfortable. I have neevr boarded with a true hard boot before (ski boot). That would be interesting. Link to post Share on other sites
Jynxx 4 Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 Actually thinking of getting stiffer bindings for my freeride setup, I do feel the excess movement when I'm coming down fast. We got 3 boards and two bindings so it will be good that way. Bit reluctant to get stiffer boots when my current one has broken in nicely. See some dedicated speed/carve boarders in Europe. Very impressive. Like to try it one day. Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 What about the binding lifters/elevators? The makers reckon they give a lot more power and control in your turns - does anyone use them? Link to post Share on other sites
Jynxx 4 Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 mmm.. never heard of it so I had a look. Not quite sure what to think of it because they are not cheap. I think it's not necessary. Maybe adding another thing that might break ? I have Drake Czar bindings which the sole is made out of shock absorbing material and it lifts the foot slightly higher compared to others. Snow doesn't clog either. I'd rather spend the extra on better bindings Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 Well...given the discussion about boot stiffness - I wondered if you had softer boots and elevators would that = stiffer boots in edge response. Love to have the goodies at my disposal to test and trial Link to post Share on other sites
Jynxx 4 Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 I don't think it will help with the stiffness, I noticed my binding material is not that stiff. If that is stiffer it will act as a splint to my boots. Link to post Share on other sites
Oyuki kigan 0 Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 Originally Posted By: Mamabear What about the binding lifters/elevators? The makers reckon they give a lot more power and control in your turns - does anyone use them? no, only the carvers. Freestyle boards are made to flex, and big plates under your bindings prevent that. They are more suited to alpine. Which is suited to strictly hardpack. So if thats all you do, then try 'em out. Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 Ahhhh!!!!! Thanks Oyuki kigan. Why oh why dont they say this on the websites. I know they are trying to sell them, but pointing out the area's that they are most useful for would be good for business. Link to post Share on other sites
Oyuki kigan 0 Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 Originally Posted By: Mamabear The makers reckon they give a lot more power and control in your turns The only time you really need that much more power and control (over a normal set-up) is if you are banging gates or really, really trying to carve hard. Same with stiff boots. They give you more support for more aggressive riding, but also (as others have pointed out) are not forgiving when you fall, and your leg tweaks more at the knee because your ankle won't bend. I prefer slightly softer boots myself, i din't give up skiing so i could go back to walking like Frankenstien in the cafeteria. Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 Originally Posted By: Oyuki kigan ... i din't give up skiing so i could go back to walking like Frankenstien in the cafeteria. I hear ya! Link to post Share on other sites
Ezorisu 0 Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 After several off-the-hook non-stop-powder days, I still walk like Frankenstein, even with the Boa's popped! It's not always just the boots! Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts