How long do full tilts last; Classics?

[qazwsxedc34]

How long and when should someone buy and get fitted in a new pair. I have FT classics. I purchased them in November of 2012 and skied them 4 1/2 seasons. The shell feels soft laterally.

 

[onenerdykid]

Generally speaking, ski boots tend to last about 150-200 days of skiing and it can increase/decrease given the materials used in the boot and how you have cared/not cared for the boots themselves.

Certain plastics, such as polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE) will get beat up/scratched more easily and lose their performance characteristics sooner. These plastics are cheaper and are used in lower end ski boots, but you will find them (surprisingly) on some higher end boots, mostly because the company wants to save money.

Other plastics such as polyurethane (PU) or polyamide (PA) (such as Grilamid) will be much more durable and retain their performance characteristics longer. These plastics are far more expensive and are used only in mid to high end boots.

If you keep your liners in your shell after skiing or throw your boots into your car or keep them in your car after skiing, don't lift your feet while walking, etc. it will definitely decrease the life of your boots.

If you lift your feet while walking, bring your boots inside after skiing, remove the liners from the shells, remove dirt/debris from them, keep the shells buckled, and stored in a dry, warm place it will maximize the life of your boots.

 

[onenerdykid]

Forgot to add: the first thing to usually die is the liner. It just becomes packed out beyond revival, and you will lose your fit and warmth. This is generally the first sign that you need new boots or at least need a new liner.

 

[qazwsxedc34]

Forgot to add: the first thing to usually die is the liner. It just becomes packed out beyond revival, and you will lose your fit and warmth. This is generally the first sign that you need new boots or at least need a new liner.

Thanks, yea I purchased new Pro-liners from FT for the classics two years ago but skied them less than 20 times. The problem with my fulltilts is no matter how tight I have them and with booster straps laterally and the tongues feel soft. For instance if I'm going over bumps it feels as if my legs just push through the entirety of the FT tongues, there's like a floppiness to them that makes them hard to control at speed or if going over bumps. Now these are 6 flexes and I tried 8 which is slightly better but still not great.

When hand flexing the tongues they feel stiff as fuck but this doesn't seem to be the case when I'm skiing. Maybe they're stiff and I just think they're soft? idk

 

[onenerdykid]

Thanks, yea I purchased new Pro-liners from FT for the classics two years ago but skied them less than 20 times. The problem with my fulltilts is no matter how tight I have them and with booster straps laterally and the tongues feel soft. For instance if I'm going over bumps it feels as if my legs just push through the entirety of the FT tongues, there's like a floppiness to them that makes them hard to control at speed or if going over bumps. Now these are 6 flexes and I tried 8 which is slightly better but still not great.

When hand flexing the tongues they feel stiff as fuck but this doesn't seem to be the case when I'm skiing. Maybe they're stiff and I just think they're soft? idk

Each brand has boots that flex and feel differently. Some are more linear in their flex pattern, some are more progressive. From what you've said, it sounds like you might benefit from a boot with a more progressive flex pattern. It could be a different Full Tilt, or a different brand entirely, but something with a more solid feel and progressive flex.

 

[schusson]

Each brand has boots that flex and feel differently. Some are more linear in their flex pattern, some are more progressive. From what you've said, it sounds like you might benefit from a boot with a more progressive flex pattern. It could be a different Full Tilt, or a different brand entirely, but something with a more solid feel and progressive flex.

So much this. I bought some Drop Kicks for when I skied park and used them twice. I hated it, I flexed them out on every turn and felt like I was going to blow my ankle out. I ended up in a pair of Dalbello Krypton Pro's, by far my favorite boot ever. Stiff enough to drive my K2 Powabunga's on East Coast hardpack(ice) and forgiving for when you send it to the thug zone or gucci plateau. Easily has some of the best heel retention I have ever skied in. I haven't used the soft tongues yet but I can imagine those would be great for park laps.