Nordica Ace 3-star?

[grilled_steeze]

I've been skiing in a Full Tilt descendant 6 for a season and they're really comfy but I feel like my foot is swimming in them, and the 6 flex tongue is too soft (might swap for a 8 or 10 flex). Im also on my 2nd set of tongues because of the rivet issue they had and I don't really feel like e-mailing them to warranty a new set every month.

I was wondering how a Nordica Ace 3-star would compare. I know its a little narrower, but some help from anyone who has skied in them would be great. I think the 130/stiffer flex would be a little better for me since I spend most of my time on steeps or in the woods.

 

[..=]

I've skied them for around 6 years now. Great boots, when fitted properly they feel amazing. Since they're being discontinued however, I've been forced to switch to a different 100mm park oriented boot. I would be getting a new pair after my current ones otherwise

 

[grilled_steeze]

I've skied them for around 6 years now. Great boots, when fitted properly they feel amazing. Since they're being discontinued however, I've been forced to switch to a different 100mm park oriented boot. I would be getting a new pair after my current ones otherwise

What boot did you switch to

 

[..=]

What boot did you switch to

Salomon Ghost FS 100. Haven't skied them yet, but right out of the box they feel very similar to the Ace. Even though they are a softer boot, I liked how they contain most of the features that made the Ace great. I found them to be about as stiff as the First Chair 6's when I tried those on.

They may be too soft if you're really aggressive in the steep terrain however. I ride almost primarily park so I don't really necessarily need a super stiff flex moving forward, but others likely prefer differently

 

[grilled_steeze]

Salomon Ghost FS 100. Haven't skied them yet, but right out of the box they feel very similar to the Ace. Even though they are a softer boot, I liked how they contain most of the features that made the Ace great. I found them to be about as stiff as the First Chair 6's when I tried those on.

They may be too soft if you're really aggressive in the steep terrain however. I ride almost primarily park so I don't really necessarily need a super stiff flex moving forward, but others likely prefer differently

Might check those out then. Thanks for the help

 

[BWalmer]

I went from the Tom Wallisch FT (which I upgraded to the #10 tongue and put world-cup booster straps on and still over-flexed) to the Nordica 3-star a few years back. My only complaint was the liner - which I solved by swapping it with the intuition liner from my FTs. The boot is so much more stable and responsive and just as comfortable - not to mention they have real buckles that don't snap in half twice a season. People complain about weight sometimes - but compared to other boots (other than FT) they're not heavy. I used to swear by my FTs, but I just found the 3-star to be a superior boot.

 

[Session]

Fuck, I'm going to miss this series of boot sooo bad when it's time for a new pair.

 

[..=]

Fuck, I'm going to miss this series of boot sooo bad when it's time for a new pair.

I feel you. It was the only boot I used, and after six years it's quite unfortunate to see it go. It would make sense if they had a successor coming out, but instead they dropped this entire portion of the market. Makes very little sense, as a lot of people really liked what the boot had to offer

 

[Kygourz]

If you asking for fit of boots go to a damn bootfitter and even if you are dumb enough to listen to internet advice you don't have enough info to get at least a decent recommendation, at a bootfitter they will look at the shape of your foot such as the size of your instep,heel and last of your foot to see what boot will work best for you foot then they'd also have some sort of way to set you up with footbeds which are important for getting a proper fit. so overall go to a boot fitter rather than drop $700 on a boot that will a) Hurt B) not preform as well and/or C) need money dumped into it for boot work. Plus I'm guessing by the fact that you didn't know what I'm saying you probably aren't experienced enough for a 130 flex unless your very heavy or your knowledge of gear is very far from your actual ski ability.

"but some help from anyone who has skied in them would be great." your foot will fit the boot differently than most people riding them right now so there opinion on how the boot feels will most likely not apply to how you like it.

P.S. sorry to rant at you so hard I just don't want you wasting that much money on a purchase that wont get you whats best for you.

 

[grilled_steeze]

If you asking for fit of boots go to a damn bootfitter and even if you are dumb enough to listen to internet advice you don't have enough info to get at least a decent recommendation, at a bootfitter they will look at the shape of your foot such as the size of your instep,heel and last of your foot to see what boot will work best for you foot then they'd also have some sort of way to set you up with footbeds which are important for getting a proper fit. so overall go to a boot fitter rather than drop $700 on a boot that will a) Hurt B) not preform as well and/or C) need money dumped into it for boot work. Plus I'm guessing by the fact that you didn't know what I'm saying you probably aren't experienced enough for a 130 flex unless your very heavy or your knowledge of gear is very far from your actual ski ability.

"but some help from anyone who has skied in them would be great." your foot will fit the boot differently than most people riding them right now so there opinion on how the boot feels will most likely not apply to how you like it.

P.S. sorry to rant at you so hard I just don't want you wasting that much money on a purchase that wont get you whats best for you.

I was just wondering about other peoples experience with the boot, so chill for a minute.

I'm well aware that a boot fits differently for everyone. Ive been skiing my entire life. My father was a ski school director for 8 years and an instructor for 30. He's also been a representative for several companies, including Nordica. My parents met working at my local hill. I wouldn't exist if it weren't for skiing. Not trying to be a dick and show off, and most of this has no direct relation to buying a boot, but I think I've made my point that I know what I'm doing. Ive been taught well.

 

[PacificRimJob]

I feel you. It was the only boot I used, and after six years it's quite unfortunate to see it go. It would make sense if they had a successor coming out, but instead they dropped this entire portion of the market. Makes very little sense, as a lot of people really liked what the boot had to offer

Reason being - it didn't fit SO many people, and it was generally ugly as sin.

Nordica brought these and the Hell&Back series boots out in some weird effort to appeal to the market rather than give the market a good boot. The 3 buckle design was an attempt to curb the trend that guys were jumping into FT's and Kryptons Left and right, and offer another option. Too bad the liners were crap, and the rebound in turns was mediocre.

Were they easy to get into? hell yeah, but they should have been marketed as a cheap beginner/intermediate boot to offer old people with shit dorsalflexion, rather than as one for advanced skiers.

The geometry wasn't ever really right and the way they flexed is wrong. Sure, they fit on lots of you guys, but man were they a bitch to work on if they didn't do well out of the box. Sianara ace of spades boots... Nordica is smart for going back to the speed machine (which fits like a classic nordica should... now they just need to bring back the beast and kick that NXT/NRG boot back to the clunker pile)

 

[Park.]

Reason being - it didn't fit SO many people, and it was generally ugly as sin.

Nordica brought these and the Hell&Back series boots out in some weird effort to appeal to the market rather than give the market a good boot. The 3 buckle design was an attempt to curb the trend that guys were jumping into FT's and Kryptons Left and right, and offer another option. Too bad the liners were crap, and the rebound in turns was mediocre.

Were they easy to get into? hell yeah, but they should have been marketed as a cheap beginner/intermediate boot to offer old people with shit dorsalflexion, rather than as one for advanced skiers.

The geometry wasn't ever really right and the way they flexed is wrong. Sure, they fit on lots of you guys, but man were they a bitch to work on if they didn't do well out of the box. Sianara ace of spades boots... Nordica is smart for going back to the speed machine (which fits like a classic nordica should... now they just need to bring back the beast and kick that NXT/NRG boot back to the clunker pile)

I can honestly say that after skiing in every boots minus Dalbello's, Fischers, and Technica's, Ace 3 stars are a quality boot that I have loved. they perform very well. Addressing the rebound, I will agree with that, and the liners are very underwhelming, and they do have a very limited forward flex because of that 45 degree buckle, but as far as skiing aggressively with a "park" style and in the park, Nordica honestly did a great job. They are by no means comparable to a race boot like what you are trying to do, but they were never really made to compare to them in the first place, so why do that?

OP, these boots are my favorite boots I've ever used. I can't rock overlap boots because of some anatomical foot issues and these boots have given me a killer boot except for the shit liners. If you find a pair in a 26.5 I will buy them off of you.

 

[Kygourz]

I was just wondering about other peoples experience with the boot, so chill for a minute.

I'm well aware that a boot fits differently for everyone. Ive been skiing my entire life. My father was a ski school director for 8 years and an instructor for 30. He's also been a representative for several companies, including Nordica. My parents met working at my local hill. I wouldn't exist if it weren't for skiing. Not trying to be a dick and show off, and most of this has no direct relation to buying a boot, but I think I've made my point that I know what I'm doing. Ive been taught well.

If your taught so well why isn't trying the boot on your first step when looking for new boots

 

[grilled_steeze]

If your taught so well why isn't trying the boot on your first step when looking for new boots

Because they aren't on the shelves anymore. I wanted to see if they were a decent boot and worth driving over an hour north to try them on at another shop that had a couple pairs left in stock.

 

[PacificRimJob]

They are by no means comparable to a race boot like what you are trying to do, but they were never really made to compare to them in the first place, so why do that?

Because for a time, they cost nearly the same.

 

[Park.]

we both know that price alone doesnt warrant a comparison for disciplines. I know you aren't a fan of them, but they are still a solid boot if they work for your needs.