Park skiing without park boots a big deal?

A

ArseneFox

Member
Went to a local ski store. He ordered the HEAD Cube 3 13 boots and began costumizing it to my feet, meanwhile a couple of costumizations has been done, like stretching the shell, adding implants on top of the liners, basicly making it fit wider and flatter. (I went there a couple of times alread.)

The first time I went there I asked for a shoe with a flex around 90, and the cube's got that, what is kind of parky. But it isnt classified as flex so thats a good thing. But it's not classified as a park boot and doesn't have all the other specific park boot features like shock absorbers. The question is, will it suck for me hitting the big kickers in these normal ski boots without shock absorbers, etc? Have you experienced park skiing in normal boots and park boots, and did it make a big difference for you? Did the guys in the early 2000 have park specific boots or did those pros also had to pull all those big airs with normal ski boots?

cheers
 
Buy the boots that fit, if they fit they will work the best for you in the park, park is all to do with the fit, and not a lot to do with the features, you'll be fine, enjoy your new boots!
 
I agree with the first two posts. It is important to get a good boot that fits. It sounds like the flex is in a good range for you. You have the two most important areas covered. I also like how upright the forward lean is on a lot of park boots, but that is a personal thing and also something that you could probably adjust anyway. Enjoy your new boots!
 
My friends hate on me for not wearing full tilts, but I kill it in salomons. These fit perfect.

Do you think Glen Plake has ever worn full tilts? Because dropping cliff is a much bigger impact than man-made landings.

318798_318798_1
 
Unless you have a lot of money,don't go out buying 600 $ boots. especially if you are still growing. i would say by a liner that is soft that will help prevent shinbang.
 
13380279:Dobber said:
Do you think Glen Plake has ever worn full tilts? Because dropping cliff is a much bigger impact than man-made landings.
Click to expand...

I want you to think about what you just said...

Tons of freestyle skiers used the Raichle flexons (what full tilts used to be known by before they went under and were bought out/renamed) in the 80's, and swore by them. This includes glen plake and Seth Morrison (who actually would go to theift stores/ski swaps/etc when they were discontinued to get parts so he could make his remaining pairs last as long as possible). Plus Seth is still sponsored by full tilt, and to my knowledge plake still uses full tilts as well

13380282:Dilch said:
Unless you have a lot of money,don't go out buying 600 $ boots. especially if you are still growing. i would say by a liner that is soft that will help prevent shinbang.
Click to expand...

Boots are the most important part of gear. Spend as much as you can then cut costs on skis. Seriously, if your boots suck you will always have issues and that's not fun. Fitted boots and good footbeds make a world of difference
 
I used racing boots up until this year. I never raced they were just cheap and I didn't know much about boots.
 
I have friends that shred in race boots. Long as the boot fits well it doesnt really matter that much, they will work.
 
It shouldn't be big deal.

For me comfort and confidence are what can help - at the moment I'm riding Vulcan TF's everywhere as they seem to have been made specifically for my feet (comfort) - and have been utterly Godzilla like when dropping BC and in pow (confidence) - I forced them into griffions on my park skis and have been so much better than the old Atomics I used to wear so they have become my all round booty.
 
Boots are expensive. And just like skis you need the ski that fits you not the one that is discipline specific. I have friends who kill it in rails without twin tips or on things like hellbents. They don't need to buy filthy riches to be good. Use what is comfortable for you and what will work. Don't go buy full tilts just cuz your park skiing...unless they're comfortable and work then go for it. Whatever fits your needs is what's best.
 
13380353:OzzyJ said:
I used racing boots up until this year. I never raced they were just cheap and I didn't know much about boots.
Click to expand...

you can get good comfortable boots for a good price. I'm just saying why buy a pair that is 600 when you could get a very similar in comfort pair for 300. i bout a pair of used boot for 50$ at the beginning of this season and they are the best boots I've eve had.
 
I ski and coach freeride skiing 42 days and year and I have been skiing park for 10 years. I Salomon racing boots. I hate park boots.
 
A park specific boot is a marketing ploy for companies to sell there boots for more money, you will ski way better in a boot that fits with a custom foot bed vs a boot that doesn't fit that smashes your feet, ankles and shins to pieces even though it has all the features.
 
Pick a good fitting race or all mountain boot over a poor fitting park boot.

I park and freeride in Lange RS130's which are race boots and have no problems because they fit.
 
Could a park boot be the right boot for you? Sure. It just depends on if it is the right fit, flex, and geometry for you. And as others here have already mentioned, pick the best boot for you regardless of its marketed purpose. Quite often the best boot is a race or all mountain boot.

Case in point, check out Keefer (wearing a Hawx 2.0 110) and Jossi (wearing a Redster Pro 130):

11098487_338306103035165_927125359_n.jpg


Two of the most stylish skiers in the game not wearing park boots. These boots fit them the best, so that's why they wear them.
 
13380494:Snowzilla said:
It shouldn't be big deal.

For me comfort and confidence are what can help - at the moment I'm riding Vulcan TF's everywhere as they seem to have been made specifically for my feet (comfort) - and have been utterly Godzilla like when dropping BC and in pow (confidence) - I forced them into griffions on my park skis and have been so much better than the old Atomics I used to wear so they have become my all round booty.
Click to expand...

No, have you any idea how stupid forcing an AT boot into an alpine binding is? You loose any semblance of DIN certified release. Alpine bindings just aren't desinged to work with at soles. If you want to ride Vulcans in normal blindings, get wardens, or a binding designed to work with AT soles.

Think about your own safety bro.
 
13383172:BlackcountryBill said:
No, have you any idea how stupid forcing an AT boot into an alpine binding is? You loose any semblance of DIN certified release. Alpine bindings just aren't desinged to work with at soles. If you want to ride Vulcans in normal blindings, get wardens, or a binding designed to work with AT soles.

Think about your own safety bro.
Click to expand...

For sure, it was just the once to see how they felt anyway.
 
13380342:Blake.P said:
Seriously, if your boots suck you will always have issues and that's not fun. Fitted boots and good footbeds make a world of difference
Click to expand...

I spent a few seasons skiing on boots that didn't fit well, it sucked. Really can ruin a good day.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top