WTR Boots

I'm just going to post this because there seems to be a lot of confusion (in general) about WTR and its benefits.

For starters, there are 2 actual sole norms in the ski boot industry: ISO 5355 (alpine norm) and ISO 9523 (the touring norm).

The alpine norm has very strict dimensions, geometries, hardnesses, radii, etc. for the toe & heel in order to work with alpine bindings. The upside is a very consistent release from the binding but the downside is that the soles have very little traction and they don't walk very easily.

The touring norm has specific dimensions, but less strict than the alpine norm. These dimensions dictate the geometry of the toe & heel (height, width, rocker) but allow for a rubber to be integrated into the design with very few restrictions. The upside is a boot that offers great traction and walkability, but they lack the consistent release offered by the alpine norm.

WTR is a combination of the two, and is labeled ISO 9523 (touring norm). It has the geometry of the touring norm so it offers great traction & walkability but with plastic AFDs in the toe & heel to offer the safe release found in the alpine norm (it is approved by the safety testing organization TÜV). The plastic AFDs engage the binding the same way that an alpine binding would, so the power transfer is the same.
 
13637948:DowsesWax said:
Is it worth getting a pair when I get new boots or should I just stick with alpine?
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If you want more traction, easier walking, and just as safe of a release as an alpine binding (when combined with a WTR compatible binding) then go for it. But again, your binding has to be compatible with the WTR sole and not all bindings are.

What binding are you or will you be using?

13638962:charmander said:
are you going to be touring?

if not, then get alpine soles for more consistent release.
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Just to be clear, a WTR sole is just as safe and consistent in its release as an alpine binding is when that WTR sole is combined with a binding that accepts it.
 
13641316:onenerdykid said:
If you want more traction, easier walking, and just as safe of a release as an alpine binding (when combined with a WTR compatible binding) then go for it. But again, your binding has to be compatible with the WTR sole and not all bindings are.

What binding are you or will you be using?

Just to be clear, a WTR sole is just as safe and consistent in its release as an alpine binding is when that WTR sole is combined with a binding that accepts it.
Click to expand...

Both my skis have the Dual FKS/Pivot WTR compatible bindings. I'm going to get a pair of boots at the end of this season or next season and I was wondering if I should just get WTR boots since my bindings are compatible. A lot of WTR boots have walk mode buckles in the back which I thought may reduce downhill performance.
 
13641755:DowsesWax said:
Both my skis have the Dual FKS/Pivot WTR compatible bindings. I'm going to get a pair of boots at the end of this season or next season and I was wondering if I should just get WTR boots since my bindings are compatible. A lot of WTR boots have walk mode buckles in the back which I thought may reduce downhill performance.
Click to expand...

Almost all Atomic and Salomon boots that have replaceable grip pads can be equipped with WTR grip pads. That goes for fixed cuff boots as well as walk mode boots. So if you buy a fixed cuff boot like the Atomic Hawx or Salomon X-Pro boot, there are aftermarket WTR grip pads you can get.
 
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