Barry Wicks optimizing his boot and ski pairing.
Our Gear Editor Gavin Hess has some thoughts on pairing touring skis and boots…all prompted by some excellent questions from a reader.
Just deciding what boot works best for you can be a can of worms. Add in skis, and the pairing dance becomes a more complicated yet finely choreographed affair.
Slim’s questions begin with a query about boot pairings and ski widths and extend into the variable of ski length. And, of course, there’s skier ability, conditions, preferred ski style, and so on. Gavin breaks it down on the podcast; hopefully, we provide some insight.
If you have specific questions regarding the information (and opinions) presented in the podcast, you can comment on the website or email us on The High Route’s contact page (editor@the-high-route.com).
Thanks for listening.
The theme music for The High Route Podcast comes from Storms in the Hill Country and the album The Self Transforming (Thank you, Jens Langsjoen). You can find a link to the album here—there are so many good songs on this album. And if you think you’ve spotted a UFO in the past or visited the 7th dimension, “Beautiful Alien” is a good tune to begin with.
First off: Wow! Thanks for the speedy and thorough discussion of my questions. I hope it is interesting or useful for others as well.
The consideration of mount point/ski shape is interesting. It makes sense but I had never really thought about it, except briefly when reading the descriptions of the Heritage Labs skis, where Marshall explicitly names some shapes (NOT widths) as suited to a centered stance and lighter boot.
Indeed, I am 6’5” and over 180 lbs, so definitely on the bigger size of the bell curve and therefor use the longer lengths of skis. But, I figure there are even more people using the smaller lengths for whom this is equally relevant.
In that vein, I think Gavin’s comment about him and Morgan taking the same size skis on a trip, but with different boots, was very interesting.
Thank you for pointing out the importance of progressive flex. This was something I had not considered, but the way you explain it Gavin, it makes a lot of sense.
Where the limitations of my ski-boot-skill pairing became obvious was last March, in Switzerland.
I was using the Backland Carbon and Wayback 98s in 186cm. The snow was highly variable on many days, and often on the wetter, heavier side, with some crusts too.
Was it just lack of skill to ski in difficult snow? Certainly a factor, but the terrain was mellow, and I feel like I would have been ok on my resort gear. I did find out later that the cuff pivots had developed play, and the liner was getting packed out, so the boots had lost some of their original performance.
Before you folks started mentioning it, I had never really considered a 2 boot quiver. But, thinking about it, I still think I will stick with just one pair.
Even on my Backland 85 UL’s I figure I like a bit more support and control, since those are maybe skied in more consequential terrain, and in spring on big verticals, where you will hit slush and mank on the lower exits.
And for my mid-width, do-it-all skis I definitely like a bit more boot, since those might be used on multi day trips where you have a big pack and don’t know the conditions. At the same time, I just can’t stomach skinning and booting in a 4 buckle boot like the Zero G Tour for a long trip. (I tried them for a season). So, middle ground boots it is for me.
The Skorpius II seem to be exactly the small improvement in ski performance I was looking for, and indeed, the shell is about 100 grams heavier than the Backlands. I do wish they had a Z cable instead of a Boa on the forefoot. Walking is really only restricted at the far forward end of range of motion, where you feel the tongue. People with less ankle range of motion than me might not even notice.
The other, and even taller boot, I was looking at was the Head Crux Pro, but it never came in stock at our supplier.
Thanks again,
Slim
I put my foot in a Crux Pro boot recently. Not for me. Felt narrow in the toebox with a roomy heel and high instep. But I have a low instep, low volume heel. So might be tolerable if you’ve got an average volume-or larger-foot. Especially if your foot gets along well with the Gen 2 Skorpius. They forced me to retreat to the Gen 1 version, too high volume now…
great discussion indeed
Thanks for diving into these nuances, I really enjoy these types of discussions! It helps to know the height and weight and ski style of the testers. I like learning about your favorite setups as well as what skis and boots they *didn’t* like in certain conditions. There are so many options now, it’s overwhelming.
I’ve been searching for the best setup for Maritime snow while trying to avoid a knee replacement. But being a recovering weight weenie it’s been challenging to find a light-ish boot that offers some sort of suspension to avoid the jarring wall-like “flex” inducing pain of boots like the F1LT.
Also finding sub-1700g skis in the 104+ waist that are not pingy carbon chattery sticks, and not so forward mounted their tips dive in powder. I’ve come to realize I like more tail rocker but not twin tips that make kick turning or sticking them in snow a PITA.
Anyways, i hope you do more gear geeky podcasts!
I know it’s a “boring” choice, but you’d probably get along well with the Navis Freebird. That’s about the weight and waist you’re looking for. My daily is a Deathwish tour 104 for the PNW hot trash, but have found myself happily surprised by the nimbleness and liveliness of the Navis. Must be all that taper.
Really enjoyed this ep.
Gavin’s take home point that you usually wont regret a heavier boot on the downhill so most of this work is trying to find that right balance for more enjoyment of the day (especially when youre rewarded for your choice) resonated with me. Though it feels extra good when you go light and get it right.
The idea of more directional skis being difficult to drive with lighter boots because of the need for the forward pressure I hadnt thought of but makes sense and something Ive recently experienced pairing a dynafit DNA with magico2s which I found demanding (though experimenting whether less ramp angle can compensate a bit).
Lastly, thought it was interesting how you size your skis for more ski mountaineering (something I focus a bit too much on narrower waist width and slightly heavier weight). With more skis would be nice to have that wider shorter ski for this purpose.
Wonder how introducing the binding into the equation (mainly with regards to ramp angle) and boot lean figures into things; whether this is just a personal preference or if there are “optimal” choices for certain conditions.
Looking forward to the follow up ep!