Scarpa Alpha questions...

[Chad_A]

Well, on closeout, I just picked up a pair of Scarpa Alphas, non-thermomoldable style.

 

Historically, I've had a hard time wearing any plastics around the shop (shin bang, etc), so the fact that I was able to wear these up to Illumination Saddle on Hood today was a complete victory.

 

Still, my heels hurt a lot, and it took me a while to dial in the lacing correctly. The Upper ankle of the boot is much stiffer than my comfortable leather boots; it causes a levering effect ( ankle flexes forward, comes up against the front of the ankle support at the top lace area, and levers the heel/achilles area back into the heel of the boot= heel pain). Note that, fortunately, the sizing of the boots are appropriate, and the heel doesn't slip up at all. I'm considering the Intuition liners for the future...maybe the velcro doesn't need to be tight at all? The Intuitions don't have anything fastening the top of the liner.

 

So, what should I expect? Will the upper boot break in at all, and flex easier? Or will I have to run the laces looser on the upper boot, and risk less lateral ankle support because of it? One thing that I did find is it helped the ankle flex if I didn't overtighten the velcro tab at the top of the inner boot.

 

I'm happy to hear input, but please spray elsewhere. Thanks in advance, and happy holidays to y'all.

[John Frieh]

Don't lace the cuff tight (if not at all) when walking/hiking. A tight cuff is for locking the heel place in and supporting the calf on steep ice... not walking/hiking. Their is no real reason to tighten the laces above the cross over eyelet when walking. Always snug the liner though.

 

What will help is mastering the "Frankenstein walk". It's easier to demonstrate in person that describe but the concept behind it is to swing your feet and hips so that your foot isn't flexing inside the boot. Basically you will walk like a duck... insides facing forward. I can show you sometime.

[Chad_A]

Well, I'll be damned. A whole 'nother way to walk, for a whole 'nother type of boot. Go figure!

 

Thanks, John, I'll have to continue with experimentation.

 

By the way, if the heel isn't locked in tight, is it okay for it to slip a bit? I suppose it wouldn't hurt as much, because it'd be the inner boot slipping inside the outer boot, instead of my actual heel slipping inside the boot...

[John Frieh]

Up to an inch of slippage for the heel is fine.

 

If you lace how I described it will feel like you are slipping more then an inch but what is happening *if* you make sure to lace your inner boot snug (don't go too tight or you will risk limiting circulation on the tops of your feet resulting in colder feet) is the liner will slip inside the shell slightly (i.e. it will move with your foot so your foot/heel is protected) so walking is comfortable but your heel isn't slipping more than an inch. More than inch is generally blister country unless you have leather callouses...

 

One key word of advice: lace your boot tight when you get to the technical terrain. Treat this like double backing your harness... I've seen people forget to do so and basically pull their liner out of their shell leading technical terrain.

[John Frieh]

Well, I'll be damned. A whole 'nother way to walk, for a whole 'nother type of boot. Go figure!

 

After you master that you can start working on the advanced levitation style walking.

[Chad_A]

Cool- I imagine by technical terrain, it'd have to be hard, frontpointing type of action. It sounds like it'll be fine to wear a bit loose on 50 degree, good step-kickin' terrain.

[goatboy]

If you find Intuition Liners on sale, let me know -- I have Scarpa Alphas and love them, but am due for a new liner sooner than later. . .

[Chad_A]

Will do