boots

[bolt_clipper]

What a light, moderately warm, but well-climbing plastic boot? I am looking for something for general ice climbing and snow routes. I am leaning towards Scarpa Alpha shells with Intuition liners. I have huge feet, so weight is a moderately large factor.

[Lambone]

Hey, I like my Lowa Civettas alot. Super warm and climb well. And the liners have rubber on the bottom, so you can wear them as camp shoes, way cool.

 

I'm selling them because I only end up wearing them once or twice a year, and I'd like some sporty type ice boots.

 

The most important thing is to be sure that you're heel doesn't slip up, or that your toes dont bang the front while kicking your frontpoints.

 

The Richle (sp?) themoflex moldable liners are awsome, warm and about half the weight of normal liners. You can get them for about 100$ at most ski shops. Make sure the guy/gal who fits you knows what they are doing.

[Off_White]

This is not what you're looking for, but I noticed a good deal and thought I'd throw it out here. As a 3 season Cascade leather boot I have a pair of Sportiva Trango's, lightweight stiff leather single boots. Of course, the most charming thing about them is that they fit my foot, but I've been most pleased. They have a solid block of rubber in the edging sweet spot, but not quite enough lip on the front for a set of clip on crampons. The deal is that they were discontinued, and Sierra Trading Post has them for cheap. Last time I looked at a catalog they had a number of decent climbing items, including straight shaft Black Prophets & some other seasonal goodies.

[cj001f]

quote:

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Originally posted by bolt clipper:

What a light, moderately warm, but well-climbing plastic boot? I am looking for something for general ice climbing and snow routes. I am leaning towards Scarpa Alpha shells with Intuition liners. I have huge feet, so weight is a moderately large factor.

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For what it's the shells on the Alpha are a bit "fragile". A partner of mine tripped while wearing crampons and put a hole through the shell.

[icegirl]

both the koflach and the Lowa are great.

 

It will depend on how they fit your foot. Lowa makes a good skinny foot book, Koflach seem better for wider feet.

 

I second Lambone's comments about the Lowa Civetta's.

 

Double boots = warm feet.

[Cpt.Caveman]

quote:

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Originally posted by bolt clipper:

What a light, moderately warm, but well-climbing plastic boot? I am looking for something for general ice climbing and snow routes. I am leaning towards Scarpa Alpha shells with Intuition liners. I have huge feet, so weight is a moderately large factor.

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The real question I would ask back is if you plan to use them for 3 season or 4 season? ON top of that I would also ask the definition of general ice and snow?

 

[ 11-18-2002, 02:43 PM: Message edited by: Cpt.Caveman ]

[bolt_clipper]

How about water ice, winter climbs, summer volcanoes, moderate alpine stuff.

[Cpt.Caveman]

Well then all brands of plastics. Mostly the ones that fit your foot best. I DO like the alphas but the shell seems weak and prone to wear and tear easily. Thinking about returning mine to REI since they are so weak honeslty. Once I puncture it I will. It's sort of a wait until it happens deal. That said my next choice will be the Koflach brand most likely.

[icegirl]

Sounds like you need a good pair of leathers, and a good pair of plastics.

 

that seems like a high order for any one boot.

[Cpt.Caveman]

quote:

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Originally posted by icegirl:

Sounds like you need a good pair of leathers, and a good pair of plastics.

 

that seems like a high order for any one boot.

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I agree but some may not. My partner MikeO wears leather or some kind of form from La Sportiva that he swears by. But he's also old skool and tougher than nails.

[jordop]

wassup with those boreal G3 double leathers, looks like they could do double duty this winter. Anybody used 'em?

[eric8]

I was wondering if you could french in the koflach verticals. I have woren the artic expis once and i couldn't french in them. If you can't french in a boot i would think it would probably rule it out of the volcano and moderate alpine ice stuff, unless you have calves of steel. Right?

Caveman those la sportivas your friend uses for everything are they the trango extremes?

[Beck]

no go on the double leather boots, all of the advantages of leather, light weight, closer fit, abrasion resistance, etc'-are redundant once you go into a double boot-

Lots of the newer insulated leather boots are plenty warm enough for Rainier winter, and not tooo toasty during the summer volcano thing

 

I've not frenched in koflachs, I'd bet it's pretty tough. The Lowa civettas are more traditional mountain boot dimensioned, and would perform better there. Asolo plastic boots, have a more traditional, no hinge, plastic shell with a lower cut, that has an even more mountain boot dimensions,and go pied a plat, or pied assis quite well.

 

And please, please DON'T order boots online or mail order, particularily from "closeout" houses. They often have limited size runs available, and once you go thru and return an ill fitting boot, they may not have the right size for you, also each maker's boots fit diff (and ya'll know THAT already). AND, the troubles of European boots/gear not warrantible in this country.

 

Don't forget upgrading the factory footbeds with a good insole.

[Fence_Sitter]

if yuo want a plastic boot that's french-technique frendly...there is the koflach degrees ...but they aren't that warm...bu they do have nice ankle mobility...jsut depends on how warm of a boot you want...

[Figger_Eight]

I can french in my Arctis Exped's fine...and they aren't so shabby at frontpointing either. You really have to crank the laces. They weren't as good as my old Scarpa plastics, though.

[bolt_clipper]

Degres are WAY too soft for ice tho. I wore them on Baker and the headwall (35 degrees? snow) was taxing. Does anyone have experience w/thermoformable liners? Can you reduce the volume of the liners easily? And how much $$ are custom-made liners?

[Fence_Sitter]

seriously? i have done everythign in tehm in teh cold....waterfalls, 30 deg. 45 deg, 50, 60 hell ever river walking (ala golden ears in march)...guess it is jsut a preference thing...i think they are teh shit caseu they are so light...

[bolt_clipper]

Weird, I thought the Degres sucked. Do you use the standard liners with them? I thought that the problem was that the liners are too soft.

[Skisports]

Degrees for ice do suck for most NW climbers they don't climb anything over 45degrees.

I used Degrees when I guide because they are easy on my feet but I find that I go there 3 pairs of liners in a year= the break down fast. This year I switched to vegas to guide in I was able to use the same liner all year long but I will have to replace the liner this year. I also use the vegas to ice climb in and they do great But I the alpha Ices are better for ice climbing but are colder.

[bolt_clipper]

How about Koflach Verticals w/intuition liners?