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There's a new ski boot in the land - Dodge. Thoughts?

#1
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11/8/09 at 8:37pm
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Check out this new boot out of carbon fiber and made by Dodge Ski Boots in Vermont.


Quote From: http://www.dodgeskiboots.com

Dodge Ski Boots was founded on a simple, yet bold idea:  Let's make the best ski boot possible.
 

As longtime ski racers, we've experienced first-hand many of skiing's innovations and been frustrated that today's boot technology hasn't kept pace with ski and binding technology. 
 

We also have spent many years in product development and marketing working for companies large and small and seen how many terrific ideas get quashed by too many under-informed managers and uninspired designers.
 

So, in early 2009 when "the stars aligned," Dodge Ski Boots was born, giving us the opportunity to follow our passion, our gut and our experience, without compromise.  A good friend and mentor of ours said early on that we should concentrate on making the best boot possible and "don't be fashion."  So you won't see us with glitzy ads or colors or anything else.  We just concentrate on the boot.
 

We’re located in a barn in Vermont with a great view of Mount Mansfield … a terrific inspiration, but also a distraction if the snow looks good and the sun is shining!  It does make it easy for us to quickly try out our newest ideas and concepts aimed at bringing you the best boot possible.

All photos from www.dodgeskiboots.com







Some interesting aspects to the carbon fiber shell:
Quote From: www.dodgeskiboots.com

Sizing

            The Dodge Ski Boot should be sized so you have sufficient toe room, as it is not possible to stretch the toe box.

 

Stretching
            Heating and stretching must only be done by DODGE-certified boot fitters using approved equipment.  The composite materials are very sensitive to how they are heated and stretched.


Canting

            The DODGE Ski Boot sole is made with 4mm of extra thickness to allow for canting and delta-angle adjustment (lateral canting and fore/aft ramp angle.)  The sole MUST be trimmed to ISO specs before use to ensure binding compatibility.

 

Ramp Angle
             Most boots use a "boot board" under the liner to fill the spaces left in the shell needed for injection molding.  It is convenient to grind this "filler" to change the ramp angle (or angle of attack) under the foot.  But, most boot boards fit pretty loosely and don't transmit your power efficiently to the ski.  The DODGE does not use a boot board, so there is no "slop" between the sole of your foot and the sole of the boot.  For this reason, changing "ramp angle" on the DODGE is done by grinding the sole.
 

Cuff alignment

            The DODGE Ski Boot can be sole canted and cuff aligned with fixed bushings so once it’s set, it will never come out of adjustment.  Your boot fitter will help you.


How rare is this - a new boot company! Pretty exciting!

website: http://www.dodgeskiboots.com

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#2
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11/8/09 at 8:49pm
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 Two new boot companies for this year, Dodge & Hanson. What is with the shark fin on the front? 
Click. Point. Chute.  
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#3
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11/8/09 at 8:55pm
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Shark fin - maybe protect the boot from the gate?
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#4
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11/9/09 at 5:55am
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That boot better fit geat and ski great because aesthetically it's challenged!
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#5
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11/9/09 at 6:25am
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Humpback whale on the back, and shark fin on the front.  It's a hybrid, eh?

Carbon fiber - sounds 'spensive, Lucy. 

How is Hanson a new boot company?
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#6
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11/9/09 at 6:36am
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I like that the boot is held together with nits & bolts and not rivets. I would have flipped the lower buckle to put it on the top and not the side. I an interested to see how it will flex. What is the liner, Intuition type? How much can it be customized? I bet it is light being CF. An thoughts on how CF retains heat?
Click. Point. Chute.  
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#7
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11/9/09 at 6:48am
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$1,500 ouch
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#8
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11/9/09 at 7:32am
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 "quote: For this reason, changing "ramp angle" on the DODGE is done by grinding the sole."
This is not correct. External changes of heel to toe angle, also known as delta angle, (grinding the boot sole in this case) is NOT the same as internally changing the ramp angle of the boot board. One will affect fore/aft, (the former) the other (the latter) will affect froe/aft  AS WELL as changing the tib/fib angle relative to the foot (it "opens" or  "closes" the ankle joint). I am not sure I like the fact that it cannot be easily adjusted via stretching and grinding the shell. If you happen to be a skier that fits into the boot with no modifications then I am sure it is a good boot, but it seems like there is very little that can be done to custom fit it.

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#9
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11/9/09 at 8:19am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JDoyal View Post
 I am not sure I like the fact that it cannot be easily adjusted via stretching and grinding the shell.

I strongly suspect that what they mean is 'via conventional stretching', i.e. they don't want to risk delaminations from aggressive overheaters and from multiple heating in one spot.

 anticooler than you

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#10
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11/9/09 at 9:00am
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mmmmmmmmmmmm are there really new innovations in boots after all these years to warrant these two new products, along with the goldman sachs pricing?
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#11
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11/9/09 at 9:41am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kbuzz View Post

mmmmmmmmmmmm are there really new innovations in boots after all these years to warrant these two new products, along with the goldman sachs pricing?

I'm betting that the alleged ease of entry will make a few sales.

 anticooler than you

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#12
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11/9/09 at 9:56am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by comprex View Post




I strongly suspect that what they mean is 'via conventional stretching', i.e. they don't want to risk delaminations from aggressive overheaters and from multiple heating in one spot.
I am 100% certain that is what they mean. My bet is that since they are carbon fiber, the shell is very thin, leaving no room to grind. Even if there was room, grinding on carbon fiber would seriously compromise the boot. I have not worked with the boot, or even seen one so I cannot really pass judgment, but my gut feeling is that they will not suit many skiers. The price alone will leave about 90% of the potential skiers on the bench, then the fact they appear to be hard to work on will leave out all but a few people whose feet, legs and alignment needs fall into place for the particular boot.

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#13
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11/9/09 at 11:05am
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I would love to give the boots a shot and support a local business, but $1500 is just way out of my price range for ski boots.
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#14
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11/9/09 at 11:20am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mdnitedrftr View Post

I would love to give the boots a shot and support a local business, but $1500 is just way out of my price range for ski boots.

What if they were able to mould the CF to your foot, like Bont do with speed skate boots?
http://www.bont.com/custom.htm

 anticooler than you

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#15
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11/9/09 at 11:39am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by comprex View Post




What if they were able to mould the CF to your foot, like Bont do with speed skate boots?
http://www.bont.com/custom.htm
 

Exactly my thought, if you could guarantee a personalised 'perfect' fit, I can imagine quite a few people willing to pay up.
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#16
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11/9/09 at 11:41am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JDoyal View Post



The price alone will leave about 90% of the potential skiers on the bench,

Only 90%?

If you can't ski, do tricks!

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#17
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11/9/09 at 1:01pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JDoyal View Post

 "quote: For this reason, changing "ramp angle" on the DODGE is done by grinding the sole."
This is not correct. External changes of heel to toe angle, also known as delta angle, (grinding the boot sole in this case) is NOT the same as internally changing the ramp angle of the boot board. One will affect fore/aft, (the former) the other (the latter) will affect froe/aft  AS WELL as changing the tib/fib angle relative to the foot (it "opens" or  "closes" the ankle joint).

I am not sure I like the fact that it cannot be easily adjusted via stretching and grinding the shell. If you happen to be a skier that fits into the boot with no modifications then I am sure it is a good boot, but it seems like there is very little that can be done to custom fit it.
Good point about modifying the angle inside the boot.
btw, does Bud's animation here show the ankle opening up? Go to "Fore Aft" button on side,then "ramp"
http://snowind.com/ramp.html

It can be stretched with the special heating equipment - except the toebox apparently. You certainly wouldn't want to just go firing a heatgun at it. My guess is that there are probably heat pads that are placed on the shell to get it to a certain temp, then it's stretched.

The odd shape of the back spine is what makes the boot work - that's the heel canal that enables your foot to get into a stiff boot. Dobie owners take note - no hair dryer needed!

The interesting thing about the carbon fiber is that they say there's not much effect of temperture on the stiffness. So the stiffness in the store is the same as the hill.
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#18
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11/9/09 at 2:09pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by comprex View Post




What if they were able to mould the CF to your foot, like Bont do with speed skate boots?
http://www.bont.com/custom.htm
 
If I had major foot problems or If I were serious into racing, Id be more inclined to pursue that option, but for my level of skiing, my Dalbellos do the job, comfortably, for a third of the price.

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#19
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11/9/09 at 2:55pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Morrison Claystone View Post




Only 90%?
I bet I could sell 8-10 pairs a year if the fit was right for the people interested in buying them. Don't underestimate the amount of wealth in the sport. I have a $5000 heli trip that our shop is putting on with CMH this year, I have 3 signed up so far. Not bad for doing this in what many would argue as the worst possible year to be putting such a trip on.

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#20
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11/9/09 at 2:57pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tog View Post



Good point about modifying the angle inside the boot.
btw, does Bud's animation here show the ankle opening up? Go to "Fore Aft" button on side,then "ramp"
http://snowind.com/ramp.html

I

Yes Buds vid is a perfect example of what I am talking about. If you click on ramp, then delta you will get a very good idea of how the two differ.

http://twitter.com/snowcrestski  
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