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Time for new boots, stepping out of Atomic Hawx 90 into...

post #1 of 19
1/13/10 at 9:39am
Thread Starter 
Hey, I ski 20-30 days a year and am looking to move into some new boots.  My current boots have served me well and so I might simply just buy a new pair of Atomic Hawx but curious if anyone has any strong opinions on a similar boot.

I will likely do boot demo days and decide on purchase in time for end of season sales.

Scarpa interests me as I like the integrated Booster Strap and I like the idea of the AT option.

Thanks, see you on the slopes..
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post #2 of 19
1/13/10 at 9:45am
I tried the Hawx and honestly couldn't get over the squeaky sound they made every time I flexed.  Do you find that with yours?
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post #3 of 19
1/13/10 at 9:47am
Boot demo?
Really?

I've never demo'd a boot in all my years of skiing. And the only times I've seen boots for demo, they have been well used, packed out, and generally not high-end gear.

I think you'd fare better by going to an experienced boot fitter who can help guide you to the best boot for your anatomy & needs.
Edited by The Squeaky Wheel - 1/13/10 at 9:57am
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post #4 of 19
1/13/10 at 9:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by akaplan9 View Post

Hey, I ski 20-30 days a year and am looking to move into some new boots.  My current boots have served me well and so I might simply just buy a new pair of Atomic Hawx but curious if anyone has any strong opinions on a similar boot.

I will likely do boot demo days and decide on purchase in time for end of season sales.

Scarpa interests me as I like the integrated Booster Strap and I like the idea of the AT option.

Thanks, see you on the slopes..

Demo a boot huh? Why not get fitted ofr one that fits you.

As far as the booster strap, those are pretty common on just about every boot being sold these days.
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post #5 of 19
1/13/10 at 10:11am
Thread Starter 
No Elduderino, no squeaks in my Hawx.
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post #6 of 19
1/13/10 at 10:30am
Thread Starter 

ecimmortal, i don't think you know what a booster strap is...

http://www.masterfitenterprises.com/booster.html

Scarpa and a few other OEs incorporate there own version.  Unless I am as stupid as you think I don't believe that these are standard on most boots.

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post #7 of 19
1/13/10 at 10:53am
I know exactly what a booster strap is, and as you yourself said. Most major boot makers incorporate an OE version or license the idea. If you need the name then that is up to you is suppose.

Good luck demoing boots....lol.
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post #8 of 19
1/13/10 at 12:42pm
Thread Starter 

Yes, inded you can demo boots by renting.

And a booster strap is quite distinctive from the usual strap that boot makers have at the top of the cuff of a boot.

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post #9 of 19
1/13/10 at 1:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by akaplan9 View Post

Hey, I ski 20-30 days a year and am looking to move into some new boots.  My current boots have served me well and so I might simply just buy a new pair of Atomic Hawx but curious if anyone has any strong opinions on a similar boot.

I will likely do boot demo days and decide on purchase in time for end of season sales.

Scarpa interests me as I like the integrated Booster Strap and I like the idea of the AT option.

Thanks, see you on the slopes..

Boot demo days?....................no such critter AFAIK. Even if there were such an impractical thing going on, it would be a waste of time. A properly fitted ski boot is not likely to be comfortable out of the box. Hence demoing a bunch of boots will almost inevitably lead to choosing the wrong thing.

If you have a boot you like, why in the world would you ask someone else (like the strangers on this board for example) for suggestions about what else to try? Any suggestions that you get from someone who is (a) not a professional bootfitter and (b) not familiar with the idiosyncrasies of your foot, will simply be a mention of what works for them. Unless their foot, biomechanics and skiing needs are identical to yours (phat chance) those suggestions are beyond worthless. This is why most of the bootfitters on this forum will not make specific suggestions to a general request.

Buy another pair of what you already know you like and add an aftermarket booster strap if you want one.......or......see a bootfitter and see what the suggestions are......or.......wait 'til sale time and get what is available for cheap. If you choose the latter, you are an idiot.

SJ
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post #10 of 19
1/13/10 at 3:23pm
Thread Starter 
Great.  Let's throw some oil on the fire..

Yeah so I am very familiar with boot fitters trying to customize something for me and you know what, the best boots that I have had time and again are straight out of the box just like gym shoes and rippidy doo dah.

So, am I just incredibly lucky and the boots are simply designed to the idiosyncrasies of my feet? 

By the way, I am bow legged and my right foot is (as is quite common) a bit shorter  (prob 1/2 size) than my left.  And yet, boots right out of box and zippity doo.

Could it be that just as feet make adjustments to "out of box" walking and running shoes of many variations that we make the same adjustments to ski boots when we ski?!

Or of course I am just a lucky idiot.
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post #11 of 19
1/13/10 at 3:30pm
I have no reason to believe you are lucky;)

Quote:
Originally Posted by akaplan9 View Post



Or of course I am just a lucky idiot.
 
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post #12 of 19
1/13/10 at 6:57pm
Come on guys.

One of the reasons I like to haunt these forums is the overall "maturity" of people around here and the lack of school-yard antics.

Let's simmer down with the name calling. 

I realize there are a lot of people around here who's livelihood depends on fitting people for ski boots, but let's be honest.  A lot of people don't have the money or abilities to do so.

I for one, and skiing in the first pair of boots in my 37 years that have been touched by a boot fitter, and while it's a vast improvement, I haven't always had the means to enjoy such luxury.  I suffered along for many years (in pain), as I only had the scratch to get by with minimal expense.  I think it's better to ski in pain than not ski at all!

Is it really so wrong for someone to attempt to find something workable on the cheap?  Surely, the great bootfitters of the world, can work with a boot that isn't perfect from the getgo if needed.

I'm sure a lot of people who post on here have benefitted from providing such great free advice and service.  Is it really such a sin to try and get by with some bargain bin boots if you don't have the means to pay full retail for current model boots?

Off my soapbox...
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post #13 of 19
1/14/10 at 8:15am
Thread Starter 
Elduderino, I appreciate and respect your perspective as well as everyone else's. Of course I realize not everyone is going to appreciate and respect mine and that is fine.

I have no doubt that there are people out there with a great knowledge of boots and that is why I posted my question as I hope to benefit from other's knowledge.  However, it does not then mean that I just going to go willy nilly with the first or second suggestion that someone gives me.  I am going to weigh all of my options and of course I am going to go to a bootfitter.

But I am not necessarily going to buy from a bootfitter.  I am not skiing in any pain or discomfort nor have I ever in the past.  I find that I am able to survey from a selection of boots one that works for me without any customization of foot bed.

So we shall see.  Meanwhile, seems most people hold the line and don't recommend any particular boot over another and simply shout "get thee to a bootfitter!"  Ok, I get it.
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post #14 of 19
1/14/10 at 8:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by akaplan9 View Post

 Meanwhile, seems most people hold the line and don't recommend any particular boot over another and simply shout "get thee to a bootfitter!"  Ok, I get it.
 

That's because most boots - of a similar pricepoint and similar targeted performance level - offer very similar performance.

For the vast majority of skiers, fit is the issue. If you are satisfied with the fit and performance of an off-the-shelf boot, then you are ahead of most
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post #15 of 19
1/14/10 at 8:29am
Thread Starter 

Squeaky Wheel, now see, that I did not know.  I guess I was hoping that there would be more differentiating factors. 

I am debating between an alpine touring boot vs. more of a performance boot, but ideally looking to possibly satisfy both.  Maybe that limits my search?  Also, really liking the 90 flex of my Hawx but considering the benefits of a harder flex.  Not sure. I understand that there is no standard flex across boot manufacturers.  Lots more research to do.

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post #16 of 19
1/14/10 at 8:33am
I apologize, I was just trying to be funny.  I don't see how anyone can get boots which are close to a good fit by mail order unless that person has a boot by the same maker with the same last and knows how it can be made to fit.  All of the reviews of boots talk about how the boot makes the ski move, and few talk about the crucial measurements, such as cuff forward angle at various calf diameters, and instep height, and zeppa angle.  Lots of boots tell you how wide the last is, but that is a mere starting point.  I also know that if one is determined enough one can make just about any boot fit just about any foot, but that can be very arduous.  Further, stiffness measurements are anything but uniform, and still do not tell the whole story.  For example, if one rolls paper into a one inch cylinder, it will appear to be less stiff than a 2 inch cylinder.  A boot will appear stiffer with a larger calf.  OTOH the skier with a larger calf may well weigh more, and be happy with a stiff boot.  Apparent stiffness may also be altered by whatever you do to make the boot fit, e.g. making the cuff shorter. Finally, of late some manufacturers, especially Fischer, have made boots so the soles are roughly parallel when the feet point outward at a comfortable angle (the Soma design), and many other boots do not do this.  I cannot see how a skier could know in advance wheter or not he would prefer the Soma feature.

Quote:
Originally Posted by elduderino View Post

Come on guys.

One of the reasons I like to haunt these forums is the overall "maturity" of people around here and the lack of school-yard antics.

Let's simmer down with the name calling. 

I realize there are a lot of people around here who's livelihood depends on fitting people for ski boots, but let's be honest.  A lot of people don't have the money or abilities to do so.

I for one, and skiing in the first pair of boots in my 37 years that have been touched by a boot fitter, and while it's a vast improvement, I haven't always had the means to enjoy such luxury.  I suffered along for many years (in pain), as I only had the scratch to get by with minimal expense.  I think it's better to ski in pain than not ski at all!

Is it really so wrong for someone to attempt to find something workable on the cheap?  Surely, the great bootfitters of the world, can work with a boot that isn't perfect from the getgo if needed.

I'm sure a lot of people who post on here have benefitted from providing such great free advice and service.  Is it really such a sin to try and get by with some bargain bin boots if you don't have the means to pay full retail for current model boots?

Off my soapbox...
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post #17 of 19
1/14/10 at 8:53am
Thread Starter 
Fog, snow worries, thanks for the info.  I concur, I believe that you have hit on the crux of the issue, that is, how can we know in advance whether a particular feature or angle is amenable or preferable.

And so, my search goes on...they laughed at me on ski demo day, they said I couldn't find a good boot off the shelf...I called myself an idiot and they concurred...well, I'll show em...err maybe not, we shall see...
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post #18 of 19
2/17/10 at 8:06am
Thread Starter 
This story has a happy ending.  My new Atomic Hawx 100 arrived at my door step the other day. Ordered them from ktp (that's Kittery Trading Post by the way).

I stepped into them and they seemed to grab my foot perfectly and whisper back "Cinderelli." Now I am having a ball.

I decided to go with same boot but stiffer flex with the rationale that I am a better skier than I was when I got the 90 flex.  Really liking them thus far.

See you on the slopes.
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post #19 of 19
1/16/11 at 3:20pm

i got the squeaks also.  noticed others w/ atomic @ the lodge had the. same thing

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