AT vs Alpine boots

Alright, the rossi's (course x's circa 1998) are falling apart. Which means I'm in the market for a new pair of boots and don't know if I should go back to alpine (lange 120 comps currently leading the pack) or make the jump to one of the newer beefier AT boots (adrenalines, megarides, structuras). How do the AT boots match up as far as control (think fat ski at speed) and stiffness , and how much extra do they offer in hiking/skinning bonus. I know that they claim to give alpine boot performance, but is this the performance of a decent alpine boot or a "comfort 1.0" type noodle. Finally (as if I wasn't asking enough crap already), what is the durability? I've been in the last boots for six seasons, i'd like to think that the next ones would last a while as well. Any info would be appreciated.

everything in life is a trade off, including AT vs Alpine boots....I don't care what any of the marketing crap says, AT boots don't perform as well as high end Alpine boots on the down, and the opposite of that hold true on the ups...sooo, just depends on what you want to sacrafice vs what your set up is (AT binders?) vs how much you spend in the resort vs the BC vs how much skinning/climbing you do when in the BC.....so many factors...

i own both (Scarpa Denalis and Dalbelo v12s) and have dedicated AT set up and alpine set ups....but I understand many can't have both and so have to choose one over the other and that's where the trade offs come in.

if ya spend most of the time (80% +) in bounds and the times you venture into the BC are short shots climbing/skinning, get new alpine boots and stick w/alpine binders (using trackers) or get sum freerides (again, even the new freeride ain't gonna perform like a high performace alpine binder on the down...trade offs...)

if the opposite of the above holds true, go with a dedicated AT boot and freerides....

just my opinion...good luck!

I've got the choice but if I didn't, I'd rather ski alpines in the BC than ATs at the area.

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Originally Posted by Foggy_Goggles

I've got the choice but if I didn't, I'd rather ski alpines in the BC than ATs at the area.

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I agree 100%...

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Originally Posted by Foggy_Goggles

I've got the choice but if I didn't, I'd rather ski alpines in the BC than ATs at the area.

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+1

Many claims that AT boots are 90% the performance of an alpine boot, but I think that is their performance in the BC. Inbounds an performance alpine boot is twice as good.

I have to agree with the Alpine boots touring over AT boots inbounds. In Cham I toured 3-4 days/wk in Atomic race boots. My feet were hammered and it sucked for touring. On the flip side...last year I skied primarily in Garmont G Rides. I broke them within a month and had issues with the durability of them all season. This year I have Adrenalines for touring and Nordica Beasts for Alpine. Each option has pros/cons, you just have to evaluate your skiing and what you plan on using the boots for primarily. The adrenalines are a beefy boot. They are almost aas stiff as my beasts. I just dont feel like i can depend on them in bounds due to my issues with the GRides last year. If you ski relatively conservatively and dont intend to jump off of stuff, go with a high performance AT boot. If comfort/weight isnt your main concern go with an alpine boot.

You should get a dedicated alpine setup, a dedicated powder setup, a dedicated ski mountaineering setup, and a dedicated ski approach setup for WI5 or greater alpine climbs. That way you never have to compromise your ideals.

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Originally Posted by Ireallyliketoski

You should get a dedicated alpine setup, a dedicated powder setup, a dedicated ski mountaineering setup, and a dedicated ski approach setup for WI5 or greater alpine climbs. That way you never have to compromise your ideals.

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Trust fund, too.

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Originally Posted by Foggy_Goggles

I've got the choice but if I didn't, I'd rather ski alpines in the BC than ATs at the area.

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agreed Goggles, I just want "walk-mode" :mad: ....that's all....

Would you rather ford the river in Teva's or flip-flops?

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Originally Posted by steved

agreed Goggles, I just want "walk-mode" :mad: ....that's all....

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This is a possible and normaly not too difficult modification to most alpine boots...you do need some parts from an AT boot with an external walk mode lock though.....it's just blody imposible with my Richlee F1's because the lower and upper shell are the same bit of plastic....tthe cuff is just somwhere to hang the clips :(.....I've built this mod into buddies salamon and atomic boots...parts in both cases came from old Richlee AT/Hardboot snowboard boots......If I only have to walk a mile or 2 I'll suffer and ski alpine...If I have to walk further I'll go AT but won't ski anything too big or still and hope that things (if icy) don't get over 45 degrees....