Dalbellos or flexons: which would you choose

I'm considering buying a new pair of Kneissl/Raichle Flexon Pro ski boots 02/03 season for around $300. But the Dalbellos Krypton Pros look sturdier in the long-term, less likely to break a buckle and such. The Dalbellos are of course are probably about 30 percent more expensive and would also need custom liners. I already have booster straps to replace the crappy velcro they have.
So, lets say the extra cash for the dalbellos would extend the boot shell's life. What about how they ski? obviously the flexons are lighter. are the flexons better as far as comfort, flex. I like to ride a bit out in front on my skis when cruising through crud and and bumps. I do a bit of off piste skiing at resorts mostly. not really long distance trekking. I like a good smooth firm forward flex. I have thinner to average width feet with thinner calves. heard someone say the Krypton's aren't for a narrower foot. But seem to remember reading that other dalbellos were wider and the krypton pros fairly narrow?
chrs

I'd wear the boot that fits best - be it one of those two or another. The comfort of the boot is totally a factor of how well it fits you; you can't say that one boot is more comfortable than the other, it's a totally personal, relative thing.

I can't fit into either of them but from what I understand, the Flexon is a bit narrower than the Krypton which is already on the narrower side. If you can't try them on before buying them I would tread very carefully. The Krypton does have the advantage over the Flexon of readily available spares (Flexon buckles do break) and easily customisable flex/forward lean with the different tongue/spoiler combinations that come with the boots. You can change Flexon tongues but you've got to find them first...

I have both.
I have two pairs of Flexons that I rarely ever use since I bought Krypton Pros.

My first pair of Flexons (black/grey/pink) were pretty heavy and had some buckle issues.

My second pair of Flexons (blue/silver) are very light and have a buckle issue. I bought a Booster strap for these.

The Krypton Pros are stiffer, even when using the softer of the two tongues.
So far the buckles are much sturdier.
Yes, they are heavier than the Flexons.
They do have more volume than Flexons. However, they are still snug around my narrow heel.
The original liners are crap. I had mine replaced under warranty.

I do like how the Kryptons ski. They seem more responsive. That is why I rarely ever use my Flexons any more.
Due to the Kryptons weight, they really aren't ideal as an AT boot.
That is why I also have Garmont Adrenelins (much lighter, much softer, and somewhat similar in feel to a Flexon)

I would recommend making the decision based on what fits best first, with the next consideration being the flex you want.

Stiff tongues for the kryptons will be available soon and fit all late model flexons. If the flexon fits you better you should buy it and upgrade to some stiffer krypton tongues.

I skied two pairs of Flexons for 10 yrs., then spent the last 6 years in X-Waves, and now have 8 days in my new Krypton Pros. The Kryps are a much sturdier and in my opinion better skiing boot than the Flexons. Between the two tongues and the rear flex adjustment (in addition to the forward lean adjustments) and the two different boot boards you can adjust the feel of the boot much more than the Flexons.

The fit is still a little on the narrrow side, but just a tad wider than the Flexons. Good for me because I always felt tight in the forefoot in the Flexons. I have a long narrow foot. Size the Kryps small. I got my size 12.5 street shoes in a 29.0, which is suppose to be an 11. My liners fell apart during the fitting process and they warrantied me a new pair, hopfully next year's thermo ones. The one drawback that I've heard is that supposedly the shells are made of a plastic that cannot be punched out.

In my opinion, if you liked the Flexons you will love the Kryptons. I could not understand all the recent excitement on this forum about the forthcoming K2 Flexons. Now that the Kryps are here, why bother? Unless you have fit problems, I would definitely buy the Kryptons. Like Phil says, it's a Flexon on steroids."

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Originally Posted by robokill1981

Stiff tongues for the kryptons will be available soon and fit all late model flexons. If the flexon fits you better you should buy it and upgrade to some stiffer krypton tongues.

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Really? Hell yes.

I got this from dalbello in December:

Thanks for the e-mail. Unfortunately, individual Krypton parts will not be available for sale until late spring / summer 2006. If you would like to check back with me around that time I would be happy to help you out.

Have you tried to install a Krypton tongue onto a Flexon? I have not heard a physical confirmation if that installation works or not.


(I put a krypton tongue on a Kneissl Flexon and it worked perfectly)

The tongues between the Krypton and Flexon are fully swappable both ways.

I agree that you should really go with what fits you best - the fit is not the same between the 2 boots. I have both and regularly switch between them depending on what kind of skiing I'm doing and what kind of conditions I'll be skiing in. I like the Kryptons better when it's harder and there hasn't been any fresh snow in a while. I have ZipFit liners (Plug Leather) in my Kryptons and they rule - definitely recommended as a great match for the boot (I bet they'll be better than the Intution thermos that will be available next season).

Also, this is the honest truth about the differences in fit between them. The Krypton is narrower in the forefoot, wider in the heel, and higher over the instep than the Flexon. I've measured them and verified that you're looking at about a 5mm difference in each of these measurements.

I just tried on both the Flexons (found a new Pro T in my size) and Kryptons. The Krypton definitely had more volume in the same size (26). The Flexon 26 felt perfect while the Krypton 26 felt too big. I think I'd have to drop down to a 25.5 in the Krypton, which might mean a re-dril on my skis ( I came from a 305 Solly boot sole). I bought the Flexon because the price is right and it looks like parts will once again be available next year. After slightly punching the sides and creating a little instep room, the Flexons (with the Thermoflex liner) fit my medium wide high instep feet like a dream....The light weight of the Flexons is also a bonus for those of us without AT boots...

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Originally Posted by Wild4umlauts

The tongues between the Krypton and Flexon are fully swappable both ways.

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I'm a little surprised that I haven't heard of anyone doing this yet. Flexon race tongues are mighty scarce and I've heard that the stiffer Krypton tongues are damned stiff.

Krypton over the Flexon. Vets, good post. The Krypton is the Flexon on steriods.

Yes, the Krypton tongue fits in the Flexon. I sold one of my extra pair to someone here.

krypton is stiffer but wider ....

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Originally Posted by mntlion

krypton is stiffer but wider ....

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The new Dalbello/Intuition liner is very narrow. Besides what makes the Krypton feel wider is the stock liner, bleech.

so is the flexon shell wider or narrower then the krypton?

Cross-post/bump...

So it looks like there were some complaints about heel volume on the Krypton Pros. As a narrow-heeled guy, I need to know: Does the Krypton Cross have the same failing? Does the thermo-moldable liner mitigate it any?

Thanks. I guess I'll pass for right now.

have had both- kryptons a bit roomier- better fit for high instep, nice flex w/the stiff tongues- a bit heavier than the flexons. go with the fit, kryptons can be punched or ground. stock liners still a tad weak. good luck

btw, krypton crosses on steep and cheap today. do the kryptons have that nice, very upright stance like the flexons?

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Originally Posted by ulty_guy

btw, krypton crosses on steep and cheap today. do the kryptons have that nice, very upright stance like the flexons?

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Awesome deal on them and yes they can be setup with the same upright stance.

sweet, thanks phil.

Check SAC today mags :fm:

so i got the crosses yesterday and have to say that i'm pretty happy about them. yes, the liners suck, but i just swapped a pair of quality liners and with my footbeds and they feel great. the nice thing is that you can customize the stance which is huge for me because i can make it nice and upright like the good old flexons. the build quality of the shell is far better than the flexons too.

on the topic of tounges, these came with the softer, grey model. where can i get some stiff, black ones to swap in there?

Got mine the other day as well. They're a nice boot, but noticeably wider fit overall compared with my Lange Comps. I'll see if I can get some intuition or thermoflex liners and tweak the fit a bit.