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Had a chance to try on the new boot alongside my old style ZGTP (2022 version). I didnt ski in them, merely walked around for a bit. This was after we just finished up a ski day, so differences were quite notable with my already sore feet (was a 8 hour day after all). Note this is with ZipFit GFT liners that are working beautifully with my existing boots (25.5 boots, 25.5 liners).
- First, I was definitely able to notice the improved shape of the toe box. It felt like my toes had a lot more room to splay - no bumping into one another. I really, really liked the feeling.
- The instep does feel a bit taller. I couldnt tell if this would be a good thing for me, because I really like a locked down feel, but I cant say it was concerning to start - skiing them would tell me what I need to know.
- I had a 6th toe punch on my boots, and these boots (no punches) felt great out of the box - definitely improved foot shape.
- The forward lean as noticeable, and damn was I jealous. Seems much improved. - Just walking around the boot room, I could tell these moved through their ROM easier - and had slightly more ROM in general - an improvement.
- I didnt notice any "slop" in the ankle - something I was concerned about. It feels minimally changed (or not changed at all!?).
- Now for the "bad" - I struggled to get the new boots on - even with a boot horn (world cup style, since zipfit). The instep area was biting HARD on my foot/liner - much more so than the old boots. Perhaps because they were cold? But it was very, very noticeable. I thought it was supposed to be easier!? Thats really the only bad thing I could think of... Overall they felt great!
Id really like to upgrade to these next year, as my current boots are getting quite sloppy after 3 hard years of use. But, to be honest, I probably wont make the move until something catastrophic happens (or if I find a really good deal).
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bthomson - can't quote you as it garbles. I'm now at 50+ days on ZGTP (new version) and still have no ankle slop which is probably the most important update. The liner is now starting to pack out. 50+ days is better than the older version which packed out substantially quicker. I really should just finish my review already and publishAgreed with impressions with following caveats- re touring feel. I felt the increased "walkability" was due also to the pivots being relatively friction-free when I detached the buckles and let them swing free. FWIW I only detached the 3rd buckle, flipped the bottom 2 open and alternated between letting the 4th buckle swing/flip open. That 3rd buckle makes a lot of difference - to me. The 4th buckle makes minor difference - to me; on the flat glaciers but not so much on climbing. So yes, the forward ROM is noticeable but I felt the overall improvement on touring was due to a multitude of factors. Play with your buckles to tune what you like- re instep and getting in. I still remain neutral on that. It's not the easiest boot to put on but by no means is it the hardest.
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lol. Since so many of us are skiing this boot, sometimes 6 out of 8 skiers at trailhead have them on and it is amusing to listen to complaints about how ridiculously hard they are to get on when vaguely cold. Including a guy who had to finish a traverse in his running shoes on the snow. Be thankful you have zero instep height Lee. Ive had plug boots easier to get on than these fuckers. But once I get them on via heat guns, nuclear powered jackhammer etc, they are comfortable all day long.
