Hjortleifson has been heard, the DynaFit Vulcan

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Originally Posted by YoEddy

Hmm, I'm days away from pulling the trigger on some Vulcans, but the last page of this thread has me second guessing them over the Mercury. Not that I'm looking for a race boot stiff AT boot, but I wouldn't mind it considering I'm 6'2" , 220 lbs.

However, I'm no fan of boots (typically Pebax) that have the flex pattern of a cast. I like/want/need stiff boots, but prefer to have a reasonably progressive flex pattern.

I've had several AT boots, but haven't kept any of them because the because the flex pattern sucked (Scarpa Hurricane, Garmont Radium), or because they just had way too much footbed ramp angle (Garmont Endorphin).

I also just picked up a pair of 2011 BD Quadrants on SAC, but i won't be keeping those because they're just too wide for my feet. I am however fine with the flex on these, but then again they're not pebax. (side note i'll post them up for $320 what i paid SAC before i return them. Size 29.5)

Reading this leads me to think the Mercury is basically almost as stiff as the Vulcan, but with a more progressive flex pattern. Can anyone quantify the Mercury flex? Is it like a "110" where the Vulcan is a "120"? Or is the Mercury even closer, further? Is the Mercury similar to the Quadrant?

I know it appears I'm splitting hairs, but i want to keep these boots ...

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Full disclosure, I haven't tried on the Vulcan or Mercury. But all this talk of non-progressive flex has me doubtful -- I sold the Radium for the same reason you did. You should definitely consider the Maestrale RS. Read the threads here and MarshalOlsen's review on blister. Also consider the Cochise Light or Cochise Pro 130 for a more "alpine" boot feel. Since I ski in Full Tilt (#10 tongue), I actually prefer the flex pattern of the RS to the Cochise. The Maestrale RS is very similar in flex to a Full Tilt #8 tongue with the stock liners, and maybe a #9 Full Tilt with powerwraps.

Talking to others (XavierD, etc) who say they'd rather ski the Mercury sans tongue because it's more progressive makes me think the Maestrale is probably the way to go. Like I said, haven't tried on the new dynafit boots though.

PS. Where are people trying on Vulcans?

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Originally Posted by auvgeek

PS. Where are people trying on Vulcans?

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To my knowledge vulcans are not available anywhere yet. Shipping to retailers mid November.

Had my mercuries fitted yesterday. Very stiff, solid, and the best "feeling" AT boot I've had on my feet. Supportive insole and a thermo mold with a piece of round foam over the top of the arch of both feet (boot fitter recommendation) helped with the tightness and solves my only concern with the fit so far.

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Originally Posted by YoEddy

Can anyone quantify the Mercury flex? Is it like a "110" where the Vulcan is a "120"? Or is the Mercury even closer, further? Is the Mercury similar to the Quadrant?

I know it appears I'm splitting hairs, but i want to keep these boots ...

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The Mercury feels similar in overall forward stiffness to my Lange RS 130's, maybe a touch stiffer. It is nothing like the Quadrant. I'd have to give the Vulcan a 140. The Vulcan I tried on was a photo sample sent by Dynafit over the summer, no one has production boots in stock yet.

Interesting! I ski the RS140's so that's a great comparison for me - thanks.

I looked at the specs for both and see that the Mercury and Vulcan appear to be the same lower shell - both are Grilamid. The only difference is the upper cuff where the Merc is Grilamid reinforced with fiberglass, and the Vulcan is carbon fiber/Grilamid.

With the Mercury being as stiff as you mention, and given they both have the same lower shell then it boils down to the difference in flex pattern/stiffness between the two cuffs.

And with that I'm no closer to any conclusion than before ... shit.

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Originally Posted by sneaky_steve

To my knowledge vulcans are not available anywhere yet. Shipping to retailers mid November.

Had my mercuries fitted yesterday. Very stiff, solid, and the best "feeling" AT boot I've had on my feet. Supportive insole and a thermo mold with a piece of round foam over the top of the arch of both feet (boot fitter recommendation) helped with the tightness and solves my only concern with the fit so far.

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Available here in Euroland - tried some (Vulcans) on today. Didn't have the right size, btu I crammed into the smaller one. VERY stiff (obv don't soften as much in a warm shop as other boots). Really fucking fiddly trying to get into them too - might well go with the Maestrale RS jsut to avoid that (still need to try one in my real size though). Walk mode on both is great, hard to choose between on that point. Interested to try the Mercuries (plus Vulcan and RS in my size), but can't find anyone with them yet.

Where was that? And what size did you try?

Innsbruck (Austria) - 27

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Originally Posted by YoEddy

With the Mercury being as stiff as you mention, and given they both have the same lower shell then it boils down to the difference in flex pattern/stiffness between the two cuffs.

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If you're trying to avoid the "flex pattern of a cast," you'd probably be more apt to like the Mercury. FWIW, the ramp on the Vulcan/Mercury/One boots feels quite flat.

Got a call from Bent Gate today that Vulcans are now in stock and being delivered.
I get mine on Friday.....Whooot Whoot.
Props to Bent Gate calling me in Seattle to let me know.

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Originally Posted by Scotsman50

Got a call from Bent Gate today that Vulcans are now in stock and being delivered.
I get mine on Friday.....Whooot Whoot.
Props to Bent Gate calling me in Seattle to let me know.

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Looks like you're a lucky man because almost sizes except the 26 are listed as "shipping mid-December" on their site.

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Originally Posted by Andyski

Looks like you're a lucky man because almost sizes except the 26 are listed as "shipping mid-December" on their site.

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I ordered mine about 3 weeks ago, size 28 so maybe they are just filling those early orders. I feel lucky and I hope they fit as PNWBrit has had his Mercury's for over a month and has been goading me that I'm not on "Team Hoji" like what he is until I actually get them and its' been getting to me.:redface:

^^Do Rens make up for buying the RS? Cuz damn, after watching that POV I definitely want to be on Hoji's team. :)

for the Canucks, Mec.ca has them listed up on there site now.

edit: but there seems to be no sizes in stock as of yet...

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Originally Posted by Dr.Sih

for the Canucks, Mec.ca has them listed up on there site now.

edit: but there seems to be no sizes in stock as of yet...

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For the Mercury the MEC online inventory seems fucked. The mondo 25 is greyed out as an option, then if you follow through it shows stores having stock. The Calgary does have some in a few sizes at least in store as I tried some on there. Also, Monods in Banff has some but they are tucked away in the back awaiting entry in to store inventory. I have a pair that I can pick up tommorrow. Mountain Magic also has some coming in. Mercury though not Vulcan....

Yeah, I got a pair of 28 Mercurys, and they fit good, but I am just trying to decide if I should make the step up to the Vulcan. I think this is a question a few of us are pondering.


I am 6'2" and 215 lbs with gear. For inbounds I ski a fulltilt boot with a #10 tongue and love it so I am trying to get a similar feel from the Dynafit boots.

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Originally Posted by Dr.Sih

Yeah, I got a pair of 28 Mercurys, and they fit good, but I am just trying to decide if I should make the step up to the Vulcan. I think this is a question a few of us are pondering.


I am 6'2" and 215 lbs with gear. For inbounds I ski a fulltilt boot with a #10 tongue and love it so I am trying to get a similar feel from the Dynafit boots.

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How does the fit compare to the FT and are you a 28 in both?

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Originally Posted by Dr.Sih

Yeah, I got a pair of 28 Mercurys, and they fit good, but I am just trying to decide if I should make the step up to the Vulcan. I think this is a question a few of us are pondering.


I am 6'2" and 215 lbs with gear. For inbounds I ski a fulltilt boot with a #10 tongue and love it so I am trying to get a similar feel from the Dynafit boots.

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From all the reports i have read especially Lee Lau's, the Vulcan does not have a progressive flex like a Full tilt boot . It is more like a brick.
I'm the same size as you so I'll let you know what i think.
I was very interested in this recent review by Trevor Hunt. This guy is a badass .
See here.
http://www.coaststeepskier.com/wphome/?p=18662

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Originally Posted by coldwater

Innsbruck (Austria) - 27

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Sorry, I was wondering about the store. No big deal though, I need a 25. I doubt that's going around yet, as the online retailers don't even have it.

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Originally Posted by Dr.Sih

Yeah, I got a pair of 28 Mercurys, and they fit good, but I am just trying to decide if I should make the step up to the Vulcan. I think this is a question a few of us are pondering.

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So does this mean you consider the Mercury flex too soft, or are just curious to see what the Vulcan is all about?

oh fack it anyway ... I'm going for the Vulcan.

I just had my Mercury fitted a few days ago. Flexing them inside with the outer tongue, they felt as stiff as my Titans, seemed to flex progressively enough but I won't be able to be sure about that until I ski them. Plenty stiff enough for me at 5'11", 185lbs.

The Mercury is far from a full tilt flex, I don't see the Vulcan having it either.

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Originally Posted by Dromond

How does the fit compare to the FT and are you a 28 in both?

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I actually have Fulltilt conflicts in the 28.5's. That being said I should have a 28 liner in my fulltilts. The 28 mercurys fit me with about a finger and a half behind my heel. My feet measure around 281mm standing on a ruler. In my opinion I feel the fit is pretty close. With the dynafit liners I am getting some pressure on the top of my foot. When I replace the dynafit liners with the stock intuitions from my Fulltilts the pressure went away. My friend Sneaky_Steve who already who posted earlier in this thread was having the same problem with the fit. When he got the liners molded he said that the pressure is all gone.

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Originally Posted by Scotsman50

From all the reports i have read especially Lee Lau's, the Vulcan does not have a progressive flex like a Full tilt boot . It is more like a brick.
I'm the same size as you so I'll let you know what i think.
I was very interested in this recent review by Trevor Hunt. This guy is a badass .
See here.
http://www.coaststeepskier.com/wphome/?p=18662

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I am definitely interested in hearing your thoughts! Would love to hear a side by side comparison between the Vulcans and Mercurys.

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Originally Posted by YoEddy

So does this mean you consider the Mercury flex too soft, or are just curious to see what the Vulcan is all about?

oh fack it anyway ... I'm going for the Vulcan.

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By no means, the Mercury feels like a very capable boot. Especially compared to my first touring boots, Garmont G-rides. I am actually more inclined to go with them instead of the Vulcans because they do not have the carbon cuff. My brother has Titan ultralights and the carbon cuffs are pretty beat up after 1 season on them. However I am still very curious about the Vulcan.

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Originally Posted by XavierD

The Mercury is far from a full tilt flex, I don't see the Vulcan having it either.

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For sure, I understand that and should have been more specific. I want to go with which ever boot has the closer stiffness between the two options.

Interesting that one person can think the Mercury, or Vulcan even are nowhere near as stiff as a Full Tilt, yet another can compare the Mercury to a 130 race boot.

For my own edification WTF does a #10 Full Tilt flex compare to then? Just going by the design of the boot I'm a bit skeptical that a#10 is anywhere near as stiff as a 130 overlap race boot, but maybe there is something going on there I don't understand.

fuck it anyway ... I decided I'm getting the Vulcan regardless.

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Originally Posted by YoEddy

Interesting that one person can think the Mercury, or Vulcan even are nowhere near as stiff as a Full Tilt, yet another can compare the Mercury to a 130 race boot.

For my own edification WTF does a #10 Full Tilt flex compare to then? Just going by the design of the boot I'm a bit skeptical that a#10 is anywhere near as stiff as a 130 overlap race boot, but maybe there is something going on there I don't understand.

fuck it anyway ... I decided I'm getting the Vulcan regardless.

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I think that XavierD might have been describing the smooth and progressive nature of the FT flex rather than the overall stiffness as it were.

In my experience, the FTs are not as stiff as stiff overlap boots, but I have mostly been on FTs for several years. Also, the perception of boot stiffness seems to be highly subjective as if the rating means almost nothing. For example: I tried on the Lange RX 130 and found the forward flex to feel almost a little soft; maybe roughly similar to my Full Tilts with #10 tongue maybe similar to Dynafit Titans. The Tecnica Inferno 110 on the other hand felt much stiffer.

Thanks for the clarity, and I can agree on the subjectiveness of the comparison. I guess we need to consider that different boots flex differently in different environments. For example, my RS 140's feel almost mushy in a warm room, but once outside it's a different story. And, there is even a definite difference in the way they flex in January versus say in April ...

Some boots don't stiffen up that much outdoors, or conversely some don't soften much indoors. I know from experience that Pebax doesn't change as much as PU. So if someone is comparing the flex between a Pebax AT boot and a 130 PU race boot indoors then that is quite a bit different than if they were on the hill.

So the summary from all of this is that I'm getting the Vulcans because this isn't epicski, and I have yet to meet a boot that was "too much" for me anyway :rolleyes2 ... except for the stiff/stiff Nordica WC Grand Prix plugs back in the late 80's. Those things were just friggin stupid.

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Interesting that one person can think the Mercury, or Vulcan even are nowhere near as stiff as a Full Tilt

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I think he was talking about the progressive flex comapirson and not the stiffness...?

Had my Mercuries on for a bit today while getting fitted and they seem as stiff, if not a bit stiffer than my BD Factors (130) and that's in a warm room. The guy told me the rep said that they stiffen a bit more at -25c..take that for what it's worth though. The flex seems a hell of a lot nicer than the BD. Definately stiffer than the Quadrant. Almost....pretty close to my Lange Freeride 130's but it seems a little silly making comparisons from a warm room so will have a better idea of how stiff they ski on Saturday when I try them out. Pretty stoked on them. Also they seem like they will definately be very skiable without the stiff tongue in them too...total bonus, almost like having a second pair of softer boots for long flat icefield trips.

I'm quite blown away how buttery the tour mode is. Totally resistance free. HUGE amounts of travel. Nicer than the Scarpa Spirit 3's I had which I hated.

Probably safer to comment on the style of flex after skiing them though.

Had some instep issues. Apparantly the boot board is not removable. Just ground down the insole a little, padded the top of foot, heat molded and it seems to have solved it. Next step is to cut the elastic thing off if it's an issue in the field.

FT's are not as stiff as the Mercury, maybe the 10 flex, but nothing else registers are on the same scale as the Mercury. The Mercury does not have a 'progressive' flex, more like a brick wall. Full Tilts don't really have a 'progressive' flex either, more like a sustained flex all the way through the range. Never really gets stiffer.

^have you actually skied them yet or just flexing them in store?

Carpet skiing first impressions. Vulcan boots arrived today
A bit underwhelmed to be honest.
Vulcan on one foot, my Dabello Virus ( with powerwraps ) on the other...there's not a hell of a lot of difference in stiffness...Vulcan a wee bit more but hardly measurable...I was shocked.

Vulcan liners with laces and tongues are a PITA to get on and off and I just don't like the liners...not one bit. I put my powerwraps in the Vulcans and the boot was definitely improved( at least for me.)

Touring mode even with powerwraps in them is superb but fuck me changing those tongues out is going to be an issue.....so many dangly fucking pieces on these boots, the plastic retainer clips on the buckles are already pissing me off and that after only two hours of carpet surfing.

Really struggling with all the clips and cords and powerstraps and shit that is on these boots compared to clean design of my old Virus boots and the stiffness and weight are not a hell of a lot of an improvement over the Virus(at least to me)

The instep buckle is hudge and seems to protrude from the boot a hell of a lot and looks like it would pack up with snow and ice underneath or catch on shit.

Underwhelmed.....Like the touring mode....but trying to decide if I can live with all this dangly shit. I tour every day and the thought of dealing with those tongues is fucking with my mind.

Not a clean design, fiddly dangly shit and not the game changer I thought they would be compared to my Virus's.

^^ Wish you were a 27. I'd buy you a sixer to try them on. And it'd be cool to compare them firsthand to the Maestrale RS.

I find the tongues pretty easy to deal with and fairly quick...non issue for me after having mucked around with it a bit. The retainer clips are easier to engage before buckling the boot by pressing in the middle of the retainer to close. Shitty if you don't like the retainer though cause if you remove it, I can see the cable constantly falling off in tour mode. Not sure how long that retainer is going to last. I probably won't end up using the laces on the liner at all. I can see it being a pita to get boot on / off with them in.

There's really not that much dangly shit..it's really only 2 retainers on each boot. Different strokes for different strokes I guess.

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Originally Posted by auvgeek

^^ Wish you were a 27. I'd buy you a sixer to try them on. And it'd be cool to compare them firsthand to the Maestrale RS.

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Yep...I was just talking to PNWBrit who's got the Mercury's and talking about touring with these tongues, dangly clippy shit, powerstraps, loops etc., and hudge protuding instep buckles on these boots and we are both having Maestale RS regrets. If you tour a lot and consider transitions an art form as many of us do....these boots may not be for you. Fuck...I may try the Maestrale RS before I commit. I didn't think out these removable tongues and what a PITA they would be in the BC.

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Originally Posted by time2clmb

I find the tongues pretty easy to deal with and fairly quick...non issue for me after having mucked around with it a bit. The retainer clips are easier to engage before buckling the boot by pressing in the middle of the retainer to close. Shitty if you don't like the retainer though cause if you remove it, I can see the cable constantly falling off in tour mode. Not sure how long that retainer is going to last. I probably won't end up using the laces on the liner at all. I can see it being a pita to get boot on / off with them in.

There's really not that much dangly shit..it's really only 2 retainers on each boot. Different strokes for different strokes I guess.

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I guess I'm just used to the clean design of the Virus. No powerstraps, no plastic buckle clips, and buckles tight against the shell etc. When I put on the Vulcans, what with the laces, the powerstrap, the big loop on the tongue, the plastic buckle clips, the wire, the protruding hudge buckles I feel like Harry fucking Houdini getting trussed up for some escape illusion.
Your report give me hope that the tongues won't be such a PITA in the field but I wonder how that will be when the wind is howling, the powder deep, evrything icing up, your hands and body tired and doing it for the 5th. time.

I'll try the liners without laces...good suggestion... thanks.

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Originally Posted by time2clmb

I find the tongues pretty easy to deal with and fairly quick...Shitty if you don't like the retainer though cause if you remove it, I can see the cable constantly falling off in tour mode. Not sure how long that retainer is going to last. I

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OK still facking about with these boots.
Since you've got more experience with teh tongue how do you deal with this, as follows.

Put buckle loop wires in selected groove, close plastic retainer( you can't close them after tightening the buckle) and close buckle.
At conversion to tour mode, I can't get the tongues out without completely releasing the buckle loops. Simply flipping the buckles open does not create enough slack to allow the tongue to be removed. You have to undo the plastic retainers, move the wire out of the groove and create enough slack then pull the tongue, put wires back into the groove , close plastic retainer to retain the wire and then tour. Repeat for tongue insertion.


Fiddly and tiring when standing up and bending over in my living room but isn't this going to be a huge PITa in the field? I can see all those plastic retainers getting iced up. I was wondering what would happen if you shaved off that plastic stud that goes through the tongue to help locate it on the boot. Removal of that stud would allow you to pull the tongue after only flipping the buckles and not having to open the clips and change the wire positions ?????

I hear what your saying...there`s no way i`m putting those laces in. I guess i`ve gotten so used to touring on Factors that I consider a flexy tour mode with the stiffness at much less weight a kick ass change. Also used to have buckles flop open when touring. I used to tour on Scarpa 3`s and would change the orange tongue to the black one which was way more a pain in the ass than these...comparitively I find them really easy to slide in and out and can do it with the buckles latched (but open) but the strap has to be open.

Was just fucking around to better explain it. Taking it out is easy. To put the tongue back in the strap (so far) has to be open.... Slide the tongue in so that the point is kind of angled in toward the medial side of the boot so that it slides under the middle buckle plastic on the ankle side and once it`s under there it slides right in. Just have to make sure the middle buckle is in the open position. Don`t have to open any of the retainer clips to do this as I found a ladder position that works for me in both tour and ski modes. Retainers stay closed and only have to open the strap.

For days where i`m totally focused on simply moving and efficiency like on long ski mountaineering peak bagging trips I might just leave the tongues home altogether but if it`s this quick so far then with some practice I just can`t see it being of any significant time savings to leave it. I`m usually waiting for others to finish transition anyways so maybe i`ll just bring them anyways.

Probably just found out what the difference is between what we`re doing. The instep is tight for me, so i`m on the first cable catch position on that middle buckle. I tried doing it on the 3rd (tighter) position and the method i`m using doesn`t work at all. I couldn`t even pull the tongue out. On the second position it was doable but with a bit of fiddling where as on the 1st it`s relatively easy. The upper most buckle position didn`t really seem to matter as with the bottom one. It seems to be all about creating enough slack in that middle buckle to get the angle on it. Not sure if shell size matters.. Thankfully i`m on that loose position buckle.

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Originally Posted by time2clmb

Probably just found out what the difference is between what we`re doing. The instep is tight for me, so i`m on the first cable catch position on that middle buckle. I tried doing it on the 3rd (tighter) position and the method i`m using doesn`t work at all. I couldn`t even pull the tongue out. On the second position it was doable but with a bit of fiddling where as on the 1st it`s relatively easy. The upper most buckle position didn`t really seem to matter as with the bottom one. It seems to be all about creating enough slack in that middle buckle to get the angle on it. Not sure if shell size matters.. Thankfully i`m on that loose position buckle.

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Yep, You are dead right.,,been practicing...its' all about the middle buckle..... I have it tight in the 3rd position and I can't remove the tongue. On second position I can remove the tongue with a good pull but I can't get it back in. In first groove( loosest position) I can remove the tongue easy and insert it without too much problem. But problem is for skiing I like and want the instep buckle tight( in fact I consider it the MOST important buckle) and therefore I still have to go through all the above I described in my previous post to remove the tongue. If not on loosest middle buckle groove...you're fucked.

Don't like it...I think it's a design flaw as most skiers I know like the instep buckle real tight for DH mode.

Your point about the Vulcans being a big progression over a boot like the Factor or some of the older clunkier AT boots is a valid point. When compared to a relatively light and well thought out boot like the Virus( And I'm just realizing how good a boot the Virus is...way ahead of it's time... good job PLake) then the Vulcan is not such a huge step forward... I was expecting more. It's those fucking tongues and having to remove them to get the best out of the boot. I may try a pair of Mastralea RS tomorrow as this tongue removal PITA may be a deal breaker for me.

Yeah that sucks. Really glad I have a tight instep. I can't get it any tighter than that first position thankfully.

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Originally Posted by time2clmb

Yeah that sucks. Really glad I have a tight instep. I can't get it any tighter than that first position thankfully.

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Discovered that stiff tongue on liners works much better and adds to boots stiffness if you DO use the laces. PNWBrit was having the same problem with his Mercury's and suggested not using the instep eyelets on the liners and only lacing through top 2 levels= works great, easy to get the boots off and keeps the tongue in the correct position. Stiff liner tongue is part of the boots stiffness system and I've changed my mind... the boot is stiffer using the lace liners than with a powerwrap liner. The boot is stiffest AT boot I've ever tried and there is no flex..it's like hitting a brick wall. Feels like a plug boot.
Feeling much better about these this morning and I'm off to the bootfitter to get them molded.

Scotsman - sure it's not just the hype making you expect that this boot is the grail? Most hyped boot evah.

Regarding toungs and my exp w TLT5s*. Leave a home when yo-yoing or multidays. Take when charging or variable conditions...and slide in before topping out on windy ridges.

Definitely requires more thought. But, I appreciate the performance customability. FWIW YMMV.

*w pro tour/ hd race