Hjortleifson has been heard, the DynaFit Vulcan

So...got a ski day on the Mercuries today. They tour really really nice. Stiffness while skiing was i'd say probably a bit stiffer than the Factor. Won't know totally for sure until I actually jump off something or ski them harder...can only do so much and not open it up in this early season snowpack so will have to hold comments as to the quality of the flex once I can start hammering on them...no "brick wall" so far.

Also skied with them with the tongues out and was very much suprised. Nice flex to them...and completely 100% skiable without the black tongue.

how big are you, T2C?

Yeah sorry meant to post it earlier. 5'6 175lbs current skis 186 lhasa, 177 Supercharger, 186 115 Influence, 181 Coomback, 192 Legend big Dumps and EPpro's. Tested them today on the Coomback. Alpine boots are 130 Lange Freeride....and it goes without saying, an aggressive dentist like every one else here.

Been trying to buy a pair of vulcans, with no success. I find it hard to believe that my size wont be in country till mid december? WTF?
28.0 or 28.5, 315 sole legnth. This is the average size of a us foot and they have not produced them yet.
Nice way to lose business.
Anyone have any updates on if they will be here sooner?

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Originally Posted by skideeppow

Been trying to buy a pair of vulcans, with no success. I find it hard to believe that my size wont be in country till mid december? WTF?
28.0 or 28.5, 315 sole legnth. This is the average size of a us foot and they have not produced them yet.
Nice way to lose business.
Anyone have any updates on if they will be here sooner?

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They have produced them, mine's a 28 and they are already molded ready to go.... You try Bentgate?

I did, wtf? ill call, i just tried online where di you get your?

ok, just called, betgate and bc.com just got these in today.
tried my dicsount code on BC and it is no good.
Do i pay full retail? Looks that way.

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Originally Posted by skideeppow

Do i pay full retail? Looks that way.

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laws of supply and demand say...... "highly likely".

^^. each store only has one of these. Very limited supply. Going to try and try on the 28 tomorrow.

tried on the 27, feels great, the walk mode was sweet.
Going to purchase the 28, probably pay full retail.

skideeppow is live blogging this. Sweet.

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Originally Posted by skideeppow

tried on the 27, feels great, the walk mode was sweet.
Going to purchase the 28, probably pay full retail.

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Why the 28 if the 27 feels good?

i menat the flex and walk mode felt sweet. It was too tight for touring

Did a quick tour up to the PC Ridgeline on Saturday in my new Vulcans and I am extremely impressed. The tour mode really was awesome. The weight savings was great, but the range of motion was mind-blowing. I was absolutely amazed by how much quicker I could get up the mountain with the longer stride. On the way down, the boots felt plenty stiff enough (which means they're just as -- or even stiffer than my Nordica Demons are) -- even without the laces or aux tongues. Unlocking back into tour mode meant making a little adjustment to get the tongue/liner to align correctly, but I think that was a minor incident.

In regards to sizing, I'm typically a 27, but had to go with a 28 this time around to get the right width. I was a little concerned with this approach, but I have no slop in the heel and it felt like the bootfitter was able to get the sides blown out far enough to accommodate my 4E wide feet.

All in all, this is a seriously bad-ass touring boot.

I just got done with two BC days on my Mercuries. I am a 27 TLT5 (with no shell fitting) and a 26 Titan and Zzero (with a lot of punching for width and length in the toe box). I went with a 27 Mercury and the toe box felt tighter than on my TLT5, I am guessing because of the thicker liner, it really didin't feel like the toe box was any roomier than my TLT5's. My bootfitter ended up punching the Mercuries for length and width in the toe box but I don't know if he punched the shell or just compressed the liner. If he punched the shell it wasn't much.

In touring mode, the touring action is much better than my Titans but the beefier liner makes it stiffer to get a long stride in compared to the TLT5. Coming down, they were plenty stiff without the removable tongue. I only had three bc runs on them so I will experiment with the removable tongue a little at the resort, but at this point I don't think I will use them.

the new tongue flex pattern is much better than the proto tongue from the spring.

harpo - can you see quickly if the vulcan tongue would fit into the tlt5 with minimal modifying? just curious.

cheers!

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Originally Posted by marshalolson

the new tongue flex pattern is much better than the proto tongue from the spring.

harpo - can you see quickly if the vulcan tongue would fit into the tlt5 with minimal modifying? just curious.

cheers!

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The TLT5 tongue is shorter, both in the inserted portion of the tongue and where the shell/tongue plug thing line up. Doable, but maybe not easy. I'll try and grab some pictures.

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Originally Posted by Prodigy

The TLT5 tongue is shorter, both in the inserted portion of the tongue and where the shell/tongue plug thing line up. Doable, but maybe not easy. I'll try and grab some pictures.

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it's also a bit thinner. So you could shove it in but it would be a pain in the ass. Going to get rando one piece suit next marshal?

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Originally Posted by Prodigy

The TLT5 tongue is shorter, both in the inserted portion of the tongue and where the shell/tongue plug thing line up. Doable, but maybe not easy. I'll try and grab some pictures.

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Imgur album: http://imgur.com/a/lbfEe

Got my first day in the Mercury today. Only about 1k up and down but so far very pleased with the cuff rotation, heel hold, and stiffness (skied WITHOUT tongues). Fully met my expectations so far.

Lots of hype for the Vulcan and Mercury but bottom line is they seem to tour and ski like a dream.

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Originally Posted by sneaky_steve

Got my first day in the Mercury today. Only about 1k up and down but so far very pleased with the cuff rotation, heel hold, and stiffness (skied WITHOUT tongues). Fully met my expectations so far.

Lots of hype for the Vulcan and Mercury but bottom line is they seem to tour and ski like a dream.

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How big are you Steve? I'm sure you're a dentist that is a type III very aggressive skier so I won't ask your ski ability/style.

How stiff do you think the mercury is, really?

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Originally Posted by TheDon

How big are you Steve? I'm sure you're a dentist that is a type III very aggressive skier so I won't ask your ski ability/style.

How stiff do you think the mercury is, really?

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I'm 5'11" 155 pounds soaking wet (yes I will post pics). Seriously though, i enjoy skiing hard and charging but also like to dial it back and do mellow laps while touring. Yesterday was a mellow day and the first test drive of the mercury.

Regarding flex for someone my size: I could not imagine needing a stiffer boot, ever. I have yet to ski them with the removable tongue in and will only put them in for the resort days when big drops and high speed charging is in order.

Of course after one day out in these there is plenty more to feel out and learn, but so far so good. If you have any specific questions i will try and answer them. My info has been a little vague I realize...

i'm too lazy to look up your posts Sneaky Steve, what other AT boots have you skied for comparison? TLT5s?

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Originally Posted by Prodigy

The TLT5 tongue is shorter, both in the inserted portion of the tongue and where the shell/tongue plug thing line up. Doable, but maybe not easy. I'll try and grab some pictures.

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just a though, if you can checked the size down tongue of the vulcan compared to the tlt5's tongue. I.e. a 27 vulcan's tongue to a 28 tlt5's shell. Would that make it more plausible, and minimize the amount of clipping?

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Originally Posted by kevino

i'm too lazy to look up your posts Sneaky Steve, what other AT boots have you skied for comparison? TLT5s?

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I have megarides, Zzeus's, and have spent some time in older raichle flexons. So far the closest comparison is to the flexons but with a little more progressive flex.

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Originally Posted by Scotsman50

. 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....this tongue removal PITA may be a deal breaker for me.

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Ditto. I tried on the Mercury today (no Vulcan in stock) and it fit great, nice stiffness, great features with the buckle securement.

But that tongue....I felt like a first time skier who takes 5 minutes trying to click into their bindings. I imagine with repetition I could become facile at sliding the tongue in.*

But if I was having a hard time in a warm ski shop, with no gloves and maximum manual dexterity, no wind, no cold, no blowing snow or knee deep pow, and not tired, then I think I'd be far from stoked when I fiddled with these at the end of trek up to a summit in typical winter conditions. And having to stow two more pieces of gear in my jacket or pack?

Going from walk to ski mode should be nearly effortless. Maybe in 2013-2014 someone will nail it.


*Yes, yes, obvious cunning linguist remark to follow....

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Originally Posted by Jim S

Ditto. I tried on the Mercury today (no Vulcan in stock) and it fit great, nice stiffness, great features with the buckle securement.

But that tongue....I felt like a first time skier who takes 5 minutes trying to click into their bindings. I imagine with repetition I could become facile at sliding the tongue in.*

But if I was having a hard time in a warm ski shop, with no gloves and maximum manual dexterity, no wind, no cold, no blowing snow or knee deep pow, and not tired, then I think I'd be far from stoked when I fiddled with these at the end of trek up to a summit in typical winter conditions. And having to stow two more pieces of gear in my jacket or pack?

Going from walk to ski mode should be nearly effortless. Maybe in 2013-2014 someone will nail it.


*Yes, yes, obvious cunning linguist remark to follow....

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It seems like there's a pretty specific process for getting the tongue in without fully unbuckling: Slide it in with the tab to the right of the nub until it hits the toe buckle strap, twist and slide it a little to the left so it comes over the nub then push it forward into the toe and it will drop onto the nub. Takes 10 seconds if you do it right. Plus there are already multiple reports of people skiing without tongues and finding them plenty stiff so it's not like the tongue is absolutely necessary.

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Originally Posted by Prodigy

It seems like there's a pretty specific process for getting the tongue in without fully unbuckling: Slide it in with the tab to the right of the nub until it hits the toe buckle strap, twist and slide it a little to the left so it comes over the nub then push it forward into the toe and it will drop onto the nub. Takes 10 seconds if you do it right. Plus there are already multiple reports of people skiing without tongues and finding them plenty stiff so it's not like the tongue is absolutely necessary.

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Left right? Which foot? Can't be the same for both. Medial or lateral?

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Originally Posted by Jim S

Left right? Which foot? Can't be the same for both. Medial or lateral?

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Sorry, left foot so medial/inside.

I'll throw my hat in the ring here. Not looking for an all in one boot will keep my alpine set up for in bounds. No real out the gate/sidecountry where I'm at. Med wide foot typically 28.5 Salomon fit. 6'2" 195lb
Tried the following:
BD Quantum- So so fit a little too soft flex
Titan and Titan Ultralight- Ultralight was tops on my list good flex and fit
Cochise130 Pro Light- Fet ok but cheapish in buckles. Didnt like the liners wished the regular 130 Pro had a wider last.
Maestrale- Fit well cheapish buckles. Little too soft
Maestrale RS- Blue Superfeet insole Good fit and flex, couple hot spots that could be worked out - Overall liked better than Titan UL
Mercury- w/ Blue Superfeet insole Good fit and Flex. Some hot spots. They are plenty stiff for what I want. Don't think I need the Vulcan. Tounge is a little weird with in out process but got it dialed after a while. Could kind of be a pain to dick around with and have to put in and out of my pack in the field. Actually didn't feel too bad in walk mode with the tounges left in.
Coin toss on fit and walk mode between the RS and Mercury at that point.

Then tried:
Mercury with Maestrale RS liner (Intuition) Blue Superfeet insole- Money for me. Good tight fit no hot/pinch spots, best fit of any of the boot combos I've tried. Of course it will cost me an arm and a leg to do that combo. Think I will go Mercury with standard liner and get them fit. If still not happy can always move to an Intuition liner.

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Originally Posted by sneaky_steve

I'm 5'11" 155 pounds soaking wet (yes I will post pics). Seriously though, i enjoy skiing hard and charging but also like to dial it back and do mellow laps while touring. Yesterday was a mellow day and the first test drive of the mercury.

Regarding flex for someone my size: I could not imagine needing a stiffer boot, ever. I have yet to ski them with the removable tongue in and will only put them in for the resort days when big drops and high speed charging is in order.

Of course after one day out in these there is plenty more to feel out and learn, but so far so good. If you have any specific questions i will try and answer them. My info has been a little vague I realize...

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Great that's all I needed to hear. Pulling the trigger.

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Originally Posted by thommy21

Then tried:
Mercury with Maestrale RS liner (Intuition) Blue Superfeet insole- Money for me. Good tight fit no hot/pinch spots, best fit of any of the boot combos I've tried. Of course it will cost me an arm and a leg to do that combo. Think I will go Mercury with standard liner and get them fit. If still not happy can always move to an Intuition liner.

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Intuitions definitely have the better fit out of the box. Molding and some work should get you a good fit.

Prodigy, are there any 30-30.5 One PX in the U.S.?

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Originally Posted by Big Steve

Prodigy, are there any 30-30.5 One PX in the U.S.?

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Bent Gate shows a 30.

PS Met your friends Carla and Brian the other day, they'll be over for a non-legally binding mount shortly.

Just received word that my 29.5 Vulcans are not showing up till mid December.

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Originally Posted by Fieldys Nuts

Just received word that my 29.5 Vulcans are not showing up till mid December.

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These production delays are interesting. Considering (nearly?) identical designs between the mercury and Vulcan. Must be something to do with the carbon in the Vulcan? Purely speculation of course.

My guess is that the production delays have to do a lot with what I I am going to guess is Dynafit's attempt to sell as many of these on pre-order before folks have a chance to put them on.

$1000 for a somewhat light ski boot not many people can flex, that requires an engineering degree to take on and off, and still fails to have replaceable toe and heel lugs, ya, hype is the only thing this has going for it.

I doubt that there will be much of anyone who would be willing to fork over the extra two hundred to get these over the Mercury once they get both on their feet.

Ya, I will say it, this boot was rushed into production, with the hope that Hoji's name and a cool color scheme would convince chumps to fork over $1000 in the hopes of being the next, more extreme GSA.

make sure you get some Mammut or Arcteryx over priced proshell to match.

Skied a few days on the Mercury. Tours great, PLENTY stiff (without the tongue) and light. Just a bit upright for my taste...but that is adjustable. Obviously, (much) more to come...

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Originally Posted by XavierD

My guess is that the production delays have to do a lot with what I I am going to guess is Dynafit's attempt to sell as many of these on pre-order before folks have a chance to put them on.

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I don't think that is the case. Can anyone confirm a pre-order straight from Dynafit? Retail stores were told to expect arrival of the vulcans mid November. Pre orders should not have effected that unless there is a significant under production already (unlikely).

It's unfortunate neither boot did it for you, Xavier. So far i'm experiencing a performance that is on par with all the hype.

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Originally Posted by sneaky_steve

I don't think that is the case. Can anyone confirm a pre-order straight from Dynafit? Retail stores were told to expect arrival of the vulcans mid November. Pre orders should not have effected that unless there is a significant under production already (unlikely).

It's unfortunate neither boot did it for you, Xavier. So far i'm experiencing a performance that is on par with all the hype.

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Dynafit doesn't do direct sales to customers and would like nothing better than to get boots into customer's hands. Trust me, having to tell people you can't give them what they want gets old, really fast.

Speaking of hype, here's a nice little piece with a whopping 103 views http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6Bf3...hannel&list=UL. You all should watch it so that you will fall victim to the Vulcan propaganda machine and be subconsciously forced to buy them.