Tele-JONG: What Boot(s)???

[Moss-Back]

So a buddy at work (tele-skier) talked me into trying tele.
Ultimate objective is sidecountry/backcountry freshie pow laps in the PNW.
NOT long tours.

Late last season, I scored a ski/skin setup for peanuts off of Fleabay.
But I got no boots...

Not much "capital" available...too much new gear last season. That means used boots. Small-town living means not many boots to try on, new OR used.

To get started on this experiment, I have no idea what specific makes/models might work for me.

I'm 6'-2", 230#. 43yo, strong alpine skier (35+yrs).
Foot is about "average" shape. My current alpine boot is Solly Falcon 10 w/ custom footbeds, and a mild punch around the base of each big toe joint.

What boot brands are wider or narrower than others?
What specific models would work for my budding tele-JONG technique?

Any help/advice would be appreciated.
TIA

[bio-smear]

You can always find used Scarpa T1's on TTips. They remained pretty much unchanged until 2007. I rented them a few times, and I'm a beginner telemarker, they seemed great, especially for alpine skiers used to a big powerful boot.

[hop]

I'd recommend nothing smaller than a T1 for someone of your size and alpine ability. Crispi CX-R or CX-U or the bigger one, or Garmont Ener-G.

I'm pretty sure they all come with moldable liners so subtle fit variances can be ironed out. 10 years ago the adage was "Scarpa for narrow, Garmont for wide" but that's an obsolete mindset nowadays.

[petecz]

scarpa = narrow euro last
garmont = wider american foot

Garmont Synergy is a 3 buckle boot. garmont Energy is the 4 buckel version and stiffer. I'd go with one of them given your punched out shells.

I use Energys for resort, side, and backcountry and am similar build to you.

Synergys are generally easier to find used though.

petecz

[voiron]

I love my T-race boots. Got them last year. Good for a strong skier with an alpine background. If you get a binder like the O1, light touring is easy enough. I use them now after the Garmont energy's. Scarpa still has a narrow fit, which is good for me. Too bad you have no cash. There has to be some used or carry-over boots out there. Definately go with 4 buckles.

[adrenalated]

As others said, get something stiff - Garmont Ener-G, Scarpa T1 or T-Race, whatever the stiffer Crispis are (that brand is harder to find used anyway). A softer Syner-G or T2 class boot might make the learning curve easier, but will wind up holding you back once you start to become proficient.

Although thermo liners do help the boots fit a wider range of foot shapes, Garmonts are still noticeably wider than Scarpas.