Which Lange boot?

[Vinman]

I had to send a 2nd pair of Lange Banshees back to the factory for the same reson, a split in the instep of the boot right where the cuff and instep meet.

So I am done messing around with this model, besides the fact they don't make this model anymore, and I am getting a new pair.

Out of the current models they do make I have kind of narrowed it down to the Comp 120, the Comp 120 freeride with an outside chance at the CRL90 foam.

So does anyone know anything about these models, especially the major diff between the comp 120 and the comp 120FR other than the color and some kind of shock absorber thingy in the FR?

[glademaster]

The Comp 120 has a slightly higher cuff (about 1/2 an inch) than the 120 FR. The FR also has a gel tounge that is supposed to cushion frontseat landings or crud skiing. I know that the Comp 120 is made in low volume and medium volume fits, and I think that they 120 FR only comes in a low volume, so if you have wider feet, they may not work as well.

I have the Comp 120 with custom footbeds and love them. Best boot I've ever owned by far, not the warmest by any means, but as far as response, lateral stiffness and rearward support, they're the best thing short of a full on race boot that you'll find.

Also, mine have about 50 days on them and the lines show virtually no signs of wear at all. Just the minor scuffs all around but not a thing that affects the boot. However, a friend of mine had a pair from the first model year where the shell actually cracked clear in half near the instep buckle. He only weighs 145, so it may have been that there were a few bad shells put out that first year

-Ben

Edit: Unless you have feet like saucers, Langes are the best boots made, period.

[phUnk]

glademaster's got the most important difference: FR in low-fit only, comp120 in low and medium fit. Ya gots to try them on. I got the low fit FR, but had to get 2 spots punched out before it was perfect (which I think is the way to go anyways.)

FR's are great boots!

[Vinman]

I called the boot guy from the Lange distribution place today also. They are only about an hour from here in VT. He basically said the same thing as GM. He also said the FR is a nice boot. Said they did something new with the liner this year. Something about a custom air fit, similar to a regular heat molded foam liner but with some kind of mico fiber nylon instead of foam to trap more air and therefore warmer. Not sure if he meant the inner bladder lining or the bladder itself was made of this stuff.

The low fit should not be a problem for me (narrow feet). The Banshees were med fit and felt a little sloppy at times.

Since I'm gogin to be in SLC next week, where is a good place to try on each model?

[johannus]

I worked in the Comp120MF with custom footbeds for about 70 days last season, so they've seen everything from scree and mud to endless forays in and around parking lots and mtn lodges. Needless to say the liners (tweaked here and there) are toast but the boots work great. Of all the boots I tried, the cuff/tongue liner had the best fit and feel of any boot. Yet, the heel pocket and toe box (gots w-i-d-e feet) required a lot of work to get it right.

Glademaster has it right. A great skiing boot, yet I did feel as though it was a bit soft especially on those warm spring slush days. Oh, and they have replaceable/cantable toes and heels which is nice.

I did hear that the Freeride was built on a different last, but I can't find that article... anyone hear of that as well?

[phUnk]

Originally posted by Vinman

Since I'm gogin to be in SLC next week, where is a good place to try on each model?

Any place that has your size in a good-selling boot in the middle of July.

www.sportsden.com (tell em phUnk/Brian from their Freeride team sent ya.)

I'm retarded and can't remember the name of that shop right by the mouth of BCC... Bedtime for me.

[seldon]

I got the 120FRs this year and love them. Utterly, completely, truly. There is no way to describe how different they are from the too big banshee 7s. I have custom footbeds and they are amazing... achy feet after a day of traversing (xover, for the record, I hate you) but the payoff in control is so well worth it.

[dewey]

One distinction -
the 03-04 120FR are LOW volume - red in color.

the 04-05 120FR is MEDIUM volume - translucent blue in color.

the regular 120 Comps come in both volume fits.

I think the Red 03-04 is the best of all of these - it has the precise fit AND a bit better liner (thinner, not as cushy as the others=more precise).

[Laps]

I think Dewey is full of shit. The 04-05 is the way to go, those liners are nice and cushy and the heatable liners make them fit like a glove (only on your feet) I haven't skied the red ones, but the blue ones are plenty stiff and comfortable, even for a stinky tele hippy like me.

[Vinman]

I'm going to try on both, but right now I am leaning towards the FR. It sounds like it would fit both my skiing style and my feet nicely. But with a thinner liner I am wondering about cold feet, you know for those VT deep freeze days.

[dewey]

PLEASE be advised that Laps is not human. He is zoo-bred lesser ape with developmental disabilities. This puts him at a disadvantage in a lot of respects; grooming and restraint from drooling are prime examples.
However, he has miraculously become a proficient typer.
Just a heads up.

[Laps]

Typing is not the only thing I have become proficient at, I am also good at sign language and smearing my own feces on canvas so that my zoo can pass it off as art.
That said, The 04-05 sounds like the way to go Vin, the liners are supposedly warmer than the 130 liners that are in the red fr because of the nylon hair thing (trapped air=warmth)

[FNG]

Just put some of that new KY Warming on your feets and you should be fine for a couple hours.

[CaddyDaddy77]

Originally posted by Vinman
Said they did something new with the liner this year. Something about a custom air fit, similar to a regular heat molded foam liner but with some kind of mico fiber nylon instead of foam to trap more air and therefore warmer. Not sure if he meant the inner bladder lining or the bladder itself was made of this stuff.

New liner is pretty cool. You'll see shops getting what looks like a prop from the Mork and Mindy show. Egg looking heater that has two "arms" that come off of it to heat boots. The micro-fiber is this weird velour kinda stuff, anyways the rep at on-snow told me that the fit will adapt up to 1/8th of an inch when it cools, so theoritically you could get an extra 1/4" (both sides) out of the liner after heating it. I didn't get to have a boot molded for my yeti-sized foot, but one of our guys said it was a really nice fit, and noticeably different after heating it.

Of, we had a guy that did the same thing with his Banshees, little guy (150 #'s or so) but lots of park. Didin't see any other models do it, but the banshee.

[Vinman]

Originally posted by CaddyDaddy77
Of, we had a guy that did the same thing with his Banshees, little guy (150 #'s or so) but lots of park. Didin't see any other models do it, but the banshee.

Mine split same place 2 years in a row and I am only ~145# with hardly any park, just hard skiing. I can imagine that anyone heavier than me would absolutely destroy those boots. Probably why they aren't making them anymore.