Scarpa Avant

[laseranimal]

Any comments on it? Is it worth it to buy as a starter AT boot since I'm not planing on doing any sort of ridiculous touring or am I better off saving up the money to get a Matrix or a Denali? Or would it simply be a better idea to slap vibram soles on my Alpine boots?

[glademaster]

The Avant is supposed to be pretty heavy by AT boot standards and is also supposed to be very soft. You're a big dude, save your dough for something stiffer that will most likely also be lighter. If you try to convert your alpine boots, I would recommend dropping the $100-$150 for lightweight thermo liners, the pound or 1.5 pound you save will be worth it with boots that are starting out at 10+ to begin with. my $0.02

For the record, I plan on touring with Trekkers and in my Lange race boots this season.

[PNWbrit]

Isn't it a Matrix the new Lazer (Avant?) without dynafit compatabilty?

If they'll fit you try and find somewhere that still has the Lazer for sale. great boot and easily upgradable. unless you're on huge skis or skiing big mountains they're a perfect compromise between climbing and skiing.

[Jonathan S.]

Isn't it a Matrix the new Lazer (Avant?) without dynafit compatabilty?

Sort of, but not quite: the Avant is one of many econo versions Scarpa makes using the Laser mold. These have always been available in Euroland, but this is the first year that BD has imported them. An earlier econo model was the Vector, and other current econo versions are the CB One and Venus. They're popular with some European rental fleets. (The Vector colors look very similar to the Magic from a distance, so at first I kept wondering why all these guys seemingly had the same boots as my wife.) All of them ditch the Dynafit interface and non-thermo liner, but the Avant also uses a softer plastic other than pebax. The complete line is available at scarpa.net -- note that the Laser is still a current-year boot in Europe, even though BD no longer imports it into the U.S.

[laseranimal]

Glade I wouldn't be using this boot with burly skis, probably more like a 170ish light ski with explores or pures. I'm more intrested in how the boot hikes rather then how it skis since late season EC is more about hiking 5-7 miles for 200'-300' of snow then skiing supersteep couloir on big boards. I'm looking for a price point boot that'll help me acomplish that. I was thinking the avant might just be the ticket either that or the Dynafit 500. I just don't wanna spend that much money on a burly AT boot when its not gonna get used with burly skis.

[glademaster]

If you're looking for a lightweight setup, how can you even consider something that lack Dynafit compatability. I would say look for a boot that offers that and go from there. That way if you want to rig up a truly lightweight setup, you have the option.

[skinnyskier]

If you have to hike (i.e. walk on bare trail) 5-7 miles to get to late season skiing back east, it shouldn't matter what boot you have since they will be hanging off your backpack. You want to hike in tennies-hiking in ski boots trashes the boots and your feet.

[wilcox510]

laseranimal -i dont know what size boot you wear, but i happen to have a pair of matrix (worn 5 times) which im trying to sell (dont fit me) size 26.0 (u.s. 8). just thought id throw it out there.

[laseranimal]

Wilcox I don't think those are gonna fit my feet I wear a 28 scarpa mondopoint

I think I'm just gonna go try to snag a pair of G-rides I don't need dynafit compatability since my Cross Terrains and T2's are a pretty sweet setup yeah they're heavier then a F1 dynafit TM22 combo that I'd really like to have but its only about 600 grams difference so I'm not sweeting it too much. I think G-rides should be perfect both price and performance wise that is unless I find a killer deal on Adrenalines.

[cj001f]

Check out eBay. Lasers appear regularly, sell for $200ish, and are an avant w/Dynafit, and a nice boot.