Ideal Alpine Boot Flex

[Doremite]

Alright folks. The unfortunate time has come where I have to buy new ski boots. I skied old Nordica Grand Prixs for about 6 seasons and abolutely loved them (although they weighed a ton). They are now dead. Given I've had good luck with Nordica and after trying on boots all afternoon convinced sticking with Nordica is the way to go. However, not sure on ideal flex. Leaning toward Speedmachine 12s (110-120), but also considering Speedmachine 10s (100-110). Is 110 a stiff enough flex or too soft? Powder gave Hot Rod$ a great review, but thinking 130 flex is too stiff. A little help?

[Doremite]

....should add I weigh 185ish....

[weibo]

What flex were your old Grand Prix's? Buy that flex.

[train07]

don't ya hate a wise ass?

[Doremite]

Wise ass with a good point, just don't recall what flex those boots were. Bought them over 5 years ago and left them in South America in August.
Leaning toward 12s. 10s might get too soft over time?

[train07]

I wish I left my boots in SA...other than that..can't help ya..is it a low volume boot you're looking for....if so I'll be interested in following this thread.

[Plakespear]

I think the Grand Prix had a flex index of 110-120. Did you set them for the stiff or really stiff setting? 12's are probably the closest thing to your old boots.

Remember IT'S ALL ABOUT THE FIT!!!

[Doremite]

Good info on the Prixs. The 12s I tried on today were set at 110, but will check out 112 as well. Speedmachines fit is schweet. More I read/think about it the 10s are probably too soft.

[crashnburn'd]

Remember IT'S ALL ABOUT THE FIT!!!

Yes and no.

I've found that a boot that is too soft ends up having a very different fit when you're skiing than when you're standing in the shop. I have some Tecnica Diablos and I could stand around in the tram line all day. When I actually ski them, they flex so badly that the fit gets very fucked up.

Despite the fact that I do ski in the park quite a bit, I will not ever buy another pair of boots that are under a 110ish flex.

[steved]

Good info on the Prixs. The 12s I tried on today were set at 110, but will check out 112 as well. Speedmachines fit is schweet. More I read/think about it the 10s are probably too soft.

Hey D,
Did the 12s seem like they had the same "last" as the 10s...?

[mntlion]

easy to make a boot softer.

harder to make it stiffer

[Yossarian]

Alright folks. The unfortunate time has come where I have to buy new ski boots. I skied old Nordica Grand Prixs for about 6 seasons and abolutely loved them (although they weighed a ton). They are now dead. Given I've had good luck with Nordica and after trying on boots all afternoon convinced sticking with Nordica is the way to go. However, not sure on ideal flex. Leaning toward Speedmachine 12s (110-120), but also considering Speedmachine 10s (100-110). Is 110 a stiff enough flex or too soft? Powder gave Hot Rod$ a great review, but thinking 130 flex is too stiff. A little help?

Cletus <-- same deal, had Grand Prix, 6 or 7 years old, finally died end of last season. Picked up some Beasts from last season, wasn't sure on flex - for what it's worth, I went 110-120, planning to run them at the 110 setting for starters. No numbers to back that up, but I'm trying to do the exact same thing as you, and this is what I went with. :shrug:

[Spew]

my nordica world cup grand prix boots were 120-150.

[flip]

my nordica world cup grand prix boots were 120-150.

yup, the grand prixs were f'n stiff. get something 130 or stiffer (speedmachine 14 or dobie 130) if you liked the fit and flex of your GPs.

[Doremite]

Steve D - Fit on 10s and 12s were very similar last-wise. Both grab the entire foot real nice, but have a pretty narrow heal box, just an FYI.

I didn't have the World Cup Grand Prix's. I believe they were one model down (blue/grey)....

[BakerBoy]

Steve D - Fit on 10s and 12s were very similar last-wise. Both grab the entire foot real nice, but have a pretty narrow heal box, just an FYI.

I didn't have the World Cup Grand Prix's. I believe they were one model down (blue/grey)....

Blue/gray = GPRT's, which I had. If the sticker isn't worn off of them, I'll go see what the flex is.

[Doremite]

If you can find it, please post. I'd be curious. I'm liking the feel of the 120 flex, but could be a different story in different weather conditions. Would give me piece of mind that I made the right call if the GPRT are a similar flex pattern. Thanks.

[ChowdahRidah]

I had the exact same boot. Blue Grey, Grand Prix. They are real stiff even on the soft flex mode. To compare stiffness I brought them into the ski shops with me to compare to the new boots on the shelf. They simply don't make boots that stiff anymore except for racing boots. Nothing I tried on was even close. This was okay for me because I was looking for a boot that was slightly softer but if you're looking for something just as stiff...good luck. Seriously if you're looking for something similar to the GP just bring them to the shop with you. I really like the new Nordicas, nice smooth flex and the power strap they put on is by far the best design out there. Try on all the makes and models. Find the best fit. Keep the ones you like on for at least a half hour. Go to the ski shop when it's not busy to speed up the process.

[avacadotoast]

The blue-grey GPs are the 'R' - flex index of 100 & 120...althought they had a lighter blue/silver 'RT' for a year or two

...the RTs (the non-world cup lime green ones) are 115 & 135 I believe...

..I guess I would think the RTs on soft would be like the Rs on stiff..

...Those are the only stock boots to ever even think about fitting my feet & chicken ankles - I just keep buying used ones from ebay...don't mess with the 27.5 RTs out there right now, I have dibs...