Does anyone know when the Garmont Endorphin will be avail?

[Jumper Bones]

Highly interested in said boot...coming over from the Solly XWave 10 DH boot. Initially these boots will be just for touring, but depending on how they ski, it's possible I may sub them in more and more for resort stuff...as long as I don't have to re-mount anything.

I'm guessing the Endorphin will come out this fall...anyone have any better info? Anybody I might be able to contact to maybe get an advance order?

[upallnight]

Will it be Dynafit compatible?

[Meathelmet]

Will it be Dynafit compatible?

Quoting Pisterhors : "...The boys over on the Fritschi stand were raving about the Endorphin and saw it as the ideal boot for their binding range. As it is not fitted with adapters for Dynafit bindings we can see their logic..."

So, no.

[upallnight]

Quoting Pisterhors : "...The boys over on the Fritschi stand were raving about the Endorphin and saw it as the ideal boot for their binding range. As it is not fitted with adapters for Dynafit bindings we can see their logic..."

So, no.

So....it replaces the Adrenaline? What does it do better?

[Arty50]

It has special ice-cutter buckles....oooooooooohhhh...sexy...

[Jumper Bones]

So....it replaces the Adrenaline? What does it do better?

I'm under the impression it's an even stiffer option of pretty much the same thing.

I am looking for something similar in flex and performance to my XWave10s, but with walk mode and rubber soles. I think this is the best option for that, because from what I've heard the Adrenaline falls woefully short.

[upallnight]

I'm under the impression it's an even stiffer option of pretty much the same thing.

I am looking for something similar in flex and performance to my XWave10s, but with walk mode and rubber soles. I think this is the best option for that, because from what I've heard the Adrenaline falls woefully short.

Have you tried the Adrenalines? (I haven't...I used the Mega RIdes (stiffened) every day.)

The reason I ask is that earlier this year, Doug Coombs was rocking the Adrenalines at the ski area..for whatever that is worth... So they are probably "useable" in some capacity.

[Jumper Bones]

No, I haven't.

the consensus here seems to be that they're inadequate for what people had hoped for - a stiff boot able to drive stiff skis. keep in mind I might like to (eventually) start using them in-bounds. I guess mountbakerskier had stiffened his up a bit and compared the flex to his xwave10s, so hope is there. But you do have to put work into them.

I would say that coombs might have been more used to A/T boots...and therefore not have issues.

I dunno. Right away, these boots will be driving k2 AK Enemies, not an overly stiff ski, and Silvretta Pure Freerides. I think even the Adrenalines might be sufficient for that, but I'm not sure I'll always be skiing this exact setup, and like I said I might choose to use this boot for resort hiking stuff in the future. A rock-solid boot would be the way to go.

[marshalolson]

my .02 re: adrenalines

i put 2 spoilers on each tounge and 1 in the back, rivited the walk mode and put an intuition liner in them, and where still WAY to soft, and i usually ski softer boots (promodels - 95flex)

[onehotchili]

I used the Mega RIdes (stiffened) every day.

just curious... do you use your MRs at the resort? how do you like them there?

the few times i have used mine (completely stock) at the resort, i have been dissappointed. BC, they feel great and more than adequate for the generally soft conditions and slower speeds i normally ski. but at the resort, i am constantly trying to find the neutral balance point with these boots. i also can't get used to the lower cuff and contact point on my shin. i plan to stiffen them up... but for now, i stick with my Lange racing boots at the resort. any ideas on stiffening them up (Flexon tongues / Dalbello tongues / ???)

[upallnight]

just curious... do you use your MRs at the resort? how do you like them there?

the few times i have used mine (completely stock) at the resort, i have been dissappointed. BC, they feel great and more than adequate for the generally soft conditions and slower speeds i normally ski. but at the resort, i am constantly trying to find the neutral balance point with these boots. i also can't get used to the lower cuff and contact point on my shin. i plan to stiffen them up... but for now, i stick with my Lange racing boots at the resort. any ideas on stiffening them up (Flexon tongues / Dalbello tongues / ???)

Yes...every day, including many lift-served days. This year, I used them with Explosivs, Gotamas, Spatulas, and Seths (i.e., nothing-crazy stiff, but all big skis).

I was used to riding Scarpa Denalis for many years, every day...so I think that makes a huge difference (being used to AT boots rather than switching off). The first year of skiing the Denalis every day was a challenge -- and there were occasions (say 10% of the time) where I missed a beefy alpine boot. That said, the benefits outweighed the loss. Even when riding the resort, I'm usually hiking or scrambling over rocks.

Through the Denalis, I learned to appreciate a smooth, progressive forward flex with stiff lateral flex. I actually didn't like the most recent (Denali TT) tongue, as I thought the stiffest tongue (personal opinion; I ski hard but am only about 170# w/o pack) did not provide as good feel for the ski and snow.

I switched to the Mega Rides about 1/2-way into the season (so far this year I had about 60 days w/o and another 60 days with...). I liked the lateral stiffnes, but I found the stock tongue to be softer than my preference; I swapped it with a stiffer Flexon tongue -- not super-stiff, but stiffer and with a progressive flex.

I also added a 3-band Booster Strap, and I ski it with Alpine Custom Power Wrap (Intuition) liners, which are stiffer than the G-Fits. I had a shim that I added to the upper rear cuff to increase forward lean a touch and make it just a hare stiffer in that regard.

I find this to be a fantastic boot to cover a huge range of conditions: lift-served hardpack & pow; hiking; skinning; scrambling on rocks w/ & w/o crampons; small drops (mostly in the 15' range & under) and steep/tight lines (as steep 45-55, rarely steeper). For laughs, I've even run some gates with them (on fat skis).

The main thing for me, though, is that by always using one boot I know exactly what to expect at all times, and I can work them in all conditions. I'm also not left saying, "I wish I had my TNTs today..." because it's been so long since I've used race boots that it is no longer a comparison that ever floats through my head.

Being able to really flex my ankles change my skiing.

The reason I wrote this long missive is simply to offer more detail and insight into what I ski and what I find these boots to work well for...to help those who are on the fence extrapolate as to whether these will work well for their circumstance.

I do think that swapping setups (AT and alpine) will leave you in a position of longing for one or the other, rather than just choosing one and wringing every ounce of performance out of it.

OHC: You have a race background, so there is no doubt you can power a full-on race boot. For me, it took making the switch to realize that I really never used my ankles in those boots -- and I find that ankle flexion is a huge deal w/ the (fat) skis I ride.

Phew. Sorry for rambling. Hope some of this was helpful.

[Meathelmet]

any ideas on stiffening them up (Flexon tongues / Dalbello tongues / ???)

Aand here :

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...de+tongue+swap

[Lexi-Bell]

I agree with upallnight on all but one of his points: switching your rigs. I've got two pair of boots (Adrenalins and Lange 120), and three pairs of skis (B3 alpine binder, B4 freeride, and Volkl Superspeed. While getting used to the fact that AT boots do not perform like a stiff alpine boot was difficult for me, having a light setup for BC/sidecountry and a haul-ass groomer setup is awesome. It's nice to know a week or two after the storm I can go BC for fresh or ride the chair doing mach 10 runs and have a sweet setup for either.

And thanks to Hugh Jass for the heads up on the hex screws coming loose on Adrenalins, checked mine and sure enough, two were on their last thread.

So how about that Endorphin?

[upallnight]

It's nice to know a week or two after the storm I can go BC for fresh or ride the chair doing mach 10 runs and have a sweet setup for either.

Hey, LB:
For whatever it's worth...on in-bounds hardpack days, I do go full-throttle on AT boots w/o problems. It's possible, though someone used to riding stiff alpine boots would say it's not the best tool for the job.

I can appreciate that you love the alpine boots for those days (and head-to-head they would kick an AT boot's tail in those conditions).

I'd liken it to having a quiver of skis. You could always get the best performance with a special tool for a given condition. While the AT boots may not be the best in all conditions, they excel in many and are at least "acceptable" in all.

[Lexi-Bell]

As I've grown accustomed to ankle flex, I've actually found myself becoming more balanced in my skiing as a result of AT boots. I think it has actually made me a stronger skier, and I reach for the alpine boots less and less.





BUT




I still like to go really really















fast

[upallnight]

BUT




I still like to go really really















fast

me too!

[onehotchili]

upallnight -

thanks for thoughts on the MRs. it's funny.... i just spent the last few days testing a bunch AT skis at the resort. i started by using my MRs, but just couldn't get a good feel for the different skis i was riding and the subtle differences. so i switched to my Lange Racing boots and could *really* feel the nuances between the skis. i also found myself overpowering some of the skis.

in any case, while i wish i could have one boot that does it all... i think i'll have the 3 boot quiver (alpine race, AT, tele). in regards to my MRs... i have thought about tweaking them to make them stiffer, and have read the various threads here.... but i was nervous about that compromising their skinning and hiking abilities. am i just being paranoid? just curious....

[upallnight]

but i was nervous about that compromising their skinning and hiking abilities. am i just being paranoid? just curious....

I think so. With the mods I described above (i.e., nothing major), I think they both ski and tour (skin/hike) quite well. Yes, they are a bit stiffer, but it does not interfere (for me) at all as I keep the upper cuff quite loose.

Also, on steeper hikes, I like having a tongue that is a bit stiffer as it gives a touch of support if you want to rest with your toe kicked in. With the soft (stock) tongue, my knee would go to the slope.

If you want to improve the skiing a bunch (>10%?) with little to no appreciable touring performance hit, I'd recommend it. All of those "upgrades" are easily reversible, should you decide you don't like on or all of them. You can also try them one at a time.

The most difficult part may be finding Flexon tongues. As an alternative, you can order Scarpa Denali TT tongues from BD ($50), which easily fit in the Mega Ride. I happen to like the Flexon tongues a bit better as I find they have a slightly more progressive flex, but the TT tongue will certainly stiffen things up a bit.

Let me know if I can help in any way -- and be sure to let us know what you think if you decide to try this.

[danhikeski]

i have been skiing this boot for the last two years and have thought that they are stiff enough for me, 5'4" 130#. it's prolly my weight, though. freerides and bd havoc skiis.

[ski whore]

Yes...every day, including many lift-served days. This year, I used them with Explosivs, Gotamas, Spatulas, and Seths (i.e., nothing-crazy stiff, but all big skis).

I was used to riding Scarpa Denalis for many years, every day...so I think that makes a huge difference (being used to AT boots rather than switching off). The first year of skiing the Denalis every day was a challenge -- and there were occasions (say 10% of the time) where I missed a beefy alpine boot. That said, the benefits outweighed the loss. Even when riding the resort, I'm usually hiking or scrambling over rocks.

Through the Denalis, I learned to appreciate a smooth, progressive forward flex with stiff lateral flex. I actually didn't like the most recent (Denali TT) tongue, as I thought the stiffest tongue (personal opinion; I ski hard but am only about 170# w/o pack) did not provide as good feel for the ski and snow.

I switched to the Mega Rides about 1/2-way into the season (so far this year I had about 60 days w/o and another 60 days with...). I liked the lateral stiffnes, but I found the stock tongue to be softer than my preference; I swapped it with a stiffer Flexon tongue -- not super-stiff, but stiffer and with a progressive flex.

I also added a 3-band Booster Strap, and I ski it with Alpine Custom Power Wrap (Intuition) liners, which are stiffer than the G-Fits. I had a shim that I added to the upper rear cuff to increase forward lean a touch and make it just a hare stiffer in that regard.

I find this to be a fantastic boot to cover a huge range of conditions: lift-served hardpack & pow; hiking; skinning; scrambling on rocks w/ & w/o crampons; small drops (mostly in the 15' range & under) and steep/tight lines (as steep 45-55, rarely steeper). For laughs, I've even run some gates with them (on fat skis).

The main thing for me, though, is that by always using one boot I know exactly what to expect at all times, and I can work them in all conditions. I'm also not left saying, "I wish I had my TNTs today..." because it's been so long since I've used race boots that it is no longer a comparison that ever floats through my head.

Being able to really flex my ankles change my skiing.

The reason I wrote this long missive is simply to offer more detail and insight into what I ski and what I find these boots to work well for...to help those who are on the fence extrapolate as to whether these will work well for their circumstance.

I do think that swapping setups (AT and alpine) will leave you in a position of longing for one or the other, rather than just choosing one and wringing every ounce of performance out of it.

OHC: You have a race background, so there is no doubt you can power a full-on race boot. For me, it took making the switch to realize that I really never used my ankles in those boots -- and I find that ankle flexion is a huge deal w/ the (fat) skis I ride.

Phew. Sorry for rambling. Hope some of this was helpful.

I use Mega Rides for BC and Lange 130s for resort. Everything you said made sense until you mentioned your alpine boot is a TNT. That boot sucked and is old. I agree with having a beefy alpine rig for the resort and being light for backcountry. You may compromise a few things (stability at speeds mainly), but skiing backcountry involves a whole lot of uphill.

[upallnight]

I use Mega Rides for BC and Lange 130s for resort. Everything you said made sense until you mentioned your alpine boot is a TNT. That boot sucked and is old. I agree with having a beefy alpine rig for the resort and being light for backcountry. You may compromise a few things (stability at speeds mainly), but skiing backcountry involves a whole lot of uphill.

For reference, the last time I used the TNT was 9 years ago. Haven't used an alpine boot since....went full-time with my Denalis and now full-time with my MegaRides (other than a lighter boot for looong tours).

I find the MegaRides with the modifications to be very stable at speed (full-throttle on a groomer, for instance, or straightlining after a drop).