Booster Strap question

[awf170]

Does anyone know if there is any difference between the kids model and the stanard in stiffness. From the website it doesn't seem like it.

Standard/Intermediate Booster

Lighter or intermediate skiers or racers.
Two layers of elastic webbing with a metal cam buckle.

$27.95 /pair

Kids Booster J3-J4

Designed for kids, 70+ lbs
Two elastic bands cut shorter to accommodate kids' smaller ankles.

$21.95 /pair

http://www.skimetrix.com/order.php

I fear that my really skinny ankles plus the thin mega-ride liners are going to make the stanard booster straps too big.

[upallnight]

they measure their flex by the # of bands. without deeper investigation, it sounds like all 2-strap models should be the same.

ankle size shouldn't matter, as this goes at the top of the boot.

what size megarides are you using? you can always simply trim the excess strap -- it would take all of 10 seconds.

they work perfectly fine for me with not much excess material on a 26 megaride shell.

how much do you weigh? how hard do you ride?

the 'standard' model doesn't really add much performance over the stock strap. why switch? anything that's designed to be flexed by someone who is 70 pounds isn't going to be that stiff.

depending on your weight, if you're not going to get at least their 'advanced/expert' version, i'd say save the $$.

[awf170]

ankle size shouldn't matter, as this goes at the top of the boot.

I meant calf, sorry.

what size megarides are you using? you can always simply trim the excess strap -- it would take all of 10 seconds.

25.5

how much do you weigh? how hard do you ride?

135. And not that hard. I would say I'm decent.

depending on your weight, if you're not going to get at least their 'advanced/expert' version, i'd say save the $$.

Oh alright, and I don't think I need that. I just thought it would give more control and prevent shin bang. And they seemed very popular for people with AT boots, and if I remember correctly I think a bunch of people here said they only use the 2 strap version for AT boots.

[upallnight]

IOh alright, and I don't think I need that. I just thought it would give more control and prevent shin bang. And they seemed very popular for people with AT boots, and if I remember correctly I think a bunch of people here said they only use the 2 strap version for AT boots.

The adult version will fit just fine on a 25.0 megaride shell (the 25.5 is just a different liner).

Yes, folks do use booster straps on their AT boots, but that's primarily to make them stiffer. If you are lightweight + just "decent", maybe you don't want to make them stiffer. I'd recommend skiing the boot out of the box before you make your mods. You always want a baseline to compare your changes (#1) and (#2) you may just like the way it skis.

Shin bang seems to be more of an issue with boots that are too stiff for people. Doesn't seem to be that much of a problem with AT boots. If anything, you may be more likely to get shinbang with the booster strap than with the stock Garmont strap.

Seriously...consider saving the dough.

Do you have custom insoles? Do you have thermo liners? Those are much bigger improvements, as is a stiffer tongue (certain raichles, for example) if it comes to that for you.

Good luck!

[awf170]

The adult version will fit just fine on a 25.0 megaride shell (the 25.5 is just a different liner).

Yes, folks do use booster straps on their AT boots, but that's primarily to make them stiffer. If you are lightweight + just "decent", maybe you don't want to make them stiffer. I'd recommend skiing the boot out of the box before you make your mods. You always want a baseline to compare your changes (#1) and (#2) you may just like the way it skis.

Shin bang seems to be more of an issue with boots that are too stiff for people. Doesn't seem to be that much of a problem with AT boots. If anything, you may be more likely to get shinbang with the booster strap than with the stock Garmont strap.

Seriously...consider saving the dough.

Do you have custom insoles? Do you have thermo liners? Those are much bigger improvements, as is a stiffer tongue (certain raichles, for example) if it comes to that for you.

Good luck!

No custom insoles, but I'm getting them before ski season. And i just have g-fit 2 liners and i plan on keeping them.

[upallnight]

No custom insoles, but I'm getting them before ski season. And i just have g-fit 2 liners and i plan on keeping them.

So...you're pretty much set.

How many days do you have on the boots so far?

The booster straps are good, but the stock tongue is still mushy. I think you will be disappointed in the low-end booster straps.

You're also young, improving, and gaining weight, right? Another reason or 3 to avoid the low-end version.

[awf170]

How many days do you have on the boots so far?

Never skied them.

The booster straps are good, but the stock tongue is still mushy. I think you will be disappointed in the low-end booster straps.

oh, alright.

You're also young, improving, and gaining weight, right?

Yes, I'm 17. Hopefully, this year I hope to get about 40 days in and the year after that atleast 60. hopefully, I'm 6 ft. and weigh 135 pounds . I just heard great things about booster straps and thought they would help out. Thanks a lot for the info.

[Toby]

I'm 6 ft. and weigh 135 pounds .

Wow. You need to start drinking milk. Like 10L/day.

[upallnight]

I just heard great things about booster straps and thought they would help out. Thanks a lot for the info.

they're OK -- they're not "change-the-world" kind of great, but they do have their time and place.

ski the boots before you decide you need to stiffen them up. for the megarides, i think the booster strap w/o a stiffer tongue would create a weird feeling...it's a soft tongue but would have a stiff spot on the shin. (that is, if you went with the advanced/expert or racing booster strap.)

if you need to add some stiffness in the fore-aft flex (which could be true as you are tall and can get some leverage in spite of the light weight), look to replacing the tongues before the booster strap.

this is only my opinion, though.

[awf170]

they're OK -- they're not "change-the-world" kind of great, but they do have their time and place.

ski the boots before you decide you need to stiffen them up. for the megarides, i think the booster strap w/o a stiffer tongue would create a weird feeling...it's a soft tongue but would have a stiff spot on the shin. (that is, if you went with the advanced/expert or racing booster strap.)

if you need to add some stiffness in the fore-aft flex (which could be true as you are tall and can get some leverage in spite of the light weight), look to replacing the tongues before the booster strap.

this is only my opinion, though.

I actually doubt that I will have to stiffen them up. For the past few years I have been skiing on some junk head boots with a flex index of 4.6 to 5.6, the mega-rides actually feel stiffer. I just thought the booster straps would make them more responsive.

[FREESKIER_FIVE-0]

Wow. You need to start drinking milk. Like 10L/day.

And lifting weights. Im sure people would understand if you used steroids. Except then you would probably end up govenor of California or something, and i dont think anyone can handle that all over again.







Im 6 foot and like 220ish.

[BakerBoy]

Im 6 foot and like 220ish.

I'm 6'-3" and 180lbs, tubby.

[homerjay]

I actually doubt that I will have to stiffen them up. For the past few years I have been skiing on some junk head boots with a flex index of 4.6 to 5.6, the mega-rides actually feel stiffer. I just thought the booster straps would make them more responsive.

I weigh 180 and use the 2 strap boosters on my tele boots. Get them, it's like a 5th buckle, it really does make a difference (for me). I think it's a great upgrade on any boot, and a relatively cheap one at that.

[awf170]

I weigh 180 and use the 2 strap boosters on my tele boots. Get them, it's like a 5th buckle, it really does make a difference (for me). I think it's a great upgrade on any boot, and a relatively cheap one at that.

so UAN or anyone else, agree or disagree?

[Toby]

They're only $25 at Tognar. If you can spare that much, why not try them? Although I'd hate to disagree with UAN on anything techie (man knows his AT stuff).

[awf170]

They're only $25 at Tognar.

Yeah thats what I was thinking. Also I think I remember reading somewhere on this forum that a bunch of people use the two strap version with AT/tele boots and really like them.

Also UAN, do booster straps fit in the stock strap holders or are they too wide?

[Cirquerider]

I use the Race Boosters in Garmont Adrenalins. They really helped make the boot stiffer, but more progressive. Keep in mind, the velcro powerstrap has one setting, the elasticity of the Booster is the secret to progressive flex. The strap fits fine using the standard routing of the Powerstrap. The powerstrap is connected to the boot using a screw. you will need a small washer to distribute pressure keep the screw from penetrating through the booster strap.

[upallnight]

so UAN or anyone else, agree or disagree?

My feelings are pretty much stated above. Homerjay's comments are regarding tele boots, which have a different flex pattern than AT boots (and are lower, I think). I can't really comment credibly on the effect of boosterstraps on tele boots as I've only tele'd a few times and it was many years ago.

That said, I think you need to decide how strong a correlation you see between AT boots and tele boots.

[upallnight]

They're only $25 at Tognar. If you can spare that much, why not try them? Although I'd hate to disagree with UAN on anything techie (man knows his AT stuff).

I don't think the money is a big deal, but I simply thing that awf should *save* the money and ski the boots before attempting an upgrade. If they ski just fine for him (his skiing style, weight, etc.) out of the box, then why not save the $25?

If they leave something to be desired (based on awf's profile, i think there's a fighting chance they'll be fine), then by all means consider upgrading to the boosterstrap and/or the tongue. (I stand by my opinion that the tongue is a bigger upgrade.)

I *do* really feel that the 2-strap boosterstrap will not offer a huge (if any) improvement over the stock strap. The stock tongue of that boot is so soft that stock strap (which is not elastic) serves to couple the shin to the boot cuff -- and I don't think you lose any progressive flex in the process. If you use a stiffer tongue, then I believe maintaining the progressive flex with a boosterstrap that is elastic is essential.

I'd further add that I wouldn't consider any boosterstrap less than the 3-strap (advanced/expert) version...but that's me. I think the 2-strap version is just a very minor change, at best.

Again...this is all my opinion (but based on specific experience with these boots). Other opinions are equally valid.

[upallnight]

Also UAN, do booster straps fit in the stock strap holders or are they too wide?

They'll work just fine for ya w/o any mod -- no need to even screw them in place.

[Orange Julius]

I've used the beefcake booster straps with scarpa denali XTs for a couple of years. They offered some, but not a ton of improvement. They are heavy for what they are. They fit in the stock strap location on the denalis. I now use them on dynafit tlt 700's. Work great under the plastic tongue, against the thermofit liner.

[doctapow]

i have the 3-strap ones and I tried them on my Mega-Rides last year. For lift-riding you can notice the difference, but it is not earth-shattering (and i am 5ft11, 180).

I agree they are kind of heavy (beefy metal buckle) and a bit of pain in the backcountry where you want to loosen them on-off a lot.

If I was riding in-bounds mainly, I would probably keep them on (or use alpine boots...), but it is dead simple to swap them in-and-out.

If you want em - get em

[upallnight]

I've used the beefcake booster straps with scarpa denali XTs for a couple of years. They offered some, but not a ton of improvement. They are heavy for what they are. They fit in the stock strap location on the denalis. I now use them on dynafit tlt 700's. Work great under the plastic tongue, against the thermofit liner.

scarpa denali XT/TT (silver) tongues are much stiffer than the megaride tongues. (actually, i'm not a huge fan of that tongue).

boosterstrap would make less of a difference on that boot/tongue combo, for what it's worth.