Scarpa Spirit 4 – Myth or Reality?

[Pow4Brains]

The Couloir AT boot review issue doesn’t list it. Anyone got the skinny?

The only thing I’ve seen on it.

[Jonathan S.]

Reality . . . that is, reflecting that reality that almost every new Scarpa AT boot (e.g., Laser, Magic, F1, Matrix, Spirit 3, and now apparently Spirit 4) has been available in Europe at least a full season before we in North American are deemed worthy of it (even though Scarpa has now taken over North American distributing directly from its former distributor BD):
http://www.sport-conrad.de/englisch/...ummer=74609416

[Pow4Brains]

Schweet, Thanks JonS! Any ideas on which "locally" available boot would have a similar fit for ordering reasons (since apparently we are NOT worthy)?

[cj001f]

pistehors makes it sound like both spirits have similar shells.

[skinnyskier]

Reality . . . that is, reflecting that reality that almost every new Scarpa AT boot (e.g., Laser, Magic, F1, Matrix, Spirit 3, and now apparently Spirit 4) has been available in Europe at least a full season before we in North American are deemed worthy of it (even though Scarpa has now taken over North American distributing directly from its former distributor BD)

Also the price would probably push close to $700 for the Spirit 4!!

[Jonathan S.]

Seems like a safe bet that the Spirit 3 would have identical fit.
(But not the Matrix, and not even the "Spirit" w/ no numerical appendage which is the econo version with no pebax, no Dynafit sockets, and no thermo liner.)
Netting out the Euro tax, looks like a bit under $600 delivered, or about $40 less than U.S. retail for Spirit 3.

[The Dark Side]

It doesn't sound like they made the plastic any thicker so what is the point. The Krypton gets by with 3 buckles and is a burley boot and a 4th buckle near the toe will not do much. Hopefully, they will have the spirit 4 dialed (stiffer and 4th buckle on upper boot) by next year and then bring it to the US.

[wilcox510]

I have to agree, not sure what the point is. People tend to get caught up in the 3 buckle vs. 4 buckle thing. The toe buckle on my mega rides is worthless, it does nothing for stiffness, and I can barely feel a difference in fit when its buckled. With the spirits, it seems like the buckle position on the 3 is perfect, not sure what you gain with the 4. Maybe the tongue is different, the 3 has the articulated tongue that likely skins great, but will probably get replaced by people looking for downhill performance. Is the fit of the Spirit 3 the same as the Matrix?

[Jonathan S.]

Agreed, not much difference - but look at how Couloir and Backcountry always refer to "four-buckle boots" even though the Matrix is just as stiff as the Mega & GRide, and also stiffer than the original four-buckle Denali. So overall, a smart marketing move by Scarpa. (Although admittedly, if I was contemplating the Spirit 3 at U.S. retail, I might instead spring for the Spirit 4 from Euroland instead - a little more weight, but probably does do a slightly better job tightening up the forefoot.)
Anyway, I suspect that the Spirit 3/4 fit is similar to the Matrix, but not exactly the same.

[Pow4Brains]

I guess I was assuming that a 4 buckle would be a little "taller", no?

[Jonathan S.]

With Lowa and Garmont, their 4-buckle boots are taller (and noticeably stiffer) than their 3-buckle equivalents.
The Scarpa Spirit 4 seems to beef up only the forefoot on the boot, but it could have other tweaks throughout.
You could try asking Sport Conrad, although the boot they're showing as the Spirit 3 is really the plain Spirit (supposedly different shell material entirely), so that could mess up any comparison they might be able to offer you.

[Jonathan S.]

Just in case you didn't see, a compare/contrast of Spirit 3 & Matrix (w/ the MegaRide remarks in the comments section):
http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=466

[Mulletizer]

FWIW: I got da fours.