Touring in alpine boots?

[Dickeymotto]

How bad is it really? Would it help to get a boot that has a flex adjustment like, say the Technica Diablos?

[Cruiser]

Not that bad. I toured for a season in Tecnica Icon ALU's and Freerides before I found a pair of AT boots that I liked and could afford. Alpine boots are heavier and lack the forward flex that AT boots have, but if you're not going on 10 mile tours, it's not that big a deal IMO.

[summit]

If you have to walk downhill, downclimb, walk on rocks, or skin on flat ground for any appreciable distance, or if your whole tour is not a short one, it sucks.

Otherwise, for short (<2000ft <2Mi) and consistently uphill tours, it can be a big payoff in performance without much discomfort.

[AsheanMT]

I facking hate it. Did about 20 or so small tours last year with Solomon X-Wave's and my feet go numb with pain after about an 1.5 hours. I was going to get some MegaRides this year but now that I hear news of a newer, stiffer, dynafit compatable boot coming out next year I'm gonna wait.

I saw some flexons down at the local used sporting goods store here in town and I think I might just grab those.....I think they were only like 25 bucks or so.

[hutash]

It is doable, but it can suck, especially if you have to do much walking on rocks.

[adimmen]

Starting in alpine boots is a great way to see if you enjoy touring without spending extra money on AT boots. If you never get into doing long tours, then alpine boots will work fine. If you decide to venture to far off places, then you will ultimately decide to make the switch and will likely settle on something with Dynafit compatibility anyway. Some people are more stubborn than others but everyone sees the light eventually.

[hemas]

Touring in alpineboots... Well, it works for short straight skinning jobs. But suck, for longer tours.

[Huckwheat]

Works for alot of days.....straight up and back out. I mostly use them around Tahoe.

I have shitty old Nordica 3 buckle randonee, which I still use for big days, or days with long approaches, but mostly use my technicas. The skiing is much better.


---above said, I would love to just get some Adrenalines or Endorphins, then it would be a different story.

[summit]

I have shitty old Nordica 3 buckle randonee, which I still use for big days, or days with long approaches

These boots suck sooooooooooooooooooooooo much.

[snowburns]

It works about as well as trekkers...great for a season if you're just getting into it, but after that season or your first long tour, you'll want the full deal.

[Jer]

How bad is it really? Would it help to get a boot that has a flex adjustment like, say the Technica Diablos?

I've got Tecnica Diablo Mags on the soft setting for Alpine boots and I use them all the time for short tours where I'm either booting up or climbing a steep skin track (like all the stuff around Alta). In situations like that the DH performance payoff is worth the extra weight and gorilla walking stance. But like everyone already said, AT boots with lugged, rockered soles and a walk mode are way more comfortable for all-day+ tours involving scrambling and lots of flat skinning.

[fluffballs]

I tour in the Falcon 10's. They're incredibly light for an alpine boot, and I just loosen them up on the way up.

[FREESKIER_FIVE-0]

Don't lie to yourself. It sucks. But I guess it's bearible.

[Dantheman]

Worst part is not having vibram. Not a problem if you skin the whole time, but touring often involves some mixed scrambling that can be downright scary on plastic soles.

[marshalolson]

are you going out into the backcountry to go touring (ie going out to cover some ground and ski some pow), or are your going skiing (ie looking to ski as hard and fast and big as you would inbounds)?

cause then the answer is obvious: you either want touring boots or ski boots.

the only time i EVER wish i had real AT boots is when i have to scramble on rock. but i have never really put myself into a situation where i need rock-pro or anything, so as long as you go slow and careful, its not too bad IMHO. and if your boots are fit properly, you should be able to skin all day in alpine boots with them buckeled up and not have any pain in your foot.

[Burrrr]

I saw some flexons down at the local used sporting goods store here in town and I think I might just grab those.....I think they were only like 25 bucks or so.[/QUOTE]

I have a pair of old classic salomon equips (Red and White ones). I shaved of about a qtr inch of the bottom and screwed in a vibram sole and it tours with the best of them.

[Jer]

I have a pair of old classic salomon equips (Red and White ones). I shaved of about a qtr inch of the bottom and screwed in a vibram sole and it tours with the best of them.

You're talking about the old rear entry ones, right? Those were actually pretty good boots.

[verbier61]

apart from missing vibram soles and a walking mode, flexons would not be bad for turing less than a couple of hours...

[Burrrr]

You're talking about the old rear entry ones, right? Those were actually pretty good boots.

Exactly, most importantly light and comfortable. A good cheep alternative.