Hybrid boots - resort performance?

[slcdawg]

What size boot does he take? I’ve got some strider 120’s and older green zero g guides in 24.5 I’d sell.


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Thanks, I think he's a25.5.

[gregL]

One's standard soles, one's gripwalk. And beyond that despite identical BSL I still have to ratchet the Cochise pressure a few steps back.

They are both GripWalk now. At his weight, I think the hybrid solution should work fine, wait until he has a job to go the dedicated alpine and touring boot route.

[GoldenBC]

i've been in lupos for the last 3 years riding lifts 90% of the time. no qualms whatsoever.

Except that everyone broke the walk modes in the Lupos. Have a look at yours for hairline cracks on the mount plate.

[stealurface831]

Except that everyone broke the walk modes in the Lupos. Have a look at yours for hairline cracks on the mount plate.

just checked my 2 pairs. nothing.

[iriponsnow]

I used the Lupo for years for this. Also have a new 25,5 Lange XT3 120 that I need to move.

[tenB]

I used the Lupo for years for this. Also have a new 25,5 Lange XT3 120 that I need to move.

You should jump on these for your son. At 135 lbs, that’s still a lot of boot for any sending he’ll do.

[GoldenBC]

Exactly

[GoldenBC]

It’s not just Clydesdales. I had many 140lb ladies that ski decently break them in a year.

[iriponsnow]

‘Best’ option is two boots, but $$$ and growing feet….

I have a bunch of light used 25.5 resort boots; I could get ya super cheap on Kid stoke purposes…. Could even toss one in if ya wanted the hybrid boot.

[Name Redacted]

I have XT3 140s and have skied them hard inbounds for the last 3 seasons. Still holding up pretty well. I'm 6'2" 200 lbs and am not easy on gear. They need new liners soon though.

I also have Lupos that I ski on occasion. They are good as well. I really save them for lazy ski days or when my gout flares up because they are easier in/out and more comfortable.

[plugboots]

Tough one because his feet are prolly gonna grow, but I think the Hawx XTD were mentioned, and if he really gets into touring, you could put that lock bar in place of the walk mode lever and those become his resort boots, and then you’d get him dedicated touring boots.

[auvgeek]

Are his feet done growing? That would be a big driver in my decision. My feet stopped growing in 7th grade. Settled out to size 10.5-11 and never really changed, although they've gotten wider over the last 20+ years.

Personally, I lowkey hate how (overlap) boots with a walk mode ski inbounds. They're vague, they're unsupportive rearwards, they're either too soft (PU) or not-progressive (grilamid), they just don't ski like an alpine boot. Even the Lange XT3 140 doesn't really compare. I haven't skied the new Hawx PU (which I hear is soft, although that might be alright for him at 135#) and I haven't spent much time in the Lupo despite owning a pair because I don't love how cabrio boots ski for my anatomy/ankles.

Boots are pretty cheap these days if you're fine with last seasons model or anything not that new new. In fact, I would bet you can get both a decent alpine boot and a decent touring boot for the same price as a new sexy hybrid boot, and have better performance inbounds and touring. So yeah, I would personally at least investigate a 2-boot solution. Especially if his foot is done growing and the boots will last him a while.

I would take him to a reputable shop and let him try some stuff on with the idea that you're not quite ready to buy. That can help you figure out what kind of boots fit. Help you figure out what his feet are like and what boots work well for his feet, ankles, shins, etc. If he needs custom footbeds, you can do that then, too. Then go do some research on what you can get them for on sale or used. Places like skiyard, bobleisure, etc, often have last years alpine boots for under $500, sometimes under $300.

[jummo]

If all you ever ski in is a hybrid boot, you will think they ski just fine.
If you own a proper alpine boot as well, you will know that it isn't true.
Not at all complicated.

[slcdawg]

I have a bunch of light used 25.5 resort boots; I could get ya super cheap on Kid stoke purposes…. Could even toss one in if ya wanted the hybrid boot.

Sent you a pm. Thank you! I'm wondering if a 120 is too much for him at 130 lbs? Kid is skinny as a rail. [emoji1]

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[stuckathuntermtn]

The Salomon whatchamacallits are good. He's not gonna over flex a touring boot. In fact, the problem might be that the 100 flex version of an 80/20 boot might not come with pins fittings.

[anotherVTskibum]

If all you ever ski in is a hybrid boot, you will think they ski just fine.
If you own a proper alpine boot as well, you will know that it isn't true.
Not at all complicated.

It depends.

On race skis, I can absolutely appreciate the difference between my TI 130s and my Hawx XTDs, and it's not just the dramatic difference in stiffness--the TI transmits energy much more quickly and powerfully in all directions. It also keeps me more honest--if I don't have my weight in the right place both laterally and fore/aft, I don't get the response I want from the skis.

On all-mountain skis with Shifts, the performance loss isn't as dramatic (IMO), although I'll admit I haven't tried a proper A/B test recently.

The downside of that better energy transfer is that my knees and back hurt a lot more quickly in the race boots because the energy transfer back up from the snow is better, too. A teenager shouldn't have the same knee/back concerns, but depending on training level and future goals, the relative forgiveness of a downhill-oriented hybrid boot may be appreciated.

[slcdawg]

They are both GripWalk now. At his weight, I think the hybrid solution should work fine, wait until he has a job to go the dedicated alpine and touring boot route.

Would a 120 flex hybrid be appropriate for his weight? He charges but last year was on 90 flex.

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[gregL]

Would a 120 flex hybrid be appropriate for his weight? He charges but last year was on 90 flex.

I would guess 110 would be better at his weight, but there isn't a "right" answer . . . if he gets taller, heavier or skis like a movie star, go stiffer.

[halliday]

If all you ever ski in is a hybrid boot, you will think they ski just fine.
If you own a proper alpine boot as well, you will know that it isn't true.
Not at all complicated.

I have XT3-130 and old RS plugs. Plugs ski like plugs, the XT3 skis like an XT3-130. Both are fantastic. There is no one boot quiver.

[rudy]

I have XT3-130 and old RS plugs. Plugs ski like plugs, the XT3 skis like an XT3-130. Both are fantastic. There is no one boot quiver.

That's all there should be for a 15 year old unless they are buying their own boots with their own money. Won't argue for an adult.