Dynafit Ridge boots (and bindings)

[PinyonJuniper5]

Was finally able to try the Ridge Pro on yesterday, and was surprised by a few different things.

1). They don’t seem to be a short as people are saying. I’ve been skiing in a 27.0 Scarpa with a 1-finger shell fit for length, and found the 26.5 ridge to be about the same (one finger behind the heel).

2). The sliding tongue does seem like it will accommodate people who want more room lengthwise, by cinching the heel down in the back of the boot, but a significant portion of the forward ROM is only accessible with the tongue slid to the forward position. So, if you are depending on a rearward positioned tongue to hold your heel down, you won’t be able to reap the full performance of the boot.

3). As others have noticed, the BSL is short for each designated size. The 26.5 is just 288mm long. This seems reminiscent of the Hoji Pro, with the “speed nose”. Is it possible that Dynafit has found a way to keep the toe fittings as close to the foot as possible, while retaining the front lug for crampons? In my experience, the speed nose actually did make for more ergonomic walking.

4). This is not what I would call a “wide” boot. Just going off of a shell fit and feeling it out with the stock liner in, I’d say they are pretty close to a ZGPT in the forefoot. Just slightly tighter than the older F1 (2017-ish, non-LT version) or slightly wider than the current F1 LT.

Overall, I’m almost convinced this will be my next boot. As a person on the bigger side of a medium build, I have broken Alien RS’s and F1 LT’s and have been looking for a slightly more sturdy boot for the past two years. I originally thought it would be the ZGPT, but couldn’t get over the reduction in ROM, for ski performance that I’d likely not need 9/10 days. This boot’s combination of Hoji Lock, upright stance, stiff plastic, and decent ROM sure feels like a winner to me.


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[Benneke10]

Overall, I’m almost convinced this will be my next boot. As a person on the bigger side of a medium build, I have broken Alien RS’s and F1 LT’s and have been looking for a slightly more sturdy boot for the past two years. I originally thought it would be the ZGPT, but couldn’t get over the reduction in ROM, for ski performance that I’d likely not need 9/10 days. This boot’s combination of Hoji Lock, upright stance, stiff plastic, and decent ROM sure feels like a winner to me.

What won you over on the Ridge vs the Head Crux? I read your review on the Crux fit and it sounded good. I'm not in an area where I can try them on but they seem better in terms of ROM is that your experience?

[frorider]

I have only tried the Skorpius CR1 not the CR2. Supposedly they raised the instep in the CR2, but I haven't had it on my foot.

A comment on skimo.co (by skimo.co) says they fit differently, but for my foot, I thought they were more similar than different. The midfoot is tight. The instep is a little low, but not outrageously so. The Ridge has considerably more squared off toe box but I don't know how that really impacts fit. The Ridge is *maybe* slightly wider across the forefoot. They felt similar in length. I'd have to try them on back to back for heel hold comparisons.

Fitters or people with different feet would have better impressions across a wider sample size. For my feet, the problems areas were very similar in both boots: width across forefoot (met heads) and width/volume in midfoot (like metatarsal base/styloid process). I would wear a 27 in both, and I'm a 26 alpine boot and a 26 in most other touring boots. I think it's likely the carbon-infused plastic will punch similarly.

As readers of the Skorpius thread saw, the Skorp 2 is easily one of the best fitting AT boots I’ve ever tried on or owned. Out of the box perfection for me—narrowish heel pocket, med forefoot width, and juuuust enough instep room for my high instep (ie hard to get on but fine for long days).

As I posted after trying on the Ridge Pro, in an overall sense the fit wasn’t hugely different but I definitely noticed the squared off internal shape — almost too roomy for my toes in the lateral sense but might be great for those super hot Spring days in the E Sierra. The instep area was a bit snugger than Skorp 2 but I suspect aggressively molding liner could solve that. Walk mode not quite as awesome as Skorp 2 but very good. Overall cuff stiffness and flex felt a tad more powerful than Skorp 2 but I haven’t skied the Ridge Pro.

[PinyonJuniper5]

What won you over on the Ridge vs the Head Crux? I read your review on the Crux fit and it sounded good. I'm not in an area where I can try them on but they seem better in terms of ROM is that your experience?

Two reasons:

First, the Crux pro doesn’t have any micro adjustment over the forefoot, which for me is essential for all-day touring comfort.

Second, the Hoji Lock system of the ridge feels so solid, there’s almost zero play in the cuff when locked in ski mode. Vs the Crux that has the typical slop associated with a throw lever.


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[cat in january]

My local shop says they are told the Ridge is in transit. They also stock Tecnica zero g and Atomic Backland XTd. This will likely be a first for me paying full retail and I would ideally like to compare all 3. Anyone have insight on when stocks may show up?

[ski whore]

Tried the boot on a few days ago and was pretty impressed with the fit. Anyone know of a way to soften the boot? Felt like a brick while flexing it inside, can’t imagine how much more stiff it feels while cold out


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[cat in january]

Was it the pro model? Just go down a model?


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[Lord Thomas]

Or just gain 30lb. Worked for me.

[ski whore]

Yea pro model, can anyone confirm that the step down is significantly softer? I’m seeing [emoji637][emoji637][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]]] flex vs [emoji637][emoji638][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]]] but anyone put both on their feet?


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[Matt D]

I've had both on my feet and its noticable when they are next to each other, but certainly not a big stiffness jump from the regular to the pro.

That said it's a full PA boot so the stiffness wont change much between +20 and - 20C (not sure what that is in old money). What you feel is what you get.

[ski whore]

Any bootfitters out there with thoughts on softening the boot? Really attracted to the fit


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[wilcox510]

Any bootfitters out there with thoughts on softening the boot? Really attracted to the fit


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The Ridge Pro is called a 120 flex. The non pro version is called 110 flex and is now available from Dynafit directly, so should be available in shops soon. I would check those out rather than trying to soften the Pro

[bourbonisgood]

Need some advice on sizing the Ridge Pro. I’m long overdue for new touring boots. I’ve spent the last 10 years in the same pair of Maestrale RS in a 27.5.

Should I be looking at the Ridge Pro in a 28.0 to be similar to my old Maestrale? Unfortunately there isn’t a Dynafit dealer within 300 miles, so trying them on isn’t an easy task

For reference, skiing inbounds I prefer a much more performance fit. I love the fit of both my Lange RX130LV and XT3 130LV.

[PinyonJuniper5]

Need some advice on sizing the Ridge Pro. I’m long overdue for new touring boots. I’ve spent the last 10 years in the same pair of Maestrale RS in a 27.5.

Should I be looking at the Ridge Pro in a 28.0 to be similar to my old Maestrale? Unfortunately there isn’t a Dynafit dealer within 300 miles, so trying them on isn’t an easy task

For reference, skiing inbounds I prefer a much more performance fit. I love the fit of both my Lange RX130LV and XT3 130LV.

What size XT3 LV are you skiing? Any punches?

I fit the 2nd gen Maestrale in 27.0 really well, along with a 26.5 XT3 LV (no punches), and I am very happy with the fit of the 26.5 Ridge so far.


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[bourbonisgood]

What size XT3 LV are you skiing? Any punches?

I fit the 2nd gen Maestrale in 27.0 really well, along with a 26.5 XT3 LV (no punches), and I am very happy with the fit of the 26.5 Ridge so far.


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I ski the RX LV and XT3 LV in 27.5 without punches, but they are pretty damn snug

[Lord Thomas]

Bourb-good,

Where are you located? I ski an RX130LV in a 27.5 and it is a snug (10mm-ish) performance fit for me. Navicular is my only punch. I also have a pair of 28.0 Ridge's here if you were close enough to meet up and wanted to try them on. I find the mid-foot to be noticeably tighter than the Langs, but ymmv. I'm in Winthrop but get to Wenatchee and other places fairly regularly. Let me know if you would like to try to get together

[PinyonJuniper5]

Update after a few days of wearing the Ridge around my house, and comparing them directly with a Scarpa Quattro and F1 LT.

I’m returning the Ridge Pro’s.

I think they will be a great boot for a lot of people, but didn’t fill the niche I’m looking for.

What I really want is a replacement for my F1 LT that skis 20-30% better, is more durable, and walks nearly as well. I don’t think the Ridge fills this niche, mainly because it doesn’t walk as well as I’d like it to. The Hoji lock is very clever, and I do appreciate how little play the boot has in ski mode, but I don’t think the cuff loosens up enough for truly efficient walking. I tried the Ridge side-by-side with my Quattros, both fully unbuckled at the top and both with the Scarpa/Intuition Quattro liners, and could barely tell the difference between the two boots. The friction that comes from the moving tongue in the Ridge is pretty significant. Sure, the Quattro is heavier, but it also skis about as good as I could ever want, and the cuff is much taller.

I think the Ridge is a great choice for anyone who is used to touring in lower ROM boots, but wants something slightly lighter and more streamlined. But for me, it didn’t check the boxes.

[abcdethan]

I demoed these yesterday. I did a really short tour and then some resort laps. The ROM is near frictionless and more than I would need in fore and aft. I stayed in flat mode to test its range. I'm not sure I could tell the difference between this and my Salomon MTN Summits. Downhill, at first felt very stiff and rigid compared to skiing the older Zero Gs the day prior. After taking some resort laps in more consistent snow, I got used to flexing into them. I think they are true to size. Compared to other medium last boots like The Zero G, Transalp Pro, and the MTN Summit, the Ridge Pro is tighter around the ankle and the midfoot, with plenty of room in the forefoot to wiggle your toes. I took advantage of the Black Friday sale at the local shop and bought a pair. Its a true quiver killer for me.

[sheel44]

I have about 3 days on these now. I think they fit my foot about the best of the 1200-1300g boots I have skied, slightly better than the regular scarpa F1. Also clearly the best skiing boots I have ever used in the backcountry (I am a sucker for lightweight boots). But I have to echo the walkability comments. The F1s ski way better. I think I may find myself reaching for my PG Blacks more this season. I do not think that the ridge is worth it unless you have wider feet, I would choose LaSportiva or F1s over it if I could. However, if you want a 1300g boot that can ski probably a 1600g ski it may be worth it. I would not recommend it for long flat approach it you have basically 0 ROM backwards.

[Lord Thomas]

Has anyone tried to punch Ridge Pro's for naviculars? All I've heard so far is that this plastic takes a lot of time and heat but still won't move much.

I'm trying like hell to get these fucking things to fit because they really tick all the performance boxes for me....but goddam, these things are tight around the mid-foot/instep area. Might have a mintish pair of catch-and-release 28's for sale soon

[sheel44]

I was going to go to Eastside Cycleworks (in Leavenworth) and ask them if they can. I was told by skimo co in Utah that they know how to if youre ever going to SLC

[mr_pretzel]

Has anyone tried to punch Ridge Pro's for naviculars? All I've heard so far is that this plastic takes a lot of time and heat but still won't move much.

I'm trying like hell to get these fucking things to fit because they really tick all the performance boxes for me....but goddam, these things are tight around the mid-foot/instep area. Might have a mintish pair of catch-and-release 28's for sale soon

I haven’t punch them for the navicular, but three punches in so far and it doesn’t seem that difficult. Just do a shell check to see that your on solid area of the shell and not the overlap and I’m sure you could punch it.

[GoldenBC]

Has anyone tried to punch Ridge Pro's for naviculars? All I've heard so far is that this plastic takes a lot of time and heat but still won't move much.

I'm trying like hell to get these fucking things to fit because they really tick all the performance boxes for me....but goddam, these things are tight around the mid-foot/instep area. Might have a mintish pair of catch-and-release 28's for sale soon

They are annoying to punch. Heat them thoroughly and then hit it hard with the punch. It barely wants to move, keep working it, and then it finally becomes compliant. They get marked up like other dynafits, don't worry.

Navicular is pretty easy as the plastic thickness is consistent unlike the forefoot. Remove boa and anything in the way to make it easier.

[ey_allen]

I just ordered a pair of Ridge Pros to try on while I await hearing back from Fischer's warranty department. An initial question for the collective: where are you all attaching leashes to these things? Would around the ratchet strap work, or do I need to go the B&D route for longer leashes that wrap the boot?

[abcdethan]

I just ordered a pair of Ridge Pros to try on while I await hearing back from Fischer's warranty department. An initial question for the collective: where are you all attaching leashes to these things? Would around the ratchet strap work, or do I need to go the B&D route for longer leashes that wrap the boot?

I’ll use leashes on occasion and I use Plum leashes which are long enough to wrap around the boot. They do break with enough force. I’ve snapped two from minor falls on skis.


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