The boot thread

[Jabilitation]

Noticed the other day that the eyelets on my vans hi standard pros were starting to tear after about 20 riding days. Out of curiosity I sent an email to Vans and despite being a few weeks outside of their one year warranty, they sent a gift card for the purchase price. Ordered this years version from their site and I had them on my doorstep in a few days. Pretty rad for them to take care of me. Now I’m going see if I can’t get the old ones fixed and I should be set on boots for a good bit.

The laces on last years Cole Navins were a little unusual. It was more cord like and felt coarse. I wasn’t surprised when I saw it was wearing the fabric eyelets. This years has a standard round lace so I don’t see having the same issue.

[fubuki]

I ordered a pair of Nidecker Kitas out of curiosity. Currently riding Ride Trident and Insano, both in US10.5 (28.5cm). I have a pretty narrow foot and I'm usually a 10.5 in most boots. The exception would be Adidas, where I could easily wear a 10. Had a few Tacticals back in the day and really liked them. The liners in both of my boots have been customized, but still dealing with heel lift. I heard that Nidecker runs narrow, probably similar to Burton. I am very impressed with the build quality of these boots. That said, they run real big. I would say bigger than Adidas. I was swimming in the 10.5 and they're only slightly longer than my Ride boots. I think I could get away with a 9.5. I'm sending these back and I'm debating trying the 10 or going to the 9.5.

They are stiff. A tad softer than fresh out of the box Insanos, which are very stiff.

[scrub]

The laces on last years Cole Navins were a little unusual. It was more cord like and felt coarse. I wasn’t surprised when I saw it was wearing the fabric eyelets. This years has a standard round lace so I don’t see having the same issue.

I'd hit those worn bits with a lighter and grab some waxed hockey laces.

[coleslawed]

yeah, those reflective laces are a bit abrasive.

Vans seems pretty generous with their warranties, though. I handled one for someone who's Infuse had a velcro strap separating that I did not think would be approved, but they did!

[scrub]

I'm about to use some of those Masterfit eliminator tongue shims to suck up a bit of volume on my front boot, does any one have any tips or tricks before I install them?

[jclinares]

Pretty disappointed with the durability of my Salomon Malamutes. I bought them last year as a replacement for the Burton Photons, and literally have 16 days on snow with them. A couple of days ago I noticed that a tab that holds part of the BOA system at the tongue of the boot had come out.
Also, when I pulled out the liners for drying before my flight back home, the little aluminum foil thing at the bottom of both boots has started to peel off. That one is no big deal, but by the time my Photons had gotten too loose and leaky to ride with, the aluminum foil was still in place.
Gonna start the warranty process, and hope the pair I got is just an outlier, and not the quality of their boots in general.

[kimchi]

Fwiw I've heard a lot of complaints about Arc'teryx durability and warranty since the Anta takeover. Anta is a Chinese sporting giant which owns Amer, which owns Salomon. Hopefully they take care of you.

[jbrorbs]

Anyone here tried out the any of the Nidecker boots since their overhaul a few years ago?

Specifically looking for input on the Kita Hybrid. Currently on the Ride Fuse and feel like the Kita Hybrid could be a slightly stiffer version of the Fuse (exactly what I'm looking for) since there is no articulated cuff. Also, curious on fit. Since Burton's former designer took over Nidecker's boot line, I am guessing these may have a comparable fit to Burton.

[eleveneightnate]

Anyone here tried out the any of the Nidecker boots since their overhaul a few years ago?

Specifically looking for input on the Kita Hybrid. Currently on the Ride Fuse and feel like the Kita Hybrid could be a slightly stiffer version of the Fuse (exactly what I'm looking for) since there is no articulated cuff. Also, curious on fit. Since Burton's former designer took over Nidecker's boot line, I am guessing these may have a comparable fit to Burton.

@Kevington has the Rifts. I tried on the Rifts myself and I know @kimchi has tried on the Altai (and maybe the Kita?).

You should be able to search for the posts in this thread where we talked about them, but my recollection is:

• They're very comfortable and have a super plush liner.

• They fit true to size, but you might be able to go half size down due to the above.

• The toe box is slightly narrower than Burton/Adidas, but the liner is so comfy and soft that it didn't feel restrictive or anything.

• They have a bulkier footprint than my 11 Imperials and way bulkier than my Acerra 10.5s.

• Next year they're coming out with a beefed up version of the Rifts.

• The Altai doesn't have a rubber treaded sole, so they won't last and are gonna be very slippery.

• Everybody agreed that the asym tongue feels great.

Anyway, I'm definitely considering next year's Rifts (or maybe this season's on sale) for my next boots.

[kimchi]

+1 to everything @eleveneightnate said above. Nideckers seem like they nailed a lot of stuff about the boot, I just wish they hadn't put a foam outsole sole on a $300 boot (Altai). If the Rifts are in the neighborhood flex-wise of Adidas Tacticals, I might go for them.