The boot thread

[scrub]

Man, why are the Burton SLX so comfy but so out of my price range? Even on sale and with the CAD to US exchange rate I’m still not dropping $450 US on a pair of boots.

[kimchi]

I picked up a pair of barely used Adidas Acerras last off-season and finally got them to snow. Hadn't ridden a "stiff" (~8/10) boot inbounds in 10+ years, been on more like 6/10 boots like the Tactical. The Acerra's shin/calf height is also about 15-20 mm higher than the Tactical.

This was my first opportunity ever to test out two boots of different flex that fit equally well. I liked the stiffer flex more in some ways, less in others. More comfort and precision railing high speed turns, less heelside jutter, and powered out of a few iffy turns I might have fallen. But less feel, less fun at moderate speeds, and especially less fine-tuned ankle control. On Acerras I focused almost exclusively on fore-aft weight distribution, whereas on Tacticals I have added dimension of more ankle articulation.

Pretty standard, but like I said my first chance to test out these principles with boots that fit the same. In a perfect world I'd basically mix the two boots and end up with a single quiver boot: traditional laces, taller boot height of the Acerra, dial back the flex a bit to 7/10.

As is, I'll swap between the two boots depending on conditions. Probably 80% of days on the Tactical, especially in pow and on more crowded days when I don't feel safe going too fast. But Acerra on harder charging days with gnarlier objectives. I liked the Acerra enough that I'm going to try to track down one last set in addition to the spare Tactical Lexicons chilling in my basement.

I didn't mind BOA too much. I still prefer traditional laces, but Acerras these made me more open to BOA for non-backcountry boots. Maybe my opinion changes when I face my first on-mountain failure (and knowing me, only a matter of time lol).

[eleveneightnate]

I picked up a pair of barely used Adidas Acerras last off-season and finally got them to snow. Hadn't ridden a "stiff" (~8/10) boot inbounds in 10+ years, been on more like 6/10 boots like the Tactical. The Acerra's shin/calf height is also about 15-20 mm higher than the Tactical.

This was my first opportunity ever to test out two boots of different flex that fit equally well. I liked the stiffer flex more in some ways, less in others. More comfort and precision railing high speed turns, less heelside jutter, and powered out of a few iffy turns I might have fallen. But less feel, less fun at moderate speeds, and especially less fine-tuned ankle control. On Acerras I focused almost exclusively on fore-aft weight distribution, whereas on Tacticals I have added dimension of more ankle articulation.

Pretty standard, but like I said my first chance to test out these principles with boots that fit the same. In a perfect world I'd basically mix the two boots and end up with a single quiver boot: traditional laces, taller boot height of the Acerra, dial back the flex a bit to 7/10.

As is, I'll swap between the two boots depending on conditions. Probably 80% of days on the Tactical, especially in pow and on more crowded days when I don't feel safe going too fast. But Acerra on harder charging days with gnarlier objectives. I liked the Acerra enough that I'm going to try to track down one last set in addition to the spare Tactical Lexicons chilling in my basement.

I didn't mind BOA too much. I still prefer traditional laces, but Acerras these made me more open to BOA for non-backcountry boots. Maybe my opinion changes when I face my first on-mountain failure (and knowing me, only a matter of time lol).

My Acerras have broken in after 3 seasons to feel more like a 6/10. They reallllly softened up quick after that first season. No issues with the BOA after all these days on them (knock on wood), but I got complete repair kits for both BOAs and both boots direct from BOA just in case.

[kimchi]

Lol maybe the trick is just committing to Acerras and breaking them in. Problem being with a new kid (and hopefully another planned), "3 seasons" in the near future is max ~20 days on snow womp womp womp.

[ninja_nate]

Man, why are the Burton SLX so comfy but so out of my price range? Even on sale and with the CAD to US exchange rate I’m still not dropping $450 US on a pair of boots.

How's the lacing system? I've never ridden Burton boots but have friends who ride Ions but with BOA and swear by them. I tried out Nitro's TLS system and it was absolute garbage - would loosen after a few runs. I'm currently on a pair of Ride Fuse but looking at new boots next year and considering the SLXs.

[scrub]

@ninja_nate I’m a traditional laces guy and the Burton speed lace felt better than TLS in the store. I have never actually ridden either though.

[Spenser]

Speedzone is the only speed lace (pull style) that I like. Kinda think TLS sucks, and I broke Salomon laces constantly. I have many hundreds of days on speedzone on a variety of boots from 2008-present, and would say it's probably my favorite. They can break eventually, but for me that's at most once per pair, after a ton of use (like 3 seasons of 70-80 days each), and it hasn't happened on ever pair (maybe half). They're easy to replace with the little wire tool. People say they can't get them tight enough, but I don't see how/why - makes me think the boot didn't fit them well enough.

I've quite liked the double H4 coiler boas on my transcends though, and would happily keep running that system. I keep extras in my bag just in case, but don't expect any failures.

Really, the thing that would make me choose SZ is the idea of having to replace a lace in the backcountry. Otherwise I almost think I've been liking dual boa more.

I get why people like regular laces, but I dislike them. I get bad callouses on my hands over time, and much prefer the ease & easy adjustment of the above two speed systems.

For any speed system, it has to be dual zone or not worth looking at, IMO

[eleveneightnate]

Lol maybe the trick is just committing to Acerras and breaking them in. Problem being with a new kid (and hopefully another planned), "3 seasons" in the near future is max ~20 days on snow womp womp womp.

Yeah, might take a while then haha. They did break in a lot that first season, though, and they actually feel great if you leave the BOAs a little looser.

[unsuspected]

Lol maybe the trick is just committing to Acerras and breaking them in. Problem being with a new kid (and hopefully another planned), "3 seasons" in the near future is max ~20 days on snow womp womp womp.

Yeah, might take a while then haha. They did break in a lot that first season, though, and they actually feel great if you leave the BOAs a little looser.

First days I left the BOAs fully open but after 20-30 days they broke in. Mine will need some bootfitting for the heels. Maybe should have gotten a half size smaller but too late now, got 4 brand new pairs left. Wish they hold their stiffness better. Im significant heavier than you @kimchi, last season 275ish down to 230 this so this can also play a part.

[C.Fuzzy]

What are the advantages of traditional laces? Besides getting soggy, drag in the snow when untied, always feel too tight at the ankle and too lose at the calf, and suck to twiddle about digging the double knots out of at the end of the day when I just want these damn boots off asap. I don't begrudge anyone their preference, but what makes them good?

Side note: anyone else remember early on snowboard boots would come with hook like tools to help lace em?