kimchi wrote: ↑Thu Nov 09, 2023 10:57 am
He says every boot with an articulating cuff has "superior flex retention technology"
From working in retail, I agree with this statement. I actually won't buy a boot without an articulating cuff ( or a sewn in flex zone ) because in my experience they just wear out so much quicker and the flex changes so much compared to out of the box.
Also the warranty rate on boots without the cuff or flex zone was much higher as well, from my experience. Not giving the boot a place to naturally flex just caused stress/pressure on other seams/welds that the cuff eliminates.
SLC, UT - Cardiff Snowcraft - NOW - Spark R & D - AK457 - DC - Anon - Milosport -
Alright, that's fair. I just glanced at my K2 Aspects, it definitely has a lot more shell distortion around the ankle (both bottom and top zone) than any of my cuffed Adidas or the neoprene flex zoned Burton Imperials I used to run.
But point stands, TGR guy says a lot of eyeroll stuff that makes his videos a tough watch.
Last edited by kimchi on Thu Nov 09, 2023 11:40 am, edited 1 time in total.
kimchi wrote: ↑Thu Nov 09, 2023 11:31 am
But point stands, TGR guy says a lot of eyeroll stuff that makes watching his videos a tough watch.
For sure. His thoughts on the Rift vs Kendo flex and support has me intrigued, though. I might just snag some Rifts to try on. I don't mind a mid-flexing boot, especially as my riding chills out (and becomes a vacation thing as opposed to weekend warrior).
Speaking of shell distortion, I think my Adidas Tacticals may be done. When I was testing for the above, I noticed they're pretty creased in the midfoot-- I can feel them distort further when I flex forward or even when I just tilt them up on the toes like a boot pack.
These might be done except as backups. Disappointing, I only have ~60 days on these shells. I'd heard Adidas anecdotally got a bit more cheaply made towards the end of their run, these are 2020s and don't seem to have held up as well as my 2018s.
Or perhaps Wreck-It Kimchi just strikes again. If this is a sign of things to come, maybe that stockpile of Adidas won't last me as long as I think lol.
benjinyc wrote: ↑Thu Nov 09, 2023 5:13 pm
How much would that impact when you are strapped in? I can’t imagine you’d be bending/creasing that part while on your board
I strapped into a board just to check-- I'm definitely getting more flex through that section because of the crease.
I noticed this past season I was starting to get more foot pain and having to take breaks after a few hours of riding-- this might be the culprit.
Edit: I also had to restitch a seam that wore out against my ankle strap. I probably could have warrantied that, but my first warranty experience with Adidas was so awful that I bought a sewing awl and just did it myself lol.
@eleveneightnate fwiw my buddy who works on the Jones/YES/NOW side of Nidecker wears the Index, and said he said he thought they broke in softer than advertised. Said they were softer than his Vans Infuses.
