EzLounging

jkor wrote: ↑Mon Dec 11, 2023 12:51 pm Does anyone have experience with the other split-centered soft boots? I generally ride Burton boots but I don't know if the tourist really has that strong of a touring mode. Also looking at the Nitro TLS series and K2 Waive. I'd check out the Vans but I can't find any options to try them on locally (Denver).

FWIW REI's website carries the Verse Range. Easy returns if it doesn't fit.

@pow_hnd went all in on a split-specific boot after trying them, after thinking he was fine with regular boots. I think it was the Vans Verse Range. He wasn't able to make them fit his foot so I think he's given up on that, but he really liked the touring mode.

I have K2 Aspects, which are probably comparable to Tourist and Incline walk modes. They won't accommodate as much negative lean as systems that fully open up like the Waive of the 32 MTN, but they'll do much better at the back end of a stride than a standard boot.

I really prefer splitting with a "quasi" walk mode on the Aspect, but the main benefit for me is consistent negative lean wrecks my resort boots. I should say I tend to wreck stuff generally and am hard on equipment, so I don't know how representative that experience is.

The Aspects are stiffer than ideal for me, although they were the best fitting split soft boot I could find a few years ago. If I were to do it today, I'd probably get a Waive or possibly one of the Nitros. Maybe Vans Verse, but I'm skeptical of full BOA on a backcountry boot (again, tend to wreck stuff).

kimchi wrote: ↑Wed Dec 13, 2023 11:18 am @pow_hnd went all in on a split-specific boot after trying them, after thinking he was fine with regular boots. I think it was the Vans Verse Range. He wasn't able to make them fit his foot so I think he's given up on that, but he really liked the touring mode.

This is correct, they were awesome on the up for sure, but in the end I just couldn't get the damn things to fit me unfortunately.

I tried on the Nitro split boots this year but they were a no go for my foot as well.

Have yet to try on the Tourist boots, but I'm hopeful that it might be able to work for me.

For those who use the hitchhiker binding, what replacement parts do you bring with you? Extra ladders and buckles? Since my other burton bindings have shit the bed I’m getting nervous about being out there with nothing but a ski strap.

I don’t bring any, but bolt for the heelcup, buckle and ladder for toes. I have ridden down with a missing bolt, without a toe strap, broken highback, and lost an ankle strap once, and had to use a gopro strap instead. None of those at the same time. Oh, and walkmode bushing I guess.

I dont have hitchhikers/sparks, but karakorams... but I know just having metal on metal components, you def want to bring extra washers, screws, bolts.

pow_hnd wrote: ↑Wed Dec 13, 2023 2:45 pm

kimchi wrote: ↑Wed Dec 13, 2023 11:18 am @pow_hnd went all in on a split-specific boot after trying them, after thinking he was fine with regular boots. I think it was the Vans Verse Range. He wasn't able to make them fit his foot so I think he's given up on that, but he really liked the touring mode.

This is correct, they were awesome on the up for sure, but in the end I just couldn't get the damn things to fit me unfortunately.

I tried on the Nitro split boots this year but they were a no go for my foot as well.

Have yet to try on the Tourist boots, but I'm hopeful that it might be able to work for me.

Thanks for the info! I tried on the Nitro Skylab TLS, which were super comfy but way too soft. They didn't have the Incline in my size, and it seems like too much boot for what I usually get into.

K2 boots generally fit my foot pretty well, so I took a flyer on the Waive. The BOA for the walk mode seems legit just walking around the house, but haven't ridden them yet. Hoping to break them in a bit at the resort in Steamboat this weekend then split in them in a week or two. I'll report back how they're working out.

Curious your feelings on the Waive once you get them to snow. I've been thinking of picking up a pair. My Aspects have plenty of line but are too much boot for what I typically get into. And the Waive seems to fit me much, much better. I'd love a boot I can ride resort + BC to consolidate things a bit.

kimchi wrote: ↑Wed Jan 10, 2024 8:38 am Curious your feelings on the Waive once you get them to snow. I've been thinking of picking up a pair. My Aspects have plenty of line but are too much boot for what I typically get into. And the Waive seems to fit me much, much better. I'd love a boot I can ride resort + BC to consolidate things a bit.

I rode the Waive over 2 days at Steamboat a couple weeks ago, but conditions were shit so I probably put in a combined 5 hours on the hill. I had some pinch points at my heel bones but it wasn't major and might just be a factor of them being brand new. I like how the liners surround that bone, so I don't think there's anything to shave off. I might add some padding and see if that helps.

The walk mode seems legit, even just walking to the bus and around the resort. The range of motion is really noticeable. Hoping to get on the split next weekend. Also debating bringing them to Tahoe in mid-Feb but might go the safe route and just bring my Imperials.

I should point out I'm 5'10" and 160 lbs. Been riding a long time but I don't generally destroy stuff. I think I've snapped one skateboard by accident in a 27ish year span.

Rainery rides for Karakoram, and they did a trip in the Revelstoke area before he came home for a bit.

Side note - he said they were testing a new Karakoram skin, and the whole group agreed they were terrible. Not sure what went wrong, but sounded like a total miss with scary lack of grip.

Picked up the Amplid Tour Operator as a replacement to my Lib Split Brd. Both the same length and ww. Had enough of the TNT base to justify the change.

Some initial thoughts between the two:
-BRD is designed w/ a more pow friendly design (more taper, more set back, and more nose of rocker)
-TO has a longer contact length, I expect better uphill performance in variable conditions
-TO is slightly heavier (I didn't find the BRD to be all that damp), interested in knowing how the layup will determine ride quality and if the uphill effort will be noticeable
-The clips aren't the Karakoram Ultra's on the TO, but the nose and tail clips are superior on the TO. With bindings on the board, it didn't appear to have any major differences regarding connectivity of the two halves.
-Flex rating is lower on the Amplid. Given that it is heavier, flex rating is lower, I'm expecting an increase ride quality. I didn't find the BRD to ride smooth unless it was a decent amount of pow, but then you had issues w/ the base and speed.

Unfortunately I need to wait a few months in the southern hemisphere to get this tested out but will give this a spin in the resort.