Message #18899

[Svend]

I haven't started the new boot search yet.  All the stores around here moved to bikes a month ago because of the early spring.  But I will be in Calgary and Banff for the next two weeks on business and to ski (naturally), where it's still full-on ski season.  There are a few really good shops out there, and I will have plenty of time to do some testing.  Hopefully, being late season, they will still have stock in my size.

I tried a Raptor Supershape version (the red ones) a few years ago, and they fit well.  Very snug overall, nice flex pattern, solid feel.  But if I recall, the instep was too low for me, which ruled them out.  I may try a pair again, but they are kind of farther down on the list.

I have not tried any Nordica boots, but the Doberman 130 is high on my short list for sure.  They also have a big-mountain version of the Doberman called the Girish, which is a 130 flex, 98mm last, which looks interesting.  In the pics online, the shell seems slightly different than the other Doberman line -- taller cuff, more anatomical heel area.  I will look for those out west.  And, LP mentioned a new Doberman for 2013 called the Patron which sounds terrific and looks killer (see Phil's review on Epic; he says they fit almost exactly like his Inferno 130's, so they should be a great fit for me too as I am in that same shell now).

Here's my short list:

-- Lange RX130 / Rossi SI 130 (exact same boots)
-- Tecnica Inferno 130
-- Fischer Soma RC4 130 (tried an X-120 some time ago, but instep was too low; want to try them again as their shell has since changed)
-- Nordica Doberman 130 (any of their 130/98mm models, but if the Girish has a taller cuff it will be preferred)
-- Salomon X-3 130 (tried this 3 years ago, but had a bad hot spot right at the hinge rivet on my ankle bone; no fix for that; otherwise great fit, but the shell had a weird deformation pattern when I flexed forward which was off-putting; I want to try these again)
-- Dalbello Krypton Pro 140
-- Head Raptor 130

I have not tried an Atomic race boot yet.  Anyone know anything about these? Worth a look?

Dalbello Scorpion seems like the cuff is too low, so that will likely not work.

Any comments on the above are welcome....