strolz boots - anyone know these?

[Brendan]

Hi Guys,

Some informed comments appearing on boots.  Jim mentioned to me that it's worth choosing boots over skis.  I don't have a lot of knowledge about boots.  I currently own a pair of Strolz boots about 3 years old (black colour).  Before that the red Strolz which was much stiffer.  Theya re totally foam injected and literally fit like a glove.  I have nothing to compare them to as I have never skied anything else.  What do you guys think about this boot?  Could I get better performance elsewhere.

For the record - I'm 160 pounds, 5'11, skiing ability - not familiar with your class system but in Australia I used to ski in class one (class 6 - 1, beginner is class 6) and I try to get a month in Colorado every year.

Best
Brendan

[Gary]

Hey Brendon, seeing that you're from the other side of the world, doesn't surprise me I've never heard of Strolz ski boots. I'll make a point of checking them out on line.

Sounds to me like they are really dialed in to your feet. Fitting like a glove is key!

HOw many times a year do you get out and ski?

What kind of terrain do you spend most of your time on?

What are the majority of ski conditions like that you ski?

The spectrum for boot choices is amazing. We all pretty much believe it's more important to have better boots than better skis!

Don't know what kind of performance criteria you currently have with your existing? boots but maybe we can get some of the gang here to chime in on? what factors they sense with good boots. Here are some of mine...

First, the overall anatomical fit of the shell is very close to the shape of my foot.
When standing upright and then relaxing my knees I feet centered in the boot..not too far forward or rearward.
I can actually feel my feet working beneath my ski...good response edge to edge.
I can feel the outside edge of the boot and inside edge when pressured.
When skiing, the boot flexes just enough for me to be in an attack position and hold that position witout fighting the boot.
I can wear the boots 4-5hours on the mountain without my feet falling off.
No delays in transition from edge to edge...quick and precise.
The ability to arc turns both left and right feels about the same.


Is there anything in your boots that you feel is missing?

I believe ski performance starts with the feet....hence....bo ots are the go to tool...get um right...and skiing is much more pleasureable.

Best,
Gary

[Gary]

Brendon, I had a chance to check on line, the web site of Strolz boots. They have a location on the east coast. Seems to me they spend loads of time customizing the entire make up of the boot for the individual....nice stuff. Their boots include all the modern boots bells and whistles as well.

Don't know whay I've never heard of them. Maybe cause they have no advertising budget. They really build the boot from the gound up...ah, such pampering.

So, if you've had your boot vacum packed to your foot, custom behond normal off the shelf boots, seems to me they'd be hard to beat.

Sure would like to hear feedback from others who own the boots and have also owned the standards so we could hear a comparison.

Gary

[Brendan]

Gary

Really helpfull - very much appreciated.  I will go through your points.  Yes, these boots fit literally like a glove from your toes all the way to the top of the boot (shin).  Completely foam injected with additonal custom foot bed. 

They have to be fittted by a Strolz expert and sometimes the boot fitter will come out from Europe to do a season.  As to your question - what conditons  - I have skied them ont he north face of Crested Bute (extreme terrain), the groomers of aspen etc,  all the way to the world's best hardpack (Australia).  Incidentally - the first day overseas skiing was at Alta, i laughed my head off when someone said it was icy!  Compared to OZ it looked perfecto. 
I have no other comparison with any other boots, so I do not know how they rate in terms of performance however what I can tell you is the comfort is extraordinary.  You can ski all day and no pressure points on you feet, blisters or any kind of pain.

Thanks again
Brendan

[jim-ratliff]

 ? I gues you now have our permission to spend some money on skis!!? ?

It is pretty funny to go from the east (the NORTHERN worlds best hardpack) to the west and hear the western skiers complaining about the icy conditions.  They have no idea what ice is.

[Gary]

Hey Brendon...
Sounds to me like your boots are dialed in. Take a look at the points I stated and maybe some others that may get posted and then decide if your missing some factor in your boots.

Sounds to me by the terrain you ski, your boots must be performing to a high performance level or you'd be a big snowball at the bottom of an Aspen run.

Don't forget to post when and where you're in the states if you want company. It's always fun to meet and ski with Real Skiers!

Best,
Gary

PS...Jim's right...ice in the west...I've never seen it! Come east and see the real deal...so blue, you can see your refection, well almost!