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I am hearing reports some of the new 2018-2019 boots, specifically the Alpina Alaska, are popping up with thinner Vibram duckbills. 15mm instead of 18mm. Can anyone here confirm? Is this also the case for other brands and models this year?

bgregoire wrote:I am hearing reports some of the new 2018-2019 boots, specifically the Alpina Alaska, are popping up with thinner Vibram duckbills. 15mm instead of 18mm. Can anyone here confirm? Is this also the case for other brands and models this year?

I think the Alaska 75's have been at 15mm for at least a few years now. I just put the calipers on mine and they are 15mm. The boots were made in 5/2016 according to the tag.

I can confirm that the first-generation Alaska 75 had a 15mm duckbill.
I cannot speak for the current model Alaska 75- though I did examine it briefly and it definitely had a stiffer sole-flex than the first-gen, with its super floppy sole.

My Alaska's are maybe 2 years old, I'll measure them when I'm home later... but I know they're thinner than an Excursion or T3, T4, etc sole.

Well I was not aware the Alaska duckbills have been thin (15mm) since their beginning. Anyone with other brand/model boots purchased in the last couple years care to give me their duckbill widths?

I'm curious if all boots of a given year have the same vibram sole or if that can vary from model to model...

Just measured mine: 16.07mm duckbill, Vibram sole. My excursions are a little over 18mm.

The duckbill on my Fischer BCX 675's (2017 Version) is 17 mm.
The duckbill on my Rossignol BC X-12's (just purchased) is 17.5 mm

Thanks for your answers! I've come to the following conclusions about these thermomolded vibram soles

1) I was surely wrong about the shrinkening thickness of the Alpina Alaska duckbill, seems they were actually thin on along.

https://www.telemarktalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=218

2)To my great surprise, it appears Vibram offers different duckbill thicknesses and perhaps other variables as well to the different boot manufacturers in a given year!?!

Apparently, the new Voile Mountaineer and Voile 3-pin cables are designed to take a minimum of 16mm (up to 20) whereas the Rottefella Super Tele can go down to 13mm.

So, the ST should be a better binding for the Alaska....

I've just been thinking, why doesnt Alpina use a thicker duckbill sole?

I wonder if a thinner sole flexes more easily, and is therefore less prone to cracking than a thicker, stiffer one? Might be one reason for boot makers to switch, even if it makes the boot less powerful for downhill skiing...

I'm resurrecting this topic.

I just bought two pairs of Alaska 75mm, because they fit my feet so well. I have to get my calipers, but off my metric square ruler, my wife's are at 15mm and mine are 14mm.

I was under the impression that Alpina beefed up the duckbill a few years ago and went thicker, for instance my friend bought a pair of Alaska's for last winter in 2018 and they are at 17.5mm (w/ calipers). His pair with the thicker bill is what convinced me to go get my own pair.

Mine have a 03/19 sticker on the sole.

DISAPPOINTED. Variability in year-to-year? Variability in pairs?