A petite gal’s journey to 75mm (3-pin) boots (size 5, high arch)
Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2021 5:29 pm
I have had a crazy time trying to find telemark boots and wanted to capture our findings for others that may benefit from our learnings. My husband and I relocated to a mountain community and discovered skiing in parks, on logging roads and on hiking trails. We love the climbs and the crazy fun downhills! It is time for me to cross-over to a more downhill oriented boot and ski.
Ski's:
I started with the Fischer Spider 62’s (fit in the track, steel edges, NNN binding) and moved quickly to the Fischer 88’s (NNN-BC) as we headed more and more off-resort. I was talked out of the S-Bounds due to the better kick and glide experience with the 88’s. While I am very happy with my choice, and these 88’s rock on logging roads, I am finding I want to do steeper terrain. Recently, I rented Madshus Annum’s (no Epoch’s to be found) and we attempted an excellent ski trail with aggressive uphill and downhill territory. Now enter the ski boot saga.
I measured my foot, and I’m about a 21.5 cm (which should be a US size 5).
Most 3-pin boots are sized in US Mens or Mondo. Mondo should be easy!! It’s just cm! So easy-peasy. I read a bunch on this forum, and folks really like the Scarpa t4’s. I ordered the size 22 and they were sheer agony. The issue was not length, but volume. It seems I have a bit of a high arch. Closing the boot across the bridge of my foot for a period longer than 3 seconds was enough to make me cry. Those went up for sale.
My other choice was the Scott Excursion. (These are no longer being made.) Our local shop had a size 23. I tried those on, knowing it was a bit of a stretch. WOW Comfie!! But way too big. My heel popped up and my toes wiggled for miles. I lucked out and found some size 22’s for sale through a Shop that stocked up on a bunch of kids boots! (Thank you, Outdear Gear Exchange in Burlington, VT. Amazing experience, ultra-fast and generous returns policy).
I received the 22’s. The boots were extremely, extremely not workable. Way too short. My toes were squashed up to the ends. Ok, no problem – this shop is great! Send ‘em back.
Just a small callout on the boot liner in the Kids Scott. It is strange. It is not the ultra comfie version in the adult boots. The footbed is very hard (like cement) and the height of the toe box is very low (about 2.5 cm high on the outside). Also, we measured the foot liner between the Scarpa t4 22 and the Scott Excursion 22 is about 6cm shorter.
Through the process of elimination, we know the 23 is too big, and the 22 is too little. Soooo….let’s try the 22.5? They came fast. I rented skis. I tried the boots on. They hurt. But I was foolish and determined to make it work. So, we hopped on the trail and for about the first 500 feet or so, I thought – yah, this sucks but I can do it. After the next mile, I went silent. This was NOT working. We finished up our day and logged about 8.5 miles, and I was seriously in pain. The boots were too short and too narrow. Now what!?
Husband notices that the Scott Excursion Kids boot shell is stamped with 22-24.5. So – we have leeway in the hardware.
Enter Intuition Liners! I filled out their inquiry form and they recommended the Pro Tour Medium size 22. Those looked a little too stiff for me, so I ordered the Logan and the Universal. Some of their liners are size up, and some are size down. I got the Logan in a 22, and the Universal in a 23. I was beside myself with nerves.
I am so happy to report that we have a match! The Logan’s are very low and wide-calf friendly. We were a little worried they were too low and the plastic at the back of the boot might rub. This is not a concern. Logans are made for 2-3 buckle Tele shells. They are quite roomy in the toe box, and should be even better after heat molding.
The Universals are much stiffer and higher, we were a little afraid to try jamming them in to the boot shell. It was obvious they are over-sized for that boot. We did get them in, and I tried them on. Felt great, but my heel had too much rise, and the extra volume in the boot was a little on the ridiculous side.
So, I have a winner! Scott Kid’s 22-24.5 shell with Intuition Logan 22 Liner. Last word on the boots: I will try and report back after heat molding and using on the trail.
Now if ski’s weren’t in short supply….but that’s another story for another day. (I can’t believe how hard it is to get scales) Have fun and be safe out there! I hope this is helpful.
Ski's:
I started with the Fischer Spider 62’s (fit in the track, steel edges, NNN binding) and moved quickly to the Fischer 88’s (NNN-BC) as we headed more and more off-resort. I was talked out of the S-Bounds due to the better kick and glide experience with the 88’s. While I am very happy with my choice, and these 88’s rock on logging roads, I am finding I want to do steeper terrain. Recently, I rented Madshus Annum’s (no Epoch’s to be found) and we attempted an excellent ski trail with aggressive uphill and downhill territory. Now enter the ski boot saga.
I measured my foot, and I’m about a 21.5 cm (which should be a US size 5).
Most 3-pin boots are sized in US Mens or Mondo. Mondo should be easy!! It’s just cm! So easy-peasy. I read a bunch on this forum, and folks really like the Scarpa t4’s. I ordered the size 22 and they were sheer agony. The issue was not length, but volume. It seems I have a bit of a high arch. Closing the boot across the bridge of my foot for a period longer than 3 seconds was enough to make me cry. Those went up for sale.
My other choice was the Scott Excursion. (These are no longer being made.) Our local shop had a size 23. I tried those on, knowing it was a bit of a stretch. WOW Comfie!! But way too big. My heel popped up and my toes wiggled for miles. I lucked out and found some size 22’s for sale through a Shop that stocked up on a bunch of kids boots! (Thank you, Outdear Gear Exchange in Burlington, VT. Amazing experience, ultra-fast and generous returns policy).
I received the 22’s. The boots were extremely, extremely not workable. Way too short. My toes were squashed up to the ends. Ok, no problem – this shop is great! Send ‘em back.
Just a small callout on the boot liner in the Kids Scott. It is strange. It is not the ultra comfie version in the adult boots. The footbed is very hard (like cement) and the height of the toe box is very low (about 2.5 cm high on the outside). Also, we measured the foot liner between the Scarpa t4 22 and the Scott Excursion 22 is about 6cm shorter.
Through the process of elimination, we know the 23 is too big, and the 22 is too little. Soooo….let’s try the 22.5? They came fast. I rented skis. I tried the boots on. They hurt. But I was foolish and determined to make it work. So, we hopped on the trail and for about the first 500 feet or so, I thought – yah, this sucks but I can do it. After the next mile, I went silent. This was NOT working. We finished up our day and logged about 8.5 miles, and I was seriously in pain. The boots were too short and too narrow. Now what!?
Husband notices that the Scott Excursion Kids boot shell is stamped with 22-24.5. So – we have leeway in the hardware.
Enter Intuition Liners! I filled out their inquiry form and they recommended the Pro Tour Medium size 22. Those looked a little too stiff for me, so I ordered the Logan and the Universal. Some of their liners are size up, and some are size down. I got the Logan in a 22, and the Universal in a 23. I was beside myself with nerves.
I am so happy to report that we have a match! The Logan’s are very low and wide-calf friendly. We were a little worried they were too low and the plastic at the back of the boot might rub. This is not a concern. Logans are made for 2-3 buckle Tele shells. They are quite roomy in the toe box, and should be even better after heat molding.
The Universals are much stiffer and higher, we were a little afraid to try jamming them in to the boot shell. It was obvious they are over-sized for that boot. We did get them in, and I tried them on. Felt great, but my heel had too much rise, and the extra volume in the boot was a little on the ridiculous side.
So, I have a winner! Scott Kid’s 22-24.5 shell with Intuition Logan 22 Liner. Last word on the boots: I will try and report back after heat molding and using on the trail.
Now if ski’s weren’t in short supply….but that’s another story for another day. (I can’t believe how hard it is to get scales) Have fun and be safe out there! I hope this is helpful.