Telemark Talk / Telemark Tips Forum

It's the perfect, ultimate boots for Cross-Country Downhill. An Alpina Alaska BC boot with a thermo-moldable custom liner. Any boot fitting issues? Toe crush? Cold feet? Tow pinch? A sixth toe? Heel lift? Freezing toes? Blisters? Low arch? Say goodbye to it all. That was then, this is now. I'm telling you, it’s THE perfect boot!

Just bake the liners and you will have a perfect fit. A XCD leather boot especially molded to your own feet, for twice the downhill control and twice the precision. As soon as your feet moves inside, the whole boot reacts instantly. No more rubbing or blisters, no need to wear 3 pairs of socks to get a better fit. As soon as you step into the boots, you instantly feel the complete control. Which also means perfect comfort. Remember when I said that the Alaska were the most comfortable boots ever? Well, that was before I knew better. The new Watermelons Doubles are just incredibly more comfortable. The kind of comfort you never dreamed of. The kind of comfort you never imagined you could achieve with such a supportive leather boot. They are SO smooth, yet so precise and supportive.

They now transform themselves into expedition boots. With that much insulation, say goodbye to cold feet. Even though the Alaskas were already very, very warm boots, they were always a bit problematic for my old sweaty feet. Now I can go anywhere and feel the warmth no matter how deep in the woods I am skiing. Storms, winds, altitude, frostbite? A big beard and a pair of Watermelon Doubles and I’m not afraid of anything. This lightning storm, this tidal wave, This avalanche, I'm not afraid. Come on, come on… ♪ ♫ The liners can be pulled from the boots very easily to walk around inside the hut or chalet. They really make excellent slippers for apres-ski activities. And even though the foam already expanded around the possible voids on your feet, the added C-Pads outside the liners lock your feet onto the sole, filling the void between the Achilles tendon and ankle bone.

All the power and precision of a plastic boot, with the smoothness and the feeling of a pure leather boot. Seriously, how could it be better than this?

Geez man... Interesting but a tad crazy! Can't wait to hear about the actual experience of the «thing»...

Good one Johnny,

I'm ready to jazz, mad pumpkin style!
Foot size: 26.3mm
Liner size: 9 US
Boot size: 11 US (45EU)

Crazy? The crazier the better!
Actually, at 435$ USD, they are still half the price of other modern double boots...

Hey Ben, are these "my" size 45 Alaska BC with Bergans super-gaiters?
You sure Jazz...!!!

For those interested, this DIY kit is also available for the brand new ALFA PINKIES! I built both, but could only afford to keep a pair... I kept the Watermelons... I miss the super Pinkies already...

Double boots were the future of telly... They still are...

Looks sweet, Johnny. What liner comes standard?

Your choice...!
You pick the boots you like best, buy them way too big for you and choose the liners you prefer...

For the number crunching folk that prefer to be a little on the safe side, I would suggest a boot three EU sizes larger then your own for a standard ski/snowboard intuition style liner. Liner size as recommended by the brand.

Yes... Alfa recommends 2 euro points... 3 seems the minimum to me, at least with a thermo kind of liner...

For the record, my Alaska 42s are a bit tight, and my 43s are a bit loose... The Alaska 47 with thermo liners fit perfectly! That's almost 5 euro points!

So if I'm already at a 47 Euro, I'm basically just screwed, right?

This is a great idea for multi-day trips. The problem with the Alaska, as great as it is, is that you can't pull a liner out to dry overnight. If you're in a tent (such as moi) you are kind of sh*t-outta-luck to get your boots to dry. This is one reason why so many people do long flat tours in Excursions and T4's (at least in the northeast).

Brilliant guys! Brilliant!

Woods, you are not screwed! The folks at Alfa make boots up to 52 euro!

Touring (and skiing!!!) with plastic boots is a complete non-sense. Ask bgregoire about how you can keep you feet, boots and socks dry on multi-day tours. He is an expert, he knows everything about Kartanks, Valenkis, Burgdoffs, VBL socks and Freshettes...