Re: boots
Re: boots
Greetings - longtime lurker here. Just want to say thanks for all the great info on this site. Also, I recently ordered a pair of Alfa Guards from Telemark Pyrannees in size 42 but they seem a little short. Heal fits perfectly. In the meantime, REI has gotten the Alaska BCs back in stock so I have just ordered a pair of those in 43, and will return the Alfa. If anyone has any advice I’d love to hear it. Should I try the Alfa Guards in 43 as well? Are they that much better than the Alaska to be worth another $100+?
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lilcliffy
- Posts: 4156
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2015 6:20 pm
- Location: Stanley, New Brunswick, Canada
- Ski style: backcountry Nordic ski touring
- Favorite Skis: Asnes Ingstad, Combat Nato, Amundsen, Rabb 68; Altai Kom
- Favorite boots: Alpina Alaska BC; Lundhags Expedition; Alfa Skaget XP; Scarpa T4
- Occupation: Forestry Professional
Instructor at Maritime College of Forest Technology
Husband, father, farmer and logger
Re: boots
Hello and Welcome Langcow!
I cannot say that the Guard is worth the extra dough...
(A close friend of mine recently pushed me with this exact question over the holidays- I have been using my old 43 Alaska BC for a few days just to remind myself of the differences)
- the Alaska is smaller volume than the Guard- the 43 Alaska fits my slightly longer left foot better than my 42EU Guard. (I am truly a 42.5EU in terms of foot-bed length, but I must wear 42 in a large volume boot, otherwise I suffer from sever heel lift and toe pinch.)
If you have a low-volume foot and the 42EU Guard is just too short- the 43 Alaska is going to fit much better than the cavernous 43 Guard.
- the Alaska has a stiffer sole flex- which in the end after thousands of kms in both- I prefer the stiffer sole flex of the Alaska in hilly/steep terrain.
- the Guard is noticably lighter- I am now spoiled and greatly missed the mocasin-lightness of the Guard!!!
- the Guard is warmer- both upper and midsole.
- the support of the upper is near identical between the two boots.
For me- I prefer the Guard for ultralight BC Nordic touring-
If my low-volume feet were a bit longer I am not sure that I could personally make the Guard work/fit.
They are BOTH excellent BC-XC touring boots for the tur!
I cannot say that one is "better" than the other.
I cannot say that the Guard is worth the extra dough...
(A close friend of mine recently pushed me with this exact question over the holidays- I have been using my old 43 Alaska BC for a few days just to remind myself of the differences)
- the Alaska is smaller volume than the Guard- the 43 Alaska fits my slightly longer left foot better than my 42EU Guard. (I am truly a 42.5EU in terms of foot-bed length, but I must wear 42 in a large volume boot, otherwise I suffer from sever heel lift and toe pinch.)
If you have a low-volume foot and the 42EU Guard is just too short- the 43 Alaska is going to fit much better than the cavernous 43 Guard.
- the Alaska has a stiffer sole flex- which in the end after thousands of kms in both- I prefer the stiffer sole flex of the Alaska in hilly/steep terrain.
- the Guard is noticably lighter- I am now spoiled and greatly missed the mocasin-lightness of the Guard!!!
- the Guard is warmer- both upper and midsole.
- the support of the upper is near identical between the two boots.
For me- I prefer the Guard for ultralight BC Nordic touring-
If my low-volume feet were a bit longer I am not sure that I could personally make the Guard work/fit.
They are BOTH excellent BC-XC touring boots for the tur!
I cannot say that one is "better" than the other.
Cross-country AND down-hill skiing in the backcountry.
Unashamed to be a "cross-country type" and love skiing down-hill.
Unashamed to be a "cross-country type" and love skiing down-hill.
Re: boots
I've had a similar question. Thanks for a great response!lilcliffy wrote: ↑Mon Jan 11, 2021 6:57 pmHello and Welcome Langcow!
I cannot say that the Guard is worth the extra dough...
(A close friend of mine recently pushed me with this exact question over the holidays- I have been using my old 43 Alaska BC for a few days just to remind myself of the differences)
- the Alaska is smaller volume than the Guard- the 43 Alaska fits my slightly longer left foot better than my 42EU Guard. (I am truly a 42.5EU in terms of foot-bed length, top casinos app casinos-rate.combut I must wear 42 in a large volume boot, otherwise I suffer from sever heel lift and toe pinch.)
If you have a low-volume foot and the 42EU Guard is just too short- the 43 Alaska is going to fit much better than the cavernous 43 Guard.
- the Alaska has a stiffer sole flex- which in the end after thousands of kms in both- I prefer the stiffer sole flex of the Alaska in hilly/steep terrain.
- the Guard is noticably lighter- I am now spoiled and greatly missed the mocasin-lightness of the Guard!!!
- the Guard is warmer- both upper and midsole.
- the support of the upper is near identical between the two boots.
For me- I prefer the Guard for ultralight BC Nordic touring-
If my low-volume feet were a bit longer I am not sure that I could personally make the Guard work/fit.
They are BOTH excellent BC-XC touring boots for the tur!
I cannot say that one is "better" than the other.
Re: boots
Thanks for the info lilcliffy. I ended up ordering a pair of Alaskas in 42 from REI too. I think both pairs of Alaskas should be here later this week so I’ll be able to compare all 3 boots at my house before picking 1 to keep.
My current boots are Fischer bcx6, size 42, but older ones from 10+ years ago so quite a bit different than tbe current model. They work ok for me when it is flat but I don’t feel like I have much lateral control. They are also fairly large. I usually wear both a thinner sock plus a medium-weight sock with them.
My current boots are Fischer bcx6, size 42, but older ones from 10+ years ago so quite a bit different than tbe current model. They work ok for me when it is flat but I don’t feel like I have much lateral control. They are also fairly large. I usually wear both a thinner sock plus a medium-weight sock with them.
Re: boots
FWIW, these are my BCX6:
https://www.sierra.com/fischer-bcx-6-ba ... n~p~2579h/
https://www.sierra.com/fischer-bcx-6-ba ... n~p~2579h/
Re: boots
As luck would have it, both pairs of Alaskas arrived today. Does anybody know how much they might stretch?
The 42s feel pretty good in the heal and are slightly longer than the Alfas, but the toe box feels tight. I’m wondering if that might stretch out a little.
The 43s feel good in the toe box but too loose in the heal.
The 42s feel pretty good in the heal and are slightly longer than the Alfas, but the toe box feels tight. I’m wondering if that might stretch out a little.
The 43s feel good in the toe box but too loose in the heal.
Re: boots
If I’m lucky, I’ll be able to test both pairs of Alaskas in some snow this weekend rather than just walking around my house in them (not sure I want to outdoor test the Alfas if I need to return them). In limited testing at home, it seems like the size 43 Alaska with 2 pairs of socks might be the best way to go. Comparing them to my older Fischer bcx6 (which are really quite comfortable), I do feel like my ankle and heel are more stable.