Leather boots

[Oldschooln8]

Im still rockin my old Asolo Extremes and switch around from old skinnies to alpine. Just a more comfortable set up. The big plastics feel like downhill gear. Is anybody out there of the same aesthetic?

Im going to need to replace the Asolos in the next season or two... sooner if i make it to the mountains:)

What leather boots can anybody recommend? There is not much to offer here in Minnesota.

thanks

free your heel and your mind will follow

[MikeK]

Howdy N8. There are still a few leathers out there but they've evolved from what you are used to.

http://www.telemarktalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=184

and

http://www.telemarktalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=381

are your front runners. You probably won't find them locally so you'll have to play the mail order shoe shopping game.

Less popular are the Rossignol series and to round things out Fischer makes some leathers:

http://www.fischersports.com/en/Nordic/ ... -/-S-Bound

The Fischers are probably the most available. I can't speak for their fit or how they ski, but some people really do like them. I've also read other things about them falling to pieces. Caveat emptor.

[Oldschooln8]

Thanks Mike
I saw some of those searching... Mail order and fitting a teleboot seem like a trip down the rabbit hole.

I was through Boulder a few years ago and hit a few shops, there was some cool stuff but no good fits.
The Alpina is looking like a contender. I like the Alico but its more $$ than Im ready for.

It might be nice to jump on some more current boards too... I get concerned about ripping my asolos apart again

Thanks again




free your heel and your mind will follow

[Teleman]

816 is expecting his shipment soon.....He can help us all....Andrew Shoes were spot on...but their offerings have become more limited....Wish we could go directly to the manufactures....like the Italians who make them....TM

[paul kalac]

If I had the money right now right here, I'd buy a pair of the Alpina Alaskas. A real boot, with a 75mm tongue!

And orange too!!

I've had the Fishcer BCX6's for years. Yes they are good, yes they are comfortable, and supportive. But I find they eventually do seep in wet snow. The neoprene and especially the zipper let melted snow to pass through and then theres nothing but a mesh tongue from letting your socks wet out. Having said that, in dry conditions, a great boot.

[Johnny]

Yeah, the Alaskas are the greatest boot I ever tried. They are way superior to all the leathers I had. I use them everywhere, XC, downhill, in the woods and on the groomers as well.

Alico are still making great leathers:
http://www.alicosport.it/TELEMARK%20BOOT.htm

You may also want to check Andrew Shoes, probably the finest on the market:
http://andrewshoes.com/prodotti/en/telemark/

[MikeK]

I'm always hesitant to mention Alico or Andrew. Unless you can find someone who stocks them it's even more a gamble with fit. At least mail order you can hone in your size and ship them back if they don't fit. Custom order stuff to the states I think you are pretty much stuck with... they are sick boots though.

I forgot to mention Crispi still makes a single leather:



http://www.crispi.it/en/products.php?id_menu=1

Not sure if it's stocked here in the states, but Telemarkdown might have them.

http://www.telemarkdown.com/

Get in touch with Erik, he has the leathers and who I've been dealing with for the Svartisens.

[Johnny]

What's your size N8?

I have a pair of Merrell leathers for sale, too big for my 10.5 feet... Almost like new, only used a few times.

[Oldschooln8]

Great tips... awesome!
My size is 12 or so depending on maker.
The orangies are catching my eye...
anybody have experience with the lighter boots on the wide shaped boards?
I do like to bust out my old Kazamas but the shaped gear makes the snow all cut in the wrong geometr, thats my excuse anyway... Old school is looking at making it a little easier.






free heelin feelin

[MikeK]

I think the orangies are a perfect fit for something like these skis:

http://www.telemarktalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=388

I know of some people, one here, who ski with those boots and a little bit wider skis too, but not much, only 10mm or so overall.

I have no idea how it would work on packed, cruddy resort snow... but in anything deeper it's awesome.