PSA: milsurp Scarpa T4s

[Bohemian]

Interesting; shipping costs are only displayed after you've entered your e-mail address, delivery address etc. It would be nice if they would display the shipping costs up front like most other shops do ...
No doubt shipping to Europe makes no sense. My old Scarpa T2 could do with a replacement

[phoenix]

"Do the T4s have more backbone than excursions?"

I have Excursions, haven't skied T4's but have worn them around the shop a few times. They feel like they may be just a wee bit stiffer, but are still a soft boot with low cuff height. I doubt you'd gain any noticeable performance going from an Excursion to a T4. I'm leaning towards a T2 Eco for improvement over the Excursion (and as a replacement for my 15 year old T1's).

[lowangle al]

I just skied some Excursions last season and was very impressed with them compared to T4s. They are not as tall or stiff as T4s and are lighter. My Excursions are an early version from the 90s if that matters. The T4s stiffness gives you more power, but I think the softer smoother flex of the Excursion gives you as much or maybe even more control because how it responds to finesse and precision.

If I had been a long time Excursion skier, I wouldn't be happy switching to T4s, but unfortunately they are the closest thing available. My impression of the Excursion was that it was more like a leather boot than a leather boot. Compared to my Merrill Ultras they were lighter and lower and gave me a better feel for the snow through my lower shins. I'm not sure if they kick and glide better than heavy duty leathers but they do K&G better than the T4s.

As far as T2s go, I haven't worn mine since I got T4s back in 2017. Although they aren't much heavier than T4s they lack the range of motion which is a big plus for touring. The lower cuff also gives more ROM for turns. It allows you to roll your ankles to the side, something you are unable to do in T2 or heavier boot. You may miss this aspect coming from Excusions.

[Salto]

Appreciate feedback. Will hold for a cheap pair of T2s. I too have T1s from 15 years ago (silver black version) and toured with them 100+ days, but over touring with that stiff and heavy of a boot. Just need something stronger than excursions to drive my army surplus hyper vectors with switchbacks. The excursion can do it in easy consistent snow, but worked on steeper slopes and any variability.

[turnfarmer]

There was a previous T2 model that split the difference between T2X and T4s. IMO bettert than a t4 since it has a better buckle system with a slightly higher tongue, but still quite compact. But I don’t know if the bellows are stiffer.

Can be found easily on ebay for cheap. Saved search is your friend.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/326218674483?i ... R5re68ipZA

[turnfarmer]

I just skied some Excursions last season and was very impressed with them compared to T4s. They are not as tall or stiff as T4s and are lighter. My Excursions are an early version from the 90s if that matters. The T4s stiffness gives you more power, but I think the softer smoother flex of the Excursion gives you as much or maybe even more control because how it responds to finesse and precision.

If I had been a long time Excursion skier, I wouldn't be happy switching to T4s, but unfortunately they are the closest thing available. My impression of the Excursion was that it was more like a leather boot than a leather boot. Compared to my Merrill Ultras they were lighter and lower and gave me a better feel for the snow through my lower shins. I'm not sure if they kick and glide better than heavy duty leathers but they do K&G better than the T4s.

As far as T2s go, I haven't worn mine since I got T4s back in 2017. Although they aren't much heavier than T4s they lack the range of motion which is a big plus for touring. The lower cuff also gives more ROM for turns. It allows you to roll your ankles to the side, something you are unable to do in T2 or heavier boot. You may miss this aspect coming from Excusions.

Nice info AL.

FWIW Excursions run wider than all versions of T4s and T2s. There is a version of Excursions
) that was built off the kids version(Teledactyl) and comes up to 26 IIRC that fits quite narrow and may have an even softer bellows as it was made for kids.

[Capercaillie]

I ordered a pair, and this is indeed legit. My pair of boots arrived and were surplus unissued.

I have a pair of excursions which are good with karhu guides, but too soft for my voile ultra vectors with switchbacks.

Do the T4s have more backbone than excursions? The locking back looks more promising than the non locking excursion.

This April I put together a fat ski setup for slush at the resort (first time in 15 years; I used to snowboard before) similar to your setup. 131-98-116 174cm K2 Apache Chief and 7tm Power Tour bindings, which I think have a similar tall stack height to Switchbacks. I only skied that in T4s and did not feel limited by the boots (single black diamond non-treed runs at Marmot Basin and Banff Sunshine). The combination is great. As lowangle al mentioned, the ankle ROM is very nice to have. The little flip thing on the back of the T4 is not actually a lock - it is just a stop for backward cuff flex. I don't recommend using it. One of the nice things about the T4 unlocked is that when you take a big backward fall, you have full range of motion for ankle plantar flexion (the tongue pops out from under the top buckle). No knee strain at all. I felt safe skiing totally rotten snow the alpiners would not go near (had one good tip burial; again no knee strain) and a morning of very sticky snow that sent most people home.

There is a version of Excursions that was built off the kids version(Teledactyl) and comes up to 26 IIRC that fits quite narrow and may have an even softer bellows as it was made for kids.

I came across this 2000 or 2001 article from Ski Magazine last week that had an interesting historical note:

"Look for better liners?and fit?in the popular Veloce ($430) and the new Excursion ($250), an adult version of the soft-flexing junior-sized Teledactyle ($200)."

https://www.skimag.com/gear/telemarkron ... scope=anon

[aclyon]

I ordered these (new liner), and received them in a timely fashion. I was somewhat surprised to see that the shells were in "used" condition, but other than that everything was perfect, not sure I can complain for the price.

I ordered size 31, which is insane, because I am normally around a 28 or 29 (american shoe size-- 12.5 wide, euroboot-- 45), but having tried on T4's at the store previously, I knew that i was going to have to go a couple sizes up, and I was right-- they fit perfectly and have enough room for toe splay in the front! So my advice is, if you have a wide/unusually shaped foot, go up a minimum of 2 sizes on these things. Especially if you plan to actually "tour" with them.

So, I've got these, and some 22d axl's in a box. Next step, I'm thinking 174cm Koms. Let's see. I'm excited!

[blitzskier]

just got mine in also, i was exspecting them to look like the pictures, but they fit perfectly and the 3 pin holes are not damaged
just needs armorall , the liners is good shape

$100 for 11.5" boot... I'm happy
cant waite to find some powder and test out my lurk

let me know when the KOMs are on sale

[aclyon]

just got mine in also, i was exspecting them to look like the pictures, but they fit perfectly and the 3 pin holes are not damaged
just needs armorall , the liners is good shape

$100 for 11.5" boot... I'm happy
cant waite to find some powder and test out my lurk

let me know when the KOMs are on sale

I don't think Kom's go on sale lol... but they are very competitively priced IMO.
I'm having fantasies of powdery steeps at the resort with Koms and T4's... hope I can save enough in the next couple months for the skis!