Alaskas at MEC

[MikeK]

Hmm. I guess that new picture is more correct. I assume they have white trim pieces?

[connyro]

Hmm. I guess that new picture is more correct. I assume they have white trim pieces?

Yes, white trim and laces. I *believe* they are this year's model while the more orange ones with orange laces and trim are last year's. I also think this year's model comes with a different footbed.

[lilcliffy]

Cool- I think I am due for trying the size 42...I have been suspicious that the 43 is too big right from the beginning...

I am anxious about EL NINO...I am far enough North, high enough up, and far enough away from the Coast- it could be a TON of snow- or endless snow/rain/ice shit...southern NB and NS are in for a mild wet and icy winter for sure though...I am crossing my fingers..

We had just enough for me to ski around in the field last week...all gone...

I am typically skiing every day by this date!

[MikeK]

I just read an article that said early winter is typically not a good predictor of things to come, at least statistically.

I've been real worried because we haven't got more than a dusting and December is predicted to be warmer than average, but that doesn't mean January, February and March (and maybe April) won't be killer!

[connyro]

Hahaha! Good attitude. I hope you are right! BTW thanks to all for the good Alaska/NNN-BC advice and info;)

[connyro]

Just noticed that my size 43 Alaskas came with stock footbeds with '44' printed on them. Hmmm.

Also, are you guys waterproofing them or leaving as-is?

[MikeK]

Might just be a shared footbed between the two size. I tossed mine out. The old style ones were not much better than a kitchen sponge.

I hadn't waterproofed mine yet and I've yet to get a wet foot. I'm out for 4-5 hrs at a time on weekends and no wet feet. The worst was a couple springs ago and I was breaking through some really, deep, wet snow. I thought for sure my feet would be soaked but they were dry (the boots were all wet on the outside).

I'm going to use that spray I bought just to treat them. If it doesn't seem to last I'll do the water treatment that lilcliffy recommended.

[lilcliffy]

Mike's correct- they are inherently waterproof with the waterproof-breathable liner- "Alpitex" (not sure if this is Alpina's own product?)- as good as any comparable product I've ever tested.

TREAT the leather- not to waterproof it- but to preserve and maintain the leather!

If you don't maintain that leather it is going to dry out, crack and split- long before the boot is worn out. The rough-out leather is very absorbent, and not as durable(untreated) as nubuck (nubuck still needs maintenance, and is frustratingly nonabsorbent).

Trust me I have spent more than 20 years working in the woods- putting leather boots through the absolute extremes of Canadian weather in wet-cold climates. If you don't maintain that leather- it won't last.

And a spray-on treatment ain't going to cut it- it does not maintain leather- it only temporarily waterproofs it.

My 43's have the same oversized insole- it is squeezed into the heel to form a kind of "fake" heel-cup- THEY SUCK. They slide back on you within minutes of K&G skiing, and your toes will end up uncomfortably hanging over the edge of the insole.

New foot bed eh? Interesting...hopefully it's a step forward...not backward.

[lilcliffy]

The size 43's are a great fit for my feet. The width and length are perfect for my usually size 10(28) feet.

Local ski shop is now stocking the Alaska...the "new" Alaska is identical to the previous model (including the insole)- only difference is the trim color and the leather is a deep cherry red- as opposed to the orangy-red. These should turn a dark red once treated with a cream product.

I finally got a chance to try on a 43EU vs. a 42EU (BTW- the 43EU still says "9US" on the heel). The 42EU fits better for me...PHEW

So my conclusion is- these boots fit true to size with respect to Euro sizing- the US sizing is not correct.

The 42EU fit my feet in length, and the boot volume is much more reasonable on my feet compared to the 43. 43EU is a US10.