I kind of have a thing for Slovenia (I have never been there)-
Coastline, real mountains with snow, small mixed farming, forests, rich culture.
Slovenia also has a very old and renowned forestry culture and practice.
I have wanted to spend some time in Slovenia for a long time.
Why this rambling about Slovenia?
Because this beautiful beloved Nordic touring boot is made in the true Alpina boot factory in Slovenia-
The Alpina Alaska BC.
I love this boot.
Very warm
Waterproof
Supportive
Stiff, supportive midsole, with excellent power-transfer for striding and pressuring skis
These boots were designed by skiers for skiers- skiers that live to charge and stride in the backcountry-
Across the plateau
Up the slope
Over the peak
Down the sidehill
Through the glade
Down the ravine into the valley
Through the valley
Out on to the lake and down the frozen river
And back again!
Sizing
The length of the last in this boot is true to EU sizing.
Length:
My 42EU Alaska is exactly the same length as my:
42 Alfa Guard
42 Crispi Svartisen
42 Crispi Lofoten
42 Rossi BCX6
42 Fischer BCX6
42 Asolo Extreme
42 Scarpa Kinesis
Width:
The Alaska has a medium width-
Wider than the Rossi and Crispi boot lasts-
Narrower than the Alfa-
Similar to all of my Scarpa boots
Volume:
The Alaska has moderate boot volume-
There is a lot of opportunity for dialing in a custom fit.
The Alaska has a larger boot volume than my Crispi boots- but MUCH less than my Alfas.
Summary- Sizing:
If your feet are medium to narrow width- a standard-sized Alaska is going to fit.
If your feet are very wide you will likely have to size-up.
If your feet are both wide and small volume- you will both need to size up and will need a thick insole.
Break in
Wear these boots- a lot.
Wear them in the house.
Play with, and adjust the lacing.
Constantly flex them and practice striding and Telemark stance.
Train the boot to break-in and flex at the ball-of-foot (metatarsus) so that they don’t develop a stiff flex point at the toe box.
Treat the rough out leather with water-based leather boot cream-
Saturate that beautiful absorbent leather-
Treat the flex and wear points EVERY time you take them off.
A lot has been said online about the lacing on these boots-
As usual the chatter is dominated by the negative-
The lacing on this boot is superb- trust me.
Isolate your toe box with a surgeon’s knot after eyelet # 2:
Pass the laces down through the eyelet #1- this will enable a set width on the first eyelet and facilitate clipping in a gaiter.
Pass the laces up through eyelet # 2 and tie a surgeon’s knot-
Tighten the toe box to the desired width-tension.
Isolate the metatarsus-to-instep section:
Pass the laces up through the ball-bearing eyelets #3&4 and, then through the locking cleat-
Tighten the laces to the desired tension and tie a surgeon’s knot.
Optional- tighten down the instep and lock-down the heel:
Pass the laces through the nylon instep eyelets and (optional) tie a surgeon’s knot if you want to crank-down the instep and lock-down the heel (especially if you are experiencing heel-lift) (not a problem for me in this boot- so I don’t need to do it).
Finally- tighten up the top:
Tighten up the top of the boot to the desired tension.
Don’t be afraid to crank right down on the top of this boot-
The instep is cut out to facilitate free striding motion-
If you are experiencing discomfort it is likely a result of tension in the lower part of the boot- make adjustments as required.
………..
I will always be open to trying new touring boots.
But the Alaska BC remains the best of the best in its class in my experience.
Gareth Davies
Aka “lilcliffy”
Jan 6th, 2021
Snow Glade Farm
Stanley, NB
Canada
