Originally Posted by
AweShuksan
It took three months but they finally are in my hands. I'm really liking these boots so far. The walk mode is just incredible on or off skiis. It redefines what a ski boot is. Certainly not the most powerful boot out there but what they lack in power they gain in feel, finesse and style. I think such a boot will make better skiers. I'm especially liking their streamlined shape and narrowness - it really makes a difference when skiing heavy powder (there is less drag).
Whoever created these beauties has propelled ski boot technology to another level. The design and operation is top notch - I have only identified one minor design flaw. The wire bail on the lowest buckle is unshrouded past the point where the wire leaves the plastic retainer. The issue is minor but it causes the removeable tongue to catch on the lip between the wire bail and it's plastic retainer (when inserting the tongue). If the retainer had been extended another couple cm's this would have been avoided and it would add an insignificant amount of weight (probably about a gram). Other than that small flaw the operation of the boot is simplicity itself.
As for fit, initially they squeezed my small toe in painful manner (even though I have narrow feet). The boot-fitter thermoformed the liner and manually worked this area to create more room but the problem remained. I was able to completely solve the problem by using a Superfeet insole (green) and trimming the heel cups in such a way that my heels were positioned more to the outside of the shell. Now they are very comfy - I could almost live in them. These boots are good for dancing, running up and down stairs two at a time, crossing rivers on fallen logs, driving cars and snowmobiles and getting away from the law. :biggrin:
I've noticed the upper buckle lever has a small hole in the end of it as if it was meant to tie a small leash of some sort to it. Anyone know what this is for? I plan to tie a small rubber donut to it that is sized to fit over the cuff locking pin on the lever which will allow the cuff to be tightened around the calf without allowing it to lock it into ski mode. This special mode is good for skating, side-stepping, herring-boning and any other manuever that does not require forward pressure on the cuff but that does benefit from lateral stiffness. The hole on the end of the lever makes me think this was it's intended purpose. When in ski mode the rubber donut will just dangle on it's very short leash.
I would like to see Dynafit offer the removeable tongue with different angles and stiffness. I'm thinking a slightly stiffer tongue with less forward lean molded into it would allow the boot to be skied in walk mode while still allowing mild but progressive tip pressure to be applied as the shin was pressured to help initiate turns. The advantage is that it would allow a more flexible and fluid skiing style with more independent use of each ski than is possible in locked ski mode.
I am really glad Dynafit has thought outside the box to develop such a useful and innovative boot.