When you guys shop for backcountry boots, how much emphasis do you put on the weight? I know this would depend on type of use, long multi day tours vs roadside day laps. But does 100grams per boot make a huge difference?
For sure. I am stuck in the city 5 days a week, but I ski Kicking Horse, Fernie, and Louise on the weekends. I really like Rogers Pass for backountry, and it's pretty easy access if staying overnight in Golden.Good point about the boot packing vs skinning.
Looks like i'm in some of the same terrain as you. Located in Canmore
For sure. I am stuck in the city 5 days a week, but I ski Kicking Horse, Fernie, and Louise on the weekends. I really like Rogers Pass for backountry, and it's pretty easy access if staying overnight in Golden.
Have you checked out Ski Uphill in Canmore? It's a good shop, but as the name suggests, there is a bit of a priority on the uphill side of things. Lots of lightweight setups, fewer burly options, but there are a few. Friends say that Joel does a nice job fitting boots.
It seems to me with new(ish) materials like Grilamid boots be both lighter and stiffer, which seems like a good idea to me. But I’m more of a finesse skier.Personally I like a lighter boot to go downhill too. I noticed a difference wehn I went from the heavier Head Raptor to the lighter Salomon S/Max (then back to the Lange) and now in The K2 Recon Pro. Because of the lack of rotational momentum you wouldn't think a boot would make that much of a difference but I definitely do.
@clewis , can you give us some detail as to what prompted the question? Are there two boots you tried on? Or trying to make a shortlist?
Thinking about some new touring boots this season. Wife just got some new ones now I want new ones, haha. Plus mine are about 10 years old and aren't the best fit.
Short list after trying a few on are the Dynafit Hoji Free and the Tecnica zero g pro tour. Tried some scarpa's and La sportiva on but they don't fit well.
Mostly just curious on others opinion about weight.
Thanks
My Salomon Explore 26.5 boots weigh (actual) 1480g. I weigh ~150 lbs nekkid, skiing on 178 Blizzard Zero G 108s w/G3 Ions and BD Glidelite mix skins, and don’t feel the need (or desire) for stiffer or heavier boots. I feel like 1500/1600 g is the top end. I’m more of a finesse skier.Can we put some real numbers on this boot weight concern? What do your touring boots actually weigh (not the published numbers, but your setup weighed on a scale)? What would you consider the maximum weight you would be willing to have in a boot for the typical touring you do?
This is all new to me, so TIA.
When you guys shop for backcountry boots, how much emphasis do you put on the weight? I know this would depend on type of use, long multi day tours vs roadside day laps. But does 100grams per boot make a huge difference?
@clewis, sure.
i can not give you any experience personally. Every time I have used heavier or lighter gear, the difference has been more than 100g/foot, and usually other things have changed as well, so not representative. Maybe I’ll do some testing this late fall, skinning up our local hill (if they open). Do a few laps with and without a small weight on my foot.
As far as the two boots you mentioned, Blister weighed them at 1650g for the Hoji Free, and 1320g for the Zero G Tour. (1320g and 1100g for shells only).
So quite a bit bit more than 100g/boot.
That said, you are still choosing first based on fit I assume?
If both fit equally well, Blister said the Hoji Free 130 skied a bit stiffer and more powerful, but that said, I haven’t heard anyone complain about the skiing performance of the Zero G.
Still, if you are tall and heavy, that might be a reason to go for the Hoji Free?
I have the same boot and i came from the Technica zero g pro which is 250 g lighter, but has much worse range of motion.I own a pair of Hoji Frees and love them but they do sacrifice a bit of weight for their downhill prowess which give very little if anything to downhill only boots. They are really good on the uphill mainly due to their awesome walk mechanism. The liner is again a bit of a compromise but again it is optimized for downhill performance. If I toured a LOT I would go with a much lighter boot. I wanted to but at 190 lbs + 20 lb of gear I crushed lighter / softer boots. There are so many good options nowadays though.