GripWalk Hangover

[Brian Finch]

Background- I’ve been an adamant supporter of GripWalk as a benefit to the industry and a major advancement in ski technology. I’ve been skiing on it for the last three seasons.

Current scene- after testing the most recent iteration of “racerish” GripWalk clamps, I have come to the conclusion that I likely need to move back to a DIN set up. The options available for a race level/ carving binding that supports GripWalk and also has brake width in the sub 85 range is just nonexistent. Additionally, I am very displeased by the number of high-performance boots coming onto the market that have a solid sole lacking.

So my question is: what can we learn from the GripWalk failures for future endeavors? This seems really divisive that we’re forcing folks into consumer plugs & race bindings for expert level on piste skiing.

 

[Philpug]

I am not sure if it's a failure..but I do think it is far from a success...I guess that you could say it's a falure then. I do think that your application, for the race world was never the intent with it. I still think it was an aswer to a question that wasn't asked and it was designed to solve a problem that wasn't there..or not significant enough to address with a well designed DIN sole. I do think it has caused many more problems than it has solved and I think there is a significant percentage of skiers out there that are in a Gripwalk sole with an incompatible binding.

Another area where we have been discussing the negative effect of Gripwalk is in what they have done to bindings, making them higher. @onenerdykid and I have been having this conversation elsewhere and we agree, expecially when it comes to demo bindings. People ask for a boot that "does it all", well, the cost of doing it all is that it does many of the things poorly or at a cost.

 

[markojp]

Just one person's opinion, but grip walk (for me) is like selling hair conditioner to a bald guy.

 

[cantunamunch]

53554EVA!

 

[Philpug]

In full transparency...I have a boot that is Gripwalk compatible and I am using it...because I can. But it there wasn't a Gripwalk, I don't think I would miss it one bit as long as I had a sole that was not a solid race style lugs, then I would add some walking soles.

 

[trailtrimmer]

Gripwalk for any boot. Just wish they were a little smaller for the pockets.

 

[Unpiste]

^^^ I've been using those this season on occasions where I need to go out to the parking lot to switch skis. They work surprisingly well.

 

[Winks]

Gripwalk for any boot. Just wish they were a little smaller for the pockets.

View attachment 94316

Hide them under the stairs, nobody ever looks!

 

[Winks]

Background- I’ve been an adamant supporter of GripWalk as a benefit to the industry and a major advancement in ski technology. I’ve been skiing on it for the last three seasons.

Current scene- after testing the most recent iteration of “racerish” GripWalk clamps, I have come to the conclusion that I likely need to move back to a DIN set up. The options available for a race level/ carving binding that supports GripWalk and also has brake width in the sub 85 range is just nonexistent. Additionally, I am very displeased by the number of high-performance boots coming onto the market that have a solid sole lacking.

So my question is: what can we learn from the GripWalk failures for future endeavors? This seems really divisive that we’re forcing folks into consumer plugs & race bindings for expert level on piste skiing.

The casual skier and the ones spending the money will always dictate where the market goes. A lot of true skiers could probably care less unless the change is significant enough to change their current setup or outlook on skiing. The backcountry group to me has always been proof of this, true touring people are usually quite cheap and oldschool, they are looking to save money not spend it. Yet the market is growing because these "do it all" casual skiers want to spend money to be like the truly dedicated.

 

[Brian Finch]

What I fail to comprehend is why binding companies can’t produce a 80mm brake & GW compatible clamps for the ski industry folks who are in boots all day & appreciate the ease of walking. At the same time, where are the solid sole boots? Not everyone is on the WC, I’m a pushing 50 skier who wants a solid connection to the ski- I can’t be alone in this.

 

[Marker]

Gripwalk for any boot. Just wish they were a little smaller for the pockets.

View attachment 94316

I have a pair that I've used with my Lange RS 130 for the last 5 years. I need them to make walking to the bus stop and then around the lodges easier and slip-free. I have cargo-style Burton snowboard pants with big pockets to hold them while I ski. These are the best fitting pants for me with my large thighs (6'6", 225 lb).

I've considered getting a pair of GW all-mtn boots to pair with the RS, but I need a LV 30.5 boot, so I just keep using the RS, which were a special order in that size.

 

[Dwight]

Gripwalk for any boot. Just wish they were a little smaller for the pockets.

View attachment 94316

About 10 of them at the race rack last night. All too small for me.

 

[Brian Finch]

The casual skier and the ones spending the money will always dictate where the market goes. A lot of true skiers could probably care less unless the change is significant enough to change their current setup or outlook on skiing. The backcountry group to me has always been proof of this, true touring people are usually quite cheap and oldschool, they are looking to save money not spend it. Yet the market is growing because these "do it all" casual skiers want to spend money to be like the truly dedicated.

Reflecting on your comments / thoughts, I’m taken back to 2003 when ‘core’ skiers & intermediate began skiing Garmonts because they had a walk mode & Vibram soles.
It would appear the AT/ Sidecountry / Frame binding push would reach its inevitable conclusion at GripWalk, then it backfired inexplicably.

 

[Winks]

Reflecting on your comments / thoughts, I’m taken back to 2003 when ‘core’ skiers & intermediate began skiing Garmonts because they had a walk mode & Vibram soles.
It would appear the AT/ Sidecountry / Frame binding push would reach its inevitable conclusion at GripWalk, then it backfired inexplicably.

I actually sat down with @Philpug over the weekend and we discussed a lot of the current issues being brought up in this forum. We tend to see this push for boots that walk or offer more mobility every so often. Thinking we have evolved the sport enough or find new ways to accommodate a problem that a lot of skiers did not really ask for. I tell a lot of my customers who start walking around the store that want get a "feel" for the boots that ski boots were not made for walking, they were made for skiing.
The AT/backcountry group will always ask for a hard shell design compromise and they can have it. A lot of the "do it all" boots sacrifice something when used strictly for downhill or lift served use. I agree with something said earlier about having a solid sole boot. The Dalbello Krypton Pro no longer comes with a solid sole, like why call it pro? cause its stiff? I also get that this particular boot was not really meant to be raced on and thus did not need it but a solid connection does feel good to the skiers that notice these changes. The market called for lighter boots and hollowing out the sole and making them have replaceable toes and heels was the quick and easy answer until light weight plastics happened, which in my opinion ruined the real power transfer through a lot of boots.

That is my current morning rant

 

[GB_Ski]

Gripwalk for any boot. Just wish they were a little smaller for the pockets.

View attachment 94316

Where do I get those? I need them!

 

[trailtrimmer]

Where do I get those? I need them!

Yak Trax SkiTrax, Amazon, $20

Pay close attention to sizing, my 28.5 boot is a medium.

 

[Dwight]

SkiEssentials

www.skiessentials.com

Yaktraks

https://amzn.to/3bWlMin

 

[Brian Finch]

I actually sat down with @Philpug over the weekend and we discussed a lot of the current issues being brought up in this forum. We tend to see this push for boots that walk or offer more mobility every so often. Thinking we have evolved the sport enough or find new ways to accommodate a problem that a lot of skiers did not really ask for. I tell a lot of my customers who start walking around the store that want get a "feel" for the boots that ski boots were not made for walking, they were made for skiing.
The AT/backcountry group will always ask for a hard shell design compromise and they can have it. A lot of the "do it all" boots sacrifice something when used strictly for downhill or lift served use. I agree with something said earlier about having a solid sole boot. The Dalbello Krypton Pro no longer comes with a solid sole, like why call it pro? cause its stiff? I also get that this particular boot was not really meant to be raced on and thus did not need it but a solid connection does feel good to the skiers that notice these changes. The market called for lighter boots and hollowing out the sole and making them have replaceable toes and heels was the quick and easy answer until light weight plastics happened, which in my opinion ruined the real power transfer through a lot of boots.

That is my current morning rant

Krypoton Pro
Mach 1
Dalbello DS
ProMachine
Hawx

all hollow.....

what’s up with Tyrolia producing Attacks that fit the race plates - for years & never making a smaller AFD or brake?!

 

[Brian Finch]

^same w Sali & Rossi:why is 90mm the smallest available?

*yes an Attack or attack will accept an aftermarket brake- if you can source it. Tyrolia is a lil easier as a race brake will retrofit.

 

[GB_Ski]

Yak Trax SkiTrax, Amazon, $20

Pay close attention to sizing, my 28.5 boot is a medium.

Their size chart is crap. I have 26.5 mondo, bsl is 306, should I go with small or measure?