I switched ski boots in the middle of the season this year. For the past 250+ days, I have been in the Head Raptor 140 RS with Zipfit liners. @Philpug arranged for Fischer to send me a boot for a long-term review, and the Podium GT 130 arrived at my house in mid-February.
Immediately upon unboxing, I noticed a huge weight difference compared to my Raptors. The GT is much lighter. I don’t pay much attention to how much my gear weighs unless I’m touring, but this was that much of a difference. I was curious to see if I would notice a difference skiing.
I called A Racer’s Edge in Breckenridge and made an appointment with Chuck Ginsburg, the shop owner, for a bootfit and new insoles. Previous experience with A Racer’s Edge for boot work and ski tunes/repairs (@Doug Briggs is a magician with skis) eliminated any doubt that the bootfitting process would be done thoroughly.
First, Chuck poked, prodded, squeezed, flexed my foot, and scribbled notes on his form. Next, he checked the shell fit of the GT. He called it “very aggressive” and scribbled more notes. Then he checked my alignment and yet more notes. Chuck was confident the vacuum process would correct the slight cuff alignment that was needed.
It was time for the shells to go into the 150° oven to warm the plastic for the vacuum molding process. While the shells warmed, I asked Chuck about using my Kulkea Thermal Trekker boot bag. He assured me I won’t have issues. This was great news because I’ve become a sissy and really enjoy warm boots in the morning.
Chuck gave me a toe cap to put on, and I laced up the stock liner. The GT’s liners are impressive. They are fairly thin, so packing out won’t be much of an issue, and the neoprene toe area stretches and hugs the foot comfortably. The heel and ankle area are secure with a nice pocket. A detachable tongue and spoiler add adjustment options as well. Chuck pointed out a feature of the tongue. It pulls apart to expose a foam layer that can be ground for relief over the instep. Chuck did this on my liners after my first few days in the boot.
Now to the vacuum machine. I’ve never had vacuum boots before and was interested to try the process. Chuck told me in great detail what I was going to feel and experience. He told me I may feel some discomfort and not to worry about it as it was part of getting a proper mold. Chuck put my foot in the warm shell and I toddled over to the machine where he slipped my boots in the vacuum bags, hooked up the tubes, and got me situated for the mold process. Chuck adjusted the pressure settings and off we went. I did as instructed for a few minutes. I could feel the pressure and did have some very mild discomfort but it wasn’t an issue.
In short order, my new boots were ready to ski -- so off to meet the Colorado Crew I went.
Initial impressions of the Podium GT 130 were positive: excellent snow feel, outstanding power transmission underfoot, and a smooth, even flex. The clog of the boot flexed more than I was used to in my Raptors, but I soon didn’t notice. As expected, the GT 130 is softer than my old Raptor 140 RS. Fischer will offer this boot in a 140 once they are in shops.
I went back to A Racer’s Edge after a few days in the GT. I needed a tad more room in the sixth toe area and relief over my instep. Chuck did some grinding and sent me on my way. The GT has been pure bliss ever since. Getting into and out of the GT is easy -- a new experience for me and one that is much appreciated.
The more I ski the GT, the more I like it. I can feel the ski and the snow so well in these boots. Lateral movements happen immediately upon thought, and the flex is spot on. I didn’t expect so much power out of this 130-flex boot.
On a trip to Taos I got a surprise. I arrived before the rest of the crew and met up with some locals. We made a couple of laps and then decided to hike. The weight difference I mentioned earlier was evident and made hoofing it much less tiring. I’ve noticed the weight skiing these boots in trees, bumps, and off piste. I’m able to ski with less effort because the boots are so reactive. I’m beginning to change my mind about the weight thing for alpine equipment.
I have about 25 days in these boots in all conditions and don’t have any complaints on performance. I did put my Zipfits in recently. I have no issues with the stock liner and would continue to ski them happily if I didn’t have Zipfits. The Zipfit liner is a security blanket for me after having skied in them for so many years.
I haven’t experienced any water seeping into the boot, which is always a concern after having Langes a few years ago. My only quibble with the boot is the strap on top of the cuff. The buckle seems to slip a tad and I need to retighten it every so often. I plan to put a World Cup Booster Strap on.
All in all, Fischer has a winner in the Podium GT 130 with tremendous snow feel, power transmission, and comfort. The vacuum process is the real deal and eliminated most fit issues. I look forward to a few hundred days in these boots and will update this thread as time goes on.
Immediately upon unboxing, I noticed a huge weight difference compared to my Raptors. The GT is much lighter. I don’t pay much attention to how much my gear weighs unless I’m touring, but this was that much of a difference. I was curious to see if I would notice a difference skiing.
I called A Racer’s Edge in Breckenridge and made an appointment with Chuck Ginsburg, the shop owner, for a bootfit and new insoles. Previous experience with A Racer’s Edge for boot work and ski tunes/repairs (@Doug Briggs is a magician with skis) eliminated any doubt that the bootfitting process would be done thoroughly.
First, Chuck poked, prodded, squeezed, flexed my foot, and scribbled notes on his form. Next, he checked the shell fit of the GT. He called it “very aggressive” and scribbled more notes. Then he checked my alignment and yet more notes. Chuck was confident the vacuum process would correct the slight cuff alignment that was needed.
It was time for the shells to go into the 150° oven to warm the plastic for the vacuum molding process. While the shells warmed, I asked Chuck about using my Kulkea Thermal Trekker boot bag. He assured me I won’t have issues. This was great news because I’ve become a sissy and really enjoy warm boots in the morning.
Chuck gave me a toe cap to put on, and I laced up the stock liner. The GT’s liners are impressive. They are fairly thin, so packing out won’t be much of an issue, and the neoprene toe area stretches and hugs the foot comfortably. The heel and ankle area are secure with a nice pocket. A detachable tongue and spoiler add adjustment options as well. Chuck pointed out a feature of the tongue. It pulls apart to expose a foam layer that can be ground for relief over the instep. Chuck did this on my liners after my first few days in the boot.
Now to the vacuum machine. I’ve never had vacuum boots before and was interested to try the process. Chuck told me in great detail what I was going to feel and experience. He told me I may feel some discomfort and not to worry about it as it was part of getting a proper mold. Chuck put my foot in the warm shell and I toddled over to the machine where he slipped my boots in the vacuum bags, hooked up the tubes, and got me situated for the mold process. Chuck adjusted the pressure settings and off we went. I did as instructed for a few minutes. I could feel the pressure and did have some very mild discomfort but it wasn’t an issue.
In short order, my new boots were ready to ski -- so off to meet the Colorado Crew I went.
Initial impressions of the Podium GT 130 were positive: excellent snow feel, outstanding power transmission underfoot, and a smooth, even flex. The clog of the boot flexed more than I was used to in my Raptors, but I soon didn’t notice. As expected, the GT 130 is softer than my old Raptor 140 RS. Fischer will offer this boot in a 140 once they are in shops.
I went back to A Racer’s Edge after a few days in the GT. I needed a tad more room in the sixth toe area and relief over my instep. Chuck did some grinding and sent me on my way. The GT has been pure bliss ever since. Getting into and out of the GT is easy -- a new experience for me and one that is much appreciated.
The more I ski the GT, the more I like it. I can feel the ski and the snow so well in these boots. Lateral movements happen immediately upon thought, and the flex is spot on. I didn’t expect so much power out of this 130-flex boot.
On a trip to Taos I got a surprise. I arrived before the rest of the crew and met up with some locals. We made a couple of laps and then decided to hike. The weight difference I mentioned earlier was evident and made hoofing it much less tiring. I’ve noticed the weight skiing these boots in trees, bumps, and off piste. I’m able to ski with less effort because the boots are so reactive. I’m beginning to change my mind about the weight thing for alpine equipment.
I have about 25 days in these boots in all conditions and don’t have any complaints on performance. I did put my Zipfits in recently. I have no issues with the stock liner and would continue to ski them happily if I didn’t have Zipfits. The Zipfit liner is a security blanket for me after having skied in them for so many years.
I haven’t experienced any water seeping into the boot, which is always a concern after having Langes a few years ago. My only quibble with the boot is the strap on top of the cuff. The buckle seems to slip a tad and I need to retighten it every so often. I plan to put a World Cup Booster Strap on.
All in all, Fischer has a winner in the Podium GT 130 with tremendous snow feel, power transmission, and comfort. The vacuum process is the real deal and eliminated most fit issues. I look forward to a few hundred days in these boots and will update this thread as time goes on.
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