Hi,

Looking to take advantage of some of the touring boot bargains still out there. My Scarpa Spirit 3s are pretty wrecked and I see I can pick up Black Diamond Slants online for a good price. Loathe as I am to buy ski boots this way the discount is tempting. Anyone out there know how the fit between the two manufacturers might compare and how big a compromise is a PU boot compared to pebax?

Lastly I upgraded to dynafit Verical STs season before last. How likely am I to run into problems using a new boot with the limited adjustment on the bindings?

Any thoughts warmly welcomed.

Thanks

Peter

I don’t know the Slants but the Spirit 3 is a fairly wide fitting large volume shell. I doubt anyone locally will still have slants on display to make a comparison, maybe there is an owner out there.

You shouldn’t have problems with the Verticals though as they offer 3 Mondo points of adjustment, don’t they? Plenty. I had problems with Speeds going from a 27 Spirit 3 to a 27 F3 (the sole is longer on the F3 due to the tongue).

I have Slants and F-1’s. The Slants fit very well in all of my Dynafit bindings, and the ST should accommodate the difference in boot sole lengths easily.

If you are comparing flex of the Slant with the F3, the Slant is stiffer, with a firmer forefoot and good cuff rotation. Your uphill stride won’t be as long as with the F3, but the downhill control will be worth it. Slants are noticeable softer when the temps rise in spring.

Thanks a million that’s really helpful. Peter

oh yeah, I forgot to mention they squeak a lot in tour mode, so keep them lubed with teflon spray.