Comapedrosa Posted October 22, 2019 Report Share Posted October 22, 2019 Just saw this ad on Insta - Swoard modified and commercialized UPZs. Does anyone know anything about this. Thoughts about these vs. Mountain Slopes? I'm still in my regular UPZs, and my gear is way better than I am... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pokkis Posted October 22, 2019 Report Share Posted October 22, 2019 (edited) https://upzboots.com/shop/2020-xc12-shoxxter-orange/ Edited October 22, 2019 by pokkis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nils Posted October 23, 2019 Report Share Posted October 23, 2019 Explainations: We have worked with many boot makers in order to try to fine the best combination for EC/Freecarve that suits our style of riding ( aka: no plates, wide boards with EC in mind) to replace our aging .900 and try to avoid a 1000+€ solution. It took Patrice and Arnaud ( we have the chance to have a plastic injection engineer in the team) 4 years or riding different boots with mods and work finally with UPZ with a modified injection formula that suits our riding style better. The mold is this of the RC12, with different tongues in the kit for each tastes, and also a modified spring system that one can adapt to our style " à la northwave style" the way we experimented with Jacques and Patrice in the early years of Swoard ( 2001-2003). This made it however possible to keep everything in the 700€ price range with all the optionnal mods included. ( sorry if this sounds like an add > moderators can feel free to move it to dedicated forum area) This season will see the first batch of final production with feedback from the full riding team as well as 2019-2020 customers. Can't wait to test mine! Nils 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxlanaudiere Posted October 23, 2019 Report Share Posted October 23, 2019 Same mold but different plastic ? Cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack M Posted October 23, 2019 Report Share Posted October 23, 2019 Congrats @nils and Swoard! So cool that you were able to accomplish this. Always exciting to see innovation in this tiny sport. Thanks for responding here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.E Posted October 23, 2019 Report Share Posted October 23, 2019 Can you describe "softer lower"? I like the idea of a softer flexing boot, but not if it involves deforming the foot area . Hard to tell how much of a change these would be from the RC12's (regarding plastic flex and deformation). Also, please explain the note: "XC12 not to be used with boards equipped with riser plates" The boot sounds great in a lot of ways, but I'm a guy that likes a softer flex on top of an isoplate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nextcarve Posted October 23, 2019 Report Share Posted October 23, 2019 I noticed that UPZ XC12 and Swoards EC12 do not have the same spring box. Would be interested in the other differences of the two and what the advantage of the EC12 spring box over the XC12 is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aracan Posted October 24, 2019 Report Share Posted October 24, 2019 From the look of it, the EC12 spring box seems to share the characteristics of most aftermarket solutions: more travel, but no Ride/Walk functionality. Not that I ever miss the latter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redia Posted October 24, 2019 Report Share Posted October 24, 2019 J'ai testé les 2 , le mode Marche et testé avec ressort beaucoup plus agréable avec ressort, les ressort absorbe et donne une résistance que j'aime bien surtout en EC et freecarving ! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nils Posted October 28, 2019 Report Share Posted October 28, 2019 Sorry guys Patrice has written long explainations on the EC forum..might be easier to read his explaination directly there instead of copy paste here.. https://www.extremecarving.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=13845 Arnaud, who is a team member since prehistoric ages and happens to be a plastic injection engineer has also spent time with Patrice and UPZ developping the specs for it.. his explainations are also helpful to give you answers ! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ursle Posted November 2, 2019 Report Share Posted November 2, 2019 I would think at this point the swoard riders would be adapting soft boots and bindings, mid way between soft and hard boots in stiffness and flexion, lots of choices, warm, and the soft stuff is getting stiff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arnaud Posted November 2, 2019 Report Share Posted November 2, 2019 This is something we experimented some years ago. Of course it's possible to EC with this setup, but the feeling is far away from what yo ufeel with hardboots. Not very precise and hard snow, not dynamic, less comfortable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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