1xsculler Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 What % of your time is spent hardboot carving vs whatever in softies? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
workshop7 Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 1990-2005 100% hardboot 2006-2012 30% hard 70% soft 2013-2015 60% hard 40% soft 2016-present 90% hard 10% soft 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Brammer aka PSR Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 (edited) Years ago ('95-'98), I was in hardshells (Teaching) about 80% of the time. I backed that off to 60%-/-40% by the time I got my Full-Cert (because, some 'hardboot' moves didn't "work" for the Examiners; but I got my L-3 in Hardshells, nonetheless), which was '99-'03. After that, it's been 50/50 on average, but I prefer being in Hardboots (due to fit, and better performance range). I have F#cke@-up feet due in part to wearing steel-toed shoes for a decade, so the Softboots are now more comfy initially, but hurt more by day's end.Muscle-wise, Hardboots wear on me at the knees, but, my knees were Toasty already by '99. Btw, b4 '91 (the 1st 13 seasons), it was Very Mushy Softboots and horrible bindings. So, equipment matters in both performance, and comfort; perhaps in longevity as well. Luckily, now, you can have a decent set-up that works for 5-10 seasons, easily (as long as your feet don't 'warp' like mine have). The big thing to consider is 'what are my local condtions'. If in Utah, ride Softies. In Michigan, run Plates! In New England, match the snow that day... Edited February 14, 2018 by Eric Brammer aka PSR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Stevens Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 2 hours ago, 1xsculler said: What % of your time is spent hardboot carving vs whatever in softies? 0% and 100%. Looking to change that up, perhaps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b0ardski Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 100% and 0% not looking to buy softies any time soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utahcarver Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 Softs for deep dark days; hards for deep sunny days. Hards for chalk, hero, and ice days. On rainy days I always go with softs; they don't tip over as easy as hards when I use them to hold my beer while I sit next to the fireplace in the lodge. Mark 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
st_lupo Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 From '90 to '15 was 100% soft. From '15 and onwards I'm now 100% hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cin Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 100% soft from '04 until '18. Going 100% hard from this year onward (soft setup is being sold as we speak). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueB Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 Only hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aracan Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 100 % hard. Come to think of it, I have never even worn softboots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redia Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 18 year 99.9% hard boot ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barryj Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 I am envious of the soft boot carving videos I see posted....but from what I have experienced in trying soft boot carving the equipment is a step down in performance from hard boots! ...........but for me I'm strictly a Hardon for all conditions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
queequeg Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 I’m in hardboots unless there is new snow (powder) or new-ish snow push-piles. I’ve carved on hardpack in softies and was surprised at how hard I was able to push things. It is fun for awhile but (for me at least): softboot carving requires a lot more physical effort, and I find the boots way more uncomfortable. If i could do spins and butters I’d probably enjoy softboots a lot more; but I prefer being able to carve more agressively with less effort on my hardboots (given that I can’t spin/butter/etc). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b0ardski Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 1 hour ago, barryj said: ...but from what I have experienced in trying soft boot carving the equipment is a step down in performance from hard boots! ...........but for me I'm strictly a Hardon for all conditions stepin hardshells, all conditions, including offpiste crap that sends most softbooters to the park and skiers to the bar 41 minutes ago, queequeg said: : softboot carving requires a lot more physical effort, and I find the boots way more uncomfortable. If i could do spins and butters I’d probably enjoy softboots a lot more; but I prefer being able to carve more agressively with less effort on my hardboots (given that I can’t spin/butter/etc). I spin and butter and switch all the time on all mt boards with a 30*/45* stance and stepin plates; the tunnel vision over the need for staps to do anything other than trench groomers still blows my mind... at least some of the splitboarders finally realized the advantages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philw Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 Hard boots all the time since I learned on them in the 1980s, except when the airline loses my boots/ bindings because I forgot to carry them in my hand baggage. Boards on the other hand... I use powder boards in powder, race boards on piste. But it's not political: if they stop making hard boots I'd put in a few days to transfer the skills to soft. In that case I'd probably focus more on no-boarding in powder as I don't really see the point of the half-way solution as I'm not into ballet tricks. There may be a bit of "tunnel vision" about powder, but I don't think soft boots are all that terrible for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b0ardski Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 (edited) 43 minutes ago, philw said: Hard boots all the time since I learned on them in the 1980s, except when the airline loses my boots/ bindings because I forgot to carry them in my hand baggage. Boards on the other hand... I use powder boards in powder, race boards on piste. But it's not political: if they stop making hard boots I'd put in a few days to transfer the skills to soft. In that case I'd probably focus more on no-boarding in powder as I don't really see the point of the half-way solution as I'm not into ballet tricks. There may be a bit of "tunnel vision" about powder, but I don't think soft boots are all that terrible for it. modern softboots are not terrible, but they're not necessary either. no sense buying extra, less performance less convenience, less durable gear just because it snowed; no need to transfer skills, or use duck, my drivers and flows( still 30*/45*) were quite capable just not as powerful as the more convenient gear I already have. if hardboots stop being made AT boots fill the bill except for stepin ps I do ballet in hardboots too Edited February 14, 2018 by b0ardski Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MountainSlope Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 I've never tried softboots ... Hubby has done lots of both but certainly spent way more time standing in hardboots (especially these days) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
queequeg Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 4 hours ago, b0ardski said: the tunnel vision over the need for staps to do anything other than trench groomers still blows my mind... Meh. I've spent plenty of time riding hardboots in powder and bumps. I prefer softies for it. It's not tunnel vision, it's personal preference. You have your personal preferences, and I have mine. Nobody is right, and nobody is wrong as long as we are all enjoying what we are doing. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Gendzwill Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 Haven't ridden soft boots since 1990. I'm told they've improved quite a bit but as you can't rent good ones I'm sticking with the devil I know rather than invest in something that may or may not work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slopestar Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 (edited) 10/90 Softies 90% Edited February 14, 2018 by slopestar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonbordin Posted February 15, 2018 Report Share Posted February 15, 2018 97.75% HARD 2% soft .25% unencumbered Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yamifumi Posted February 15, 2018 Report Share Posted February 15, 2018 100% hard. Dont even have soft set up since I changed into hardbooting. I ski when condition is not ideal for carving so I am 100% hardboot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
softbootsurfer Posted February 15, 2018 Report Share Posted February 15, 2018 this versus that...go ahead, you can Focus on that...or you can Focus on this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poloturbo Posted February 15, 2018 Report Share Posted February 15, 2018 100% softboot for now. 37 days as of now this year. Have a soft spot for hard though ; ) Eventually... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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