workshop7 Posted March 18, 2019 Report Share Posted March 18, 2019 Obviously, I joke. I could never do that. Someday, my aging body will no longer allow me too, but for now hardbooting is a must for me. However, I just spent the weekend at Stratton with softies and my Donek Flux. That board is effing unbelievable! It continues to reveal itself as, by far, the best soft boot board I’ve ridden. I could spend the rest of my life riding only that board and be very happy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobdea Posted March 18, 2019 Report Share Posted March 18, 2019 Yeah, feel you there. my BXFR makes me miss hardboots WAY less than I used to. To the point where I’ve been on them enough I’m generally more comfortable in softboots now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charliechocolate Posted March 18, 2019 Report Share Posted March 18, 2019 Mods please move this crap to off-topic. Joke I hopped onto a softy setup for the first time since last season and wasn't all too comfortable. I couldn't get the binding straps cranked tight enough to get the response I want without crushing my feet. @workshop7 what bindings do you use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
workshop7 Posted March 18, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2019 Burton Cartel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bumpyride Posted March 18, 2019 Report Share Posted March 18, 2019 The right hardboots (comfortable and flexy) will rival any softboot and give you much more control. The boot/binding combo that I ride is way surfy and just like bedroom slippers. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueB Posted March 18, 2019 Report Share Posted March 18, 2019 1 hour ago, charliechocolate said: Mods please move this crap to off-topic. No joke, It's off-topic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corey Posted March 18, 2019 Report Share Posted March 18, 2019 17 minutes ago, BlueB said: No joke, It's off-topic. Not really. Modern softboots are so good that they really do belong in the carving forum. Softboot carving is awesome and growing fast. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbrkid1981 Posted March 18, 2019 Report Share Posted March 18, 2019 1 hour ago, charliechocolate said: Mods please move this crap to off-topic. Joke I hopped onto a softy setup for the first time since last season and wasn't all too comfortable. I couldn't get the binding straps cranked tight enough to get the response I want without crushing my feet. @workshop7 what bindings do you use? there are a couple super stiff bindings I have I have found that Now O-Drives, Burton Diodes, and the old Nidecker carbons are bomb. also, I was just riding my new to me SG Soul today with the Nows and Jones MTB boots. Great ride for sure. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neanderthal Posted March 18, 2019 Report Share Posted March 18, 2019 (edited) 19 minutes ago, Corey said: Not really. Modern softboots are so good that they really do belong in the carving forum. Softboot carving is awesome and growing fast. Amen! Now please explain to me the difference between classic carving and all mountain hardbooting and the reason for this divisiveness in the forum. There are more ways than one to carve. EC- Push pull Race gunfighter stance tucked knees ala Jacoby For me as long as Nerva's definition is met its carving no matter the technique or equipment. Of course it is better if you can match his style!!! Seriously Knapton can school half (or more) this forum in carving and on a softboot setup Edited March 18, 2019 by neanderthal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack M Posted March 18, 2019 Report Share Posted March 18, 2019 1 hour ago, neanderthal said: Now please explain to me the difference between classic carving and all mountain hardbooting and the reason for this divisiveness in the forum. All mountain hardbooting is powder, trees, backcountry, sidecountry, spring, descending Tower 3 at Jackson Hole, that sort of stuff. Obviously not the same as carving groomers. @workshop7, take those sb's down Flume or Walking Boss, try to keep up with @MR. JOHN DEERE ! and get back to us. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toodles Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 Love my Donek Flux for softboot carving. Need to get some better bindings for next year though. I'm watching the forum here for suggestions from others for bindings.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobdea Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 52 minutes ago, Toodles said: Love my Donek Flux for softboot carving. Need to get some better bindings for next year though. I'm watching the forum here for suggestions from others for bindings.. Now recon, now o-drive, Jones Apollo (that’s a now odrive that’s slightly softer) ride el hefe, even some older ride bindings are fairly decent, have a set of Tomcats that job done better than most new bindings. Demoed a bunch of burton bindings they were super gushy compared to the above to me. They weren’t bad bindings but not what I want but I weigh like 280 though..... Haven’t been on the newer unions but I liked the older ones can’t imagine they’re worse. I have a set of fairly ancient drake podiums, those, like the tomcats mentioned above work pretty well but are softer than the others. I sure do like canting on softboot bindings, if that’s super important to you the Now bindings will be problematic because they offer no canting. Flow NX2s, hate em’ they work really well but I hate them. Did I mention I hate them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toodles Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 (edited) I'm not in love with my Flow NX2 GT's either. I don't like how they flip down at the back and trip you when pushing along to the lift line. I broke the rear hiback because it was up and was crushed by the chair lift when I sat down. They are also impossible to get in and out of without undoing the top cap. They performed amazing while riding them, but the other issues are making me look for a new type. Edited March 19, 2019 by Toodles spelling mistake 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonbordin Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 1 hour ago, bobdea said: Did I mention I hate them? Thanks for the sale @bobdea... I kind of like them a whole bunch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
workshop7 Posted March 19, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 3 hours ago, Jack M said: @workshop7, take those sb's down Flume or Walking Boss, try to keep up with @MR. JOHN DEERE ! and get back to us. ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dredman Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 4 hours ago, bumpyride said: The right hardboots (comfortable and flexy) will rival any softboot and give you much more control. The boot/binding combo that I ride is way surfy and just like bedroom slippers. So very true. Soft flexy boots, bindings and 23-25cm waisted shorter board, 150-170cm long opens up a whole lot of mountain (off groom) 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveo Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 3 hours ago, Toodles said: Love my Donek Flux for softboot carving. Need to get some better bindings for next year though. I'm watching the forum here for suggestions from others for bindings.. Nidecker Carbon seem popular in BX. Drake Podium FF, too, but lesser so. SP seem to make a solid binding, too. My Japanese mates are in love with Flow and the new Flow NX2-CX is a big burly stuff binding. 2 hours ago, bobdea said: Flow NX2s, hate em’ they work really well but I hate them. Did I mention I hate them? Do you hate them or something? 2 hours ago, bobdea said: I sure do like canting on softboot bindings, if that’s super important to you the Now bindings will be problematic because they offer no canting. Can buy cant wedges that come with longer bolts and asym washers, so the bolts go straight down! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveo Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 43 minutes ago, dredman said: So very true. Soft flexy boots, bindings and 23-25cm waisted shorter board, 150-170cm long opens up a whole lot of mountain (off groom) Yyeeppp. That's exactly what I'm doing these days! Threw a blue/blue spring DGSS on my UPZ and intermediate booster on my black tongue RC10. Plenty of flex! 1 hour ago, Toodles said: I'm not in love with my Flow NX2 GT's either. I don't like how they flip down at the back and trip you when pushing along to the lift line. I broke the rear hiback because it was up and was crushed by the chair left when I sat down. They are also impossible to get in and out of without undoing the top cap. They performed amazing while riding them, but the other issues are making me look for a new type. My experience mirrors yours. I think I like my stuff so tight that getting in and out was impossible without loosening the toe buckle. I think they still worked well once strapped in, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveo Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 4 hours ago, Jack M said: All mountain hardbooting is powder, trees, backcountry, sidecountry, spring All of the above for me but I hate trees. Going to push myself next season with some of the tree riders to improve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
workshop7 Posted March 19, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 6 hours ago, daveo said: All of the above for me but I hate trees. Going to push myself next season with some of the tree riders to improve. I love trees but hate moguls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhamann Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 11 hours ago, Jack M said: @workshop7, take those sb's down Flume or Walking Boss, try to keep up with @MR. JOHN DEERE ! and get back to us. ... on a weekend at that. (so you have been outside of Maine. jk homey.) @workshop7 those are a couple trails at looniville off north peak. it's really only the upper sections that can be a challenge. the rest of both trails are like tough blues. maybe like an easier diamond elsewhere. south peak has more sustained vert. FYI: don't pay for a weekend ticket at Loon, ever. i seriously don't know how people tolerate such crowds and think that's what skiing and riding is like. makes me puke blood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawndoggy Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 I don't like hardboots at all for off piste. softies for me, there. I was surprised at how well my bxfr (softies) did on some day-after-the-storm tracked out leftovers this year vs my capita navigator, which is what I ride on a "fresh" day. But steeps/bumps/trees on hardboots? not for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
softbootsurfer Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 Have to say, this thread seems really Old..."This my Choice, so is the Correct Choice for everyone else" ...and defines what is Alpine Carving Carving has absolutely nothing to do with your boots being SB or HB Just because a very few, out of thousands, need them to race, or go on some steep and narrow icy slopes, is not a definition or the epitome somehow of Carving...Carving is done by the Edges of your Stick, mixed with your ability to utilize them... Ray came with his narrow 190 Virus and loved Copper bowl and Aztek, then he disappeared...never saw that Stick happy anywhere else... Where we live, the Conditions which are typical there and what we want to do certainly should apply to our equipment choices...my equipment allows me to do everything I want except Carve on Icy, Narrow, Steep pitches, then again I have had many great Steep pitch runs here with our Hero Groom...just another opinion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnE Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 16 hours ago, workshop7 said: Obviously, I joke. I could never do that. Someday, my aging body will no longer allow me too, but for now hardbooting is a must for me. However, I just spent the weekend at Stratton with softies and my Donek Flux. That board is effing unbelievable! It continues to reveal itself as, by far, the best soft boot board I’ve ridden. I could spend the rest of my life riding only that board and be very happy. Love my Donek Flux as well. I tried & tried for many years to make hardboots work for me but I could pull it together only under hero conditions. It wasn't the boots or bindings themselves. It was the high angles that the narrow board forced me into. The wider flux in softboots is a much more natural, stable and comfortable stance for me. I'm running Flow Talon boots (which I love) and Flow NX GT2 bindings (which I have learned to accept the compromises they bring). Overall, I'm consistently having more fun softboot carving than I did trying to make hardboots work for me. A bonus is that I can carve a groomer and head right off into the adjacent powder in the same setup. The Flux works great in almost every condition (maybe except moguls). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack M Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 9 hours ago, workshop7 said: ??? I hope you saw the wink, I did not mean any harm. I only meant that hardboots still have their place - steep trails like upper Flume at Loon where you ride, ridden at high speed (like "Mr. John Deere", an ex-racer who rides there). And I meant it in good fun. I have been enjoying softboot carving and all-mtn riding lately as well. Sorry for any confusion! 29 minutes ago, softbootsurfer said: Just because a very few, out of thousands, need them to race, or go on some steep and narrow icy slopes, is not a definition or the epitome somehow of Carving...Carving is done by the Edges of your Stick, mixed with your ability to utilize them Agreed, which is why we do not segregate softboot and hardboot carving into separate forums, as has been proposed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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