lmfmjha Posted March 29, 2005 Report Share Posted March 29, 2005 I have read all the reviews on Head Stratos Pro in the gear reviews section. Have you got anything to add on those reviews? How does the boot compare to e.g. Raichle SB323 or Burton Fire? I am 6'4" (192 cm), 231 lbs (105 kg). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skategoat Posted March 29, 2005 Report Share Posted March 29, 2005 A buddy of mine who is your size just bought a pair. He loves them. Compared to my Raichles, they are industrial strength. The plastic looks better, the buckles are definitely better and micro-adjustable, they come with extra sole pads and an extra tongue. They also have these ingenious levers for the buckles that helps you really crank them if you want. They are stiff but you'll probably want that with your size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncermak Posted March 29, 2005 Report Share Posted March 29, 2005 I'm a short fat bastard, but I beat the hell out of boots. I highly recommend them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmfmjha Posted March 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2005 Thanks, skategoat! An IT support guy interrupted me. So, here comes more specifications. Yes, I would like them stiff. Currently, I am riding with Burton Fire (yellow ones), and I have tried out also with the red Fire (older ones). Both are stiff enough. My size is 28.5 in mondo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil sunday Posted March 29, 2005 Report Share Posted March 29, 2005 compared to sb323 or burton fire's - Head Stratos Pros are miles above in performance. i think they are miles ahead of the raichle af 700 even, which i rode for the past 3 or 4 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philistine Posted March 29, 2005 Report Share Posted March 29, 2005 My first and only pair of boots are Head stratus pro's. My size is also 28.5 mondo. I have been riding with them for about two months. The buckles are awesom for micro adjustment and the boots come with power straps on the liner and the shell of the boot which I find very helpful. Next season I will get custom foot beds and maybe even better liners. The liner that came with the boots are heat moldable, before I got them molded they were injuring my legs due to pressure spots, after I got them molded they were still pretty uncomfortable. And the cheap foot beds cost me a toe nail. But I love the boots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
350 Posted March 30, 2005 Report Share Posted March 30, 2005 I got a pair of Strat Pros at the start of the season. great boots. In the past i had all burton boots(winds, fires and furnances) the Pros are 10000times as good as all them boots. Go for the Strat Pros. Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmfmjha Posted March 30, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2005 Thanks for the replies! The replies confirmed that I will surely go for the Stratos Pro, when the old Fire boots finally break totally out - and when I will get the Stratos with a decent price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted November 7, 2005 Report Share Posted November 7, 2005 OK - resurrecting this one. For you 200+ pounders, how have you found the flex in this boot as far as overall stiffness compared to Raichle/Deeluxe, UPZ, whatever. Head liner vs. Thermo, etc. Looking more from a freecarving application than race. Read the reviews on 'em already. Somewhat helpful. I've noticed that Randy S, Noah, and some others out there have some experience with them. Thanks in advance for any additional feedback! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Randy S. Posted November 7, 2005 Report Share Posted November 7, 2005 I'm liking them. I'm 200lbs and ride pretty aggressively. I like the stiffness, but may add my booster strap this season. The stock liner is great, way better than Raichle IMO. The buckles rule. I think they are the best boots on the market, if they fit your foot (I have a wider foot with a farily high instep). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-Sub Posted November 7, 2005 Report Share Posted November 7, 2005 just picked up a pair of stratos...might be too soft for me though, but Im gonna give em a shot. I think Head should definitely keep makin boots though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike T Posted November 7, 2005 Report Share Posted November 7, 2005 I tried some Stratos LTD's last year, which I hear are almost identical to the Stratos Pros. I loved the buckles, and they were certainly beefy it was easy to mount Intec heels. Unfortunately, the location of the buckles didn't work for me, 'cause despite my 195 pounds about 20 of which I need to lose around the middle, I have skinny ankles and the 2nd and 3rd buckles wound up overlapping and eliminating all trace of forward flex. I just couldn't ride in them. Ask Slopetool, he was a witness - it was October of last season. Stiffness wise, they seemed noticeably stiffer the Deeluxe Suzukas. I suspect someone with more voluminous ankles would like a lot better than I did. I certainly don't want to discourage anyone from looking at them - just wanted to point at that for me, Raichle/Deeluxe is working much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted November 7, 2005 Report Share Posted November 7, 2005 Thanks for the responses - any others appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patmoore Posted November 7, 2005 Report Share Posted November 7, 2005 I'm still on the only pair of hard boots I've ever owned - Raichle 324. One buckle is finicky and appears irreplaceable. My heels seem to have too much up-down movement. Without breaking the bank, what would you recommend for a replacement boot? I enjoy racing and carving the groomers. I'm 5'8", 170 pounds and aged 59. Boot size is 28.5. As always, I appreciate the guidance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NateW Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 How tall is the cuff on the Head boots, compared to Raichle and UPZ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baka Dasai Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 How tall is the cuff on the Head boots, compared to Raichle and UPZ? The cuff on the Heads is much lower than on the Raichles/Deeluxe. Don't know about the UPZ. For those saying that the Stratos Pro are stiff, how adjustable is the stiffness? From appearances it seems like the spring at the back has quite a big range of adjustability for the forward flex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arnaud Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 For those saying that the Stratos Pro are stiff, how adjustable is the stiffness? You can dramatically reduce stiffness by cutting some plastic in the shell. Have a look here : http://www.extremecarving.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1034&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 From appearances it seems like the spring at the back has quite a big range of adjustability for the forward flex. No, the range is limited, and because of plastic / plastic friction the effect also limited. After cutting the shell, effect of the spring is great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baka Dasai Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 Have a look here : http://www.extremecarving.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1034&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 That's totally f&cking punk rock. A 9-page thread filled with pictures, graphs, and spreadsheets. I don't read French, but I think I can work out the basics of what's going on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Blitz Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 That's totally f&cking punk rock. A 9-page thread filled with pictures, graphs, and spreadsheets. I don't read French, but I think I can work out the basics of what's going on. Yeaaahhh...Arnaud is the french "Mac Gyver" Head Stratos were very good and also you can increase performance & confort with ACSS --> Arnaud Cool Spring System (you can buy it) I'll tried it last winter, and it's perfect you know. Oke, post is in french but you've some crazy "tuning" pics ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arnaud Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 No no ! ACSS is just Advanced Carving Spring System :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnovak Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 How are folks going about cutting their Startos Pros? Do you take apart the shell or just take a box cutter to it and "carve" out the plastic? I am thinking about doing this to soften it up. In stock form I don't find the rear spring mechanism to be of much use. Cheers, Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arnaud Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 You can't take apart the shell because the assembly use a rivet. So you must use a cutter inside the shell. It's not very easy because of the accessibility. Easier if you heat a little the shell near a radiator. Be careful to avoid injuries with the cutter. The best is a hook shaped blade used to cut carpet. I will translate partially the french post from EC.com, to show the necessary cut out. I'll try to do this soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arnaud Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 It is possible to decrease the stiffness of Head boots while also improving spring response. The problem with original Head There is a gap between the 2 sides of the plastic shell. When the boot flexes forward, the 2 sides touch (black arrow) There is also a lot of friction between lower and upper part of the shell. This interferes with the functioning of the spring system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arnaud Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 Improvement, Step #1 If you want only a little more flexibility, cut off the area generating friction. Dashed line show original shell outline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arnaud Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 Improvement Step #2 To dramatically increase flexibility, remove more plastic ! At this stage, I found that the lateral screw (pivot point) touches in the hole. Increase the bean shaped hole (with a dremel tool) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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