Alternatives to Alpina Alaska 75mm

[snow-mark]

@lilcliffy interesting about the exoskeleton on the Svartisens.

Why don’t more boots have this system? I have a set of 10-year old Fischer BCX875s. They are generally too stiff for K&G, but when I want to chase turns, they work quite well. I lace them up somewhat loose and leave the buckles pretty loose for the ascent. I can ignore the laces for the downhill and leave them a little loose, but crank down the buckles for the downhill. This works really well.

0C579C68-B716-436B-B567-182D89D04BEC.jpeg

My experience with the Svartsen is similar to yours with the 875's. I had the BCX6's which have an upper cuff only that didn't have a buckle, just Velcro. It was very flimsy and didn't provide much imo. The plastic material on the Svartsen exoskeleton is different and almost appears to be cut by hand. A little rough on the edges, but it is really stiff and seems of great quality. I find it very effective.

My experience with the 875 is quite good actually. I find the buckles do increase downhill control. It is a more substantial cuff than the 675 (which my wife has). The flipside is that the 875 is not good for kick and glide because the sole is quite stiff. Kick and glide improves with the buckles and laces loose because it get flex at the ankle.

[wabene]

@snow-mark apologies I wasn't denigrating the 875, I have never even handled one. Just comparing the Svartsen to a boot I know well. At the time I got the BCX6 I wanted the 875 but it was not available. Good luck.
Edit: BTW I think the BCX6 and your 875 have the same sole. You right it is stiff and definitely stiffer than the sole on the Svartsen.
Double edit lol: I made an assumption. I don't know how stiff the sole of your 875 is . Since your wife has the BCX6, that would be valuable for comparison.

[snow-mark]

@snow-mark apologies I wasn't denigrating the 875, I have never even handled one. Just comparing the Svartsen to a boot I know well. At the time I got the BCX6 I wanted the 875 but it was not available. Good luck.
Edit: BTW I think the BCX6 and your 875 have the same sole. You right it is stiff and definitely stiffer than the sole on the Svartsen.
Double edit lol: I made an assumption. I don't know how stiff the sole of your 875 is . Since your wife has the BCX6, that would be valuable for comparison.

No need to apologize. I was hoping to clarify my experience with the 875.

I think you are right they have the same sole. Comparing our boots, I’d say my 875 is a bit stiffer, but my wife’s 675s have gotten far more use so maybe it’s just more break in. Both have stiffer soles than most other 75mm boots I’ve used or handled. I use the 875 only when I’m doing a more downhill oriented tour.

[wabene]

Now in my second season on these boots, man, the Svartisens are the most comfortable boots I've ever worn. The soft forward flex is great for k & g. I was worried about downhill control because of this. In good conditions it has been fine with the 3 pin without cables. This year I have really focused on practicing tele and when doing laps I've found the cable is amazing with this boot. I've got the tension just right on the Voile 3pc so on the up with the lever flipped open there is minimal tension making it hardly noticable during k & g, but the cable stays secure in the groove on the heel of the boot. At the top of the hill I flip the lever tight and that softness of the forward flex totally changes. The boot feels much stiffer and when I drop the knee I really feel the exoskeleton come into play. Pressuring the skis with my shins. The way the cable flexes the boot makes the ball of my rear foot flex and gives a more stable platform for pressuring the rear ski. I'm very happy with this setup, but acknowledge this is my only experience telemarking and with a cable on a binding. My Ski Marches are getting broken in enough that I need to try them for these laps and get a comparison.

[grizz_bait]

Could anyone provide sizing guidance on the Svartisen? I measure exactly at 45 on a Brannock, size 46 in Alpina Alaska.

[wabene]

Could anyone provide sizing guidance on the Svartisen? I measure exactly at 45 on a Brannock, size 46 in Alpina Alaska.

45 for the Svartisen no doubt. The Alaska is at least 1 size smaller. Especially if you require a wider toe box.

Edit: I am referring to the Svartisen 75mm. There is some intel on here that the Svartisen BC is sized normally.