Excursion/T4 dilemma

This is the World Famous TelemarkTalk / TelemarkTips Forum, by far the most dynamic telemark and backcountry skiing discussion board on the world wide web. We have fun here, come on in and be a part of it.
User avatar
DG99
Posts: 247
Joined: Sun Feb 20, 2022 3:39 pm
Location: Oregon

Re: Excursion/T4 dilemma

Post by DG99 » Tue Feb 14, 2023 3:33 pm

phoenix wrote:
Tue Feb 14, 2023 8:37 am

Tried some T4's on the other day, and they did seem to fit better, and flex better, than I recall they did a few years back when I tried them side by side with the Excursions. Only issue I see with the T4's is that the top of the cuffs seem to "bite" into my shin a bit when flexing forward, and they feel as though the cuff is lower than the Excursion, and have no "power strap", so it feels(in the shop) as though it's hard to get forward pressure thru the cuff.

Open to hearing thoughts and opinions.
Sounds like maybe get some T2s? Higher cuff. I leave the cuff loose for touring, it’s not too bad.

User avatar
fgd135
Posts: 470
Joined: Sun Jan 19, 2020 2:55 pm
Location: Colorado
Ski style: Yes, sometimes.
Favorite Skis: Most of them
Favorite boots: Boots that fit
Occupation: Yes

Re: Excursion/T4 dilemma

Post by fgd135 » Tue Feb 14, 2023 3:50 pm

DG99 wrote:
Tue Feb 14, 2023 3:33 pm
Sounds like maybe get some T2s? Higher cuff. I leave the cuff loose for touring, it’s not too bad.
I agree! I use T2s nowadays, more support and not much heavier than the Excursions, with much better options for more downhill control. And better fit overall...but I still tour with leathers, and the Excursions are a good sub to high stiff leather for lower angle and long tours.
"To me, gracefulness on skis should be the end-all of the sport" --Stein Eriksen



User avatar
phoenix
Posts: 861
Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2017 5:44 pm
Location: Northern VT
Ski style: My own
Favorite Skis: Varies,I've had many favorites
Favorite boots: Excursions, T1's
Occupation: I'm occupied

Re: Excursion/T4 dilemma

Post by phoenix » Tue Feb 14, 2023 4:00 pm

DG99 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 14, 2023 3:33 pm
Sounds like maybe get some T2s? Higher cuff. I leave the cuff loose for touring, it’s not too bad.

"I agree! I use T2s nowadays, more support and not much heavier than the Excursions, with much better options for more downhill control."

I agree too! Didn't mention it, but I've been searching for some T2's, 27's, and am very surprised to find little to none. I thought they'd still be abundant with folks going newer school, or AT. I skied T2's for years, I like the blue, 2 or 3 buckle variety. Tried the T2X when they came out but the flex and cuff didn't feel right.



jalp
Posts: 117
Joined: Mon Nov 05, 2018 11:09 pm

Re: Excursion/T4 dilemma

Post by jalp » Tue Feb 14, 2023 6:12 pm

@phoenix I just went through the same thing with my Excursions. Wound up going with a pair of high volume Intuition Pro Tour liners. Yes, ridiculously tall for the shell but that doesn't bother me much. The fitting process was pretty painful and had me doubting the outcome but, they worked perfectly. Nice and snug now with just enough wiggle room. Bonus: they also fit my Crispi CXPs. IMO, definitely worth it.



User avatar
phoenix
Posts: 861
Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2017 5:44 pm
Location: Northern VT
Ski style: My own
Favorite Skis: Varies,I've had many favorites
Favorite boots: Excursions, T1's
Occupation: I'm occupied

Re: Excursion/T4 dilemma

Post by phoenix » Tue Feb 14, 2023 9:11 pm

Thanks jalp, that's a solid recommendation; the Pro Tour is one of the liners I was considering. Did you go with Intuition's method (heated dry rice in a sock!), or did you bake 'em?



jalp
Posts: 117
Joined: Mon Nov 05, 2018 11:09 pm

Re: Excursion/T4 dilemma

Post by jalp » Tue Feb 14, 2023 10:58 pm

phoenix wrote:
Tue Feb 14, 2023 9:11 pm
Thanks jalp, that's a solid recommendation; the Pro Tour is one of the liners I was considering. Did you go with Intuition's method (heated dry rice in a sock!), or did you bake 'em?
I've done the rice method in the past with good results but this time I went to a boot fitter. Sure, that cost me a few dollars more but I'm really happy with the results.



User avatar
JB TELE
Posts: 283
Joined: Thu May 19, 2022 12:25 am
Location: San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Re: Excursion/T4 dilemma

Post by JB TELE » Tue Feb 14, 2023 11:32 pm

Is it the plastic shell or the liner? I had some t4 liners where the edge of the tongue came folded over creating a pressure point when buckled. All I had to do was heat it up with a hair drier and lightly hammer it out.



User avatar
lowangle al
Posts: 2752
Joined: Sat Jan 11, 2014 3:36 pm
Location: Pocono Mts / Chugach Mts
Ski style: BC with focus on downhill perfection
Favorite Skis: powder skis
Favorite boots: Scarpa T4
Occupation: Retired cement mason. Current job is to take my recreation as serious as I did my past employment.

Re: Excursion/T4 dilemma

Post by lowangle al » Wed Feb 15, 2023 9:39 am

JB TELE wrote:
Tue Feb 14, 2023 11:32 pm
Is it the plastic shell or the liner? I had some t4 liners where the edge of the tongue came folded over creating a pressure point when buckled. All I had to do was heat it up with a hair drier and lightly hammer it out.
I had that problem too. If that seam lands on your ankle bone it can be a problem. I ended up cutting the seam right off.



User avatar
phoenix
Posts: 861
Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2017 5:44 pm
Location: Northern VT
Ski style: My own
Favorite Skis: Varies,I've had many favorites
Favorite boots: Excursions, T1's
Occupation: I'm occupied

Re: Excursion/T4 dilemma

Post by phoenix » Wed Feb 15, 2023 11:15 am

The problem spot for me is on the front of my shin, right at the top of the tongue/shell/liner. I don't think loosening the top buckle is a good option in my case, as I'm partial to having the feeling of forward pressure there, and need to tighten that buckle to get it.



User avatar
DG99
Posts: 247
Joined: Sun Feb 20, 2022 3:39 pm
Location: Oregon

Re: Excursion/T4 dilemma

Post by DG99 » Wed Feb 15, 2023 11:30 am

jalp wrote:
Tue Feb 14, 2023 10:58 pm
phoenix wrote:
Tue Feb 14, 2023 9:11 pm
Thanks jalp, that's a solid recommendation; the Pro Tour is one of the liners I was considering. Did you go with Intuition's method (heated dry rice in a sock!), or did you bake 'em?
I've done the rice method in the past with good results but this time I went to a boot fitter. Sure, that cost me a few dollars more but I'm really happy with the results.
Yes, go to a fitter if possible. They have those great toe caps to allow room. I tried myself once, home made toe caps and the oven, and it ended up squeezing the heck out of my toes. Beware.



Post Reply