Telemark Talk / Telemark Tips Forum

Hi everyone,
This year I've been using some merrel ultras. They have soft plastic laminated in the cuff which makes them very supportive, but the cuff makes them feel limiting touring on mellow terrain. I'm hoping to find something with less ankle support, better for XC, but still substantial to add to my boot quiver.

I'm set on getting an old welted 75mm boot. I'm well aware that soles can fall off of old boots and I will send them off to be resoled.

I have a wide forefoot with a low tolerance for toe pinch, a moderately high arch, and a skinny heel. I measure 40.5 on a brannock device. I'm seeking the collective wisdom of this forum, which boot would fit me the best? Each one is listed as a 41.

Andrew
https://www.ebay.com/itm/354494550368?h ... R6iJqrHKYQ

Montange
https://www.ebay.com/itm/165085507818?h ... R6aJqrHKYQ

Lundhags
https://www.ebay.com/itm/354495005987?h ... R6jxpLDKYQ

Varg
https://www.ebay.com/itm/165191800452?h ... R6jxpLDKYQ

I know that crispi still makes old school welted boots, but I've heard they fit narrow?

My forefoot is wide, for example I cannot fit in an Alaska. The Crispi Svartisen however is the most comfortable boot I have worn. Plenty of room in the toe box. I wonder how the Crispi Bre, the welted boot they still make, compares to the Svartisen. The Bre if similar will be next for me. I have a welted Alico Ski March and vintage welted Heierling boot. I want a new version soon so I'm well prepared for the inevitable demise of welted craftsmanship.

The vintage Heierling boot was too narrow in the toe box, but after rotating a boot stretcher between the pair for months, the forefoot is now quite accommodating.

wabene wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 14, 2023 10:59 pm

The vintage Heierling boot was too narrow in the toe box, but after rotating a boot stretcher between the pair for months, the forefoot is now quite accommodating.

Leather teles generally have a plastic toe cap. Were you able to stretch the toe cap?

I realize you specified a welted leather boot. And I am with you on that.Big fan of them . I have a pair of merrell ultras and a pair if asolo snowfields. But you also specified "mellow" terrain.
On my old woodies I frequently use whitewoods 3pins. They are cheaply built, made in china and don't fit the bill as a welted leather boot. But shit, they are inexpensive. Last pair purchased was less than $100. shipped to alaska. They are very comfortable, not very durable. Thin duckbill, so may not work with some telly bindings, (haven't checked with my rottefella st or vole 3 pins, but they do fit in some old choinards I have),but would never use these boots for serious backcountry or xcd anyway.
If you come up with a good welted leather boot that excels at kick and glide, please share. I too would rather have a leather welted boot for mellow terrain, but until then, I will continue to use these imports from china.

JB TELE wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 14, 2023 11:41 pm

wabene wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 14, 2023 10:59 pm

The vintage Heierling boot was too narrow in the toe box, but after rotating a boot stretcher between the pair for months, the forefoot is now quite accommodating.

Leather teles generally have a plastic toe cap. Were you able to stretch the toe cap?

Not sure if there is a plastic toe cap. If so it is not visible. These appear to be quite old, but in excellent shape. The upper is one piece of leather including the tongue, the insole and inner liner are also leather. The only visible plastic is a padded vinyl cuff at the top. Whatever is in the toe box has stretched quite well with careful pressure and time.

JB TELE wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 14, 2023 10:32 pm

I know that crispi still makes old school welted boots, but I've heard they fit narrow?

wabene wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 14, 2023 10:54 pm

I wonder how the Crispi Bre, the welted boot they still make, compares to the Svartisen. The Bre if similar will be next for me.

I had the Crispi Bre and liked them a lot. They were beautifully made, very comfortable for touring and fit me like slippers. I didnt find them much more supportive than good NNN-BC boots however. Someone on the forum here hates them, a search may help you find the information.
I don't have them anymore as I switched to Xplore.

wabene wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 14, 2023 10:54 pm

My forefoot is wide, for example I cannot fit in an Alaska. The Crispi Svartisen however is the most comfortable boot I have worn. Plenty of room in the toe box. I wonder how the Crispi Bre, the welted boot they still make, compares to the Svartisen. The Bre if similar will be next for me. I have a welted Alico Ski March and vintage welted Heierling boot. I want a new version soon so I'm well prepared for the inevitable demise of welted craftsmanship.

My neighbors at Alico still make several welted models

http://www.alicosport.it/TELEMARK%20BOOT.htm

randoskier wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 15, 2023 8:51 am

wabene wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 14, 2023 10:54 pm

My forefoot is wide, for example I cannot fit in an Alaska. The Crispi Svartisen however is the most comfortable boot I have worn. Plenty of room in the toe box. I wonder how the Crispi Bre, the welted boot they still make, compares to the Svartisen. The Bre if similar will be next for me. I have a welted Alico Ski March and vintage welted Heierling boot. I want a new version soon so I'm well prepared for the inevitable demise of welted craftsmanship.

My neighbors at Alico still make several welted models

http://www.alicosport.it/TELEMARK%20BOOT.htm

I appreciate the heads up but this is what I'm seeing. From here in the US, besides strays available on eBay, Alico boots are available through Telemark Pyrenees. I tried to download photos, but the came in an unsupported file type, so here is the link.

https://www.telemark-pyrenees.com/produ ... ring-boots

Alico Double
Alico Ski March
Alico XC
Alico Artic
and the Alico Artic Green Suede are all now thermo moulded Vibram 75mm soles. The lone exception is the Alico Teletour still having the Norwegian Welt. Yes even the Ski March is thermo moulded. Alico may have the older versions available, but I'll bet they just haven't updated their website. When I saw that Telemark Pyrenees webpage that is when it hit me that we may be seeing the end of an era.
I'm intrigued by some of the new technology. The light weight of the Explore binding and Pioneer Pro boot look very interesting.
I'm also intrigued by the quality craftsmanship and beauty of my vintage brown leather Heierlings. They weigh exactly the same as my Svartisen 75mm. The leather is incredibly stiff and supportive but yet they somehow have a really nice forward flex. They ski great! They also look so good you might "forget" to put boots in your truck to change into for an after ski pub visit.
I'm new to telemark and hooked. Obsessed really. I really like the feel of going downhill with a cable binding. I also like the kick and glide feel of the 3 pin. The flat surface your boot rests on is stable and comfortable over long distances. For example the skinny rail of NNN gets uncomfortable during a long ski. Eventually I'll probably try the Explore, but I don't know if I'll ever tire of the 75mm.

I guess it doesn't need to be welted. Just high quality old school construction, I don't really like the build of newer boots.
I'm glad alico is still making good boots. I had a negative experience with their double boot. The heel cup had zero padding and it was pretty gnarly, it didn't fit the shape of my heel. The toe cap was a bit too substantial and didn't fit my toe area well. I wonder if I would have those issues with their other newer boots. Either way, my concern is importing one and having to either pay for expensive shipping or sell at a loss. All 4 of these boots I listed only cost $20 to ship and I could sell them for the same price on ebay.

Does anyone have experience with the crispi bre? How is the forefoot room? For reference, alaskas are too narrow in the toes for me.