How much does your xcd rig weigh?

[MikeK]

Yeah from what I can tell handling those old Asolo/Merrell boots with the internal support... I have the snowpines which don't go up as high on the ankle as the extreme. Also not sure if they are torsionally as stiff. I was never overly impressed with them.

Compared to two, 2 lb, modern boots the Alaska NNN has a similar stiffness sole, maybe stiffer? The Svartisen 75mm has similar ankle support, but a softer flexing sole.

Like we have been speculating here, the best combo might be the Svartisen NNN. It has a stiffer sole than the 75mm version and the same ankle support.

Would be something to look into if you were willing to use NNN-BC for your skinnier skis.

[Cannatonic]

I never tried any of the modern xcd boots as I never found a pair I could get my feet in. I have checked them out in the store and some have too soft of a sole for my skiing, but others seem to have a sole as stiff as my leathers, but I don't know how the uppers would compare. Do any of the modern boots compare to the older heavier leather boots in performance?

Al - are you saying your feet are wide? The lack of stiff leather boots is my main beef with today's gear. I have Antarctic, they are stiffer than Alaskas but still fairly soft. Crisps Svartsen are probably stiffer in the heel/ankle, but they don't have the traditional welted sole construction.

That leaves you with only a few options. Alico Doubles from STP. Said to be stiffer than some plastic boots like Excursion, great for telemarking. However, they're big & very heavy due to having the inner liner. Heavier than the older Merrells & Asolos.

Right now there are a few pairs of Scarpa Wasatch available through Amazon. They were similar to stiff 90's boots but also very narrow in size.

You can also seek out Andrew Shoes' boots. Currently that involves flying to Italy or Norway, or paying $65 for air shipping from Australia (Bogong) to get the Andrew Zenith. Would love to see Crispi add a boot like the Zenith or Andrew Solitude to their line. Andrew uses a wider last like Merrells. I find Scarpa and Asolo boots to be narrow.

[connyro]

That leaves you with only a few options. Alico Doubles from STP. Said to be stiffer than some plastic boots like Excursion, great for telemarking. However, they're big & very heavy due to having the inner liner. Heavier than the older Merrells & Asolos.

I second this. I have a buddy that has used those Alico Doubles for a few years and they are heavier and IMO, stiffer and more aggressive than the Excursions. However, they are beautifully constructed. Excursions are a pretty good fit for my wide feet...

[bgregoire]

If weight and fit are issues, unfortunately nothing of that caliber will surpass the excursion (plastic) with a replacement thermomoldable liner (intuition).

i also have a pair of the old andrew/ARKOS/karhu double boot with trak thermomoldable liners. actually, it's the boot itself that is heavier than the excursion shell. not the liners persay.

i do also have a pair of Karhu XCD Descents

these are wild boots (although heaver than my excursions anyhow)! thick leather overall, stiff sole, reinforced tongue, much like the asolo snowpines and such, exoskeleton that you can remove (its screwed on!) and a buckle! these are modern XCD boots, better for K&G than excursions and only a little less control on the down. proof that it can be well done today with molded sole tech. unfortunately obviously not produced for long and no longer made...

[MikeK]

I bet those Karhus are a lot like Svartis, just stiffer in the sole.

For sure it can be done... but will your heel comply?

[bgregoire]

I bet those Karhus are a lot like Svartis, just stiffer in the sole.

For sure it can be done... but will your heel comply?

The Karhus are burlier than Svartisen by quite a bit (i have tried the svartis on before). My heels! Yes. I have swapped the footbed for a Signature CD Thin SOLE (giving me more wiggle space and insulation), got the toebox widened by a cobler and bought an EZEEFIT ankle bootie. my foot no longer wiggles and feels rigth! i am hoping to try the kit out this weekend, i'm quite hopeful!

[MikeK]

Hmmm... well then. What is the weight? 2.5lb per boot?

They might be the missing link between our modern XCD boots and the Excursion! Why wouldn't Crispi have offered something like this? There is a huge gap between the Svarti and the Excursion, both in weight, and stiffness.

[bgregoire]

Hmmm... well then. What is the weight? 2.5lb per boot?

They might be the missing link between our modern XCD boots and the Excursion! Why wouldn't Crispi have offered something like this? There is a huge gap between the Svarti and the Excursion, both in weight, and stiffness.

1340g, nearly 3lbs per boot. I would like to report on my experience later on this winter. They are definitely of the missing link category.

[MikeK]

Whoa! Man they are as heavy as an Excursion. Def much beefier!

I bet that's a hard sell. Most people, for the weight would go for the plastic shell... probably why they went extinct.

[bgregoire]

Whoa! Man they are as heavy as an Excursion. Def much beefier!

I bet that's a hard sell. Most people, for the weight would go for the plastic shell... probably why they went extinct.

My Excursions are 1185g/boot. Its a hard sell for sure. But since the knights prohibit plastic....
And besides, there is NOTHING like leather for a nice K&G....so for me, it works.