Alpina Alaska NNNBC

[MikeK]

Ohh - I wouldn't let my toes pinch too much on the length. My Svartisens are a right at the edge for me in that regard. I can feel my toe touching the end of the boot but it doesn't pinch. To me that's about as good as you can get.

[athabascae]

My Alpina Alaska NNN-BC arrived today. Pretty stoked!

I got a size EU45, and I'll need to wear them in the house for a bit to get a better feel for them, but my first impression is that they are a tiny bit snug in the toe. Hard to tell just yet. The length feels bang on, its the width.

For those that have had them for a while, does the toe box widen a bit with age, or does the rand prevent that?

Mine are the new generation with white laces and they are red, not orange. To tell you the truth, I wasn't too sure about the looks of them (and red????) from the photos on the internet, but seeing them in hand I am really impressed with the overall quality and build, and they are really sharp looking boots! Red makes them fast, right?

Tom

[MikeK]

I hate to say this but you might want to order the next size up. I have the same issue with these boots, and IME they don't stretch.

I wouldn't return the one you have until you have both side by side to try. I've had to do this a couple times because I really wasn't sure which would be best. I think it's worth eating the shipping cost to be able to assess what is going to more comfortable for a boot you plan on putting lots of miles on.

I'm probably a 43 in terms of length, but because of the width, I went to a 44.

I think this's why they are red/orange:

[Gingerdamous]

Attn : Athabascae
What size are you in other boots. I'm looking at ordering a pair but MEC is sold out so now I have to go through a relay and a us site (meaning no returns).
I'm losing sleep over this.

I wear a 44 in madshus Glittertinds nnnbc boots
A 45 in alpina ECL classic boots.
A 44 in madshus supernanos
11 in any salomon trail runner or hiker.
11 in vans old schools (haha)

I have 45 Glittertinds but they were massive and I kind of fear that the 45 Alpina Alaska's
would be similar.
So close to pulling the trigger on the 44s, but I'd like to hear your size in other shoes/boots before I commit.
(no shops sell alpina in Newfoundland anymore so I have no try on options)

Sorry for the hassle.

Thanks.

[Johnny]

Hey Ginger,

They run very big... I had Alaskas in size 44, 43 and 42... I usually wear 10.5 and the 44 was way too massive. The 43 was still way too big for me and now the 42s are kind of ok.... Be sure to buy a smaller point...

And by the way, I have a almost-new pair of 43 for sale... I could make you a good deal in Canadian clams...

[MikeK]

Depends a lot on your foot shape bro man...

My fivetens I'm wearing now and Crispis are 43s and my Alaska are 44. I have a wide, high volume foot. So even the Alaska in a size larger than normal is a bit tight on me.

Ginger - measure your instep and foot width. If they are on the large size, might want to size up. If they are small, size down.

I measured mine and put it up on the forum for reference to these boots at one point but I don't know where it is, but I can do it again if you like. Wish I had tried on some Madshus boots so I could give you a point of reference.

[athabascae]

Hey Ginger,

My Alaskans are 45 (my normal shoe size) and they are working out great. So, I'm not looking to size up.

Good luck!

Tom

[kesroberts]

I just picked up a pair of these after lucking into a pair of Fischer 78's with NNNBC bindings. I'm usually a 10.5 US, 28 mondo in scarpas and the 43's seem to fit me well.

The Alaskas really are impressive - look forward to actually skiing in them. I had a chance to check out the lower model Montana and have been skiing Alpina 1575's for a few years - the Alaska's really are a much more boot.

[MikeK]

Very nice kesroberts. You'll like that setup a lot I think. Very good and capable all around for touring and moderate slopes.

I might be biased though, because that is my most used ski/boot combo.

[lilcliffy]

My current Alaska NNNBC outsole is getting near the end of its life I suspect (4 seasons; 150 days/season)- the leather and uppers are in excellent shape and are going to outlast the sole.

One of the toe bars is starting to show some slight play- I am becoming suspicious that it might fail in the near future...

Nothing to stop my day-to-day skiing- but, I wouldn't head out on a multi-day tour with these boots anymore...

This boot has finally broken my stubborn fear of NNNBC failure in the backcountry. It has completely replaced NN-75mm tech for me- at the distance-oriented end of the Nordic backcountry touring spectrum. It means I cannot put a "Telemark" boot on my BC-XC skis, but, I have discovered I don't want to anyway!