Splitboard Boot Comparison Test 2015-16
When you do splitboarding the power transmission from the boots to the bindings and board is key, no matter if on the way up or down. On icy traverses or hours of skinning, the boot is first in the line.
The Splitboard Boots had been tested while touring, hiking on rocky terrain and with crampons on ice. Bindings and Board stayed the same.
Lets start with the Deeluxe Boots and have a look at the Fitwell Backcountry then.
The Deeluxe models (Summit, XV und XVE) became around 1 cm shorter in the overall length, compared to the last season. Thanks to the new sole construction your feet come much closer to the board giving you an incredible board feeling. You feel the board directly under your feet, well connected. Regarding the backwelt for the crampons, there is nothing to complain about.
The Deeluxe XV is a light Splitboarding boot with backwelt for semi-automatic crampons mounting. With a thermoliner it can be exactly fitted to your foot and becomes very comfortable. The Deeluxe lacing system was optimized and now is less prone to mechanical impacts as before. The best however is the new Vibram sole construction, responsible for the amazing ride feeling with all these Deluxe Boots. Also on the ascent without board, the Vibram sole gives a lot of support in rocky terrain. The boot is relatively stiff, the heel is kept in its place by the liner and thus a good power transmission to the board is given.
The Deeluxe Summit is the posh model of the XV. The outside entirely from leather, the boot has a precious look and promises longlife durability. Additional to the fast lacing system, a Boa-system especially increases the heel support. The boot has a somewhat harder flex than the XV, this further increases the possible edge pressure.
The Deeluxe XVE, initially is similar to the XV, but has an additional zipper on the instep, which protects the lacing in extreme conditions from freezing and abrasion by the crampons. A strenghthening over the seams protects them from abrasion. A big plus of comfort during the ascent and also in steep ice brings the Walk mode. A Strap allows the rear part of the shaft opening, thus you can move back your leg further and make comfortably wider steps than with traditional splitboard boots. The integrated Boa system, like the Summit has too, pushes the heel well down and keeps it in position.
TheFitwell Freeride Boot is less extreme than his brother Backcountry. In our opinion the Freeride is the optimal splitboarding and mountaineering boot for those who like it hard, but also comfortable.
Semi-automatic crampons can be easily and securely attached, the Reel Knob lacing works flawless and the heels stay where they belong. Lateral pressure is transferred well and quite directly to the board and the edges, which makes traversing easier. The rather hard flex needs some time to accustom, but then you can rely on this boot completely. Price/performance = Top!
- Comfort: 7
(with Thermoliner 9) - Power transmission: 7
- Heel support: 7
- Boardfeel: 10
- Weight: 9
- Quality: 7
- Comfort: 8
(with Thermoliner 10) - Power transmission: 8
- Heel support: 9
- Boardfeel: 10
- Weight: 8
- Quality: 8
- Comfort: 10
durch Walk-Mode - Power transmission: 8
- Heel support: 9
- Boardfeel: 10
- Weight: 8
- Quality: 8
- Comfort: 7
- Power transmission: 9
- Heel support: 8
- Boardfeel: 7
- Weight: 8
- Quality: 9
- Comfort: 8
- Power transmission: 8-9
- Heel support: 8-9
- Boardfeel: 8
- Weight: 8
- Quality: 9
We should also mention, because a shoe must fit well in the first place, that the Fitwell Boots are smaller sized than the Deeluxe Boots ( Fitwell Mondo 28 sits very tight compared to 27.5 Mondo at Deeluxe). Extensive fitting or a test tour is advisable. Cold or sore feet narrow your resources and can impact your agility and affect riding safety.
Burton and ThirtyTwo now also have specially developed boots for splitboarding. We have been taken them in inspection only in dry conditions by now and have not had them tested in snow yet.
ThirtyTwo Jones Splitboard Boot
The boot looks well thought out, the zipper over the laces protect against icing and the Jones boot has a Hike-Mode and attachment for semi-automatic crampons, too. The integrated Boa system is only for setting the Hike mode, otherwise this shoe is equipped with a classic lacing system. The boots is relatively hard, one can thus imagine a fairly good power transmission to the board.
Burton Tourist Boot, also this boot we''ve had in our hands only in the warm, in terms of price and performance, it seems to make a good impression. Stiff, light and with a good sole, this splitboard boot has a negative flex to make the ascent pleasant. There are crampons mountable and it is provided with the Burton speed-lacing.
Has anyone of you already had the Burton Tourist or ThirtyTwo at the foot ? Then post your review on our page, otherwise it comes from us as soon as we were able to test the boots in the backyountry.
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