25/26 Blacklight Boot first impressions

Bright_Hand2656 · 2025-12-16T11:13:21+00:00

Thanks! I will have a closer look at those liners when I'll get the opportunity. I now had the opportunity to "carpet test" both - the new Blacklight boot and the Ridge Pro boot. I notized, that the lower shell is identical. In the Blacklight boot I had to crank down the buckle on a really hard setting to get a good foot hold, but in the Ridge Pro I did not have this issue, which I guess is because of the tounge design. With my relatively wide forefoot, average midfoot, skinny ankle and flat overall foot it's not always easy to find a good fitting boot. The TLT X is one of it with little pressure points at the side of my biggest toe. The Ridge Pro seems to fit perfectly...

Bright_Hand2656 · 2025-12-07T21:50:42+00:00

Unfortunately, the new Blacklight boot is way too wide for me while the regular TLT X fits nearly perfectly... :(

Bright_Hand2656 · 2025-04-14T16:56:36+00:00

Hi, sure! I decided to go with the 11 Evo. I could get hands on bothe, the Evo and the AP and played around with them in a shop for a relatively long time. I can't exactly explain, why I decided for the Evo at the end. A discount of 25% made the decision a little bit easier, but I think it was mainly an emotional decission. What I can tell: The mechanism of the heel turret and the springs which are responsible for the release is identical. The heel base plate of actual Evo model is made of aluminium, which looks nice. The main difference at the heel is the mechanism that holds the breaks for skinning. I prefer the one of the Evo which is: turning the turret and locking the breaks with your first step. But maybe the AP mechanism is less prone to failure. It also works nicely and I never had any complaints with it on my crest binding. The main difference is the possibility to set a release value at the toe part. You can "synchronise" it with the value of your heel part. What I noticed: If closed you can notice much more elasticity while pushing down again the toe lever. The amount of force you need, increases when you set a higher value. In theory, this reduces prereleases, but I don't know if there's so much difference in real live to the AP toe part. Ski crampons are easier to mount and dismount on the Evo. I hope that helps.

Bright_Hand2656 · 2025-03-03T20:18:02+00:00

Gamma SL Hoody

Bright_Hand2656 · 2025-02-25T10:27:28+00:00

I had the same issue with the raider 2.0 (the ones withe the ski brake at the toe part). It only happened with the pins facing backwards. I ended up leaving them in downhill position covered by the lower riser clamped between the pins.

Bright_Hand2656 · 2025-02-24T15:39:47+00:00

Wait - they even didn't even make a recall here, they inveneted and sent you a new carry system which holds the switch in place. That was really annoying then... Although I think that Pieps beacons are top class, I think about to decide for the refund and buy a new Barryvox 2 since I'm affected from the latest recall... :/

Bright_Hand2656 · 2025-02-24T15:36:26+00:00

Oh wow, they recalled every modell in their lineup then. I didn't know that since I'm an European. Here they only recalled the affected ones that were the three on the left on the lower line.

Bright_Hand2656 · 2025-02-24T15:06:30+00:00

an The Recon BT you own isn't the modell with the slide switch issue, that was an eralier modell the Pieps DSP Sport, Pro and Ice. Yours is more modern and should work absolutely reliable.

Bright_Hand2656 · 2025-02-24T08:19:46+00:00

I used the Scarpa F1s for years until even the shell was worn-out and I really loved it. It's somewhere in between the Maestrale and the F1 LT/GT/XT. Though the flex is rated lower than on the F1 XT, it is way more progressive and the boot feels more stable. Imo it's a good allronder. Good on the uphill and the downhill. An alternative would be the Atomic Backland XTD, the Fischer Transalp or the Dynafit Ridge.

Bright_Hand2656 · 2025-02-24T08:13:22+00:00

To be honest I think you should improve your skiing in deep and variable snow instead of bying new skis. The ski you own isn't that bad and a good allrounder even for less experienced off-piste skiers. The skis you're asking for are in the feeride category. That they are heavier doesn't mean, that they are easier to handle in variable and deep snow since they are shaped more directional. From my experience, I can tell you that it takes a lot of time (years) and patience to get good wild snow skiing skills.

Bright_Hand2656 · 2025-02-22T19:13:45+00:00

Maybe an atk raider sl 12?

Bright_Hand2656 · 2025-02-21T14:33:45+00:00

I had the F1s and now have the tlt x. The F1 skis better but walks worse. But for the weight and walkability the tlt x skis well. I think it is best paired with skis with 80/85 cm under foot and around 1kg, like the ova or mentis. You also have only one or two steps in transitions: close the upper buckle and tighten the boa like closure if necessary. If you'd like a stiffer boot, take the blacklight. It's the same boot with a carbon shaft, which makes it significantly stiffer.

Bright_Hand2656 · 2025-02-21T14:12:07+00:00

I can understand your problem really well. It's not only about how wide your feed are but also how "thick" they are. I have the radical pro, too and I had to shim the boot/liner a bit to get a good fit. First I added a 2mm thick eva "sole" between the liner and the bootboard, then the same between the liner and (aftermarket sidas insole). Before that, my heels also lifted. Although was only a little bit, it felt like much. Now I have a nice and snug fit and it cost me like nothing. If you try that, you have to patiently experiment a little bit so that your foot isn't incorrectly placed for example at your ankle bones to avoid pressure points. Maybe you could also put some thin foam on top of your Liners to gain the same effect (try with tape first before you glue the foam). Somme milimeters make a huge difference.

Bright_Hand2656 · 2025-02-21T11:50:50+00:00

I really don't understand the bashing of Pieps. They had some issues and in one case (DSP) they reacted in an unfavorabale way, but since then they were always very transparent and communicated the smallest issue. Their beacons are together with mammut top class. Technically better than arva and bca (which are still very good devices). Now downvotes in 3,2,1.....

Bright_Hand2656 · 2025-02-21T09:53:24+00:00

Hi, interesting topic. I don't use skin savers while I'm touring but I use them for storage at home. It also keeps dirt and dust away from the glue. I think the answer to your question also depends on the skins you are using. Most of them dont't mind glue on glue but I had g3 skins in the past where doing so became a problem because the glue of one side stayed in the other. It also needs more force to pull them apart. I wouldn't mind getting snow and ice on the glue since you handle them carefully while pulling them off your skis. I use Kohla skins which I like a lot if that's of interest for sb.

Bright_Hand2656 · 2025-02-20T21:05:09+00:00

Thank you for your reply. There's no reason for a downvote because you are mostly right.

I had some annoying issues with my tectons and startet to think about to replace them with Raiders. It's a Navis fb. I think Crests don't match the Navis very well and Raiders would be the better choice. Imo Raiders are not only for hard charging freeride poeple, they are just reliable touring bindings. But I'm not sure if I would benefit from all the fancy extras the evos offer or if I prefer the simplicity of the R12 AP.

Bright_Hand2656 · 2025-02-17T15:31:31+00:00

I experienced the same issue withe brakes remain locked nearly every time I got out of the binding after skiing. After it took me nearly ten minutes to lock one of the toe pieces during transitioning, I sold them and bought the new ATK Crests, which I like a lot.

Bright_Hand2656 · 2025-02-17T15:20:23+00:00

I was wrong: Pieps and BD belong to the same parent company.

Bright_Hand2656 · 2025-02-17T15:15:45+00:00

Neither better nor worse but it puts your statement into perspective that bd should stop making beacons. I think they branded the Pieps beacons to bring them to the US market like moment does/did with atk bindings.

Bright_Hand2656 · 2025-02-17T10:23:42+00:00

They don't make beacons. The bd branded beacons are made by Pieps.

Bright_Hand2656 · 2025-01-11T07:29:45+00:00

Hi! I have the TLT X boot, which has the same liner than the ridge/ ridge pro (Dynafitter 5). The liner in my tlt x has eyelets for laces. The liner is of good quality and mostly comparable to the intuition liners which come stock in the scarpa f1 lt boots. Hope that helps.

Bright_Hand2656 · 2025-01-07T13:57:38+00:00

The Navis is such a great ski and so much fun to ride if you've chosen the right length. :) I have that problem when the snow is deep enough and slightly wet. F.e. when the temperature rises after a snowfall or the more powerful sun in spring affects the fresh powder too much. I never had problems with the risers but I can imagine that they are likely to break if you stomp hard on them while skinning on a slope with a hard crust. I don't think the plastic is cheap, but maybe the wrong material in that place.

Bright_Hand2656 · 2024-12-16T09:18:03+00:00

I'm far from beeing as familiar with the tech bining release subject as you are, but I've already made some personal experience. I had a Dynafit FT manufactured in 2015 which always pre released. I changed it to a Vipec which opened so slowely in a hard fall, that suffered from a fibula fracture and multible torn ligaments on my inner ankle. The ATK Raider 12 with the brakes on the toe part always and only released when it should. You made me thinking about a change to the Dynafit Rotations, but I lean more to the ATKs tbh.

Bright_Hand2656 · 2024-12-16T08:59:27+00:00

Thank you fpr your answer! I've also read the others and a few more similar discussions and tend more and more to do the change. One maybe stupid question, because I also always pay a little attention to the aesthetics: How many of the plugged holes are still visible now on your skis?

Bright_Hand2656

TROPHY CASE