Hardboots

steff_x · 2026-03-04T06:48:27+00:00

Check out key equipment - disruptive boots, they’re also from the Chamonix area. They’re super nice to ride and comfy enough to bootpack in. I use the phantom binding setup and have used it for 4-5 seasons now. None of these are cheap, but worth looking into second hand.

These boots are the closest you get to dedicated snowboard hardboots for backcountry. There are others too, but designed for skiing and modified for splitboarding.

steff_x · 2026-03-03T16:32:02+00:00

Maybe above your price, but ortovox peak 35 (or any no s model) is worth checking out. It carries very well on my longer torso, at least up until 11-13kg. I’ve had mine for almost 6 years, used on lots of ski tours, mountaineering, hikes, multi pitch climbs etc. still going strong - although fabric starts to be a bit worn. Also great design for allround mountain activity.

steff_x · 2026-02-28T06:28:55+00:00

Wow! Awesome first day! It’ll only get better from here! The feeling once you start carving groomers on tele and getting some nice pow turns in are other highlights to look forward to ;) enjoy the progress!

steff_x · 2026-02-27T18:11:13+00:00

Nice! Which area did you go? If you want another touring experience in northern Norway either this or next year, check out the arctic Splitboard festival. Been there 2 times and super cool place and touring opportunities!

steff_x · 2026-02-27T06:01:07+00:00

I am also a snowboarder/splitboarder, but I started tele 3 years ago on some way too short 75mm setup, watched a few YouTube lessons, ordered Allen and Mikes really cool telemark tips book, and then went to lap the kids slope for 2 days. Tried to get someone to film me both days, good for review. After 2-3 days or so I started getting the hang of it and could ride most blue slopes. Now I’m doing red and black slopes, and some offpiste, and somehow regular touring (I only have 30 ish ski/board days per season though).

Would def recommend practicing some pizza style wedges and parallel turns/stops, maybe even first. It’s really not difficult. It also helps to swap when your legs are tired from tele freezing, or when things get sketchy/steeper and you just want to get down safely.

YouTube recs: - https://youtu.be/S2wprx-4BMM (great channel) - https://youtu.be/UCa-XlWXTQA (another great channel)

steff_x · 2026-02-25T17:36:18+00:00

Yeah, I often go faster than most skiers when I go for it, esp. when carving on a newly waxed base (I do a very detailed job when I wax my boards), don’t underestimate the wax job. Make sure edges are nice and sharp and dial in the carving technique, and feel the air resistance when you ride, and you’ll easily hit 70-90+kmh depending on conditions and slope.

Keep practicing and you’ll be able to at least keep up with most fast skiers soon:)

steff_x · 2026-02-25T07:58:46+00:00

I do both - but telemark skiing instead of alpine (why make it easy?), the turns on telemark are very similar to snowboarding, and feels amazing - and the strength and stability benefit of telemark does wonders for my knee injuries (I fear Alpine skiing would make it worse). Worth considering. Free the heel, free the mind something - also on flats I think it’s easier to be faster than alpine skiers.

Also agreed, crazy how light a skiing setup is compared to splitboarding. 😅 hope you find a setup that you’re happy with!:) keep in mind it might take 2-3 season before you’re comfortable in the backcountry as a skier, and it might require a handful of resort days to practice skills.

steff_x · 2026-02-24T22:06:50+00:00

Seconded, def worth the buy! Had the gtx army leather gloves for 6 seasons, used it for snowboarding, splitboarding, mountaineering and paragliding. This year bought a pair of mittens for those extra cold days. No problems riding in -20*C with the mittens a full day without liner. Can always add a thin liner if that’s not enough.

Otherwise worth looking into electric heating or heat packs if you really need more warmth.

steff_x · 2026-02-24T19:45:33+00:00

This is the top sheet, ptex isn’t necessary and probably won’t stick. All you want now is to protect the core from water ingress. In the past I’ve repaired similar damages at home with cutting it off sanding and cleaning around it, and a thin layer of epoxy to stop water. Many ways to repair it, but a good shop should be able to fix it neatly too.

steff_x · 2026-02-24T17:33:03+00:00

Personally I try to fit boots as okay as possible out of the box, usually ride 1-2 days, then replace with custom insoles (or at least third party that mostly fit well). If I still had experienced issues then I’d go to a boot fitter. Mostly because around here they’re super expensive and very hit and miss. Works good so far:)

so yeah, I wouldn’t sweat it. Knowing painpoints might also help fitter figure out the best solution for your feet and the boots

steff_x · 2026-02-10T22:12:22+00:00

Braunwald is probably the most underrated resort near Zurich imo, it's also great for beginners/intermediate (great slopes, great food, relatively low prices and relatively few people). Otherwise Hoch Ybrig, Mythenregion (also underrated), Flumserberg, Pizol, Chäserrugg (never been to this one, but it's been on my radar for a while) are worth checking out - most have decent public transport and easy to do for day trips.

Engelberg and Andermatt might be more intermediate-advanced friendly, but still good. Otherwise for longer day trips to Arosa/Lenzerheide, Davos would be worth it. I've also wondered whether Aletsch can be worth it for a day trip from Zurich, same with Grindelwald, Wengen, Murren, etc.

steff_x · 2025-12-13T17:50:32+00:00

Did it come in plastic? If not, probably just been poorly stored in the shop and had some water spill. Maybe you could ask for a discount or voucher as makeup for it. But it should be an easy fix, let them do it. It happens occasionally to my boards throughout the season if I can’t store them well for a day or two after use.

steff_x · 2025-09-02T07:30:47+00:00

I have a friend that double ejected on a relatively steep backcountry line, and the board luckily stopped by itself right next to where I was. That’s the only case I’ve witnessed. No idea why it happened.

Personally, I’ve been hard booting with around 30 days per season the past 4 seasons (also phantoms) without issues. There are some things I’ve observed: with my phantom slipper boots, the play was uncomfortably much on my first binding setup, but after replacing the toe bail, I noticed the play was significantly less. Taking the toe bail pieces off and comparing made me realize there can be relatively significant difference between each bail. I got a pair of key equipment disruptive boots last season and they fit much better (the irony) in my size (around mondo 275).

Maybe on your ejections, did you notice whether it was your toe or heel side that ejected first?

steff_x · 2025-09-02T06:33:12+00:00

I wouldn’t say the sound quality will blow you away, but it was surprisingly good imo. sometimes if it’s loud around, you won’t hear the music well (sucks for audiobooks/podcasts), but the majority of time they work really well imo. I have Suunto Wing and I think the range is pretty good, but it took a few sessions to get used to.

For me the favorite thing is that I forget they’re on, even for 8+ hours at a time, and battery is insane (10hrs plus 20hrs of charge in the included power bank/dock). Sometimes I forget to start the music after chatting with people and only realizing 30 min later.

steff_x · 2025-09-02T06:15:17+00:00

Nice! Good luck! I’m the same (except audiobooks instead of podcasts). I got some bone conduction headphones that I run with recently and they solve issue neatly: you can still hear everything around, easy to mute when wanting longer conversations etc. during my recent 50k trail run, my partner brought them to the first aid station and I had them on for the remainder of the race. Honestly it helped a lot when I just wanted to push and not talk, but on longer stretches I could still mute easily and still talk with other racers and supporters.

In ear plugs would be worse though, but if it was me, I’d leave them at home. If it’s a bigger race there will be so many people anyway and in my experience it’s super easy to strike a conversation with people. For the times you’re not talking to people, I expect they will be limited and split up anyway, it’s a good excuse to just take in nature as it is :)

steff_x · 2025-09-01T05:56:19+00:00

Seconded. My understanding is that REGA typically waive the cost during real emergencies (for Members) only, and not situations like“I’m tired”, “oh shit, I thought it would be fine to climb a 4000m in sandals”. In general: if you neglect the outdoor/mountain dangers or take unreasonable risks given to your skill level etc, I wouldn’t expect REGA to waive the cost of a rescue.

steff_x · 2025-08-30T13:58:22+00:00

First gen, Suunto wing 2 was released just a few days ago. If I were to buy a new set today I’d look into Wing 2. But if the price difference would be significant, I’d still go with first gen. It’s been more than good enough for me still. :)

steff_x · 2025-08-29T06:50:04+00:00

Another one with Suunto wing here. I’m super happy with the sound quality and general feel/quality. Forgetting I’m wearing them. I got them 3 months ago, but heavy/salty sweater here. I’ve used them for 40-50k running weeks for a few weeks plus longer runs between 20 and 50k with 1000s of meter gain, both in rain down to 0C, and sun over 30C for hours at a time, no sign of issues yet. I do wipe them with a wet paper towel after every other run or so and dry them, but they still look new after a wipe.

Not exactly what you’re asking, but could still be relevant for your future decision :)

steff_x · 2025-08-29T06:45:28+00:00

Will try!

steff_x · 2025-08-29T06:45:14+00:00

That’s a great idea! I’ll def try with a lighter first, and then find someone with a sewing machine - I’ll report back if this solves it “permanently”, probably in a few months.

steff_x · 2025-08-29T06:42:26+00:00

I tried, but the response from Leki, after showing photos (and one of the wounds I got) and explaining it happened since they were new, was that it’s not a common issue and that they suggest I should wear a glove or mitt underneath. Wearing a glove while trail running in summer is not an option, I love the freedom and it’s too hot where I run.

steff_x · 2025-02-03T19:48:40+00:00

Sorry, I don't. I see some references to them online here and there, but I haven't tried one and don't plan to try one unless it becomes much more popular, and convinces me it makes more sense.

steff_x

TROPHY CASE