Splitboard.com Forums

In efforts to help open my eyes a little and help me think outside of the box I pose the following challenge to hardboot riders.

Provide a picture of yourself or another hardboot rider that shows the rider making pretty turns (fully complete and rounded (no skids), low, surfy, etc) that look as comfortable and relaxed as softboot riders. The legs need to look comfortable as does the upper body. The winner will receive a free splitboard.com T-shirt.

ps. The judges will be tough so only submit your best stuff.

Does video count? Comfortable and relaxed is going to be an interesting judgment criteria since by definition the hardboots don't flex very much so our lower legs will be somewhat stiff looking.

Here some short videos of carving that looks pretty relaxed and comfy to me.

Relaxed carving
Some more
Getting low

You are becoming subtle in your old age.

I havent ridden with any other hardbooters yet, but here is a little evidence of the fun that can be had on hardboots. (been on mine about 1 season now, still prefer softy's if Im strickly riding really deep powder, but that hasnt been very often for me this year...... ) These pics dont really fit the description you want, just some support for the dark side!

I leave my top strap loose and ride in "walk" mode in pow and can surf and roll my ankles as much as my soft boots will allow.If I need highbacks I lock in "ski" mode and I have a highback. The ease of skinning outways any drawbacks if they exist. I removed the "Power strap" all together. I feel I get more pop out of all my boards with AT boots. Soft boots and bindings are heavy and sluggish in comparison. They are great for lifts. I host 2 days at JHMR and prefer my soft boots and Flow bindings for being at the resort all day but in the backcountry it's AT boots all the way. I'll send photos when I can. Come to Jackson and ride next season. See for yourself. I have a pull out couch.

hardboots is all i ride. i'm on some old tlt3's. it is a 2 buckle boot and i leave the top buckle unbuckled - the elastic from my pants leg gives me just the right flex.

I too would like to voice my doubts if this is the result.

more hardboot steeze!





Photos by Killclimbz

^^^^Hahaha, I was going to post those up, but you beat me to it. *That* was a great day!

I'M reading Affix Snow's report about is F1 setting... Nothing makes me want to go back to my the time when i use to race GS and SL... But i'm still curious... I never liked the inconfort of the steep angles... Sure riding was alright... it was the other 75% of the time that felt akward!

I liked lonerider's vid...

Here's a few clips of riding on pure ICE on Jan 1st 2006:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyMOswEzGNs

Conditions SUCKED hard... but we managed to have fun... I was riding my Burton Malolo for one of the first time...

This pic says hardboots to me.



Not this one though.



Hikeforturns is definitely in the lead.

keep em coming!

Nice greetings from the alps





On these pics I ride hardboots, witch I prefer when I have to ascend on a split. With a solid board I would probably never ride them

Tobi