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I have been debating switching over this season and still might try it. I have definitely been climbing up a coulier in soft boots and been sketched out, at least I usually have a hardbooter with me to kick in steps. This thread started out with a great question and quickly went downhill. BUT then I see this:


I wanna know where this is? can't hurt to ask anyway. ha ha
wait a minute, is that what I think it is?

I think you mean "bcd's" pov...I havent had time to respond to this yet.

....more later.

That would be the good old Diagonal Couloir...we will be making another attempt at it in the morning. I promise to post a trip report this next week. The conditions have set up right. I will keep you posted.

BCRIDER-edited...sorry duuuuude.

psychomac,

for what it's worth, i like your sense of humor.... but keep in mind I've been accused of not playing well with others.

A few points;
- When cant, lift, and angles are set up correctly, hardboots are actually much easier on the knees. A lot of orthopedic surgeons reccomend it, once your knees are blown.
- The guy in those pictures is riding in mountaineering boots... a far cry from AT boots or snowboard specific hardboots which all have a higher cuff and a degree of forward lean. Riding in AT boots or snowboard specific hardboots can be just as fluid and tweaked as softboots, once you learn how to initiate the turn with your quads instead of your ankles.

...and, opinions are not indisputable facts. Many here will remember how I trumpeted the cause of mountaineering boots and strap bindings just a year ago. Change is good, as are different opinions and prefrences.

Zach

Zach,

Seconded! How is the Alaska thingy panning out. Is it still a go?

"even in cali where engstirnigkeit reigns supreme"

Yeah I find Cali's are very narrowminded people also.

<removed

Oh yeah. I couldn't resist. (Japan air)

I agree 100% with BCD's comments. As you can see from his TR's, it is certainly possible to get to and ride some seriously gnarly stuff in soft boots. I can see the advantages of hardboots (especially when skinning) but I personally don't see myself making the switch anytime soon. Which is not to say that they wouldn't be right for YOU.

And I just gotta make a plug for my favorite piece of footwear - VERTS!! They are a great addition to soft boots for when things get steep (and are helpful for hardbooters in the deep stuff). They work great in deep snow, AND hardpack. I haven't used crampons in over a year. Not that crampons aren't essential for some conditions, just that I've found that for the stuff I actually want to ride, I can do it all with soft boots + splitboard + Verts. YMMV.

Personally, I thank you. I hate to see it come to this, but I agree that there is absolutely no place in these forums for negativity. I dont care what anyone rides. Hardboots or softboots, plates or straps, mowhawks, dreads or mullets. However you choose to ride, just have fun, enjoy the gift of the mountains and kill it!

Yeah, agreed... but are you sure you want to include mullet-riders?? Wait, I was just kidd.... (insert giant sucking sound here)

Bit harsh - I thought Pyschomac had some interesting comments/opinions/facts based upon experience. Maybe his sarcasm didn't appeal to everyone, but I didn't see it as overly negative. Personally, I like to see both positive and negative sides to boarding setups (based upon experience).

Opinions are great and in fact are waht gives the personality to this forum, however, ridiculous stereotypes of cultures and countries provide no benefit for the splitboard community in any way. i also welcome disagreement with the opinions. This is what provides for a healthy discussion. It is only when personal and cultural attacks take over the tone of the discussion that I feel the line has been crossed. Maybe the boot is a bit harsh; however, I feel that something should have been done to address this issue.