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Home Forums Boots Atomic backlands… Thoughts on mods

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  • #784229
    Bennett
    Participant

    I’m in the process of getting set up for hardboots and have been trying on boot after boot. Haven’t been able to track down a pair of sportiva siderals locally to try on but so far I have narrowed it down to TLT6s and the atomic backlands. I have read about all the TLT6 mods it seems like they would still be noticeably hardboots in terms of toe to heel flex but not “locked”. The pivot on the backlands is like no other boot I tried. Absolutely frictionless and more range than required. I figure the best way to mod these would be to cut the cuff lock off right at the original lock position and use the tongue stiffener. On your toe edge or absorbing a landing you have stiff forward flex (like the stiff soft boots I’m use to) but then on your heel side edge the cuff lock would act as a stopper (like the high back on traditional bindings). Because the cuff lock is aircrafted out already it would be very simple to cast some high shore hardness rubber around it to act as a cushion so that the boots wouldn’t be too hard on the calves.

    Am I on the right track or should I just default to TLT6s

    Rossignol XV Magtek Split 163
    Whitegold DIY Split-Shaka 154
    Capita DIY Split-Charlie Slasher 162
    Spark R&D Magnetos
    Burton Tourists
    Verts
    MTN Approach w/ Spark Bindings Mod

    #784274
    Jason4
    Participant

    If your feet fit in the TLT6s then it should be a pretty easy choice. There is a lot of info out there about how to mod them, check the Phantom binding facebook page for the most extreme mod I’ve seen so far. I don’t think I’ve heard anyone say they can’t ride in them as well as their softboots after modding them.

    If you go for the Atomics you’ll have to pioneer the way to splitboarding bliss and so far they sound complicated. Not to say it won’t work but you’ll be the first.

    #785186
    Jason4
    Participant

    I got a chance to check out the backlands today and I have a strong feeling that they’ll be my next boots.

    I like the way the forward lean lock works, it would be easy to carve a piece out to allow unlocked forward flex while locking the flex in the heel direction. The really nice part is how easy it would be to replace the forward lean adjuster if you don’t like the mod. I also suspect that there is more opportunity for creativity with the way the cuff is constructed.

    Most importantly, I talked to the boot fitter at my local shop and he’s optimistic that the Atomic shell fit system will solve my particular problems and that I could even drop a shell size. That means nearly a 2cm reduction in boot sole length for me!

    I really hope this works out for me, I’m developing a very expensive boot habit.

    #785254
    Taylor
    Participant

    Anyone know the BSL on the backland?

    @sun_rocket

    #785256
    Jason4
    Participant

    http://skimo.co/atomic-backland-carbon-boots

    Click on the “Specs” tab and check by size. I’m hoping to get down to a 27.5 instead of a 28.5 Dynafit One which will drop almost 2cm off my current BSL.

    #785260
    maniacdave
    Participant

    Somebody buy a pair and cut them up, my F1s aren’t gonna last forever. Curious what folks think about modifying the external lever lock, found it way too rigid on my F1s for heelside carving and suspect the same with the Backlands. Looks like it works the same way as the Scarpas, just a clip onto lower bar. To much rearward flex could just pop the whole thing loose, kinda what prompted me to cut the whole thing off the F1s and go the cube route. Doesn’t look like a posibility with the Backlands

    That was Pontus

    #785293
    Taylor
    Participant

    http://skimo.co/atomic-backland-carbon-boots

    Click on the “Specs” tab and check by size. I’m hoping to get down to a 27.5 instead of a 28.5 Dynafit One which will drop almost 2cm off my current BSL.

    Thanks, Jason. These are pretty compact boots. Not Aliens, but pretty thrifty. Looking forward to seeing people mod them up and to hear ride reports.

    @sun_rocket

    #785663
    Jason4
    Participant

    Somebody buy a pair and cut them up

    I just ordered a pair from my local shop. I went for a 1-finger shell fit with hopes that they’ll stretch a bit when I mold the shell. I’ll post updates as they happen.

    #786613
    Bennett
    Participant

    Well, I ended up getting a pair of Burton Tourists because my resort boots were shot and they will work in the mean time. I think the AT set-up may have to wait until next season. ended up booking a pricey catered, guided hut trip in January with some friends that I couldn’t pass up.

    If work is good to me this winter, I may still end up on an AT set-up this season. I wonder though, what the phantom crew is cooking up for the redesigned phantoms next year?

    It’s nice seeing some more feedback about the similarities to other boots and their drawbacks. I can see how the cuff lock on the heelside edge would be pretty stiff and a bumper would be very necessary.

    Rossignol XV Magtek Split 163
    Whitegold DIY Split-Shaka 154
    Capita DIY Split-Charlie Slasher 162
    Spark R&D Magnetos
    Burton Tourists
    Verts
    MTN Approach w/ Spark Bindings Mod

    #786636
    summersgone
    Participant

    I know John has been working on a couple things in prototype, but I doubt it will be production ready by next year. Since its a small shop, he is really refining his production now at this point. A little bit of tweak’s here or there to improve a small piece of the system. You have to remember its basically 1 guy running a shop, with a full time job (as a rocket engineer!), and 2 kids. Time is tough.

    The system I don’t think really needs much change though. It’s solid. I’ve been on it 2 full years and had no issues. He has made little tweaks like different screws (hex), better cant ramps, and introduced things like the awesome heel risers. What’s next? We’ll have to wait and see 🙂

    #787967
    Jason4
    Participant

    I just picked up my Backlands last night, just 2 months wait time…
    I haven’t had the shell molded yet so the fit isn’t right but I already adjusted my bindings to fit and have done some carpet boarding. I have high hopes for these boots! I went from a Dynafit the One in a 28.5 to the Backland in a 27.5 and my Phantoms are now on the smallest setting (sz large) and are almost looser than I want. Be warned that the possible change in the BSL can be pretty significant, I think I’m losing 19mm in the switch!

    It’ll be interesting to see how these ride on actual snow.

    #788153
    Jason4
    Participant

    I now have 2 days of touring and a grand total of 1 snowboard run on my Backlands. I was assisting with an avalanche class so the riding was not the focus of the weekend but at least I got out.

    My first impression is that this will be a good option for a lot of people and a great alternative for the TLT5/6 riders, especially as the TLT7 looks like a step backwards for us. I did not modify the boots in any way for splitboarding, only molded the shell to fit my feet.

    Pro’s:
    • Significant reduction in BSL (317 to 298!)
    • Soft flex
    o by feel I’d say it’s comparable to my Driver X in the forward direction, stiffer medially
    o next ride will be with the optional tongues in place
    • Heat moldable shell and liner
    o I still need a small punch for length at the big toes, maybe too aggressive with the down sizing
    • Easy transitions, just one lever for forward lean lock that I can flip with my pole
    o Tours easily with the buckles snugged up
    • Adjustable forward lean angles
    • Little to no modification needed
    • Fits well with CAMP Tour 390 crampons
    o haven’t used them, just test fit in the living room
    • The lower buckle is “set and forget”, once you get your size position fixed you don’t have to change it

    Con’s:
    • They’re cold, I wasn’t moving much but it was noticeable
    • Not enough lateral support on my front foot due to foot angle (~27*)
    o It felt like I needed to “rotate my highback”
    • Pressure points at both medial ankle spurs, no blisters after 2 days though
    • Pressure point on the top of my foot, it might be better with the optional tongues in
    • Small enough that I might have to drop a binding size on my new Phantoms
    o I’m secure but not as tight as I want so I’ll ride them again before I decide if I have a problem
    • The ankle buckle is too low on the foot to help much with heel hold
    • The hook for the lower foot cable is plastic and might not take much abuse
    • The ankle buckle opened up easily while digging pits and walking in breakable crust
    • I caught the forward lean lever on my board edge while making a kick turn and took out a chunk of metal from the boot, it looks easily replaced and no functional problem currently
    • The liner slips in the shell while touring, one side was getting really squeaky

    #788261
    Matt a.d.
    Participant

    How the hell do you adjust the forward lean? I’ve spend hours staring at the boots trying to figure it out. 🙁

    #788265
    Jason4
    Participant

    There are two screws that hold the forward lean lock onto the cuff. It looks like there is room to move the screws further down in the cuff to increase the forward lean, mine came set at the most upright position. I like the angle so I haven’t tried changing it and I’m not sure how far you could go in either direction if you modify the boots.

    #788354
    Matt a.d.
    Participant

    Ok so, I’ll add my two-cents.

    Bought these sort of on a whim. Had recently had a harrowing experience kicking steps into horrible wind-slab above a bunch of rocks and was really frustrated how easy it was for my skier. So I went into MEC and was walking around in these and the TLT6’s, and these were the last pair in my size and they felt really good, and etc. etc. etc. Now I’m a fruit-booter.

    Some thoughts:
    – They’re really light. Lighter than my Driver X’s.
    – They’re really soft. With the tongue insert removed, they feel like snowboard boots more or less. The medial flex is definitely stiffer than snowboard boots, but once I put canted pucks on it was fine. Keep in mind I ride a -5, +15, 24″ stance.
    – Skinning is great. Having the pivot point at your toe is the biggest advantage. The walk-mode is a nice-to-have but definitely not the holy grail of hard-boots that everyone makes it out to be (now that softboot bindings have walk-modes). Being able to leave the cuff done up in walk-mode is really nice and feels much more stable than the TLT5’s (i’ve never toured in the TLT6’s, but I imagine it’s the same). I actually find sidehilling in hardboots worse than in softboots.
    – The forward lean is fine. A bit too much for my liking, but I can definitely get used to it. If I modify anything it will be to get a new free/lock bar made that has less forward lean.
    – I was able to go down one shell size from the TLT6’s to the Backlands. They’re also a bit wider and the shell can be heat-molded to push out 6mm in any direction. The footprint is actually a little bit smaller than my Driver X’s.

    All in, my hardboot setup is about 2 lbs lighter than my softboot setup in downhill mode and 4 lbs ligher in tour mode. I did 6500′ on them the first day before I got the shell molded and was definitely whining about hot-spots, but have since got them molded and they feel much better.

    #788357
    96avs01
    Participant

    Being able to leave the cuff done up in walk-mode is really nice and feels much more stable than the TLT5’s (i’ve never toured in the TLT6’s, but I imagine it’s the same). I actually find sidehilling in hardboots worse than in softboots.

    FYI, There’s several easy options that allow the TLT cuff to be tightened during tour mode without locking the boot into ride mode.

    165 Venture Divide/Spark Frankenburners/La Sportiva Spantiks
    163W Jones Solution/Phantom Alphas/Dynafit TLT5s
    162 Furberg

    Chris

    #788430
    Jason4
    Participant

    I might be biased by the “newer is better” mentality now that I’ve replaced my Dynafit Ones with Atomic Backlands but I really don’t see any advantage from the TLT5 or 6 over the Backlands. I’m so much happier being back on a boot that decouples the cuff tightness from the forward lean lock. I can flick the FL bar with my pole tip for skiing short sections too.

    #788827
    Jason4
    Participant

    I got to tour again on Sunday and actually put up 3000′ of vert. I don’t plan to mod the boots at all for riding and have found that I can ride and tour without changing the buckles and without the optional tongue. I had intended to put the tongue in to see if it helped with heel hold and to give more progressive forward flex but once I was on snow I didn’t feel like fiddling with the boots. I’m so happy to have finally found a pair of boots that fit my feet.

    I ran into Woods in the parking lot and he said he has ~70 days on his this season and is very happy with them as well. He also hasn’t done anything to mod them for riding and didn’t even do anything to get them to fit.

    #788836
    daway
    Participant

    I’ve very close to pulling the trigger on these in a size 28.5. I have a wide foot, both midfoot and at the ankle. TLTs just don’t work for me, but I tried the backlands on the other day and they seem absolutely perfect for my foot.

    Has anyone tried the Backlands and the La Sportiva Siderals? I know the Backlands will work, but I’ll have to pay the full MSRP of $650 or get at least very close to it since they are getting difficult to track down. Alternatively, I can track down Siderals or even Sideral 2.0s for a bit cheaper. Unfortunately, none of the shops around me seem to carry Sportiva ski boots so I’m not sure how they’ll fit.

    I’m definitely leaning towards the Backlands, but wondering what folks’ thoughts are. Anyone mod the forward lean bar to allow unlimited forward lean?

    #788866
    Jason4
    Participant

    I think it would be easy to mod the forward lean lock for truly unlimited forward lean, there might not be enough material if you just want to open it up for a bit more forward lean but still have a hard stop. That said, I won’t be doing it. The boot flex is soft enough even locked that I didn’t have any problems.

    My only complaint so far is that the “highback” is too soft on heelside traverses. I want to lean into it more, especially on my front foot, but it flexes. I don’t notice it while making turns, just traversing.

    I was able to size down and get the length back with a stretch followed by specific punches. I fit a Driver X in a 10.5, a Dynafit One and a Black Diamond Prime in a 28.5 and I’m in a Backland in a 27.5! The difference in length is incredible between the Backland and the One.

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