Here is a nice review of the Spantik vs. Baruntse from cc.com. Sounds like the Baruntse may work, but has a bit more flex. While I haven’t riden my Spantiks yet they flex very similar to a Driver X/Malamute, and may be stiff enough with enough forward lean to ride with and without strap bindings, though won’t know until we get some SNOW :banghead:
i recently took a look at these in the shop… dont hink i would personally go for em. the heel is sets your foot about 1.25 inches off the sole of the boot. i wouldnt want to be that far off my board. this also makes it a bit deceiving as to how high the cuff is…. there doesn’t seem to be as much support as you’d expect
Snurfer: I do not enjoy hiking dry rocky trail for any distance in a mountaineering boot (Nupste) a snowboard boot (Driver X) or a hard boot (Dynafit Zzero 3). If I am planning a tour, or trip that features significant distances on dry ground I will always carry the boots and wear a lightweight pair of trail runners. Remember, the mountaineering boots feature very stiff soles for climbing performance, and they can beat one up a bit on long hikes over dry trail and rocks. Less weight on the feet is also more efficient for hiking, and the extra weight of carrying the trail runners is minimal.
Barrows, very good info. Thx :headbang: Def throwing the Salomon runners on next time I do a long approach…
I finally got myself a pair of “trail runners”, Vasque Velocity VST GTX (that’s a mouthful!) and they are awesome! Did a three day, 22 mile backpacking trip on the Na Pali Coast Wilderness Trail in Kauai, HI and I am a convert to light (16 oz) footwear! I already shredded the mesh a little on lava rock so I’m worried I might really tear through them in the alpine but they fit my feet great and I didn’t feel that much more strain or lack of stability compared to my full grain leather boots I usually wear even for lightweight backpacking (under 30 lbs pack).
Yeah that was/is my major concern that I’m just going to destroy them, fast. Your review seems spot on to my experience so far. I’m just hoping to get some good use out of them before they’re completely shredded!
the heel is sets your foot about 1.25 inches off the sole of the boot. i wouldnt want to be that far off my board. this also makes it a bit deceiving as to how high the cuff is…. there doesn’t seem to be as much support as you’d expect
hmmmm. That’s a little concerning. Thanks for the info. I think I’m probably gonna wait until I can see them firsthand before buying a pair.
I’ve been using the old Koflach Oxygen boots for the last few years, and I don’t think these will be much different as far as flexibility. I put a pair of really stiff thermo liners in them, which helps a lot, and I’m planning on doing the same with the Nuptse’s. I really like the setup I have right now, but the Oxygen’s are hard to come by. Seems like the Nuptse is as close as I’m gonna get.
BCD (or anyone) You are welcome to my Koflach Superpipes, which are basically the same thing, except in a delightful purple coloration. They are size 11s.