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Garmont Adrenalin AT Boots

Original Post
Wade Frank · · Littleton, CO · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 145

I am looking at picking up a pair of Alpine Touring (AT) boots in the next couple weeks. My goal is to ski as many of the 14ers as possible maybe some ice climbing along with some lazy days inbounds with the girl friend, don't get me wrong she is an excellent skier so I will need some performance in bounds as well. I tried on the Garmont Adrenalin and thought they were a tad narrow but may pack out. I would really like to get some info from someone who has used these boots along with other boots to compare to. These will be my first pair of AT boots and I don't really know what to expect as far as true performance. I am open to other AT Boot suggestions as well.

Thanks in advance for your help.

George Marsden · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2005 · Points: 0

I would suggest posting your question over at

telemarktalk.com/phpBB/

Even though it is a tele focused site there are loads of AT skiers there as well.

Also try
wildsnow.com/

Tyson · · Seattle, WA · Joined Aug 2006 · Points: 1

Adrenalin is okay, but I think Scarpa has a better liner. If you're looking to do ski mountaineering look for a boot that is dynafit compatible in case you go that way (Adrenalin is not).

If you can get a good deal on the Adrenalin it fits your needs, but I don't think its the best all around AT boot.

Definitely check out the ski specific forums. So many people talkin' shit on those sites you'll be overwhelmed by information.

Galibier_Numero_Un · · Erie, CO · Joined Jun 2007 · Points: 0
Tyson wrote:Adrenalin is okay, but I think Scarpa has a better liner. If you're looking to do ski mountaineering look for a boot that is dynafit compatible in case you go that way (Adrenalin is not). If you can get a good deal on the Adrenalin it fits your needs, but I don't think its the best all around AT boot. Definitely check out the ski specific forums. So many people talkin' shit on those sites you'll be overwhelmed by information.
The Axon (due to Dynafit compatibility while being almost as stiff as the Adrenaline) seems to be the boot of choice in their lineup, but the bottom line is that you should try them on. They also have an overlapping shell boot called the Radium, but this might not be stiff enough for your preferences.

I went for a lighter boot (the Megaride) for my particular needs, but coming from a strong alpine skiing background, I tried on the Adrenaline's equivalent boot that year (3 years ago) - the Endorphin. I found the flex to be really weird. There was no progressiveness, and suddenly, it came to a STOP. Now that I'm driving bigger skis, I'm pondering more boot, but the Megaride is still very sweet.

Definitely check out the commentary on Dawson's Wildsnow site. There are tons of archived reviews by both him, his son, and guest commentators. Also, know that this year, there are quite a few boots coming out from both Black Diamond and Garmont with overlapping shells instead of having tongues. They promise a more progressive flex.

Telemark Tips tends to have a sophomoric audience, but you'll find a few gems over there. Also, try the old Couloir Magazine forum (now transformed into the Backcountry magazine forum). Dawson used to be one of the moderators there. The site sees less traffic than Tele tips, and is locate over here: backcountryworld.com/

The Intuition liners which come with both Scarpa and BD are great. I don't know if Garmont's new liners are improved, but my Megarides of 3 years ago packed out quickly, and the hot setup for all concerned involved a switch to the Intuitions. These liners are brilliant, in not having a tongue. Every ski boot I've ever owned has bugged me. I could never position the tongue to stay in place and would always get shin burn no matter how I tried to rotate it.

Cheers,
Thom
Kai Larson · · Sandy, UT · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 436

I would look at the Axon. It is Dynafit compatible, which can save you tons of weight on a binding.

I have Axons. I bought them last season and used them for both backcountry and resort skiing. They are excellent boots with plenty of power to drive long, fat skis and make high-speed turns.

I have feet that are somewhat wide in the fore-foot. The Axons fit me well. The key to a good Axon fit (or really any moldable liner fit) is to go to a shop that knows what they're doing. I bought my Axons at REI and had them fitted there. Initial fit sucked. So, I went to Neptune Mountaineering and paid them to fit the boots. They fit great now.

Galibier_Numero_Un · · Erie, CO · Joined Jun 2007 · Points: 0
Kai Larson wrote:The key to a good Axon fit (or really any moldable liner fit) is to go to a shop that knows what they're doing. I bought my Axons at REI and had them fitted there. Initial fit sucked. So, I went to Neptune Mountaineering and paid them to fit the boots. They fit great now.
I definitely want to try the Axons and the Radiums this year. While I can drive a pretty fat ski with my Megarides, their definitely at their limit.

Folks who live in the Boulder area should check out Larry's Boot fitting. Larry's a real maniac and an outstanding boot fitter. Last year, he sold Garmont and Scarpa (both Tele and AT), and he'll be carrying the BD boots this year. He sells Dynafit bindings, but I don't know if he'll be carrying the boot line. A couple of those boots are also very provocative.

Larry re-fit my Megarides with Intuition liners. He's a real artist.

Note that I have no commercial interest in this endorsement, and I love the guys at Neptune and the Bent Gate, but for boots ... Larry's da man!

He's just West of 28th Street on the North side of Spruce (across the street from Whole Foods)in a small, run down building. It's a seasonal operation, and just about now, the guy who runs the Summer flyfishing operation should be clearing out and making room for skis and boots.

Cheers,
Thom
Galibier_Numero_Un · · Erie, CO · Joined Jun 2007 · Points: 0

On Sunday, I tried on the BD Method, the Dynafit Zzeus, the Scarpa Spirit-4, and the Garmont Radium.

While I'm looking for more boot, I tried the Spirit-4 out of curiosity. If I were looking for a MegaRide type of boot, this would definitely be on my short list.

The fit on the Radium is considerably different from my old MegaRides. It has quite a bit more volume over the instep and just didn't feel right. I'd consider it if it fit, although all things being equal (which they never are) I think the Methods and the ZZeuses have it over the Radium for this skier. Your mileage may vary.

While I was curious about the Axon, I was told that if I didn't like the forward flex characteristics of the Endorphin/Adrenaline lineage, that I wouldn't like the Axon. I didn't want to take up too much shop time on this first foray so I took a bye on trying it on.

Cheers,
Thom

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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