AT Boots -favorite brand

Replacing my old cheap (from an AT boot perspective) Garmonts and I want to tear it up at the resorts with my next boot.

I really like the fit of all of my La Sportiva craging booties and am wondering if you have an AT Boot maker suggestion based upon that feedback about my feet.

Thanks in advance!

Most LS shoes are fit for narrow feet (which I don't have) so I can only offer general advice.

I think Dynafit and Garmont kind of lead the narrow foot market with some of the BD boots working as well. Unfortunately, BDs liners suck giant goat balls so unless you can find them on huge sale and plan to replace the BOA liner with an intuition I'd stay away from them (just my opinion).

Also if you have even moderately large calves Dynafits might not fit. I tried a couple pairs on last year and could barely get the top buckle to engage on three different models.

It seems Scarpa is for fat-footed hobits like me although I hear the Maestrale is a bit more narrow despite the width being the same as all other models.

For you, I'd say grab another pair of Garmonts. I don't know their models that well but the older radiums can be had relatively cheap.

I love my maestrales, and I would say my feet are slender like a pretty princess.

Dave, Phil: you guys are awesome
Thank you very much

Yeah scarpa s generally have a wide last. The new dynafits have a wider last than previous models. I use an old pair of scarpas and have had no problems.

As someone said above, get a boot with stock intuitions or upgrade to an intuition and you should have happy days.

Last years maestrale were definitely on the narrower side. La Sportiva's boots are also pretty dang narrow, anyways the sideral and the spitfire are, I haven't tried the new 4 buckle from LS.

I am no expert on the matter but I believe in general, dynafit and sportiva runs pretty narrow, scarpas are wider and BD are widest.

Intuition liners come stock only on some (maybe all?) Scarpa boots. As Dave said, stock BD liners are far from great (although I think they have improved some in the last year or two).

Very well may vary from model to model as some are saying their maestrales are narrow.

I know for my foot, dynafits have been too narrow/tight but I'm really hoping the wider last of the new TLT 6 will work (if I can afford a pair..)

I know my BD's are huge compared to my Dynafits, and that the Maestrals never fit (although they fit tighter than my BD's).

Unless there are no good gear shops that deal in AT gear near you (or where you'll be skiing) I'd wait on ordering and try pairs on. A poor fitting pair of alpine boots is annoying, a poor fitting pair of AT boots makes for really long days.

I have used the original version of the black diamond factor for the past 4 years. I have lived in Alaska and skied 50 days plus and only hit the lifts a few times a year. I wear a 11.5 street shoe and have a normal to wide foot. The 29.5 fits great. I personally like the boa system. If you are going for a long walk the dynafit soles make a huge difference, they have grip and a little rocker. I used them going up Rainier and a few other volcano's this spring and they worked great.

They are stiff for an AT boot. There is a little play before they fully engage but once you commit to them they are solid. I have tried to a few other boots and I always feel that my knee is going to push through the ski. I didn't have this feeling with this boot.

Overall these guys are a tank. I tend to blow out the walk mode once or twice a year but that is because I treat these boots like a raceboot. I huck everything I see and when the young snowboarders are trying back flips I cant resist. However, BD sends you replacements at no cost and it is an easy fix.

As for warmth. I have started skiing at 20 below and find that they can be a bit chilly. I have put in a foot warmer to stay warm. However 0 and above no problems and I get cold easy. If using them on a chair left they may be a bit chilly but I have never had problems.

They are heavy but in my opinion they are worth it.

I am thinking of upgrading to the MX factors this winter. If you are trying to save money the last year factor 130's are on sale now everywhere for super cheap.