Advice on boots for split boarding and ice/mountaineering

I had a guy pose the question to me recently “can I wear my Nepals in a snowboard binding and split Board so I don’t have to change boots” to my own I had no answer other than “I’m sure someone else has posed this same Question let me ask.” So does anyone have a set of bindings that they are able fit similar boots in or a good pair of snowboard boots that’s can do both?

Sam Wright wrote:

I had a guy pose the question to me recently “can I wear my Nepals in a snowboard binding and split Board so I don’t have to change boots” to my own I had no answer other than “I’m sure someone else has posed this same Question let me ask.” So does anyone have a set of bindings that they are able fit similar boots in or a good pair of snowboard boots that’s can do both?

I have skied with partners who used the Voile Mtn plates with Nepals or Spantiks. 

Other options include getting a snowboard boot that has a rigid sole and heel/toe welts for crampons (the Fitwell? I think Jones makes a model as well), or getting a hard boot set up with either the Phantom Slipper or modding an existing AT boot. 

I've been able to use Scarpa Mont Blancs (pretty much the same as Nepals), and even Phantom 6000s, on a splitboard without an issue. Now I wouldn't want to descend something steep and gnarly with it (mostly cause I haven't practiced the setup much), but it's definitely doable. A trick to make it even easier is to thread a voile strap through your highback and around your shin for a decent toeside edge.

I also have a pair of K2 Aspects which are really comfy for touring and bootpacking. I've even done a 10 mile road walk in them. But, they're pretty shit when it comes to front pointing. The sole on mine is not rigid at all -- not sure if I got a defective model or if they're all like this. I have three season hiking boots with a stiffer sole than these. Now, I have gone up the Pearly Gates and the headwall of Tuckerman Ravine with K2 Aspects and Petzl Leopards but it was far from a pleasant experience. I wonder if putting on a pair of semi-auto Grivel G12s will stiffen up the sole enough since I'll instead be working against the metal bar. I'll have to try that system out. 

But yeah, mountaineering boots on a splitboard work. 

I wrote up my some of my experiences here on this thread.  But yes I have been doing this for some time.  mountainproject.com/forum/t…

It works but definitely not the most comfortable that is for sure.  I've used my G2s with my split but the lack of ankle and shin support is not that good.  As Arnav said I wouldn't want to ride down anything super steep.  I bought skis and silverettas for long objectives and really like them.  The problem is trying to learn how to ski after over 3 decades of board sports.  Quite comical actually especially with a heavy pack on.   Definitely getting better at the stop, drop and roll technique!

Hey guys I have a question. 

That being, how should hard boots boots fit if I’m going to incorporate ice climbing as well as general riding and touring? 

I got shell fit for a 27 backlands carbon and a 28 backlands carbon. The 27 fit me with 1 finger and a tiny bit shell fit (under 1.5 fingers, maybe like 1.2 or 1.3). The 28 fit me with a nice 2 finger shell fit (snug 2 finger, but not too snug). 

Should I get a 27 or 28? Will heat molding a 27 with an 9mm intuition liners with 2 toe caps and an aftermarket footbed (which slightly increases volume but reduces length slightly) work for the climbing (split mountaineering) as well and give me a better performance on the downhill? 

Or is the 28 the way to go to give a slight bit more space for kicking ice? But what if after I wear out the liner on the 28’s and want an intuition liners, will it work in that shell, since some intuition liners work better with a tighter fit. I could go for a 12 or 15 mm intuition liner though. 

I didn't try the 27 on with the liners in, only shell fit. The 28 fit me well with the stock liners in. When standing straight my toe was just pressing into the front, and then when I bent my knees to a riding position, my toes just pulled off the front (were barely grazing the front). But what would happen with a heat mould and a footbed? 

I eventually want to have a quiver of boots, one for touring and riding, and one for split mountaineering. Would it make sense (not financially, just optimality wise) to have a 27 in either a backlands carbon, Pierre Gignoux Black Snowboard, or maybe a SplitPin make sense for only touring and riding and no climbing? Or does it sound like the fit for the 28 is adequate and would work with 12 or 15 mm liners for this purpose as well. I am unsure of the exact stock linker thickness on a pair of Atomic Backlands Carbon Boots.

I am a bit lost in all of it right now lol, so I really appreciate any and all help!

Thanks!