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Black Diamond Boots
First Look
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BD's flagship telemark boot, the
"Push" is a four buckle, high performance model in
their "Power Series" category. It's a T-1 type boot
with a stiff shell to aggressively drive big skis, but for those
who prefer a more sane forward flex, the push has a moderately
stiff bellows, increasing the size of the underfoot "sweet
spot," making the boot a little more forgiving than it's
big brother, the Custom. The Push comes with the "Power
Fit Liner," a thermoformable, performance oriented Strobel
liner with the Boa closure system. Flex 110 with MidStiff bellows.
The 3 buckle, 7 lb 8 oz per pair
(3.45 kg) the "Seeker" is BD's burliest "Efficient
Series" backcountry telemark boot. An integrated ski/walk
mode offers eight degrees of forward lean customization in three
settings, and the Axis comes with the "Efficient Fit Liner,"
a thermoformable, high-performance Strobel liner with the Boa
closure system. Flex 100 with MidStiff bellows.
At 7 lbs 3 oz per pair (mondo size
27), some may find it a little odd to learn that the Axis (below)
is described by BD as their "minimalist tele boot,"
but maybe not so much when one recalls that one of BD's primary
ski gear design mantras these days is "it's
all about the down." BD says the Axis benefits from
the construction and technologies found throughout the rest of
the BD boot line, but in "a stripped down
backcountry focused package. For long days going hut-to-hut or
hunting for that tasty powder stash." Flex 80 with a FreeFlex
bellows.
The "Method" (below) is
BD's second stiffest AT boot. In this model BD tries to balance
weight
and a performance oriented flex. The four buckle Method comes
with the thermoformable "Power Fit Light Liner," with
a single-pull speed lace closure system. Flex is 100 and the
weight is an estimated 8 lb 12 oz per pair (size 27), or 3.97
kg.
And finally, here is the "Trance,"
BD's women's backcountry oriented tele boot. This three buckle
boot comes with the "Women’s Efficient Fit Liner,"
a female-specific high-performance Strobel liner that is
thermoformable and features the Boa closure system. Billed as
"stiff but forgiving," the Trance has a Flex of 90,
with a MidStiff bellows. The size range will be Mondo 22-26.5,
in half sizes, and the Trance will tip the scales at an estimated
7 lb 8 oz per pair, or 3.4 kg.
Conclusion: It's not every day that a manufacturer jumps
into the telemark and backcountry ski boot business (or back
into the business in BD's case) with six new tele boot models
and 3 new AT boots. With this in mind, Black Diamond's unveiling
of its boot line for Fall 2008 is pretty big news. In this first
look we have tried to pull together some of the essential info,
summarizing BD's offerings concisely and, recognizing the interest
of our site visitors, in as timely a manner as possible. We are
just beginning to get to know BD's boots, and we will update
further as information becomes available. Stay tuned for more! |