Are the new carbon fiber Dodge Boots worth the high cost?
I bought a pair and here’s my review:
Just for comparison, I’m including my stats for context.
Stats:
Height: 5’ 11”
Weight: 185
Age: 57
Skiing Level: Advanced (unless I’m with Harald or any of the PMTS coaches!)
Skis: Head TT80 170 cm; Head Monsters (old version) 170 cm
Feet: Very Narrow (low volume) Size 12 – very flat-footed
Old Boots: 2005 Nordica Doberman 150 (re-worked to soften)
Background / Skiing Experience
Grew up in New England and raced as a junior from ages 7-12. Stopped skiing when family moved to Florida. Moved back to Vermont and skied from age 16-20. Then moved to California and only skied 1-2 days a year for the next 25 years as career, family, kids, etc took precedence.
Then, in 2001, I tried out some shaped skis for the first time. My love for skiing was immediately reinvigorated. I started skiing about 30 days per year and joined a Masters Racing Program at Mammoth, CA.
In 2005 I attended my first Harb/PMTS camp and have been re-learning to ski ever since. I’ve attended 6 camps.
Goals
My current goal is to rid myself of all “equipment excuses” and to continue to improve my technical proficiency through efficient and bio-mechanically correct body movement patterns.
Most skiers have several equipment issues that prevent them from making the correct movements. The issues range from boots, alignment, stiff skis, wrong pole length, etc. In my case, the Nordica boots had me too far forward negatively affecting my fore/aft balance. Purchasing the Dodge boots and having them properly aligned is, what I believe to be, my last equipment issue.
The Fitting
My fitting is conducted at Harb Ski Systems in Dumont, CO. on Dec 9, 2010, with Greg (staff) and Chris Brown, shop manager. It is pretty straight forward with very little adjustment required. Only one “hot spot” on the right boot just under the bottom buckle (the pointy bone at the bottom of the 5th metatarsal).
NOTE: Harb Ski Systems will generally put you in a smaller boot size than you normally wear (more about this later). The boots feel incredibly tight. I am suspicious of the sizing, but simply “go with it.” I am attending a PMTS camp, so I know that Harald Harb and the coaches will be able to take a look at my alignment and fit – and fix things on-the-spot if needed. The PMTS camp is held at Arapahoe Basin from Dec. 13-17, 2010
Day One
The first thing I notice is how light these boots are. Riding the chairlift it is immediately noticeable as I’m not hanging a couple of “boat anchors” off the lift. On the very first run, I notice the fore/aft balance is definitely better and I’m feeling more of the ski underfoot when carving.
On subsequent runs, I notice it is much easier to tip the skis. Tipping of the “free foot” is quick and snappy. Again, I believe this is due to the low weight of these boots. Yes, these boots are awesome. Nonetheless, they still feel very tight. I loosen the bottom buckle at the end of every run. I am still suspicious of the fit. However, it’s close and I’m confident that with a little re-work, everything will be fine.
Day Two
Today the boots feel a little better. The “hot spots” are much less severe. I am still learning how to get in and out of them. There is a heel channel which makes things easier once you learn to use it. With my Dobies, I had to put on the liner and then slip into the boot. It was never easy.
On the hill I continue to notice how much easier it is to tip the skis. The free foot almost feels too “grippy.” My PMTS coach is paying particular attention to my alignment and makes a few shim adjustments under my right boot as I am knock-kneed.
Day Three
O.K. today these boots feel very different. They are very comfortable. I believe this is because I’m beginning to “pack-out” the liners. Within two runs the hot-spots are gone. My flat-feet tend to expand and contract with pressure. When I step down, my feet are like pancakes. This is having an obvious effect on the liners and they now feel much more molded to my feet.
However, about mid-day I’ve begin to notice that my left heel is not getting enough blood flow and that it sometimes goes a little numb. Not sure why. It is highly unusual. Even in my Dobies, I never had any issues with my heel.
Day Four
As I’m about to put my left boot on, I reach my hand inside to feel around and see what might be causing the issue with my left heel. Aha… What I find is the liner fabric has somehow become loose (stretched out) and is bunching-up around my heel when I put the boot. on. I ask Harald Harb and other coaches to feel it and they immediately decide to replace both liners.
That’s actually a good news / bad news scenario. One the one hand they need to be replaced. On the other hand, these boots feel better and better each day as my feet “pack-out” the liners. With new liners, I’ll need to go through what I now call a “molding period” as my feet pack-out the liners.
Summary
After a total of 8 days in them, I feel the Dodge Boots are incredible and well worth the $1,500 price tag… if you have the right kind of feet (low volume).
The Dodge website proclaims that most people may be underwhelmed at the performance of the boot … until they step back into their old boots and feel the difference.
This was not the case with me. I felt the difference right away. I felt the difference just walking around in them. I felt it on the chairlift. And, of course, a HUGE difference on my skis especially in my fore/aft alignment.
Also, at the end of the day my knees, ankles and other lower joints all felt great. I am assuming this is the result of having lighter weights on my feet.
There is no question in my mind that
this is the direction of ski boots.
From a marketing standpoint, they are lighter and easier to maneuver than standard boots. The temperature does not effect the stiffness of the boot allowing for easy entry and removal of the foot. Also, because the materials are unaffected by temperatures, they maintain a consistent stiffness and flex on the hill. Finally, after a minor “break-in” period, they are incredibly comfortable.
When the pricing comes down, I believe these boots will simply explode on the marketplace. They are that good.
***** Five Stars…. I highly recommend these boots for performance skiers who want the best. Yes, it’s twice the cost of traditional boot, but , in my opinion well worth the cost.
More Conversation About the Dodge Boot (PMTS FORUM)
Where to purchase Dodge Boots:
Harb Ski Systems
PO Box 111
Dumont, CO 80436
303-567-0679
harbskisystems.com
contact Harald Harb h.harb@harbskisystems.com
DODGE Ski Boots
110 Towers Road
Essex, VT 05452
802-238-9578
Bill.Doble@dodgeskiboots.com
Race Stock Sports
69 South Main Street
Waterbury, VT 05676
802-578-3585
http://racestocksports.com
contact PJ Dewey pjdewey@racestocksports.com
Start Haus
10990 Donner Pass Rd
Truckee, CA 96161
(530) 582-5781
Toll Free (866) 582-5781
http://starthaus.com
contact Jim Schaffner jim@starthaus.com
SkiBootFitting.com
Vail, CO
http://skibootfitting.com
contact Greg Hoffmann hoffmann.greg@gmail.com
