Anyone with 1st hand beta on the BD Facor 130's?

[marcski]

Snowmonster??

I will be using them mostly in-bounds with the occasional foray into the backcountry. If I decide to end up touring more often, I would probably go with a more tour-friendly setup with dynafits. But until then, I was hoping to find a one-boot quiver so to speak. I ski entire mountain except the park, I gravitate toward steep trees and don't race. Any thoughts?

 

[snowmonster]

You called?

Factor sounds like a good call for what you intend to do with it. It's become my go-to boot. The only time I used my regular Alpine boot was during a trip to Sunapee when I knew I was just going to stick to the groomers. Anywhere else, I was on the Factor in the resort (on-piste and trees) and in the backcountry. Pretty solid inbounds and they will get you where you want to go out of bounds. Some thoughts:

1. Get the AT sole blocks. A Factor without AT sole blocks is like a Ferrari with automatic transmission: what's the point? IMHO, the Factors should come with AT blocks standard. They are a PITA to switch out though since the Alpine blocks are pretty tight. Worth the price and effort though.

2. If you're getting a boot from the first model year, call BD and get a new ski-walk mode switch. The later models had a redesigned ski-walk mode and BD hands them out for free since the first model's switch was less than bomber. After three years, there's some play in my right boot while in ski mode. Told BD about it and they sent me 2 new switches.

3. I've never used them for multi-day tours but they are adequate on daytours or halfday tours. They are heavier than your usual AT boot and you may be slow on the skin track. However, they ride like an alpine boot on the down. So, it's a compromise. Because of this, hit the gym and work on those quads. If weight is an issue, check out the BD Quadrant.

4. I've had no issues on the BOA liner. However, some do (too much to fiddle with, imprecise fit, too cold, hard to heat mold, etc.). One aftermarket improvement some have done is to get Intuition liners. A lot of people swear by it but since I don't have any real issues with the liner, I'm not dropping coin for this. You may consider it if you find the liner inadequate.

5. They have a tech insert on the AT sole so they should fit your Dynafit bindings. However, if you're getting Dynafit bindings, then you should consider a much lighter boot like the Dynafit Titan or Zzeus or the Scarpa Maestrale.


I hope that's helpful!

 

[marcski]

TY, Snowmonster!! Your post was precisely what I was looking for and knew you'd have some beta.

I do not have a Dynafit setup, but like you said, if I decide to tour more and go that route, I would definitely get a correspondingly lighter boot. But, as I initially said, the Factors would be my everyday boot. I'm looking at a pair of 2010's that I found for a pretty good deal. Not sure if those would have the newer walk-mode switch or the first generation one that you said is weak, but I'll look into it. I asked the guy in the shop a number of times about the boa's..whether it freezes and clogs with snow, etc., but he said he never heard of an issue and that boa gives them a lifetime guarantee on the cable enclosure. I have a couple of follow-ups for ya:

1) How moldable are the boa liners and does that make a difference?

2) How much stiffer do they get when cold?

I liked them and the fit was pretty good right out of the box. My left foot is slightly larger and the toe-box was a bit tighter. I have custom soles...however, the heel of the factors are so nice and snug, that I'd have to shave down my custom soles in order to get them to fit in..and since I wasn't 100% sure, I didn't do it yet. I do think that once those are in, I will have a better fit.

 

[snowmonster]

TY, Snowmonster!! Your post was precisely what I was looking for and knew you'd have some beta.

I do not have a Dynafit setup, but like you said, if I decide to tour more and go that route, I would definitely get a correspondingly lighter boot. But, as I initially said, the Factors would be my everyday boot. I'm looking at a pair of 2010's that I found for a pretty good deal. Not sure if those would have the newer walk-mode switch or the first generation one that you said is weak, but I'll look into it. I asked the guy in the shop a number of times about the boa's..whether it freezes and clogs with snow, etc., but he said he never heard of an issue and that boa gives them a lifetime guarantee on the cable enclosure. I have a couple of follow-ups for ya:

1) How moldable are the boa liners and does that make a difference?

2) How much stiffer do they get when cold?

I liked them and the fit was pretty good right out of the box. My left foot is slightly larger and the toe-box was a bit tighter. I have custom soles...however, the heel of the factors are so nice and snug, that I'd have to shave down my custom soles in order to get them to fit in..and since I wasn't 100% sure, I didn't do it yet. I do think that once those are in, I will have a better fit.

Glad to help. Here's some more thoughts:

1. The 2010 model has the new ski-walk mode so that should not be a problem. Most of the problems I heard about the first year model involved people who routinely hucked cliffs and abused the boot. If you're a careful skier like me, you should not have this problem at all.

2. I've only had the Boa get stuck once. It may have been because the wire snagged somewhere inside the liner. No problems on the closure system so far. If the wire snaps, BD is pretty good with mailing replacement parts. The only problem I've had that marginally affects the Boa is that snow gets into the boot when skinning or skiing through deep snow (but what boot doesn't have this problem) and my toes get frozen. Just duct tape on the seam seals out the snow.

3. I had the boot heat molded when I bought it but, as gorgeous as the woman at the ski shop was, I don't think she really knew what she was doing. We baked those liners twice but the thing that really improved the fit was putting in my footbeds. So, maybe it's my foot, but I didn't think baking it helped much. And, bring your footbeds in for the fit. It'll make a huge difference. Oh, and that snug heel pocket is great. Three seasons on them and they're still snug.

4. I haven't noticed that it gets stiffer with the cold. It's not like a race boot that gets ridiculously stiff and difficult to peel off when cold. Don't let the 130 designation fool you. I have a Lange 120 and that's stiffer than the BD Factor. While the Factor is pretty stiff for an AT boot, when you compare it to a similar Alpine boot, the latter is much stiffer. If we standardize flex ratings, I would say that the Factor is a 110 or 115. That being said, regardless of whether this boot is warm or cold, it's tough to take off. The snug heel pocket is the culprit. I usually remove the boot with my foot still in the liner. This is simple enough in a lodge but when you are transitioning from ski boots to hiking boots on the floor of Tux, it can be inconvenient.

 

[marcski]

After trying them on initially in the shop last weekend, without my custom footbeds, I was a bit unsure. I LOVED how tight the heel pocket is. In fact, it is so tight, that my footbeds wouldn't fit in without first having the heel sanded down. That's why I didn't initially try the boots on with them. So, I had the guy "loose" them in the back for a while until I decided and was able to get back there. Thursday is the late night, so I went back. The guy sanded down the sides of the heel on my (cork, superfeet) footbeds. And, man, these boots are so comfortable. They feel like a hiking boot! With the footbeds in, I don't think I am going to need to do anything with regard to fit. So psyched. And, I have to say, I got a deal. They are the 2010's, but I got the boots for 360 and the AT sole blocks for another 50! So, came to $430 with tax! I am psyched. Now, all we need is some snow!

 

[snowmonster]

Congrats on the great boot and the even greater price! May they take you to great adventures. If you head out to the BC, let me know.

 

[marcski]

Congrats on the great boot and the even greater price! May they take you to great adventures. If you head out to the BC, let me know.

We'll do...thanks. I already have a pair of BC xc skis and some of my exploits from last winter were posted here. I think the older I get, the more I seek seclusion when I ski.

 

[skidmarks]

We'll do...thanks. I already have a pair of BC xc skis and some of my exploits from last winter were posted here. I think the older I get, the more I seek seclusion when I ski.

I feel your pain! Far from the Madding Crowd.....

 

[snowmonster]

^ Seclusion is good until you need help. Three or four guys on a tour is good. However, whenever I see that conga line of people hiking up Right Gully every May, I shudder to think what would happen if one of them slips.

 

[marcski]

^ Seclusion is good until you need help. Three or four guys on a tour is good. However, whenever I see that conga line of people hiking up Right Gully every May, I shudder to think what would happen if one of them slips.

A secluded place doesn't always mean solo.

I agree....always worried about someone slipping on the boot hike.

 

[snowmonster]

^ Agree. Looking forward to skiing with you this season, gents.