Salomon Falcon 10

[flexbert]

Wasn't sure if this should go in the Gear Forum or directly into the or bootfitter thread, so I'll put it into gear. I am looking at new boots this year. My local shop is ordering in a pair of Falcon 10s for me to try. I am an advanced to expert skier, big (6'4", 230lbs) and I am now skiing on Volkl All Stars. I know that proper boot fitting is important and by all accounts the shop I am ordering from has a good reputation for fitting. I have a long and narrow foot (street shoe is 12.5 or 13, A or B width).

Anybody have any comments on these boots ?

 

[salida]

I just bought a pair of these boots yesterday. Yet to ski in them, but they are super light, low volume and feel good on my narrow foot. The only boot I tried on (even the lange plugs) that I didn't max the buckles on my lower foot. I can't wait to ski in these bad boys, should be a great boot. The new translucent plastic provides a more dynamic flex than the older plastic, not to mention the boot looks pretty cool...

 

[MAD777]

Salida, keep us posted on Falcon 10

Salida,

I'm on the verge of pulling the trigger on the Salomon Falcon 10's.
Once you get a chance to try them on the slopes, please post your impressions!
Please include the terrain, conditions and skier type and physical stats so more may benefit.

Thanks

(Now, where's the snow!)

 

[salida]

I wont get a chance to ski them until next saturday (12/2). I'll be sure to give impressions once I ski them...

 

[flexbert]

I'm in ....

Well, the Falcon 10s came in last week. I went through the first phase trying them on and they fit quite well (29.5 was the right length for me, same as my last boots). I have made the plunge and purchased.

I have to agree with salida - I like the fact that when I start tightening the boots, I am working on the first hook on the buckle, not the last. There is still some more work to be done on the fitting, but overall they are feeling pretty good. I bought footbeds too and that made a big difference in support. There was one pressure point on the inner-front of the top of the cuff (both boots), which was relieved through the addition of heel lifts.

The shop where I bought them recommended skiing on them a few times and then coming back to complete the fitting. Seems like good advice, now if only the weather would cooperate. Last Monday it was about -8C (~17F) with about 20 cms (8") of snow , followed by +8C (~46F) and rain on Thursday - bye bye snow ...

salida - did you get out on the new boots yet ? Impressions ?

--flexbert

 

[salida]

First, I'm 5'11, 195lbs, very agressive skier, and these reviews were done in on 70% man made east coast ice groomers, 20% bumps, 10% 6 inches of snow, over man made sludge.

I've been on the boots three days now... (including today at K-ton).

My overall impression of the boots is quite favorable. I went from an x-wave series to the falcon 10 (after having skied plugs during my racing years)

These boots fit me well out of the box, and after three days in them I still do not have any overall complaints about comfort. No real hot spots either, I guess I'm lucky.

The foot bed it came with is crap, I suppose salomon did this b/c they knew everyone would replace them anyways. I used my old footbed from prior boots. This worked fine for me.

The boot flexes ALOT in a warm shop, the new translucent plastic will stiffen in the cold weather. The boot is very light, I don't have an exact weight, but I would put it at 80% a normal (or xwave series boot). Low volume, it doesn't have much room to pack out. Wish it had replacable soles.

As per my skiing impressions, I really like the boots ability to transfer snow feeling to me while I'm skiing. It made my skis quick edge to edge as opposed to my last boots (both on ~68mm wasited skis and ~89mm waisted skis). It is very light and this was appreciate while skiing, dare I say it made me quicker on my feet (especially in the bumps). I really pushed these boots, I skied them at very high rates of speeds (think tuck runs down east fall at kton), in the bumps, and really cranking turns (booted out even a few times and they did not fold).

If you're an agressive skier with a narrowish foot who really wants a performance boot without to little sacrifice on comfort I would highly recommend this boot. If you are not my size you might want to come down a bit on the flex (flacon 9).

-Porter

 

[MAD777]

Re: Falcon 10's

salida,

Good review on the Falcon 10's. I tried on a pair in the shop and I was quite surprised (somewhat worried) about the soft flex for such a high end boot. I was wondering a bit if I should go to the Falcon Race but you have put my fears to rest. Thanks for the review.

Flexbert,
Any feedback from you after your on-the-snow impressions?

 

[flexbert]

No skiing yet ...

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get out yet. The temperature here has been like a yo-yo - last night it was about -10C (~14F) and the forecast is for +9C (~48F) by tomorrow afternoon. Any of the snow we got last week has melted and although the ski areas are trying to make snow, it is difficult with the crazy temperature swings. Hopefully soon.

--flexbert

 

[salida]

Mad777, I tried on the race version, and unless you are going to be hammering gates I don't think its necisary... They did stiffen in the cold, hard to quantify that amount though.

Porter

 

[MAD777]

Re: Falcon 10's

Flexbert,

Sorry to hear that the weather is not cooperating with you. I know it has to be doubly frustrating with the new boots and all. Maybe it's time to crank up the freezer and start speading crushed ice on the front steps! It would be a short ride, but thrilling!

Think snow!

 

[flexbert]

We put in a pool last summer - it looks tempting, as it remains frozen with a layer of water on top when it gets above freezing. The slope is pretty limited though .....

Makes me think of spring "water" skiing.

--flexbert

 

[salida]

Another update.

After skiing a week of extra deep pow in Colorado (pictures http://bentley.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2016350&l=7b78e&id=18600756
http://middlebury.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2012840&l=18a3e&id=4402453)
I was a bit worried these boots would over flex my softer touring and pow skis. They however worked great. When I was hammering the resort pow/hucking myself of cliffs I tightened these babies up and they did great. Real good dynamic flex and they worked great. As for touring, they loosen up well enough and are very comfortable (and light) and they were awesome! One down side is the soles are very slippery for boot packs. When tucks comes around I'll probably put cramps on these boots as opposed to just boot packing.

Porter

 

[MAD777]

What powderhounds!

Porter,

You had to venture far from New England, but you found the white stuff!!

Man, those pictures are awesome!!! You're ready for the cover of Powder Magazine dude!

Thanks for posting.

Mike

 

[koreshot]

First, I'm 5'11, 195lbs, very agressive skier

I'm 6'2", 225lbs and I am super duper aggressive. Like totally scary aggressive. :-D

Sorry, not trying to insult your skill level (I have seen your badass Portillo TR so I know you're for real). I just thought the "very aggressive" part was funny.

Carry on...

 

[MAD777]

I wish I had that level of confidence

salida wrote:
"When tucks comes around I'll probably put cramps on these boots as opposed to just boot packing."


I wish I had that level of confidence. “Crampons and skiing.” That’s something I’ve never done. Sort of sounds like “electricity and water.”

Not to give away my age but, I used to ski before the ski brake was invented. We used the leather straps that connected to the binding and looped around one’s ankle. Somersaulting head over heels after both bindings released was equivalent to spending time inside a Ronco Vegimatic. It was times like those, that you wished you hadn’t sharpened your edges quite so much!

Now I could just imagine me skiing while carrying crampons. Ronco could get some new ideas for an automated perforation machine! 

 

[SkiDork]

and the Snowman???

 

[salida]

salida wrote:
"When tucks comes around I'll probably put cramps on these boots as opposed to just boot packing."


I wish I had that level of confidence. “Crampons and skiing.” That’s something I’ve never done. Sort of sounds like “electricity and water.”

Now I could just imagine me skiing while carrying crampons. Ronco could get some new ideas for an automated perforation machine! 

Put them in the outside of the pack, wrapped in a towel, and with the shovel blade between me and the cramps... Granted I'm sure I would be safer without them in my pack, but I'd perfer to have better traction in the boot pack and risk skiing with crampons attatched to me. I'm one of those people who always feels more stable on my skis than on my own two feet!

 

[gpetrics]

Porter,

You had to venture far from New England, but you found the white stuff!!

Man, those pictures are awesome!!! You're ready for the cover of Powder Magazine dude!

Thanks for posting.

Mike

I think he's actually ready for Cold Smoke Magazine

 

[bigbog]

...

Porter,
Beautiful snow man!...if there was anything the Government could do right...it would be to develop the means of climate management! (in the positive way...) :evil: