[Feb 24, 2023] Weekly Discussion: Ask your gear, travel, conditions and other ski-related questions

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Use this thread for simple questions that aren't necessarily worthy of their own thread -- quick conditions update? Basic gear question? Got some new gear stoke?

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[u/Maladjusted_vagabond]

Bindings need to be adjusted to fit different length boots. Regardless though, your bindings are not compatible with GW boots.

[u/yugotprblms → u/Maladjusted_vagabond]

The binding adjustment to the length of the boot was something I had already known, but I am just misunderstanding why the boots are incompatible with the bindings.

[u/Maladjusted_vagabond → u/yugotprblms]

Gripwalk soles (ISO 23223) have a different interface with the binding as compared with traditional soles (ISO 5355). Essentially if the binding has not been designed to be compatible with GW soles, the anti-friction device (afd) and toe release will not work properly.

Your bindings are designed for ISO 5355 soles.

[u/yugotprblms → u/Maladjusted_vagabond]

That's definitely a bummer, glad I am well within the return window then. It would seem foolish of me to hold onto these if I don't plan on buying new skis this season.

[u/Maladjusted_vagabond → u/yugotprblms]

the boots were on sale and I decided to get them.

Based on this I would say returning them is a good idea as I'm assuming you didn't get put in those boots by a bootfitter, but bought them because they were on sale?

If so, when you do come to get new boots, do a bit of research, find a bootfitter with a good reputation in your local area or where you ski and go work with them to find the right boots for you.

[u/yugotprblms → u/Maladjusted_vagabond]

Oh I tried them on with a dude in the store for sure. Didn't use any fancy tech to measure my feet, if that's what you mean. But I did try on multiple boots, and these definitely felt the least offensive to my feet. He took some measurements with a Brannock device and got my input as to what I was generally looking for, before making his suggestions.

This issue is literally just me not knowing that GripWalk was a thing that existed.

[u/404__LostAngeles → u/yugotprblms]

You should be able to swap out the GW soles with replacement Alpine ones. If you can’t find anything online, I’d suggest reaching out to Atomic directly (or possibly even checking with the shop you bought them at).

[u/yugotprblms → u/404__LostAngeles]

Okay, good to know. I couldn't see anything directly on Atomic's site, but I will definitely check with my shop tomorrow. I can't see any way to easily replace the soles though.

Kind of seems like a silly "technology" to me.