Scarpa T1:
The Scarpa T1 is a beautiful rig and it’s hard not to see them and think, “dam that will make me a better skier!” And that’s exactly what I thought when I saw them in the shop last year. After checking out the pro deal price and realizing that the Scarpa prodeal is practically a no-deal, I decided to pay retail and have them right away. The boot fit like a glove and apart from cooking the Intuition liner, it did not require any punching.
So it was with great excitement that I took them up to Rogers Pass and skinned up McGill Shoulder. The boot toured really well on the up and I was stoked with my purchase… Until I started down. Have you ever had a day when you felt that you couldn’t ski? Well this was my day. I must have fallen every third turn and had more Hulk Moments (read: tantrums) than I care to remember. It was all I could do keep my tips up and not go head over heels over and over and over again. It was the most frustrating ski day I can remember. To make matters worse, I couldn’t blame the snow conditions because they were light and fluffy. I tried adjusting the forward lean on the boots to put them in a more upright stance but this didn’t have any positive effect. I still could not ski the boot.
A few days later, I took the boot to the hill and figured I’d try them out there. This wasn’t as bad because I couldn’t sink my tips into the corduroy, but I still felt that the boot’s forward lean was way too much for me. I tried them again on another day and after three days of frustration, tantrums and modest humiliation, I brought the boots to the second hand store and sold them for a nice loss. Before selling the boot, I contemplated drilling a new hole in the ski / walk mechanism to allow for a more upright stance, but that idea didn’t last long. I’ve read on a few forums that other people have experienced this with the Scarpa T1 boots and the solution seems to be keep skiing it and eventually you will get used to it. Kinda reminds me of: The floggings shall continue until morale improves!
I really wanted to like the Scarpa T1’s. They are such a good looking and well crafted boot that I was tempted to keep them and put them up on the mantle place as an addition to the house art work. But after too many days of getting tossed around in the snow, my ego was not strong enough and we were forced to go our separate ways.
I hope this helps someone out there!
Bought T1 boots this year to ride on Line 100s, on the East Coast. Same Hulk moments as you! Horrible initial impression, I felt encased in concrete with boots at least 4 inches too tall, and too stiff… I couldn't move! I couldn't ski, and could only barely stand up. Too much forward lean coupled with tons of too-early edge power originating from the top of the uphill cuff seemed to be the problem. Within 5 runs, I figured something out — unbuckled and in walk mode they were pretty good! Weird, but I am happy skiing them with the powerstrap removed, both upper cuff buckles completely open, and the spine device in walk mode. It's not boot nirvana, but now I can move my body over the skis, ski with my feet, carve, jump, slide, spin, whatever, and everything feels right.
thanks alot for your impressions you had with these boots. i'll buy the push in a few days, i think. i don't like the hulk-feeling on powderdays 🙂
Have had the T1 for 2 seasons after ditching the Garmont SynerG's – and was stunned to read the review! I ski it with Hammerheads in either 3 or 4 mounted on the Nordica Hell & Back (98mm) and get great initiation and a lot of touch while getting a TON of power from this setup. I only ski down and spend time mostly in the resort or the sidecountry and have loved the boot when paired with the Hammerhead. However – with a lesser binding, I can see it being a different challenge.
Agree with Phil. I ski the T1's with Hammerheads set up the same way. I feel a TON of power from them with those active bindings. Switched from Black Diamond bindings after having them break on me in the sidecountry…never looked back. I experienced challenges skiing a less active binding with such a powerful boot, so I think you would have a different impression if you were able to pair the T1's with a boot worth of harnessing their power.
I have been skiing with Scarpa T1 for the last six years. I love the boots, but I too can't ski in the boots except in walk mode.
Have been on T1s for a few seasons now – noticed more control/less comfort/less weight going from the bumble bees to the current pebax iteration. Have always skied them with the power strap only around the liner and top buckles on loosest. Loads of edge control with AXLs. Love the Raichle/Full tilt esque ankle hold down buckle which the BD Push seems to have as well. Getting a bit of toe burn tho on tours with current setup so am going to try some BDs out based on the excellent rap they're getting here and elsewhere.
I bought the T1s and have given them 5-6 days and have been thrown around. So frustrating because as a new mom, I have limited days to ski. I drilled another hole in the ski/tour mechanism, but still hate these boots. So strange because I had the old T Race boots (red) for years and loved them so much. I am a little gun shy right now and not sure what to do with a month left in ski season. I so want to ski like I used to be able to.
Get the Push while you can, BD is not making Tele boots any more. I've skied the Push boots with BD Zealots and O1 bindings for four years, and they've helped me progress to the next level. Get these boots and take it up a notch!