by h.harb » Wed Oct 29, 2003 11:24 am
Hello Mr. T
I am glad to offer our boots preferences to PMTSers. These selections are based on our research with skiers over the last seven years. You are right; we in PMTS land have tested and evaluated many levels of skiers on many different brands and models. This all started when I was testing boots for both Skiing and Snow Country magazines. Now we have narrowed our tests down and formulated an approach that is based on dynamic evaluations. Static in door fore/aft tests and adjustments have not yielded accurate correlations to dynamic on snow performance tests. We look to begin with, specifically for a functional fore/aft balanced position. We evaluate this by moving the skier downhill in a straight run, with one ski lifted. Based on a skier?s stance and moving ability in and out of balance; we can define the best boot set up for that skier. We have done comparison video and photo analysis using this method and found huge differences in balancing of individuals when comparing boot brands.
We also evaluate the rotary and lateral performance characteristics of each boot model. We recommend brands, not across the board, but selected models depending on individual needs of the skier. We recommend only the following boots based on our functional testing: Dalbello, Head, Salomon. We do not recommend Atomic, Lange, Tecnica, or most models of Nordica. We like the Doberman for some racers but not all. We also modify the Doberman extensively. We are very familiar with race boots as we set up boots for many FIS racers and juniors, including Erik Schlopy the current World Champion, Bronze medalist. All of our alignment evaluations are done very precisely and methodically, we study the skier?s technique, body structure and movement capability. We have discovered new methods and products, including a new product under patent application, for different alignment and foot articulating needs.
You asked about the Atomic boots specifically. They have not yet lived up to the lateral standards we require for best performance. We have experienced the Atomics with some of our instructor and clients. We found that the boot has rotary characteristics that lead to knocked knee positions on the skiers we tested. So in our view, the jury is still out. We like many of the properties of the Atomic, but as yet they haven?t proved to be solid for all skiers. I know Atomic realizes they have some issues with their product. They are testing some new configurations with racers.