Ski BootsFree Touring Boots Test
Andrea Bergamasco has created the new Freeride boot by Full Tilt, the Ascendand Approach model, a boot that performs in descents and agile in ascents.
Saturday 6 March 2021 10 minutes reading time
WHAT THE COMPANY SAYS
Ascendant Approach has joined the large Full Tilt family.The innovative technological design of the Full Tilt Ascendant, in addition to a liner designed for both descent and ascent and a lightweight Grilamid shell and Michelin Grip Walk soles for the maximum grip on any terrain gave life to an agile boot on the climb, without sacrificing performance on the descent, this is the Ascendant Approach.
DETAILS
HULL: in lightweight Grilamid ™ plastic WIDTH: 102mm FLEX: 10 sole which corresponds to a 120 flex BOOT BOARD: shock absorbing rubber insole SOLE: toe and heel in double material, MichelinMID GRIP Gripwalk: in double material for greater grip. aluminum with adjustment scale and tour hook SPOILER: Velcro tab WALK MODE: with lever SHOE: Intuition, J-Bar, Power Wrap, Wide toe, Tour Notch and Laces TOE AND HEEL: compatible with traditional ski bindings and touring ski bindings WEIGHT: 1820 grams each measure 27.5
INNOVATIONS: Mid Grip: Whether you are climbing ladders or climbing to the top of a mountain, an intermediate grip under the sole of the dual material foot gives you much more confidence.
J-Bar: An additional J-shaped piece of foam is inserted internally on both sides in the ankle area to greatly increase ankle seal and to keep your feet perfectly in correct position for precise control.
Walk Mode: Raise the rear lever for easy climbing. When you are on top and ready for the descent it is time to lower it to lock the boot in descent mode. Walk Mode also works great for apré-ski sessions.
Liner: With Tour Flex Notch (rear joint for Walk mode), removable external J-bars and lacing system with laces, make walking a blister-free experience in a snug, snug fit, while also offering you a performing descent.
Shell: Lightweight Grilamid ™ plastics make the boot durable and sturdy yet not too heavy.
Sizes: 24.5, 25.5, 26.5, 27.5, 28.5, 29.5, 30.5
Category: Freeride / Ski Touring
THE TEST
This "anomalous" winter season with a lot of snow, a lot of cold and closed ski facilities throughout the country has given way to the "boom" of ski touring or ski mountaineering at exponential levels. Being lucky enough to live in the Western Alps, I was able to test the Full Tilt Ascendant Approach from January to the end of February during my freeride and ski mountaineering training sessions. I used the Ascendant Approach continuously and daily for two months. in any snow conditions, both downhill and uphill with skins and crampons.I was able to test them in the cold and dusty days of January and in the warm and somewhat anomalous almost spring days of the end of February in both easy and challenging itineraries (from grade 3.3 to 5.1) and ascend with an altitude difference of 1000 / 1500m. Assuming that when I received the boots in the classic FullTilt very picturesque cardboard box reminiscent of the take away pizza catone, I had just finished a ski mountaineering training session that had caused me blisters to The following day I was preparing to test the Full Tilt Ascendant Approach for the first time with my feet compromised by and previous training sessions. The particular Full Tilt Intuition liner has also evolved for climbing needs, offering optimal closure through laces, comfort and elimination of internal movements and rubbing by the foot and a rear "bellows" that it helps when the boot is in Walk mode both when walking and with skins. Since using the Ascendant I have no longer had problems with my feet (Alleluia). The boot is not the lightest if we compare it with a traditional ski touring boot but the The compromise that it offers us between ascent and descent is optimal, in descent it behaves like a track boot with a 120 flex, very precise in the curve phase both in the driving phase of the feet and in conduction, even the edge grip is very precise as well as the slip.The shock absorbing inner sole absorbs vibrations very well especially when we find windy snow or still frozen spring firn. During the loading phase the boot does not bulge and transmits a lot of safety to the skier on any snow we find during the descent.Very interesting aspects especially for those who prefer the descent rather than the ascent.Also the closure with velcro tab offers an excellent upper closure even if I prefer the "ratchet" to Velcro. Once the three aluminum hooks of the boot and the upper tongue are closed, we can open the "throttle" in descents at high speeds on any type of snow and slope. boot behaves very well by wrapping the skier's foot well, excellent in running on a beaten track.
ADVANTAGES: Flex 10/120 Resistant plastics that do not bulge Walk mode Shoe (I have never had problems with my feet) Shock absorbing rubber insole Optimal closure with aluminum hooks Compatibility with any alpine ski binding or touring ski Bindings with a lot of grip Design
DEFECTS: Tongue with velcro, I would have preferred the ratchet. Weight, but if the compromise to be paid on the descent is too high I prefer a heavier "hair" boot like the Ascendant but much more performing on the descent. a traditional ski mountaineering boot is around 1500gr. of weight while the Ascendant is 1820gr.
CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the Full Tilt Ascendant Approach is a boot for skiers who prefer the descent but do not disdain the ascent to go looking for spots that are still virgin.Ideal for heavy skiers, technically performing downhill or real freeriders, who do not they want no compromise on the descent. Downhill the boot is in all respects a track boot with flex 120 but unlike a track boot it is much lighter and more agile uphill thanks to the particular liner and the Walk mode. multipurpose are its characteristics, with a single boot we can experience the mountains as we like from the piste to freeride with deep and powdery snow to finish with ski mountaineering trips.
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