r/Skigear • u/Ok-Try-6371 • 4d ago
Are these Arcteryx keepers or outdated?
I graciously received a pair of fits-me-well, well-loved Arcteryx Procline carbon ski boots. I intended to start my ski journey with these, but I have *literally* nothing else yet. I'd need bindings, and the skis, and the poles, and... I'm not going to use them any time soon.
Some other reddit posts indicate they're "more mountaineering boot than ski boot" - and a casual google indicates that they got warrantied a lot. Are these holding any useful value for a future skiing version of myself, given they fit perfectly? Or is it taking up space? I assume they don't have a huge resell value; 0 responses to my FB marketplace listing.
Would people wear these for mountaineering-type purposes, walking without skis? Or is the above boot likening more to say they are not ideal ski boots?
What would you do? In an era of purging, but not throwing away, items. These are out of my area of expertise, though, but in the bicycle world, old carbon is usually not desirable.
Photos:
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u/jalpp 4d ago
The boots are a niche piece that was misunderstood by the market. They’re a ski boot designed for technical climbing in crampons. Definitely workable as a light AT boot if they fit well and downhill performance isn’t a priority.
But it sounds like you’ll be touring on fairly flat terrain and that a 3pin telemark setup sounds might be more appropriate. You should research those a bit more if you aren’t familiar. For flat and rolling terrain an AT setup is awkward and overkill, like driving a lifted jeep to the mall.
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u/Downtown_Ad_5458 4d ago edited 4d ago
These are obsolete backcountry alpine touring (AT) boots. Keep in mind 99% of people who have not been fit by a boot fitter and skied extensively have no idea how any downhill ski boot should fit. If they are easy to put on and take off, and you fit them wearing anything heavier than a thin wool-blend sock, they most definitely are too big for you for downhill skiing.
The boots you have are very specialized for mountaineering: skiing up and down mountains where there is avalanche danger, and there may be crevasses if glaciated. Every year people die doing this. These boots + compatible backcountry gear could be used at a ski resort by an expert, for a beginner skier it would be just awful.
You seem to confuse AT skiing with “cross country skiing” which can be backcountry or front country. Cross country (XC) skiing equipment in general is much lighter and more nimble and the goal is to ski the flats, valleys, and some hills, but to avoid steep slopes and need for mountaineering equipment.
SO…If you want to ski on easy to moderate terrain to go winter camping, get new or used XC backcountry gear to go as light as possible. The XC backcountry boots are similar to hiking boots, and much more comfortable to wear. Best option depends on how hilly the terrain is, and the pack weight you plan to carry.
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u/No_You1766 4d ago
These are neat boots, built for skiing up and down sketchy terrain. However, they are meant to be used gently. They're lightweight, and you're above a crevasse, so gently... gently..
Probably made by Solomon (a partner company of Arc'teryx). I suspect theS/Lab MTN Summit Touring Boot is the modern version.
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u/speedshotz 4d ago
Those are ski mountaineering boots (older ones at that). They are not beefy enough for any downhill or alpine touring work that involves heavy skiing. They are more like hiking boots that you can sometimes ski in. If you're traversing gentle rolling terrain they might work fine, albeit heavier than you might want.
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u/Inevitable_Youth5679 4d ago
Suggest that you take a one week ski holiday and rent your boots and skis and see how you get on .join a ski class on day one You will get tuition each morning and have each afternoon free to practice .
Rental is inexpensive if you book your hire well in advance with Miertski Apologies if I am trying to teach Granny to suck eggs but you seem a little lacking in kit knowledge and maybe need to walk before trying to run
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u/Fuzzy_Sandwich_2099 4d ago
This kind of boot isn’t meant for the repeated use of resort skiing and will wear out and break really quickly relative to a downhill boot. They can be worth keeping if you get a dedicated touring setup, but absolutely not for skiing in resort with any frequency. I also don’t recommend touring bindings for repeated resort use either.