Alpina BC 2175 Backcountry Touring Ski Boots - 75mm (For Men and Women)

Great boot

I bought this for a friend as a gift and have not used this product.

I got these boots for a 10day backcountry ski tour so far i have only worn them around the house.feels good they have a vibram sole, and are fairly stiff with side to side motion.they also have gaiter hooks, but they dont fit my homemade gaiters haha. They fit 3 pin 75mm nordic norm bindings. Great deal!

I got these to replace a worn out pair of leather touring boots. They are warmer than the leather ones and are probably more waterproof - I'll know for sure come spring - but those are about the only real improvements. The duckbill is thinner than the standard traditional backcountry Vibram bill (and the bill on similar Fischer boots I've seen). That might not be a problem on a 3-pin binding with a bail, but the tabs on my cable bindings that perform the same function are digging holes in the toes above the duckbill because they don't limit the boot's forward flex like they're designed to. My next biggest complaint is that the fit is rather sloppy on my slender feet. To be fair, that's not uncommon for boots in my XL size. Between the sole and the fit, I didn't gain any edge control versus my leathers, even with the cuff. Also, I'm always aware when I start skiing of pressure on my forefoot from the boots' break across the toe box, but I usually stop noticing it after a while. A couple other niggling complaints: it'd be nice to park the cuff strap out of the way or have it easily loosen for long stretches of kick and glide; and Alpina took the tactical color scheme too far - everything under the zipper is so black I can hardly find the laces.

I guide on skis all day, usually 10-12 miles a day. Alpina brand ski boots have been very trustworthy and long lasting. This particular style is extra beefy, with maybe more than is needed. The laces don't really go up higher than a normal shoe, so you're relying on the plastic cinch at the top of the boot to hold. Two and a half months into using them, I've been pleased to find they are still in just as good a shape as they started out. The plastic cinch at the top doesn't seem to be nearing a breaking point, though it does look like the first place that will eventually go. They didn't come with any insoles, oddly. They are heavy, and hard to carry because of the plastic stuff at the top. I always buy my ski boots at least 1.5-2 sizes too big, so I can't speak to sizing. I do like these boots, for heavy use with solid construction and durability, and they'll last me at least two years guiding most days of a 4-month long season.