“Roomy boot with skinny sole”

“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.”