Dalbello Z Tech vs. the Lange Exclusive 90

[Sister~Ski]

Dalbello Electra vs. the Lange Exclusives too?

First I wanted to say how thrilled I am to have found this site. You are all so knowledgeable and exciting!

I’ve been skiing for 14 years, started in New England and then lived in Colorado for 5 years and now I’m back in New England. I’d say I am a high level intermediate/lower advanced. I have recently met new friends who have me jazzed about skiing again and for the first time in 8 years I have some $$ to buy new gear and now I CANNOT WAIT for it to snow!! I ski blacks or blues if they are very steep. I like to go very fast making lots of turns but I do not seek out moguls. Basically I want a ski and boot that will take me to the next level of skiing (my current Nordica boots are so painful I have to release every strap as soon as I get to the lift every time). I am 5’8’’ and weigh around 155 lbs.

OK so I know this thread is about the Dalbello Electra vs. the Lange Exclusives, but yesterday I went to two ski shops where I was introduced to the Dalbello Z Tech and the Lange Exclusive 90. The Z Tech was soooo comfortable. In fact I never knew ski boots could be that comfortable. However I was hesitant b/c they did seem to allow the front of the bottom of my feet a little too much room to move around, but that may be b/c my Nordica’s were way too small for me and very painful. Plus I do not know anything about these Z Techs and I cannot seem to find a good review anywhere online. I then put on the Lange Exclusive 90s. Well I had always heard that Langes are for narrow feet. I do not have narrow feet, I do not have wide feet either, I have normal size 9.5 feet. The man at the store assured me Lange’s are no longer for narrow feet, they are regular boots now and perfect for a lower advanced skier who wants to go all around the mountain.

I am at a loss. I cant seem to find good reviews out there on either and I am leaning toward trying the Z Techs but I’m wondering if they are a little bit *too* comfy and if Ill later regret it, whereas I don’t want to get the Langes and have people tell me they are too narrow for me.

Sorry for the ramble! And please move this post if this is not the appropriate thread for it!

 

[ski diva]

Welcome, Ski~Sister! Glad to have you here.

I moved your thread to give it the attention it deserves, and since it was a little different than the stuff that went before it.

I wish I could give you input on these boots. The only thing I can say is that I used to have a pair of Lange Banshees -- and I don't have narrow or wide feet. Then again, I have Nordicas now, and don't find them too narrow at all.

There are a number of Divas here who have experience with Dalbellos. Maybe they can help.

 

[tcarey]

Hi there and Welcome!

The best advice I can give you here is to go with the boot that fits you the best! I ski a Lange WC 120 and do not find them to narrow.If you are feeling extra room in your boots when they are new then they are too big! You can make a small boot larger but it is difficult to make a large boot small.Spend alot of time in the shop with the boots on!! I would also recommend you buy a boot close to your home mountain.This was you can get them worked on if needed then get back out on the hill.
Where in NE to you ski?
What shop did you visit?
Will the shop work on your boots for optimal fit?

T

 

[Sister~Ski]

Thanks for the feedback! I think the Dalbellos were too big for me then. And it sounds like Lange’s aren’t necessarily for “narrow” feet anymore so that is good. I walked around for a long time in both, and the Dalbellos were like slippers which made me second guess myself last night when I went over them both in mind.

I ski Sunday River, Attitash, Loon, Waterville Valley, and I do day trips to Sunapee when I have work off b/c I’m from Boston and it’s close.

I went to local shops in Watertown and Framingham that I've had luck with before. The Watertown shop is kind of mom-and-pop-like and he gave me hours of advice.

 

[volklgirl]

When you tried on the boots, did the salespersn "shell fit" and "liner fit" you, or did they just ask your street shoe size and go get something? If they didn't shell fit, go back for a proper fitting or go somewhere else. Your foot should not move around in the lower boot (front to back, sided to side, or up and down. If they do, it's either too big or just a bad shape for your foot)

A good shop should take the liner out of the boot and have you put your foot in the plastic shell only. They will then measure the space between your achilles tendon/heel area and the back of the boot. This space then translates into a type of fit:
- 1 finger or less = race fit - quick response, very tight....requires significant customization.
- 1-1 1/2 fingers = performance fit - high performance response but still comfy....will usually require some customization.
- 1 1/2-2 fingers = comfort fit - all day comfort for slow speed cruising on groomed slopes....will usually become too big within 1-2 seasns.
- anything bigger is TOO BIG!

When trying on boots, remember that the liner will pack out and typically gain 1+ sizes over a season or 2. I try mine on with nylons only, knowing that after pack-out, I'll be able to fit a thin sock in there (of course, I go for race fit and just plan on being in pain for much of the 1st season in any boot while my boot fitter makes adjustments :( )

That said, I was VERY impressed with the shape, flex, and fit of the Lange Exclusive. They just don't make it stiff enough for my weight and performance level. Jeanie has put a lot of work into her boot line - it should be a solid performer if it fits your foot correctly.

 

[num]

Volklgirl's spot on about fit.

Just for reference on the Langes, I'm an intermediate midwestern skier with non-narrow feet, and I have the Lange Exclusive Concept 85.