Head Dream Thang boots

[Little Lightning]

Any thoughts on these boots? I haven't tried them on but I'm thinking maybe I should get them while they are on sale and my size is still available. My boot fitter told me some good things about these boots. It sounds like they might be a good boot for my foot.

I bought the Lange Freeride 100's last year but I already have 45 days on them. They are starting to pack out. My boot fitter did a lot of work on them, higher heel lift, punching out the shell, etc. I'm still wearing a thin sock and have some room to tighten the buckles. However, after 70-80 days my boots become uncomfortable and then I'm in the market for new ones.

With 6 more weeks left of the ski season I could add another 20 days to the boots. By Jan of next year I could be in the market for new boots!

So does it make sense to buy now while they are a good price and save them for when I need them? Or should I just wait and see what happens with these liners?

It would be great if these liners lasted until next March but should I risk it?

BTW, I wear a size 22 so there is a chance I won't find them in Jan.

Kathi

 

[SnowGlider]

Probably a good choice

I tried to research your Lange Freeride 100s to see what you're skiing in now, but I couldn't find any info on them.

My understanding is that the Dream Thang is replacing the S series, although the 2007 S is still available. I was told that the main difference was that the Dream Thang has a thicker liner, which I don't like personally because it packs out.

Choose your model carefully for flex etc. If you describe your skiing ability, style, terrain, weight, etc. maybe I can tell you more specifically what I found about specific models of the DT.

I researched the DT and the S series extensively. Both have good reviews. I have the S9 on my feet at this very moment (breaking 'em in). I chose them over the DT because they're cheaper for the same features.

I found that Langes (at least the Exclusive series I tried) had a significantly harder fit that the Head S. I'm not referring to the flex, per se, but to the overall feel on the foot---maybe caused by a hard shell and thin liner, and the Lange didn't seem to have the variable density (stiffer sides and softer top and flaps) offered by most other brands, reducing comfort. I think you can get more for your money with Head.

Is the Head fit right for you? Wide forefoot, narrow heel.

See https://www.head.com/ski/products.php?region=us&tag=women for a comparison of all of their women's boots.

You're right, the pickings are slim now, at the end of the season. But prices are great! Just use the Internet to locate every store within 50s miles and call 'em all for your size.

 

[Little Lightning]

Snowglider,

I have last year's version of this boot,

https://www.my-exclusive.com/product.php?Rub=70&id=497&id_type=2

I really like it and it skis well. It does cause some pressure over my instep and my boot fitter has worked on it for me.

After 70 days on my old boots I was looking for new ones last Jan. I got injured and couldn't ski the rest of the season. I found the Langes in April.

Outdoor Divas will find me boots when I need them but it could be at full cost. And they will do any fittings necessary.

I have a small foot, high instep, very thin heel and ankle, slightly wide forefoot.

Outdoor Divas said these boots are almost a plug boot made on a woman's last, shell included and they do look like they have lot more adjustments. They are on sale at Divas for $330.

To add to the issue, there are only 3 brands of boots (Head, Lange and Nordica) that have a true 22 shell. Most shells are 23's with a blocker in the toe to make them smaller. I was told it doesn't give a good skier optimal fit.

Anyway, I ski the whole mtn. bumps, trees, some steeps, groomed, bowls, etc. I ski mostly at Copper Mtn. but hit the other areas in Summit Cty. I'm also in a weekly ski lesson that is pushing my limits and helping me to develop better skill. I don't race and the description of the boot sounds like its more for racers while the Langes are all mtn.

I still have room for adjustments in the Langes but I'm not sure how long that will last.

Thanks for your help.

Kathi

 

[SnowGlider]

Can't open the link to your boot

What exact boot did you have last year? I'd like to google it to see the specs of the boot that was working for you.

Your foot shape is very similar to mine, except smaller (I'm a 24). I tried every brand on the market and settled on Head as the closest to my foot shape. Langes hurt because of my high instep and wide forefoot.

A good fitter can make just about any boot fit you, I guess. But I'm thinking that you will get into less trouble if you start out with a boot that's as close as possible to your foot shape. When I bought boots that had many adjustments made to them, I was constantly returning to the fitter as the pads packed out, which would only take a couple of days of skiing.

I've now solved that (I hope!) by buying a boot that (a) is very close to my shape, AND (b) has a very close fit. So far my Head S9's have needed no fitting at all. That gives me hope that they will pack out nice and evenly and I will end up with a snug but comfortable fit.

Check my review of the Head S9 in the gear review forum. If you're an advanced all-mountain skier, you might like the Dream Thang 9 or 10, or the S 9, 10, or 11. Above those models you're right, you're getting into race boots.

The DT 10 (flex 80/90) and S11 (flex 90/100) are for "superfast" aggressive all-mountain skiers, according to Head. That's too much boot for me, but it sounds like you're a better skier than me by quite a bit. (Probably half my age, too. Sheesh.) As a low-advanced skier I settled on the S9 for room to grow.

The DT 9 (flex 70/80) is for very good skiers, fast speed, on steep trails. The S9 (flex 80/90) is for very good skiers, fast speed, all-mountain terrain. That's not enough information to really tell the difference between the two boots, so it may come down to perceived comfort in the store. For me it came down to price and availability in my size.

The Head S8 flex 60/70) might work for you. It's for very good skiers, 50/50 groomed and ungroomed; but medium speed according to Head. Hard to find because it's from last year, but should be a great price now.

If this seems confusing I can e-mail you the chart I drew up comparing the DT, S, and Edge series (all Heads).

 

[Little Lightning]

These boots are awesome!

Thanks Snowglider,

I bought the Dream Thangs today. I really like the fit of this boot. From what my shop said Head spent a lot of money on R&D to develop this boot. The shell, as well as the liner, is made on a womans last.

I can really tell the difference. The instep is about 3mm higher than my Langes. We were able to put a 1/2" heel lift in them and they didn't kill me. The cuff doesn't pinch my calf and the upper part of the boot is tapered so it fits better around my thin ankles. The boot feels narrow around my heels and through the mid part of my foot but is wider around my forefoot.

This boot fits like a glove. I wore them for about an hour in the store and didn't feel any pressure points, they were comfortable with a good snug fit.

I put them away for next year, unless my Langes get so miserable I can't stand them, so I can't give a review of how they ski.

I expected that these boots would be to wide for my foot but they fit so well that I almost think they are custom.

I put them away for next year, unless my Langes get so miserable I can't stand them, so I can't give a review of how they ski.

Kathi

 

[SnowGlider]

That's great!

So glad you're happy with your new boots!

I also found that Head has a higher, more comfortable instep than Lange. And like you, my Heads fit so well it feels like a custom fit.

I'm curious to know how the shell fits you---how many fingers do you have behind your heel?

I just have one suggestion. Wouldn't it be safer to ski with them now so you can return them to the store if they don't work out for you? Does your store have a 7-day return policy?

If you do ski with them and realize right away that something is radically wrong (like they're too large), only do a couple of runs and be really careful not to scratch them up.

 

[Little Lightning]

Snowglider,

Thanks for your concern. The shop I dealt with has 2 boot fitters, they are husband and wife. I dealt with hubby who worked in ski shops in Vail before they opened this shop. It is a is a women's only store. I've learned more about boot fitting from them than any ski shop I've been to.

I use an orthotic so I can go slightly larger in size which is a good thing because I wear a size 22. That translates to a size 3.5. If I had to go smaller I would be in a Jr. boot. The shell size is on the Langes is 266mm the shell size on the Dream Thangs is 269mm.

Mike (owner) spent 3 hrs with me last week working out some issues with my Langes, that as they packed out, did not go away. I think we could continue to work on the Langes but they will not be perfect because the shell is not designed for a foot like mine. Besides, they still get lose when padding is added.

The condition of the sale was that the store would take care of any work I needed on the boots when I was ready to use them. Because I'm dealing directly with the owner, I have full confidence that they will take care of me.

Kathi

 

[num]

Little lightning, which Langes do you have? The link didn't work.

 

[Little Lightning]

https://www.backcountryoutlet.com/outlet/DYN0063/Lange-Comp-100-FR-W-Ski-Boot-Womens.html

This is the boot. It's a great skiing boot.