Strada Boot versus RS-1

[east tx skier]

I am toying around with buying a used pair of RS-1 boots.  I have seen the video where Rossi says that the Strada is a little less stiff on the rear of the boot.  Anyone who has ridden them both care to comment on what I am missing out on by trying the RS-1 versus ponying up 2x the cash for the Strada? 

 Also, having a binding that releases reliably is extremely important to me.  Currently on Wileys.  Will the RS-1 and Strada Boots meet this requirement?

[Horton]

They are safe. As long as you are smart and to not crank the top bungie you will release.

I should have a pair of Stradas in the next few days to replace my RS-1s - I will let you know.

[HO 410]

You're getting close enough to the end of 2010, that the Stradas might be going on the same kind of spectacular sales that let me get into new RS-1's for $120 a boot.

I've said before, one of my favorite features of this kind of boot is that you can easily test the release on dry land and know how it will release when you ski.

[east tx skier]

Good info.  And I was considering waiting for the season to wind down to see what came available in the Strada.

 As far as cranking down the bungee, how loose laced can you run these boots?  I used to have Animals and ran them loose.  Then I switched to the approach.  I could not run those loose and feel any sense of control.  So I ran them just tight enough to be comfortable and they wouldn't release.  Been on Wiley's ever since.  Pretty happy with them, but my feet tend to get cramped by the end of the set.

 Also, at size 10.5, should I be looking for size 11?

[J3]

Yeah, 11's should work.  I'm a size 10.5 and 11's worked perfect.   I've got a set of size 11 RS-1's I used for a year-1/2 and a pair of size 11 Strada's I wore for 20 sets +/-.....I'll make you a deal on all 4 boots, cheap!

[east tx skier]

Shoot me an email on the Stradas.

dnortonames (at) yahoo (dot) com

[HO 410]

From my expereince, I feel that the purpose of the upper laces is about 90% foot retention and maybe 10% support and performance.

[Roger]

You can wear the upper lace as loose as you like or as tight as you like as long as you leave some elasticity in it. The release works by the lace stretching as your foot tries to come forward and then the strip of material on the back of the liner begins to slide up the binding and out you go. It doesn't take much stretch, but there has to be SOME for the mechanism to work. I'm on my third season with the RS-1 system and have nothing but good things to say about it. Ejected twice without issue and stayed in a few times without issue and the system responded the way I'd like for the falls I took (all the way in, or all the way out thank you).

 

[Joe McCreary]

Does anyone know if the new elite ski boots have the same screw hole pattern of the RS-1 boots?

[Horton]

Yes

[Horton]

Safe bet.

[Chef23]

In the Strada you can go with 10s. I am a 10.5 and have size 10 Stradas and they are great.

[Horton]

I go 1/2 up and add bigger arch support

[east tx skier]

J3 and I are working on a deal on his Stradas in Sz 11.  As for arch support, if I decide to change that, is that radar specific.  Does H2Osmosis carry it?  Also, he mentioned that he beefed up the bungee.  If I decide to go back to stock, what size is the OEM bungee on that boot?

[Bud Man]

I have skied in both. My opinion is that the Strada is softer and feels more like a rubber boot than the RS-1 which feels more like a hybrid. I would guess that with the bungees at the same tension, the Strada would release easer than the RS-1. I feel that they are sized differently also. Try them on if you can.

[MrJones]

East Texas, 

Any arch support will work in the boot. The ones from Radar are good, but I wound up going with a more rigid 3/4 length orthotic glued to an old Goode flat plastic insert. (What I used for years in my Powershells.) Green Superfeet orthotics (which are available on line and in a lot of sporting goods stores) would also give you a little more arch. You can also play with orthotics in liner vs. in the bottom of the boot. With duct tape, glue, and scissors the possibilities are endless!

BTW, I am 11 or 11.5 foot depending on the shoe and fit well in the size 11 Strada. They do run more true to size than the RS1's. I put on some RS1's last year and there was no way. With the Stradas I feel a little pressure on my toes just standing in the boot, but on the water they are perfect.  

 

[east tx skier]

Thanks for the info, Scot. That helps a good deal. At 10.5, I think the 11s will work well. A sz 10 shoe always feels tight.

[ForrestGump]

I ditched the stock orthotic insert on my strada's and put in orange superfeet orthotics to get more volume take up for a bit more snug fit.

[east tx skier]

Stradas are on the way from J3!  I'm pumped!  Will see how I like the fit and go from there.

 

Last question.  What size is the OEM bungee on the top of those boots in case I want to go back to that?

[Andre]

Should be close to 3/16...but as you know,i've been wrong before!!!

That's what i use for  the course and my ski partner keep stealing some to repair his RS1!

 Parrish record is not safe anymore now that you'll be on your RS 1! :)

[east tx skier]

Actually, I have been on the 04 Sixam all year.  Added some depth and got it turning, but the onside feels off now.  That fin block is such a pain; I probably messed something up. 

I figure I will put the strada boots on the MPD and give it another go.  It always turned great, but felt a bit slow in the pull, even though it got nice and wide.

[east tx skier]

Got the boots today and installed them on a sequence plate.  Quick question on the plate.  Do I want to torque those middle screws all the way down.  The fronts and rears have spacers, but the middle screws torqued down put a little bend in the plate between it in the ski in the middle.

[T-UP]

I tighten mine all  the way down, finger tight with the screw driver and check before skiing

[thager]

I put a couple of 3/4 " plastic washers under the plate to act as a spacers to prevent the bend. Still allows it to flex.

[east tx skier]

Are you guys running your footbeds in the liners or underneath? 

 

Okay, that's really the last question.http://www.ballofspray.com/vanillaforum/js/tinymce/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-laughing.gif

[thager]

I'm running mine inside the liner. Doesn't seem to effect release design IMO.

[east tx skier]

I'm just wondering if that little block in the bottom of the boot will wear through the liner if I put the footbed inside the liner.

[thager]

I've had mine for three years with no problems yet.

[T-UP]

I like mine underneath.

[h2odawg79]

Mine R underneath as well, with velcro between the Bed and the Binding...

[Roger]

I've run my orthotics inside the liner for more than 3 years now, no issues. If you choose to run them in the shell, takes steps like h2odawg79 did to keep from losing them...