Pro Ski Coach :: Gear: Radar Boots

Sully Bros Down on RadaR's New Boots

The Sequence Universal Plate

Our boots only go onto our plate but the plate will go onto any manufacturer's existing insert pattern. The plate is set-up to allow both boots to pivot. The "heel distance to tail" measurement is adjustable down to 1/8" over the standard 1/4" with all other metal plates. The plate really does float independently from the ski. Screws at the tip and tail of the plate are on threaded neck washers that are long enough to take all the pressure of the screw and allow the plate to slide freely until attached in the center holes. It's complete with a plastic sheet washer on the bottom of it to protect your ski while flexing independently.

The RS-1 Boot

We all have learned a lot from hard shell boots over the past few years. They ultimately control your edges better and give superior hold and support. Those are the benefits. The negatives are that they can, at times, be over-controlling, penalizing a skier by magnifying mistakes while skiing. And let's be honest, the release characteristics are questionable, at best. We set out to build a boot that would give the best of both worlds (hardshell and soft boot) for all skiers. The basis of this is our Chassis System developed in our test lab. It's made from dense plastic and resembles the foot bed of a hard boot. When laces are pulled tight, the plastic wraps around your foot like a plastic shell would do. This contact is enough to give you all the benefit from skiing in hard shells. Edge hold and power in transition is nearly identical to being buckled in. The Synthetic outer shell and Intuition Liner combination give you that perfect amount of forgiveness that's found in a rubber boot (a feeling lost when in shells). You know the one that keeps you in the game when you come to the inside uncontrollably or switch edges in mid air. The releasability of the RS-1 is the liner itself. If you were to crash hard enough to need release, the liner and your foot will come out of the shell. This liner, by the way, was developed over hundreds of prototypes. This is not some stock black liner bought after-market by the other guys selling you boots. This thing was developed by US with Intuition. The first liner to be built specifically for skiing. Radar has its own Lasts (the things used in shoe making) specifically designed around the way a skier stands. Any way you look at these boots, they make sense.

The Rail Boot

Let's back up and think about conventional boots for a minute. They are simply a bunch of parts stamped out of a sheet of rubber/EVA and screwed (with sheet metal screws) into hardware. How can something that was made with screws be comfortable on your feet? Our boots are made like shoes. Made to fit the foot. Made for comfort. This boot rips in the course as well as freeskiing. Let's face it; the boot that Herb developed 25 years ago remains the measuring stick. How many people have not skied in that other "white boot"? We wanted to go directly after it with the Rail. We succeeded. This boot grabs your foot for unbelievable control. It's, of course, in a totally different league as far as comfort. The laterally stiff upper cuff is lined with super soft foam and the foot bed is stiff enough for response but still soft enough to conform to your foot. Boots are more important to your setup than the ski itself as far as being comfortable in them. Boots take longer to adjust to when switching. Believe me, I understand this first hand. When I watch people ski in the Rail Boots, they ski great immediately. There is no learning curve. Straight up buoys, or turns, or whatever style skiing they're in to. Releasability is a traditional setup in the Rail Boot. The liner is sewn in and your foot comes out. Because we have the chassis system in the boot, the initial fit may feel different. You see, rubber/EVA is soft and gives. It offers very little support characteristic. That's why a rubber boot must be tall and tight around your leg. It has to grab onto something, right? Otherwise, you'd never be able to turn, or it'd maybe just fall off. Our Chassis System is grabbing your foot, where you control the ski and movement from. It doesn't have to be tight around the leg. This allows more freedom with your knees for balance and stability without interrupting the ski's path.

The Source Boot

The Source is built on the same chassis as The Rail. This boot is more comfortable than your favorite pair of shoes. The Source is not as stiff in the cuff, and the foot bed is softer. It's a great alternative back boot when paired with the Rail in front, as it's a little lower cut.

Ride RadaR Boots
-Sully