Facebook Twitter Instagram
    FeedTheHabit.com
    • Home
    • Gear Reviews
      • Mountain Biking
      • Road Biking
      • Bike Commuting
      • Trail Running
      • Skiing
      • Outdoors
      • Water Sports
      • Vehicles
    • News
    • Trip Reports
    • Videos
    FeedTheHabit.com
    Backcountry Skiing

    2005 Garmont G-Ride Alpine Touring Ski Boots Review

    Brig GraffBy Brig GraffJanuary 23, 2005No Comments4 Mins Read

    In the past few years I’ve gone through several pairs of Raichle Flexons and a smattering of race boots from Nordica, Tecnica, and Salomon. After finally getting fed-up with blisters from skinning into the backcountry in traditional alpine boots, I decided to swallow my alpine-skier pride and take a look at some touring boots. I ended up finding the best-fitting boot of my life: the Garmont G-ride.The 4-buckle G-ride is not Garmont’s burliest boot – that’s the Adrenalin G-fit. But the G-ride is the next-lighter boot in the lineup, and has plenty of burl to go around. There is a similar Garmont boot called the Megaride that many confuse with being a more aggressive boot than the G-ride, but it is in fact an even lighter version of the G-ride that is also Dynafit compatible for those who are into longer hard-core tours. Me – I’m just an alpiner who likes to earn a few fresh turns weeks after a storm. The G-ride was the right selection.

    Garmont G-Ride Alpine Touring Boots

    I should mention that I was originally drawn to the oh-so-classic Scarpa Laser and the Denali TT. While on paper they look like great options, on foot they both felt like they had huge insteps. I couldn’t buckle the lower-cuff down nearly tight enough without going way too short in the length. I have a completely average foot: average width, average arch, average instep, average heel. And I just did not understand how these Scarpas could even appeal to normal foot shapes. The year before I had used some Garmont telemark boots on a day when I was pinning, and they fit well – so that’s when I decided to take a look at Garmont.

    Man, oh man – once I slid the G-rides on I knew I had never tried on a boot that knew my foot like Garmont did. I feel that that G-rides have a normal instep, with an average width and a normal-to-wide toe box (even with a performance fit, I like to wiggle my toes a little).

    The G-ride I chose also has a G-fit innerboot that you can heat up at your local Surefoot (or in an oven, in a pinch) and then it molds to your foot when you insert it in the outer-shell and buckle it down. I also got some Surefoot orthotics, for a perfectly custom fit. The great thing about the custom innerboot is that it’s not the exact same as the heat-molded liners of other manufacturers that are just like a big neoprene sock. The G-ride’s G-fit liner is a well-designed liner with strategically-placed stitching. For example, horseshoe-shaped material is stitched around the ankle and heel pocket to really lock in the heel like a good race liner. With the heat-molded liner and some Surefoot orthotics, they fit like a glove.

    Brigham Graff skiing powder at Brighton, Utah

    However, I have chicken-calves and the upper cuff was pretty loose on me. So the boys at Surefoot again hooked me up: a pair of Power Booster straps to tighten down above the upper-cuff (around the innerboot’s shin). Once I tightened-down those straps, I knew I had a comfortable touring boot that could hang with whatever I threw at it on the downhill laps.

    And that’s what it comes down to – a performance boot that fits your foot. And Garmont fits mine. Much to my surprise, they also had a sturdy flex for being a touring boot, and the power strap added to the beefiness. These are not for the touring purist – they are squarely aimed at people like me crossing over from alpine who demand good downhill performance in all conditions. And with four buckles, a power strap, a solid flex, a simple-to-use “walk” feature, and a relatively light weight (compared to my previous alpine-only boots) they nailed the category squarely.

    I have to admit – after riding the G-rides a few times, I eBayed all my other boots and put touring bindings on all my skis. And why not? The AT gear of today is better than the alpine gear of yesteryear – and I was happy then. I’m even happier now, because AT stuff is so much lighter weight – it’s awesome. I may even make the ultra-light Kahru Jak BC my next fat ski to make it the ultimate Rocky Mountain skier’s dream setup. See you in the backcountry…

    Buy Now: Find Alpine Touring Ski Boots at REI

    ShareTweet
    garmont ski boots
    Previous ArticleSki Utah Interconnect Adventure Tour
    Next Article Brighton Ski Resort – The Mt. Millicent Playground
    Brig Graff
    • Website

    You Might Also Like

    Gore Wear TrailKPR Daily MTB Jersey Review

    June 27, 2022

    Review: Patagonia Strider Pro 5″ Running Shorts

    June 23, 2022

    Tifosi Swank XL Sunglasses Review

    June 20, 2022

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Most Popular
    8.9

    Zipp 303 S Carbon Wheelset Review

    November 4, 2021
    9.1

    Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51 TLR Wheelset Review

    September 9, 2021
    9.4

    Roval CL 50 Disc Wheelset Review

    September 13, 2019

    Hoka One One Anacapa Mid GTX Hiking Boot Review

    November 2, 2021
    9.1

    Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 TLR Wheelset Review

    June 18, 2020
    9.0

    Canyon Endurace CF SL 8 Disc Di2 Review

    August 13, 2020

    SRAM Rival/GX AXS Mullet Gravel Kit Review

    September 17, 2021
    9.2

    Reynolds Assault SLG Carbon Wheelset Review

    July 28, 2017
    9.1

    3T Exploro RaceMax 1x and 2x Review

    April 28, 2021
    9.4

    Shimano GRX RX810 1x Gravel Groupset Review

    June 3, 2020
    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    Advertisement
    Our Latest Posts
    • Gore Wear TrailKPR Daily MTB Jersey Review
    • Review: Patagonia Strider Pro 5″ Running Shorts
    • Fresh Wheels: Santa Cruz Hightower 3
    • Tifosi Swank XL Sunglasses Review
    • Lizard Skins Monitor Traverse Gloves Review
    • Trek RSL Jersey Review
    • Gore Wear Fernflow Shorts Review
    • Smooth Ti: Alchemy Argos Review
    • Rab Sonic Ultra Tee Review
    • Hot Italian Gravel: Pinarello Grevil F
    About Us
    About Us

    Since 1999, we have delivered in-depth gear reviews, articles and content. We feature a small staff of savvy, experienced writers who love to review outdoor gear.

    External links to Amazon, REI, Backcountry and other retailers include affiliate codes that give us a small commission on each sale.

    To contact us or learn more, go to our About Us page.

    © FeedTheHabit.com 1999 - 2022. All rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.