From New Telemark Guide
There are 3 manufacturers of NTN compatible boots to date - Crispi, Garmont & Scarpa. These are entirely new boot designs, and are very different in many characteristics from their 75mm cousins (especially fit), even though the manufacturer may be the same. See the comparison matrix.
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NTN - a new breed of telemark boot
One of the improvements to the telemark binding system that NTN offers is actually in the boot: The departure from the square duckbill, and the introduction of a rounded, conventional toe.
In addition to being technically compatible with conventional alpine touring bindings[1] due to the conventional toe, the departure from heel retention found in all non-3-pin type telemark bindings allows a boot/binding interface that requires no additional adjustment for different size boots. This is accomplished using an intermediate flange just behind the ball of the boot, commonly known as the "second heel". Among the entire size range of NTN boots, there are only 2 sizes of boot as far as the binding interface is concerned: Short and Long. This describes the distance from toe to second heel.
Crispi
Notes on Crispi NTN boot models, characteristics and revisions
Evo
The Evo is considered to have the narrowest fit of the current NTN boots on the market. It is considered to have the stiffest flex in both bellows and cuff of all the NTN boots currently offered. The first generation boot was produced in an orange color while the current 2010 interation is acid green.
The following information is from the Crispi website:
- Size: 24.5-30.5
- Colour: Acid Green - Black
- Flex: Stiff
- Shell: Pebax® - Carbon
- Sole: Crispi Kogatz Evo
- Buckles: Micro adjustable aluminium
- Innerboot: Crispi Dynamic Liner
Notes:
- 2009/10 Crispi EVO review by Mitch Weber as found on Telemarktips.com - November 2009
- Marketing materials for 2011-2012 feature a Freeride Evo which has dynafit tech fittings.
Shiver
In contrast to the Evo, the Shiver is considered to have a medium width fit, with a somewhat softer (than the Evo) flex in both bellows and cuff. The Shiver cuff is also not as high as the Evo cuff.
The following info is from the Crispi website:
- Size: 24.5-30.5
- Colour: Beige - Bronze
- Flex: Medium to Medium Stiff
- Shell: Pebax® - Carbon
- Sole: Crispi Kogatz Evo
- Buckles: Micro adjustable aluminium/polymer high resistant
- Innerboot: Crispi Dynamic Liner
Notes:
- Women's version of the Shiver was present in marketing materials but were never seen in production. for the 2010-2011 season.
- Marketing materials for 2011-2012 feature a Freeride version that uses dynafit techfittings.
Garmont
Garmont introduced their first NTN boot for the 2009-2010 season, called the Prophet. Designed by telemark industry legend Paul Parker, the Prophet features many design innovations previously unseen in telemark boots such as a full-wrap shell construction, three different densities of Pebax for optimal flex, and replaceable 2nd heel.
Prophet
Classically, Garmont telemark boots have been reputed to fit a wide foot. The entirely new NTN Prophet however, departs from this tradition with a more medium-width shell. It features only 3 buckles as well, apparently all that is needed to tighten the boot considering the full-wrap design of the shell.
Flex is medium relative to the Scarpa TX Pro and the Crispi Evo, as many who've skied the production version of the Prophet after having skied both the TX Pro and the Evo, have called it "just right." Keep in mind though that this is often a subjective characteristic of boots.
The following information and picture comes from Garmont's website;
- Use: Resort, Backcountry, Ski Mountaineering, Freeride, Racing
- Color: Silver/Red
- Shell: Quadruple Injected Pebax
- Liner: Rapid Thermoformable
- Closure: 3 Wide Open buckles and Power Strap
- Weight: 1820 grams (4.01 pounds)
- Forward Lean: 25° and walking mode
- Sizes: 25-30.5
- Flex: Medium
- U.S. MSRP: $759.95
- Canadian MSRP $859.95
More info on Garmont Prophet boots can be added here:
- Garmont Prophet NTN review by Mitch Weber - as found on Telemarktips.com - early review circa April 2008
- Garmont reports that they have stiffened the Prophet by 15% for the 2010-11 season.
Priestess
For the 2010-2011 season Garmont has added a women's NTN version boot called the Priestess.
The following information and picture comes from Garmont's website:
- Use: Ski Mountaineering, Off-Piste, Free-Ride, Telemark, Backcountry,and Racing
- Color: White/Black
- Shell: Pebax
- Liner: Rapid Thermo W
- Closure: 3 Wide Open Buckles + Power Strap
- Weight(size 25,5): 1630 gr
- Sizes 23-27.5
- Foward Lean: 25 degrees + free for walking
- U.S. MSRP $759.95
- Canadian MSRP $859.95
More info on Garmont Priestess can be added here:
- Any ladies out there that can comment?
Kenai Telemarkstøvel
Recently discovered link on this website.
Is the Garmont Kenai Telemarkstøvel first sign of a new NTN boot model?
Comments and more detailed info welcome...
Scarpa
Notes on Scarpa boot models characteristics and revisions
Terminator X (TX)
3 Buckle NTN boot with walk mode.
- The 07/08 TX's were reported to be extremely stiff.
- 08/09 Versions were prone to boot cracking issues.
- 09/10 Versions were reported to be very soft with no cracking issues.
Here's what Scarpa's website lists for technical info:
- Inner boot: 10606-501 performance tour
- Shell / Cuff / Tongue: Pebax ®
- Buckles: 3 + "Power Strap"
- Forward lean: 18° - 22°
- Sole: Evo Scarpa/Vibram ®
- Weight: 1640 Gr.
- Binding: Ntn Tlt
More info about Scarpa Terminator can be added here:
- Looking for user feedback on this boot
Terminator X Pro (TX Pro)
Soft flexing, 4 buckle boots with Walk mode.
Here's what Scarpa's website provides for technical info:
- Inner boot: 10601-500 precision high
- Shell / Cuff / Tongue: Pebax ®
- Buckles: 4 + "Power Strap"
- Forward lean: 18° - 22°
- Sole: Evo Scarpa/Vibram ®
- Weight: 1710 Gr.
- Binding: NTN TLT (tech)
More info about Scarpa Terminator (TX) Pro can be added here:
- Looking for user feedback on this boot
Terminator X Comp (TX Comp)
Scarpa's top of the line NTN boot - a stiff 4 buckle boots, Walk mode introduced for the 2012 model.
These are the technical details from Scarpa's website:
- Inner boot: 10605-501 speed pro
- Shell / Cuff / Tongue: Pebax ®
- Buckles: 4 + "Power Strap"
- Forward lean: fixed (2011 model) or walk mode (2012 model) 16° - 22°
- Sole: Evo Scarpa/Vibram ®
- Weight: 1740 Gr.
- Binding: NTN
More info about Scarpa Terminator X Comp can be added here:
- Some users on TelemarkTips have reported the ability to mount the Tour block for the T1 on the Tx-Comp. This needs further confirmation. [1]
NTN Boot Comparison
| Manufacturer | Model | Model Year | Appearance | Fit | Flex | Weight/Pair w/o Insoles | Revisions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crispi | Evo | 2007-2008 | Orange w/black | Narrow | Very Stiff | Debut of Evo | |
| 2008-2009 | Orange w/black | Very Stiff | 8.87lbs (4030g) size 27.0 | ||||
| 2009- | Light green w/black | Narrow | Stiff | Softened bellows with stiffness reduced. | |||
| Evo Freeride | 2011-2012 | Green and Black | Medium | Debut of Evo Freeride. Features techfittings for Dynafit compatibility. | |||
| Shiver | 2008-2009 | Creme w/bronze | Medium | Med Stiff | Debut of Shiver | ||
| 2009-2011 | Creme w/bronze | 7.87 lbs (3580g) size 27.0 | |||||
| 2011-2012 | White/Gray? | 7.87 lbs (3580g) size 27.0?? | |||||
| Shiver Freeride | 2011-2012 | Medium | Debut of Shiver Freeride. Features techfittings for Dynafit compatibility. | ||||
| Garmont | Prophet | 2009-2010 | Red w/dark grey | Medium | Med | Debut of Prophet | |
| 2010- | Red w/dark grey | Medium | Med - Med Stiff | Boot stiffened 15% more than the previous year | |||
| Priestess | 2010- | White & Black | Medium | Debut of Priestess as a women's version of the Prophet | |||
| Scarpa | Terminator X | 2007-2008 | Orange w/silver | Very Stiff | Debut of TX | ||
| 2008-2009 | Orange w/silver | Soft | Softened bellows. Cracking issues. | ||||
| 2009-onward | Orange w/silver | Soft | Cracking issues resolved. | ||||
| Terminator X Pro | 2008-2009 | Black w/yellow | Wide | Soft? | Debut of TX Pro | ||
| 2009-2011 | Black w/yellow | Soft | Problems with shell cracking fixed | ||||
| 2011-2012 | Black w/Orange | Soft | |||||
| TX Comp | 2009-2011 | Yellow w/silver | Stiff | Debut of TX Comp. Boot does not have walk mode. | |||
| 2011-2012 | Yellow w/silver | Stiff | Walk mode added. |
Shell Break (sizing convention)
| Manufacturer | Shell Break |
|---|---|
| Crispi | New shell on the half size (26.5-27.0 are same shell) |
| Garmont | New shell on the whole size (26.0-26.5 are same shell) |
| Scarpa | New shell on the half size (26.5-27.0 are same shell) |
NTN equivalents of beloved 75mm boots
This really needs to be written. I've started a table below, but personally I've only been in the EnerG and the Prophet. I made a few guesses based on forum posts. Why not just link to a listing of 75mm_boots and their specs and comments?
| Manufacturer | Model | Vintage | Suggested NTN Boots |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crispi | ? | ? | ? |
| Garmont | EnerG | All | Width: Scarpa TX Pro |
| Synergy | All | ? | |
| Scarpa | T-Race | 3-buckle | Width: Crispi Evo
Flex: TX Comp |
| T-Race | Late model 4-buckle | Width: Crispi Evo
Flex: TX Comp | |
| Black Diamond | Custom | All | ? |
| Push | All | ? |
Notes
- ↑ "Conventional" in this context refers to non-tech/non-Dynafit style bindings that grab the rounded toe like an alpine binding. Only the Scarpa TX and TX pro are Dynafit compatible at this time.