2024 Kastle K130P Ski Boot Review with SkiEssentials.com
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- Опубліковано 31 лип 2024
- We're excited to share another ski boot review! This time, Bob talks about the K130P from Kastle and his extensive testing throughout this past ski season. Enjoy!
Written Review: www.skiessentials.com/Chairli...
0:00 - Intro
1:30 - K130P Overview
3:40 - Shell Features
8:30 - Liner Features
13:00 - Bob's Fit
13:30 - On-Piste Performance
15:35 - Off-Piste Performance
17:00 - Forgiveness
17:40 - Here To Stay?
18:50 - Boot Reviews and Shopping For Boots
Looks like a really well thought out boot shell and liner. Thanks for the review.
Very well put together. It's like they've been making boots for decades.
Bob, I think you ski your best ski with those Kastle boots. I have high arches / sentitive / unstable ankles and I struggle to find the right fit. Thanks for this great review as always.
Thank you Martin, it's a full-confidence boot for sure.
Local shop just fitted me to the Low-Volume model of this boot. I have the fortune of having a fairly low volume boot with a fairly narrow heel/ankle and low instep, so fitting tight/narrow ski boots with minimal modifications isn't really a challenge. That said, I was surprised by how comfortable the K130P LV is despite the very close fit and a design that apparently is pretty close to the K130R plug boot.
I have a pair of Zipfit Gara LV liners, but wow, the stock Kastle liner is quite a premium, sturdy construction that comes closer to a Zipfit than I thought would be possible from a stock liner (though, of course, the ZipFits will endure longer). I really like the ability to lace up the liners for a more secure fit, and the tongue has some rigidity/support but also adjustability to make sure that the curved part of the tongue hits the akle-foot joint at the right spot. Lots of customization options out of the box. I also love the fact that you get both standard alpine soles and GripWalk soles. The skier who this boot is made for is likely going to want those standard soles, but I like the fact that I can swap to the GripWalk soles for ski trips where I'll be doing a lot of walking off-snow.
Shame it's not possible to just blanket recommend this boot to everyone, but I think anyone who's thinking of both dropping $500 on a ZipFit and replacing their shells in the same year would be fortunate to have their feet fit well with this boot, because it would be great value to be able to ski a stock liner this good and delay spending money on a ZipFit.
Yes, I think it's tough to talk about boots and not bring this one up. I LOVE mine and honestly can't see myself in much else in the future--I have Kastle on speed dial for if and when I need a new set. My only criticism thus far is that the DIN plates are brittle. Both myself and Matt our colleague both cracked the heel plate and have swapped to the GW soles. I haven't noticed any difference in performance, but I did like the fact that the DIN soles were the standard. We are getting ZipFit liners this year for testing and reviewing--I'll be very interested to see how they add to the overall nature of the K130P.
@@SkiEssentials Ooh, very excited to hear your thoughts on ZipFits, especially with your extensive experience with those Kastle liners. I will say that I'm a little concerned that going from a 120 flex to a 130 flex may be a bit of a jolt for me, especially considering how stiff Kastle's 130 seems to be compared to other brands (I'm only ~165 lbs but fairly aggressive and carving-oriented), but I'm somewhat reassured by your experience in the bumps.
@@StartCodonUST Keep in mind that there are other factors in play other than weight when it comes to boot flex. Ankle flexion, lower leg length, and personal preference are the big three for me.
From 18:50 until the end of the video should be released as it's own video, a short, whatever.... multiple times.
Great review. I love that the reviews, video and print are done after extensive testing and trials and not just 1 day and done.
Ha! My kids make me fast-forward to 13:40 when the skiing starts. Thanks for the feedback!
Looking forward to watching this. Lange Shadow soon?
Not 100% sure when, but definitely at some point before next season. Bob skied in that a bunch too and it's a very interesting tech conversation.
Hey guys! Love the videos as always. I know backcountry/touring is much of a focus on this channel, but could you guys possibly review the Atomic Hawk Ultra XTD 130? I’m looking for a 50/50 resort/backcountry boot and would love to see your guys opinion! No one does better reviews than you lads!
Really looking forward to your take on the Lange Shadow 130 LV.
I put about 5 days on the MV this season and thought it was very interesting. The power band starts a lot sooner in the turn, so initiation is very precise and early. Will certainly give it more of a run through next season.
This looks like it would be a good color match to the Stockli Montero AX/Salomon Strive 13 teal binding combo I purchased from you in March. But I'm afraid I'd have to kick my own butt if I intentionally matched all my equipment. Fortunately, I already picked up some Nordica HF Pro 120s to avoid the temptation - lol. I really enjoy all content the two of you publish! It was your chairlift chat on the Monteros that basically sold me on taking the Stockli plunge.
I hear you! I skied them with the Montero AR's a few days this year and while they didn't match perfectly like the AX's, I still felt on the upper-class side of the spectrum. Accidental matching is way better than purposeful coordination.
Looking good. They work well for you
It didn't take long to settle into these boots this year for sure!
They look really good.
Definitely a conversation starter in the lift lines!
Heard great things from a few people. Local dealer was raving about them and he carries other sweet boots.
Will have to try a pair on and ee if they have enough instep height for me
The minimalistic liner with the tongue adjustment should be okay for high insteps--it works well for me, and I cannot say that about a lot of boots.
Nice looking boots and great review! I bought a pair of Tecnica Mach1’s LV this year, which I’m really liking so far. How would you say these Kastles compare to the Tecnicas? Aside from the liners and color obviously, they look similar.
The Tecnica is more of a polished product from a consumer standpoint while the Kastle is more raw. Mach1's have multi-injections of plastics, softer in the instep, rigid in the spine, thinner in normal trouble zones, as well as a carbon arm in the rear of the cuff, so there's more "things" going on with the Tecnica. The Kastle skis more like a true race boot and is a stiffer 130 for sure.
I know you can't say which ski boot can fit someone, but I was wondering if you could say when reviewing boots whether the liner and shell can be tightened around the calf? As someone with small bone structure this is my main issue with finding ski boots that fit. Some boot straps really tighten up around the shin, others seem to just hold things in place.
It is difficult to say. This one specifically has such thick plastic in the cuff that it's difficult to tighten. The power strap cinches up nicely against the shin. Most low-volume boots also have narrower "throats" so if you're looking for a boot that fits snug up top, I'd suggest trying on some LV boots to see if they fit.
I’m excited for this to be an option, a mid-volume "plug" boot sounds deadly. I’ve been running K2 Recon Teams, Recon Pros and Mindbender 130s the past couple years and I’m wanting something a little more supportive (stiff…?) and damp, was thinking Dalbello DRS 140s with lots of fitting or next year’s Fischer RC4 MVs. If anyone has any other recommendations, I’d like to hear them!
Skier profile: 6’4, 245lbs, aggressive freeride skier. Riding midfat to fat skis as stiff and long as I can find, in mostly open terrain and choppy soft stuff. Love nukin.
Thx!
I'd keep this boot on the short list to try. Tecnica makes the Firebird 130, but that comes in a 96 mm last so would likely require some work. Nordica's Dobermann GP 130 also falls into the LV realm, but is a real-deal boot for aggressive skiing.
One thing is for sure, that's one sexy ski boot.
Truth.
when you tighten the top buckle and cinch the power strap to your boots do you leave room between the back of your calf and the cuff to allow more flex or is that area snug against the calf?
Not a lot of room, but I also added the rear spoiler to increase the forward lean, and that takes up some volume.
I've been asking bob about this boot for months. Perfect timing i'm stuck in the airport...😅
I've skied just about every kastle ski except for the z x (that will change in utah this season).... Can't wait to try the boots.
Any Insight into how these will fit a very flat foot ?
The ZX 100 is one of my favorites. The new 92 on the wall behind takes that quickness and swively nature to the next level. As far as fit is concerned, since it fits my high feet, I'd say there will be some room on top of your foot. That said, there are fit aids and shims that can help take up some volume. Aside from being in the right sized shell, it's still super-important to have a well-constructed custom foot bed for any boots. Some skiers who have unsupported flat feet find that they actually have an arch that needs to be propped up, and that the bone structure is just looser than others. Feet are very strange outside of ski boots, and when you put them in a cold plastic vice, things get even weirder.
Now a 92??!! I can't afford anymore Kastles!!😂😂 I've purchased 5pairs in 5 years!!!! ( Plus at least 8 other skis also)
And you guys aren't helping the situation..😂😂
Can't wait for that 92 review. Long format review hopefully..🙏
Would this be in the same category as the Tecnica Mach 1 130 MV?
Certainly the same category, and if I were building a boot wall for a retail store, they'd go right next to each other. The Tecnica has more "things" going on with it, including multi-injections of different stiffness in the plastics (softer over the instep and stiffer in the spine), pre-set punch/grind zones in both shell and liner, and a heat-moldable and grindable liner. These "things" take it a bit further away from the rugged plastic feel of the Kastle.
If my feet length is 287;288 mm, should I go for the 285 mm boot or the 290?
Definitely, definitely please see a boot fitter to get properly sized, evaluated, and try on boots.
What's a "Plug Boot"?
Basically a World Cup race boot with very thick plastic and a very narrow fit. They come with minimalistic lace-up liners and aren't even ready to ski out of the box because the toe and heel lugs aren't DIN certified so they won't just click into a binding. The goal here is for racers or skiers with extraordinarily narrow feet to get the plastic as close to the foot as possible by removing plastic from the inside of the shell.
Too late. Already sold my soul to the Redster devil.😢
As long as your boots fit and you're happy, then we're happy!