Black Diamond Stiletto Telemark Ski Boot - Women's - 2008 BCS

There should be a D-ring on the middle of the lowest buckle.

BD shells are sized on the half size. So, 25.0/ 25.5 share the same shell size (25.5 in this case).

My previous boot was a Men's Scarpa T1 (because they didn't make women's boots). The Stiletto was considerably more narrow at the ball of the foot. Never got toe pinch with T1. Haven't had toe pinch in the Stiletto either, howeve the instep is lower in the Stiletto and there's a strap over the instep also.

Scarpa's are traditionally more narrow than Garmonts. People say that they either have a Scarpa foot, or a Garmont foot. It's not that Scarpas are super narrow, it's just that Garmonts are WIDE! BD boots fall somewhere in between- although there is more room in the heel. That isn't to say that any foot size could fit into any boot, but I would recommend Scarpa boots over any other, just because I think they're the best, performance wise.
Toe pinch sucks! I got new T1's and have never had toe pinch happen yet. The a-symmetrical flex is ergonomic and lends to a more natural turn, too. The fit of Scarpas always seemed better to me, because my foot doesn't move around inside. It's a good idea to have someone custom mold the foot liners for you, too, which will ensure an even better fit, and long-term comfort. Happy turns. Enjoy!

All 75mm Duck bill telemark boots are compatible with all telemark bindings except the NTN.
Black Diamond 01, 02, 03- G3 Targas, Ascent, T9, Elle, Roxy-22 Designs Hammerhead, Bombshell, Lite Dogs, Axl-Voile Hardwire, CRB, Switchback, 3 Pin Cable/Hardwire-Rottefella R8, Cobra-Bomber Bishop...
However, because these are a womens boot, they have a slightly smaller heel cup and will fit tighter in a womens specific binding such as the G3 Elle/Elle Ascent, 22 Designs Bombshell, etc.

Definitely.

On rocker vs. flat, I prefer the rocker. I have found this boot to be more difficult to bend that my T1s. This flat bottomed boot is quite stiff, and with it already flat, you have that much more effort each turn, before you are in a good tele stance. My favorite thing to do is ski bumps at Mary Jane (Winter Park Resort Colorado), and these boots take more strength for the fast weight transfers that bump skiing requires. I will most likely go back to a T1 when my Stilettos wear out.

I found the same as rachelr above on sizing. My T1 was a 24. When I tried a Stiletto 24, I couldn't begin to get my foot in! The 25.5 was the right Stiletto size for me.

First, for anyone considering this boot... I really recommend trying it on before buying it!! I wear a 7.5 shoe, and the 24.5 fits me perfectly.

FWIW, I tried on the Stiletto in a 24 at my local shop. I wear a size 8 street shoe as well. In Scarpa I wear a 24. The Stiletto in 24 was too small for -- but it was too small on the instep, not in terms of length that I recall. The liner just really pushed down on the top of my foot. Its possible I just have the wrong shape of foot for these boots. I'm thinking of trying on a 24.5 (they only had it in 24). The plastic shell is the same for both of those sizes, and it was a good length for my foot. So I'd try a 24.5 if I were you...If you have a small volume instep try the 24.

03 would be too soft, but I ski a freeflex small on 02 and also a midstiff on 02, and they work fine in the resort setting. I think the mid stiff is actually better. But I think the "ridiculously" stiff would be way too much work and take too much strength...unless you are racing or skin in deep heavy powder only. This is from a 115 lb 5'3" mostly tele bump skier.

Waaaay too stiff. If you're determined to stick with these boots, go for the Black Diamond 02 binding, using probably the Rid Stiff cartridges. Maybe if you're under about 120 pounds go for the Mid Stiff, but even those might not be stiff enough. If, on the other hand, you already have Freeflex O3s and want to get boots to match that level of aggression, go for the Axis or the Trance, or even the Scarpa T2 or T3.I would disagree, I ski these boots on the BD O1 with the free flex and LOVE it (I weigh a lot more then 120lbs and have it mounted on the 07-08 Verdicts). The boot is stiff but the flex of the bellow isn't overly stiff. With the 03 you may be better off with a mid stiff, but if these boots fit you well then try it and it's only something like $40 to get a new set of cartridges if you want something more active.

Certainly, it's just crunch time right before the holidays.

Nope, too stiff.

The Trance would be a better intermediate boot.