Black Diamond Factor Alpine Touring Boot - Men's - 2008

I agree with Will's review. The 3rd day on these things, the first small jump that I landed switch - the boots broke and were permanently on walk mode. That's absolutely ridiculous for a $720 boot made for the "hardest chargers" to break the first time I land switch. I am also a large skier (225 lbs), but gimme a break, the way these boots were described, it sounded like they were the burliest boots money could buy, yet I was able to trash them in 3 days. On the positive side, the boots were comfortable and had the stiffest flex I could find that wasn't a race fit (98mm last or smaller). If these boots were actually able to hold up when people are "charging hard" on them (as they described) then they would be perfect. BD has a lot of things to work on and now depending on the warranty, I could have just flushed a lot of money down the toilet for a whole lot of hype.

I assume if you are reading these reviews, you are looking for a touring boot with downhill performance superseding lightness and wearability. If this is all you are looking for, stop now and purchase the Factors. I put on Garmont Adrenalines and Dynafit ZZeuss, but found the Factors to top them both with greater stiffness in all directions of flex. For one, the Factor comes up on the shin as high as a downhill boot, which I feel makes the biggest difference over something like the Adrenalines, which are stiff but short. I'm tall (6' 3"), so I can really torque on these wimpy AT boots, and thus its easy to feel like I dont have enough control over my tips when the boot stops a 1/4 of the way up my shin. The other great thing about these boots, is they actually have a better tour mode (greatest range of motion, forward and back) then any of the other boots I tried on as well. Quite ironic, given they are by far the stiffest. Those who serious about touring know that this can be a limiting factor when climbing. No these are not the lightest, but I've been out for 8h plus tours and have been nothing but happy (not tired) with this very highly performing boot. That said, these are STILL AT BOOTS!! Don't let the ridiculous descriptions of these boots fool you. You will not be landing 60 footers switch without doing some damage. These are still designed with backcountry capabilities in mind (softer plastic, lightweight buckles), so dont trick yourself. They do however ride better than anything else in the backcountry.
I feel I need to respond to a few other reviews: The Boa system is guaranteed; but if it did break, it wouldn't matter (unlike what Tyler says). The shell of the boot if independent of "wire".
Ok, ill shut up now...

I am 5'11" 160 lbs and do a lot of side country and a little back country skiing. I got the Factors because I like a good stiff boot but they are definitely not a 130 flex. I have a set of Salomon Comp Pros that are 90 flex and they feel stiffer than the BD. All and all though I have been very happy with the Factors. They respond well on my fat BD Verdicts and also on my slim RX8's. The BOA system is cool but I am not sure it really adds performance to the boots. Out of the box fit is pretty good and if you have a narrow heel the liner hold you in place well. I switched out the foot beds for a better set which I'd suggest for anyone with the Factors. The walk mode works better then I expected.

"The Factor is built for the hardest of hard chargers who run it wide open on blower pow, send 30-footers to hardpack and pull 60 mph staight lines" -skibdboots.com

3 mode switches annihilated with the exact same breaking point. 5 days on them, got them fitted and ground out so i can't return them, urgh. i say boo to bd.

So everyone is always looking for an AT boot, that is stiff and flexes like an alpine boot. Well kudos to BD for giving us what we want. A 130 flex provides a super stiff responsive boot. This boot is awesome as an everyday resort boot, or as a touring boot. Other boots have better walk modes, but this one's is more than adequate. The boa system on the inner boot is cool in concept but makes for a major pain when trying to take the boot off. Overall, BD nailed it, and you couldn't ask for a better, more solid touring boot. Intuition liner would have been a nice touch. Oh well...no one is perfect.

the boot itself is cool and the fit seems good, but not for a wide foot. the weight was another factor its a bit on the heavy side, but i'm assuming their target market is resort skiiers. so that should not be a problem for them, but an extra pound or two really starts to hurt on longer tours. the wire that tightens the boot seems that it could break easily and then the boot would essentialy not work. its feels like weak plastic and a hard fall or something could compleatly take it off. i guess this winter we'll all get a better idea of how well it works out.
glad to see BD making boots, i'll def be getting a 2nd gen pair.

I loved this boot, however, for my 90% in bounds and 10% out, it simply wasn't stiff enough for steep stuff, or bumps. Unresponsive compared to my Nordica SpeedMachine 14's. 130 flex is brand specific.
Probably around 80-to 100.

Nice wide fit, fits pretty similar to the 27 Salomon Course from a few years ago (pre-spaceframe honeycomb). Stiff forward flex, very stiff side to side, and excellent support rearward with the spoiler and tall, stiff liner. BOA system doesn't do much while skiing, but while skinning it allows you to undo the buckles, and the liner stays tight to your foot (= no blisters). Boots are noticeably heavy while skinning, but its a trade-off I'm willing to make for the first touring boot I've ever used that skied (mostly) like an alpine boot. Skinning on flat ground I notice that the cuff release doesn't allow the cuff to go beyond vertical. This is much less noticeable on steep skin tracks.

I've got some insiders @ B.D. They held production back to iron out the kinks.
The boa cable is 2-3 times stronger than was necessary for the stress produced and shouldn't be a problem.
Looking forward to beating the hell out of em in bounds in the Cottonwoods, and out of bounds as well.
Will report soon.

The boot skis very well, with excellent power transfer in all directions... however, it doesn't provide much in the way of forward lean in the cuff, and the stiff flex prevents you from driving your knees forward to get into that more athletic stance. The BOA system is a nifty gimmick but is unnecessary. One thing that is useful about it, however, is that the liners have rubberized soles, so the BOA keeps them on your feet for lounging in huts and such. I got my boots heat-molded, but it didn't really help the fit. Granted, I've got huge clunky feet with no arches and I'm used to wearing Scarpa T1 tele boots with Intuition liners, but these particular heat-moldable liners just aren't as good. One other thing I would warn prospective buyers of is that the rubber on the boot soles is rather soft. So far I've bootpacked about 600 vertical on scree and the rubber is already pretty torn up. Fortunately, replacement soles are available.

3 days of touring and 4 days of skiing and these boots rock. I took two pairs (Lange Freestlye) of boots and skiied on mt x factors the whole time. I tried on the radium and Axom before buying the X factor. I love the actual flex in walk mode, and super stiff in ski mode. I'm 6 foot 210 skier that wanted a stiff boot, but one that would actually flex and be comforatble in walk mode...I found them!!! Hope they hold up.

I have had my factors for two weeks and have 6 days on them. I am 5'11" 180. Three days waist deep pow squaw and 3 days packed powder CO vail. Last boots were Lange comp fr 120. Currently ride on a pair of 175 Armada ARV w/dukes. These boots took two 30' drops and all day <15' drops in pow for 3 strait days with no complaints. They also held up to all day bumps and mornings frozen bumps @ vail. This boot does not feel like a 130 more like a 100 or 110. The walk mode is epic. Makes you not want to take the boot off end of day at the bar. Many have talked crap about this boot. It is not going to break just by flexing. If you have any concerns just look at the Backcountry.com return policy. With AT there are two options Scarpa or BD. I have not tried the Scarpa boot so cant comment. So far i would not hesitate to recommend the BD factor. Just make sure you have BC.com backing your purchase due to other 1st gen complaints.

The recent 2nd Gen. reviews have me second guessing my purchase, however I (5'10", 175 lbs.) am loving these boots. I am not a park guy, but I like the bumps, trees and touring. I haven't had the chance to do a signficant tour yet, but the mobility and comfort is amazing (I'll check back in when this happens). They seem to be plenty stiff both front to back and laterally. I had Solomon X-Wave 10s before these seem to be just as capable. One thing to consider is where you buy these from. I am psyched to be able to ski these with no worries as I bought them through Backcountry.com and they are guaranteed no matter what.

Not sure about all these negative reviews, but I have been super stoked on these boots. I am average to small size (5'10", 165lbs) and come from an alpine racing background. I ski aggressively, hit airs, ski switch... all that sh!t and I've had no problems with durability or flex. The flex is certainly not like a race boot, and flex index's are notoriously unreliable--but these are noticeably stiffer than my 110 flex Salomons. Definitely not a slipper. They are also quite comfy. The Boa is killer and while I was worried about it breaking, no problems there so far. Besides, obviously nobody wants their new gear to break, but I'd be shocked if BD doesn't stand by ANY of their products, especially something as big as a new boot line. Worst case scenario, you warranty and likely get that 2nd gen that everyone's spraying about.

I had the factors for 3 days before a bucklel fell off I gotem fixed and 3 days later the ski/walk switch fell off one of the boots. They are good boots if you can afford a new pair once a week otherwise dont waste your money

Well,
I was stoked to get a pair of AT boots that would be stiff enough, and constructed to cater to more agressive backcountry skiing, while still allowing the ability to access some remote places. There are several design issues I noticed that I did not consider while trying them on and fitting them.
There is a plastic molding around the bottom buckle that sheds snow so that the buckle does not come undone while skiing,arguably quite useful, could save a few buckle replacements, the only issue is that the buckle is impossible to open with gloves on because of it.
The snow guard glued to the inner overlap of the shell to prevent snow from getting in has come almost completely undone after about 1.5 hours of skiing on them, and the shell has also worn away at the lining on the boa cable.
I have personal issues with the way the liners have packed out, and the fit of the boot, but my feet are already f***ed so ill stay away from those criticisms.
My first time sort of skiing in these boots was a midnight parking lot snow pile session where i came down from around 6-8 feet trying to land switch and my tails caught, which sent me into a singular slo-mo tomahawk, not a super bad crash, but decent, and something i would expect the most gnarly and over-hyped AT boots ever made would be able to deal with. After that one hit, which was preceded by two straight airs on that jump, being the only snow time they have had, both boots were permanently stuck in walk mode. To the credit of the boots, I am also a big kid, 210 lbs, 5'11", and have "thunder thighs". Even so, i have never seen even low end equipment deteriorate so quickly. Now i have to piddle around with my local shop and figure out whether i can get a fix, a new pair, or if im screwed with a pair of brand new $700 broken boots.
Furthermore, 130 flex? F*** you BD, thats 110, if that. The only thing that keeps me from collapsing forward onto my toes is the fact that the lower cuff buckle and the upper shell buckle hit each other (and are consequently bending), stopping me from flexing any further, and thus creating an inconsistent and abruptly interrupted flex.
Being larger than the average skier, my critisisms might be taken with a grain of salt, but consider that i literally trashed these things in 15 minutes dropping 6-8 feet onto a 15 ft. loose granular snow pile, on a pair of fat, mid-flex skis.
Some people may be quite happy on this boots, sweet, good for you. Personally, my suggestion to BD is to drop thier ski boot line and maybe consider entering the high performance bedroom slipper market. These boots are to freeride as K2 skis were to racing (complete joke), before they axed their comp division altogether.
suck it BD

BD just doesn't seem to make solid gear any more. I was in the shop trying on different boots and so I figured I'd try on the Factors. I buckled in, leaned forward and heard a snap. The shop guy and I looked at each other, then looked down and saw the walk mode had just broken. This problem has been reported by others. I just won't buy anything more from black diamond until someone else has done the real-world testing.

These boots are one of the most comfortable boots ive ever put on. They fit a wide range of foot types, which is key when looking for some new boots. The BOA system in this boot holds your foot in place so your not sliding around. Flip a little clip and you can hike in these super easy. These boots are AMAZING!