Scarpa T1 Telemark Ski Boot - 2008 BCS

I had an old pair of 3 buckle T Races with thermal liners. They were great, but with more than about two-hundred days on them, they started getting some holes in the bellows where my boots bumped and hit the skis. So, I scored a deal on the new T1's. Taking measures against boot knocking and wear on the contact points, I put a few gobs of Shoe-Goo on the 'hot spots.' This needs re-application every so often, but it keeps the boots fresh looking.The first day on these at the 'Bird was great. Much stiffer, and much more comfortable than the old T Races, which themselves were far better than the symmetrical flex T Races previous to those.I've since hiked to yurts, skied steep, deep, resort piste, park, and cliffs. They handle it all. Besides the performance on the down as well as the up-track, I like that I can put on all my ski gear, walk down the street, hitch a ride up the canyon, ski all day, and hitch back down, all with leaving my T1's on my feet. No blisters, no charlie-horses, just wearin' my ski boots. Of course, the funk level is off the charts with the boots, and they require a quarantine room with the boot dryers, but that's okay. Dryer sheets help with the odor, and some wine connoissuers rave about the the 'ski boot' aroma of their cabernet.All kidding aside, these are excellent boots and give my full endorsement. If you're going to be inbounds all the time, then the T Race might be a better choice, but if you don't want to kill your quads on the up, and frankenstein walk in the lodge/bar, than go for the T1.I forgot my T1's once at Alta, and had to borrow a pair of Garmont Energys, and couldn't get used to them. They felt loose, sloppy, and reminded me of a snowboard boot. They let my feet spread out a little, which was nice, but the performance wasn't there. If you like wearing Birkenstocks, and I know most of us hippies do, the Garmonts might be a better choice. For my money, though, it's all about the Scarpa T1.I formed the liner myself in a 265 F oven, and did a great job. If you're a cheap college ski bum like me, and don't want to take 'em into a shop to get formed, do some research on this first. Most places will form the boot liner for you, though, if you buy them from said shop.

After I finally tweaked the fit (with help from alpenglow) these boots make my feet happy. No longer do my toenails turn black, no longer do I dread turning right. This is my third pair of T-1's and were the hardest to get right. but boy-o-boy are they right now!

Great boot but agree they do not appear as durable a previous models I have skied on.

I don't know how galenparke cut through his boots with his skis, especially after only 20 times skiing with them. That's some wild stuff he's pulling. I've been using a series of T1s for years now, and I love them. They're stiff enough to connect turns with lightning speed when you want to impress people on the lift or snake crazy fast through the trees, but not so stiff that they force your tips down in 3 feet of Rocky Mountain cold smoke. And they don't twist at all for those crazy GS turns on the noon groom. And you can walk in them without looking like a fool the way alpine skiiers do since they flex enough to hike or skin in. They save my quads and make me ski like a pro. Fantastic.

I've heard people complain that this boot is too tall, too heavy, and/or too stiff for touring, but I beg to differ. Throw them in walk mode and buck up! What's a little discomfort or extra exercise on the way up the mountain when it results in uncompromising power and control on the way down? I've hiked through alpine meadows, across muskeg, through knee-deep mud, for miles on asphalt, and in every snow condition, and the Vibram soles grip on everything! I've skied on T1s for years, and each model gets better than the last. If you want to drive big skis with a traditional tele binding, do it in these boots! (I'm jumping on the NTN bandwagon this year, so I'm hoping that Scarpa figures out how to avoid the problems of the past in this year's model--if they don't, I'll be back in T1s in a heartbeat)

I need to add to my prior comment. I just spent 7 days touring in BC 8 hrs a day and I didn't get a single blister. I couldn't be happier with the Scarpa T1 and BD 01 combo. I was a Garmont boot wearer for years and Scarpa's new Intuition liner won me over.

I'm on my 3rd set of boots this season, and I have nothing but good things to say about my T1's. In particular, Scarpa's new Intuition liner is fantastic. I loved it in the Scarpa TX Pro (NTN boot) until I cracked those (warranty - thanks Scarpa!), and once I went back to my old Garmont Squadra's I had been sufficiently spoiled by the Scarpa Intuition liner that I decided to pick up a pair of T1's. Also, back in the day, 5 or 6 years ago, my feet would only fit in Garmont boots. Scarpa boots would crush my toes. Not the case any longer! It seems that with properly molded liners, just about anyone can wear these boots now. Enjoy!

If this boot fits your foot type, buy it. These will drive any ski in any condition and make you look good while doin it! They rip inbounds and in the backcountry. The bellows also have a better feel than the Garmonts. Why wear anything else!!!

I've had four different scarpas over the years. I've discovered that the plastic in the 08\09 t1 is pretty cheap. After just 20 days I rubbed a hole into the boot over my big toe. Scarpa rep told me it's because I've switched to a fatter ski and I'm hitting the boot with my ski. Maybe. However, I'm skiing the same ski I skied with the "bumble bee" and the "bumble bee" held up for 3 years. The plastic in the 08\09 is very soft and you WILL put a hole in the boot.

With feet that are very prone to blisters, the T1 has a great fit. I have high arches, narrow foot box, and boney heals. The moldable liners give comfortable fit. The boots feel as good after hour 12 as they do when you first put them on. T1s are not the lightest boot, but they drive a fat ski better than their lighter cousins.

I have loved these boots from day one. They are stiff, but still let you feel the snow beneath you. Weather you carve hard and fast, or ski the deep pow, these boots do it all. And the look killer, too. If they fit you, buy them.

I owned the original T1s and decided to upgrade. I am a size 13, which is a mondo 30.5. I found this blog about sizing tele boots: http://www.nstelemark.com/Telemark_Boot_Fitting.html. They basically say forget about the size charts and check your foot in the shell. If you have more than 1cm of room then it is too big. They also say that they should be uncomfortable before you heat fit the liners. Long story short, I also tried a 30, then a 29.5, the later had about a 1cm play in the shell, and were tight but wearable. Spending this amount of dough on some boots, I was a bit nervous. I'd always leaned towards buying my boots a bit bigger, and use socks and inserts to make up the difference. Well, I can say that after heat fitting, and then 4 days of straight resort skiing, they worked out GREAT.

I have only two minor complaints about the boot. There was no boot ring to snap my tether to. And, for some reason the buckles kept taking a nick out of my thumbs. One last tip, it is easy to over tighten these boots, so err on the side of loose.

Also kudos to Backcountry.com for taking back my rejects with free shipping. I would suggest that they really focus on getting sizing feedback on the different brands and providing sizing advice like the link above; so customers can make a better choice up front. For me, I settled on a size 12, when my foot is a size 13.

I just picked up the new T1 and I have to say its by far better then any other boot on the market. I've been in the T2X and Ener-g's and these blow them both away. (I still prefer my T2X for loooong tours and multi-day stuff.)

The comfort from the new Intuition liner incredible. Its a bit stiffer then the old Scarpa liners, so the fit is just as comfy, but with more responsiveness and I imagine they'll pack out less as well. Also, I did some home baking on my liners and they turned out fine. If you've never done this before it is best to go to a boot fitter.

One note is that these soles do lack the rocker of older T1's so if you are planning on doing longer tours I'd recommend one of those new fangled free pivot bindings.

Stop thinking and buy these, you'll not regret it.

well, i'm an up and coming telemarker (age 15), and have been doing it for two years now. This was the first boot i ever purchased and i don't think I will buy an other boot (unless the black diamond fit changes). The stiffness is great for my weight (130 lbs) and integrates well with the BD 01's and the Viole sx. Definitely a go-to boot when in doubt.

Make sure the fit is good (runs narrower than the garmonts)

These boots are great! I love the walk mode and although they are kind of on the heavy side you will appreciate the performance on the way down. This boot is perfect for inbounds as well as backcountry. I've used them from VT to AK and they always get the job done. You wont regret getting these boots.

I picked up a pair of these boots mid season last year. They were very comfortable, and can really tighten down when making demanding runs or racing. I choose to ski them just snug tight most of time, not wanting crush the liner completely. Unfortionatly after only 20 some times out skiing I have cut through the bellows with my ski edge. Scarpa will not cover this so once i am sick of wet feet it will be onto another pair of boots.

So I have noticed several knocks on my initial review, and thought it was only fair to provide another seasons worth of review. I made it through the season with the boots and just had to be rather religious about drying the liners after skiing. I looked at the competition; Garmont and Black Diamond do not provide as much protection to the bellows as does Scarpa. However Scarpa's plastic does wear down easier than Garmont's metal washers, obviously, but a replacement piece of plastic can be purchased. My solution has been to work on widening my stance, but this has mangled the pant cuffs. In bumps and chop all bets are off anyway. Telemark tip the wider stance has resulted in better inside ski control.

For backcountry skiing you really can't beat the Scarpa T1 Telemark Ski Boots. With the rockin' heat moldable Intuition Precision High liners you get a custom fit just for your foot.
If you're familiar with Scarpa's Mondo sizing you won't have any problems finding the perfect fit.

I just needed a larger size

These boots rock...If you want to stomp big landings in backcountry or rock the pow inbounds these boots deliver.