Salomon S-Lab Skate Pro and Madshus Terrasonic Skate NIS

Does anyone have any thoughts on this combination?

I've been classic skiing and want to start skating so I'm looking for some gear. I work and live in the mountains, ski touring, trekking, climbing, snow shoeing and so on so I'm fairly fit and I get to be out a lot.

I wanted to skip buying beginner gear, I can't really justify buying anything that would basically last me a couple of weeks so I wanted to jump in to a reasonable level.

The main reason I picked these though is I can get a deal on them and they look about right for what I want but I don't know much about skating gear.

xcskiforum 10K Joined: 21 Jan 2010 Posts: 17

I'd suggest for carefully trying the boots before buying, the S-labs have bit different fit to rest of the range due less padding and more rigid plate on top of the lacing. I was going to get the S-labs but RS Carbons fit me so much better and are much warmer.
I'd like to have the newest version of the sole (front bars set behind toes) but other than that I have zero complaints from RS Carbons after three years of use.

Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 6:10 am Post subject :

The S-Lab is plenty warm for me down to -15C or so if I'm skiing hard. It's a great boot. I like to eave the inner boot loose because I like circulation. :)

Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 7:24 am Post subject :

darn

the deal was mail order, having some other Salomons in the same size and assuming the fit was the same for the RS Carbon I thought it would be safe to buy mail order. It's so hard to find any stores around here to try anything on really.

Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 1:49 pm Post subject :

I had the opposite opinion on the S-Labs as Mark M. In both skate and classic, the S-Labs fit me better than any other boot, by far. I have tried the RS Carbons and do not like the extra padding. It feels like it's squishing my feet too much.

I also think they are quite warm. I rarely have chilly feet with them once I get going.

Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 2:08 pm Post subject :

Another vote for S Labs!

I finally broke down and got new boots after thousands of miles on an old pair of 1st generation Pilot boots (yellow & black). I tried on both the Pro (with the buckle) and regular S Labs. The buckle felt like a bit of overkill, but the "plain" version fit like a glove. I have short, wide feet, so I was a bit surprised at the toe room.

I admit my old boots were shot (soft), but the new ones are way more supportive and much lighter. I can feel the difference having the toe bar a bit further back as well. The handling around corners felt a bit awkward at first, but I'm quickly getting use to it.

Would buy again, especially at $279 CDN Very Happy

kaNUK

Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 3:11 pm Post subject :

thanks, you're both saying there's quite a difference in fit so I shouldn't assume because one fits me that the other will.

good stuff, it's worth knowing so I'm glad I asked Smile

xcskiforum 10K Joined: 21 Jan 2010 Posts: 17

Well it is not an opinion, the RS Carbons just fit my feet better - which one is a better boot is different thing. :)
The padding on RS's is not a problem after thermofit process as it compresses quite much.
Anyway, the tip is to try before buy but if "ise" can get good price on the set it might be worthwhile to take the risk. It's always possible to get rid of the shoes by eBay with minimal financial loss.

Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 3:38 am Post subject :

well, this has worked pretty well for me actually Smile

I think I might well have ordered the gear already but it was enough to know the fit was different to make me pause. In the pause I've discovered there's another internet store which matches the prices I saw but they have a real store just over the border in Les Rousses.

Les Rousses is the next village from Bois d'Amont where Jason Lamy-Chappuis lives who just got Gold at Vancouver in the 10km individual normal hill, I thought there had to be some decent stores over there, there's a strong nordic scene. Just as soon as I've unloaded the dishwasher I'll pop over Smile

I'll be on those new skis and in the boots by this afternoon I reckon !

Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 3:18 pm Post subject :

I can definitely concur that the fit on the S-Labs is different from the RS Carbons now I've tried them both. I think I'd have been happy with the S-Labs but I tried some Fischer RCS Carbonlites which were a better fit again so I went for those.

Thanks for the help there, the feedback made me look a bit harder for somewhere I could try them so it's worked well.