phillips

Easy road = cut it out. Got it, thanks! I figured mine was not the only one to do this...

My new Strada bindings (left over 2012 or 13, so new from sitting on a shelf for some time) have a white mesh liner of some kind of cloth material glued down in the toe-area or front 1/4 or so of the plate/flat surface. My guess is it was not glued down as well as it should be, from trying them on dry few times it has come unglued on my front binding and was starting to bunch up under up under the toes. I was about to try to get in there with super glue and put it back down, but kind of a hard are to work in without making a mess. Plus, if it's a porous material, seems like the glue will soak thru onto my fingers or whatever I'm using to hold down while the glue dries. I'm thinking of just cutting it out, cannot see why it's a key component unless it is supposed to facilitate release, as in helping the liner slide out by reducing friction in this area? As usual, I may be overthinking, but has anyone else gone the route of cutting this stuff out vs. re-gluing? Thanks!

Frankenwrench? niiice. My Stealth celebration may be short lived, just to update the group. I tried the size 11s on again and stood in them about 10-12 mins and my feet were both getting numb spots, just too tight. Mostly too narrow, which may have worked out with the heat molding, but also the angled toe box portion felt too short. The top of the boots make them look long enough, but the toe area angles upward and can't see that improving with heat molding. And can't risk to "try" the heat molding and then not be able to return them, too expensive for that. I think the size 12s would work fine, my feet are probably considered "wide" - get the 10.5 Wide new balance shoes at times. Even if they are little long in 12, the uppers would keep my feet from sliding pretty darn sure. However, being told there are no 12s available from same dealer and none from Connelly. At least not with a definite timeframe. Seems odd being May, will try to make some other calls, but if cannot find 12s I may be back to square one.

@GOODESkier, I bet it would be entertaining to video it, but not sure I'd want to post it! I have this feeling of impending doom for the first couple sets like I'll be lucky to get up at all. From what I've been told and read on here, it's like learning how to walk again, but in the end will force me to have better body position and help in the long run. That's my hope at least. For me, this will be a new ski with first run in hardshells, my performance goal will be to stay off the shore the first couple sets!

@MattP, I actually got back with the dealer I got them from with my fit concerns and he offered right away to get in touch with Connelly, so will try that route first. They have been helpful so far, so thought I'd check with them first. I did see that other thread previously, but the part of the boot he was re-shaping there was above the ankle on one side and I'm wondering if I can create just a little more width in the fofoot area, which seems like it will be harder to accopmlish, but will see what they say. @DanE, I'm glad to hear the Strada heat molding helped, you molded the whole boot, not just the liner then? I'm hoping I can do the same, but not sure if the lower portion of Radar's vs. these are similar materials. If I can pull it off to widen slightly, they will fit like a glove...or shoe I guess.

OK, couple more questions for those who have used these Stealths... Not trying to beat this dead horse, but now that I actually HAVE them, and have tried them on (living room floor), have couple follow ups: 1) Will they stretch out at all with use and/or the heat molding process? Or is that just to remove "pressure points" as needed? My initial impression was they were going to be too small going in for the first time, then my ankles slid past the narrow part of the opening and foot dropped in all the way and felt comfortable, except for the width. I have just enogh toe room to fit like a pair of shoes, but side-to-side they are tighter thean I'd like, enough to make your foot feel like it may cramp up between pull ups. I'd be curious to try a size 12, but PITA to buy another set knowing I'll be shipping one back, and the length is fine, just have wide feet I guess. Don't mind doing the heat molding if it will help the forefoot area expand a little, but the carbon/lower portion looks like it was molded and very rigid. Also once I do that, I lose the option to return for a larger size... 2) Was there a manual shipped with these things? I found the one online but it is pretty generic and does not go into how to take them apart to prepare to heat mold, etc... I'm assuming the foot pad piece pulls out and gives access to the screw heads, but mine are in there pretty tight. Didn't want to find out too late they are adhesive backed, etc... Do I need any special tools to disassemble and adjust thest things, or screwdriver and allen wrench, etc..? Guess I could call Connelly tomorrow, but thought I'd ask here from those with experience. Overall think I will be very happy with them. They seem very well made and after a couple practice runs I think I can get used to the laces. The front laces seem like they are a challenge to get tight because of the way the outer tongue is attached at the bottom of the lace, but at the same time the laces don't need to be very tight down there as the upper "keepers" hold tension and the final buckle keeps pressure around the ankle also. There will definitely be no slop and will be "one" with the ski. Thanks in advance!

Thanks @G00DESkier, agreed that none of the choices out right now seem best in all categories, but have to choose something. If I end up hating these boots after a season, maybe I'll bolt some shells to the plate, who knows...

OH, and after all that, forgot to mention that I ordered my Stealths and plate today, so will be able to at least try them on next week in the comfort of my living room and get a real first impression. Will probalbly play with some adjustments before trying to heat them, leaving open the return option, just in case. Next step is to get the boat out of storage... Thanks for all the feedback on this topic that helped me feel good about this, so far!

@GOODESkier - here is my take on what the pros are using. It is interesting to keep a mental score of who is using what, wether at a pro tournament or local/regional gathering just to see what, if anything, is new and how they like it, why they made that choice if you get a chance to ask. However, it has little effect on steering my purchase decisions for couple of reasons... a) If they are at sponsorship level with a ski company, they are going to be limited in what kind of bindings they put on that ski and represent the brand. In my world, I'm putting these bindings on an HO, so initally looked at some Apex wanting to make the move to hard boots of some kind for control gains. Not becasue I'm sponsored, (ha, not even someday) but just to keep the same brand, hole patterns, etc. I looked enough to not like the APEX design for several reasons, primary is the need to release without the liner (ala Stradas). Also, to your point, of all the HO skis you do see being used by big names, don't see many, if any APEX. I have not read their contract, but assume its NOT considered a conflict to put other bindings on that HO ski as long as the bindings are from a "binding company" that does not sell skis. The Stealth are Fogman based, but considered a Connelly product. The only chance you have seeing them on a big name pro-skier is a Team Connelly / Prophecy skier, no matter who on a HO/Radar/D3/Goode ski may secretly tell you they like the stealth design. Reflex, Fluid Motion, Fogman before the joint venture would be fair game, but not gonna see any pros putting Connelly boot system on another brand ski, unless they are doing it out of sight and considering changing skis also. I don't have this constraint unless ski companies start looking to sign middle-age wannbe athletes that ski 2X per week (in season) in the midwest. So, I put more stock in the folks opinions on this site who have used these things for 1+ seasons and what they have liked, not liked when making my list of pros/cons. b) Most "pro-level" sponsored skiers, even while skiing at much shorter line lenghts than I will ever be, are so damn good at their craft that they are much less likely to make the mistakes that I will, sending myself out the front (or some variation). When there is a crash at 36 mph and 41 off, it can be a bad one for sure. But the pros you are probably observing are too smart about their skiing ability to get into trouble on those passes, save for rare exceptions of course. Plus their bodies (any pro athlete) are more resistent to injuries than mine. They take 32 off as a warmup and stroll thru the next 3 or 4 passes after that like a walk in the park. That ain't me, and especially trying out new skis the next few seasons I am MUCH more likely than any sponsored skier to do something stupid to cause one of those critical falls we all dread and therefore think the release system is #1 consideration followed by comfort and control in deciding factors. Meant to explain my perspective there earlier, but then the topic surfaced again...

@Lucas, you mean the nickles (coins) under the back boot? Seems like that is what some others have used anyway to lift your inside edge of rear foot for more natural stance?

@Lucas, thanks for the extra info. Just curious about the "right position" comment. You mean after heat molding, or just foot position within the boot? Wondering why would not be comfy sitting in the water between passes? @gator1, thanks for the rest of the backstory. I can certainly understand being tentative with your history, and cool design for sure. Amazing what one can do with couple boot laces and dog collars and some ingenuity. I wonder how it fits with the PS's but I'm sure there's a thread and photos for that elsewhere. Your opinion / knowledge of these release systems is appreciated as I am trying to keep my ankles all-original and surgery free going forward.

Thanks for another round of helpful replies. Well, mostly... @JJR, if I can have them off after dropping before the goat gets back to me, I would be at least accomplished enough to not take crap from the boat driver with Reflex system or Goode, so that helps. And I hear you about the Prophecy, but that's not on this years "to get" list and I really want to give the HO a season or 2. Besides, the plate is being discounted along with the boots, and if I go this route, would be great to be able to throw it on another ski in the future, even if I end up later with a Prophecy. @gator1, thanks for the tips also. I can see if the lace cords get tangled would be a mess and then having to get on the platform to get undone, or at least pull off gloves to feel around and get untangled. All a time killer more than anything. If these boots just had the liners and buckles of the PS's seems like the best combination. But, laces vs. healthy ankles is not a very tough call I suppose. Also, I've only read enough on your mod to be dangerous, but am wondering if you had some close calls with this system before you added it? I realize nothing is fool-proof and guaranteed safe, but with this type of relaease, and your mention of the front foot tongue stiffner to aid in release when taking an OTF fall, I would think a release would happen before the critical moment unless the release is adjusted too heavy? Also, not heard about the Boa lace system, but when looked online, there are a couple of gloves out now that use that or similar, right? That would be pretty cool, even tightness from set to set and no more tangled cords...and since you are all about the style, let me know when you get that worked out!

@ Lucas, thanks for the feedback, good to hear from someone that atcually uses these things for over a year. Although, looks like you are on a Connelly ski, so you don't need the adapter plate I guess, like I would. I don't mind the plate and it would make it simple to move the whole mess to another ski if I had the chance to demo somthing else, but wonder if the plate screws with the ski/flex etc.. probably a non-issue. Glad to hear you can get them off OK, assuming you just learned to unlace them blindly, under the water? Do you feel like pre-release is an issue, or they only come off when you have wanted them to? Comfortable for an entire set? @ Chef23, might be worth the hassle is what I'm thinking also. Bottom line is I'm only putting these things on 2 or 3 times per day. More if they release I guess, but even it it takes couple additional minutes, not a big deal for me. For the boat driver on a hot day, yes, but not for me. Esp if I know the release is tried and true. Will let you know soon since you offered the single strada to help out...appreciate it.

@BlueSki, that seems unfair. I only have trouble flip flops after a couple sets, totally different thing. Although the end of the set is supposed to be "easy" to pull the ski off and climb back in, and this does not sound easy. You are probably just nervous that I'll have to climb back on that fiberglass platform of yours with a ski on, leaving a trail of chips and scratches. At least I would be. The guy with 2014 Power shells emailed me back, now there is another option. At least whatever I end up with, won't have to bring soap along any more I suppose.

Thanks @Horton, had not found your (short) review. I did see a thread about re-forming the shells if needed to remove pressure points, but not your original review. It kinda confirms my fear that they will feel super stiff, esp for me coming from rubber wraps. But, I'm sure if you use them long enough to get used to them the added ski control would be great. Also, found your comment interesting about having to get back on the platform to get them off - never even tried that, yikes. After a release would make sense, but with the ski still on, never tried it. Would have to figure that part out. Love the release system, just not sure about the tall, challenging boots. I'm wondering if they did not have the Stealth Adapter plate when you used them on the 2012 Prophecy? Part of the appeal to me now is with that plate, you could move the whole assembly easily to any ski with inserts, but it does add another layer of aluminum... Thank much...Geoff.

I realize I have another thread going about Strada feedback... But in all of my online searching, I found some "last years" Stealth bindings at fairly attractive pricing and even in the correct size and foot-forward orientation for me. The search for Strada's is still on, but if I have to go to the 2014 version to get a matching pair, then we are at the same price as the Stealth now, which I didn't expect. Plus the Stealth adapter plate to avoid drilling my ski, but was glad to find out they have that... Basically, I like the release design and thought of the boots being on a mono-plate. I have never suffered an angle or knee injury from lack of release, but have some friends who have had issues in various bindings and putting ankles back together. I've only had rubber high-wraps until now, so wonder about the adjustment factor since these boots look so tall and rigid. Only seen some limited feedback that they take "some getting used to" but not sure I've seen any feedback from anyone that has used them for a season or longer. Some things that come to mind, how does the vinyl covering hold up to the elements? How stinky does it get in there without removable liners? I see some vent holes in front, but still wonder if they need to be hosed out with soapy water every so often, etc... If you use the adapter plate, does it affect the ski flex any more than if were mounted on a Connelly ski? Ease of entry/exit compared to Radars? As always, thanks for any feedback. At least I feel like I have this narrowed down to couple choices now.

@chef23, I was thinking that only a left would not be of much help, but believe it or not my online searching today led me to last year's right boot in size 11, and I think it's even on a rear plate, which is what I would need. That place did not have any lefts, so your supplement may make a pair if you can part with one. Just curious if it is new/never worn, and what year yours are? I think they had one in 2013 (all black) as well as a 2012 when they had the silver check mark on the sides. I'm still fairly new to this forum, but will look for an email or PM if better to ask more and what you want for yours - Thanks. Still curious about the Stealths as found a good price on that setup also, but guessing I'll need to start another thread for that to get replies, and the Strada's would still be my first choice to keep it simple and cheaper.

Wow, thanks for the replies thus far. Could not get on here during work today so got even more than expected when I did get back on later. I'm glad I asked because I was close to buying a set of the 12's to get the clearance price and would have regretted them being too large in the end. @chef23, do you have a matching set of size 11 boots/plates? I may drop you a separate note about that or let me know... And will keep the search on for 11's for now. In an interesting twist, while looking for the Stradas in my size tonight, I came across a set of new (last year's) Connelly Stealth's that are in the correct size and LFF orientation that would work out to be the same price as a set of new Vapors (current strada). Had not looked at the Stealths too closely due to the normal list price, but it's intriguing now. I realize I would also need their adapter plate or make my own version to use the anchors in the ski, adding some cost, but do so like the thought of 2 boots fixed to a single release mechanism, and at an affordable price. What worries me is the boots themselves, they just look so tall and rigid, but I understand that creates the increased control, etc. Anyone have first hand knowledge of Stealth's or would I need to start a new post to pickup those folks? For instance, do they get stinky from summertime lake water since you can't pull the liners out? Thanks again.

I picked up a 2012 HO Coef X SL this winter and looking for binding options now that skiing is only a calendar page away. I would consider some other options (Goode shells, but not at new pricing, possibly Connelly Stealth), but have kinda zeroed in on the Stradas as a good option. Mostly because they are reportedly very comfortable, responsive, and if you can fine 2012/13 models in the correct size and mounting plate, are priced right. This is part of the problem, not having tried them on in person, I'm wondering how they run compared to shoe size? I wear 10.5 in most shoes, 11 in Asics running shoes (just shopped for those recently). Can't seem to find size 11 in the attractively priced last years stuff. I can find 10 and some 12. I recall reading that it's good to leave them a little on the loose side anyway so they will release if needed, but don't want them to be so loose my feet are sloppy inside, defeating the design aspect of making the ski react, etc... Any tips in how these fit with the intuition liners is appreciated. Or other suggestions, welcomed also. Thanks.