The Unique Flex of Full Tilt Boots and Why it is Better for Skiing

[@CTPerez916]

I picked up a pair from a barely used pair from a ski-tech at Squaw for $40 2 weeks ago. At first, the design had me wondering what I just got into. But once I figured it all out, and skied with them - I became an instant fan - super snug AND comfortable. Elevated my ski technique in one day.

[@jjwhite1733]

I wore out 2 pairs of Raichle Flexon Comps back in the 80's. I'm back on the Full Tilts now. Same boot better liner. I have a low volume narrow foot and they're perfect for me.

[@KA-ne2et]

How exactly would you say it elevated your skiing? Very interested in learning more … about this boot

[@kpgc1234]

I got the women's boot 2 years ago- best boot ever- great control and comfort. No more shin bang!!!! I only get 1 ski vacation a year[live in FL now] and can't build up shin toughness in that short a time. This allows me to get out and ski all day the entire vacation.]

[@FullTiltBoots3Piece]

So great to hear! We pride ourselves in making feet happy .. if you could write a review on the site it will help spread the FT love! en-us.fulltiltboots.com/product/plush-6/review

[@kpgc1234]

Will do.

[@lyf45mo]

That design was Raichle Flexon Comp in the 80's,I had the Red Billy Johnson boots then later got the lime green boots.Best fitting boot ever!

[@MisterE103]

Those ridges along the fronts are genius!, simple and totally makes sense as far as even flexing

[@robbieevans6536]

Had to modify them for width but I always loved the way my Raichles skied, but if I got in the backseat especially landing a big air. they would bruise my shin bone I think due to the ripples and I could only add some sort of donut type padding to deal with it....I also skied with the large forward leaning wedge accessary in the back although it seemed most people I knew preferred no wedge at all for mogul skiing....these boots were also sensitive to temperature concerning the stiffness..When it was really cold I would ski with the top buckle loose....I tried the R stiff tongues at one point just out of curiosity and one of them shattered...Another plus about these boots is that they are the best boots to hike and climb in.

[@TheFreddieFoo]

I had these, and I thought they were the best, until I got fitted with my touring boots and they made me realize of ancient the FT boots were.

[@GabeClendenning]

These boots are my savior, great product and styling

[@kizersosai9278]

Not only did Raichle, do this back in the 1980’s. I think there was a boot called the Grinter. or something like that. Manufactured by Caber,. Which was on sale in the mid 1970’s

[@patrickchase5614]

The Full Tilt _is_ the Raichle Flexon. Eric Giese (the guy who's interviewed starting at 0:12) was one of the 3 principal inventors of the Flexon. When Raichle folded K2 bought the molds and IP, and created Full Tilt as a sub-brand to market the boot, until the brand was re-absorbed into the corporate mothership in 2022. The Full Tilt boots are now sold as "K2 Fl3x". So Full Tilt can claim to be the "original" 3-piece boot because of that lineage to the Flexon. In other surprising connections, one of the other inventors of the Flexon was Sven Coomer, who was also responsible for the Nordica Grand Prix (an profoundly influential 4-buckle design), Superfeet footbeds, ZipFit liners, and a bunch of other stuff. I'm quite sure that Spaulding (Caber was a sub-brand) didn't bring a 3-piece boot to market before the Raichle Flexon hit the market in 1981.

[@sir_bumpalot]

I still ride my ~20 years old raichle racing boots.

[@sir_bumpalot]

I bought a pair of FT classics last year, but with the hardest tongue since i am a good rider with 100 kg. I love them.

[@plee1757]

I had the Raichle Comp and skied with them for 20 years as well. The liners were so worn that they were literally held together by duct tape but still loved skiing on them. Years ago I decided buy new boot that was 2 piece and I never could get them to work like my old Raichle boot. Last year I bought the Full Tilt Classic and it fit exactly like my old Raichle. I love skiing on them and hope to ski on them for the next 20 years or till I die of old age, which ever comes first.

[@sir_bumpalot]

@@plee1757 Sounds like my story. My Raichle broke 3 years ago so i tryed some Head Raptor. It wasn't a pleasure... So i decided for the FT classic.

[@zachjwpark]

@@sir_bumpalot I'm a year late to this post. But that is exactly what happened to my Raichle Triflex alao. So I decided to try two piece boots because I didn't know the Raichle legacy was carried on with Full Tilt. Long story short, when I found out about the FT, I replaced my boots right away. After two decades of Raichle, I could not settle myself for anything but three piece boots.

[@marinnikolic6763]

It reminds me on Top Shop comericals. Random people with life changing stories. And of course, "engineer" or "doctor" who revolutionised something new.

[@ronaldp4]

alright K2 don't let us down!

[@Thespyykker]

is there any kind of conversion from this type of flex (e.g. #5) to a more conventional measurement (e.g. 120)??

[@Pabloesc571]

There is a chart online with meaning of the ft flex

[@BattyBitz]

@EReijj I want an #8, but I have an Influence, not the original.

[@stevenhill2204]

I love these Raichles... I mean Full Tilts... I mean K2 Flex...

[@oonflore]

holy shit Tom looks young

[@faceinthecrowd5810]

I have the FT Konflck with a 8 flex tongue. Question other boots rate their flex like 100 or 130…. What rating might a 8 be?

[@Sallabank]

I just got a 12 flex for mine and it feels pretty similar to the 120 i had in my old boots. So i'd think it would mean 80

[@Arkturbettel]

I always laughed, when I heard about UNIQUE Full Tilt boots. And now I laugh even more. Raichle has brought this design in late 80's. And it was succesfull without newschoolers somehow)

[@B1GSD]

BEWARE, i am a bootfitter, these boots only fit a certain shape of foot, try them on before you buy them, dont EVER buy online before trying in a shop.

[@jmshkm]

I think that’s changed a bit today. their boots really mold to the foot over time so they’ll become more comfortable.

[@ScorpBoo]

I got them yesterday and they fit perfectly.

[@HondaTRX11]

how much do these run for?

[@calebjones7022]

Around 400$ for a good pair

[@michaelarnold5992]

Love them

[@badnews9312]

I had a pair of black and red Rachels back in the 80s , to tongue was red with the exact same indents - they also had the wire cables on the buckles - I have always liked a softer flexing boot...I bought a pair of Langes one year as my ski coach said my boot were too soft and i couldn't transfer enough power to the edge of my ski --- the Langes sucked - it had zero flex so i moved to the Salomon SX91 equipes with the adjustable flex....always kept at the softest and I ripped in those bad boys....only had the Rachels for one season as they were more for a narrow foot and just too painful but a great flex and these boots are just complete rip offs of that old boot.

[@FullTiltBoots3Piece]

Thanks for the note! These boots are certainly not a rip off of that boot.. they are the exact boot! Millions of skiers worldwide loved the Raichle Flexon as you did and through mismanagement it went away. We brought it back in it's original form, upgraded some features and are making peoples feet happy all over the world again. We have added a wider fitting boot shell similar to this called the Descendant, consider that on your next boot purchase! thanks!

[@midwestdevopunk8848]

The reason you need a softer boot is because you aren't good enough to handle a real boot. get some 130 flex fischer podiums and learn how to fucking ski

[@brickski2278]

@@midwestdevopunk8848 u must be the dumbest guy in the ski universe

[@midwestdevopunk8848]

vicster damn 2 years late on this one my friend. Sounds like somebody's mad cause they're bad. Mushy boots have no feel and are too soft to transfer power effectively. "Park boots" then sell are merely a gimmick to sell shitty boots for a high price. Get some real boots and learn how to ski them. Superior fit. Superior behavior and predictability. Superior edge control. Superior customization. Everyone that actually knows how to ski uses boots that don't suck.

[@zipperboy2008]

Now just add a booster strap.

[@VSUZUKIV]

is the drop kick good for faster skiing and 720 or something?

[@Pabloesc571]

Whole ft is good for freestyle freeride, racing boots are for faster skiing

[@skiwhh]

So why do the best skiers in the world, the world cup skies not use this design?

[@sheltermutts4185]

@@tbcanada802 Search is your friend. You’de be wise to learn something about someone before blowing them off with a smart donkey reply.

[@coreymesser1995]

The #10 flex is the hardest and the #2 flex is the softest.

[@QuackLoud]

Raichle!

[@BattyBitz]

I have the #6. I bottomed it out once. Haha.

[@crashin1]

YEAH lets use 20 year old technology and make the best boots ever!

[@yrzxtacjsyvkucbkl]

they average 400-500$ but are completely worth it

[@macmcleod1188]

I just paid $400 for regular 4 buckle boots ... I wonder how much these are today? OTH, other than smaller runs- I don't see why they should be significantly more expensive than any other ski boot. My original saloman 31.5's had rotted out and I went rental for 3 years but last year I was literally bleeding at the end of the first day and so I bought some boots and watched and refreshed myself on how to correctly put on boots (plus watched a lot of beginner ski videos again too). It was instructive even after 18 years and 7 lessons up through mogul lessons.

[@DavidZafra]

i like bootis

[@xMDFKx]

these boots are too expensive for anyone..

[@pedropabloarango]

Snowboardes got this right years ago lol

[@EdwardOnidamusic]

these boots are too expensive for a beginner!

[@TheDoriitoZz]

these boots are the best freestyle/freeride boots on the market. get a job and they wont be expensive

[@usnfinley]

old gimmick

[@FullTiltBoots3Piece]

Not sure we follow Finley.