Suzuka vs. LeMans

[zoltan]

Well, I'm ready to buy some boots. I'm 150 pounds without gear, 6' tall, and am in the Mid-Atlantic (Maryland). I'm trying to decide between the Suzuka and the LeMans. I'm afraid that the Suzuka will be too stiff for me, especially when the snow is choppy like it usually is around here.

[chadx]

I have zero experience in hardboots (I'm just piecing together a setup as well), but I will get the responses rolling by sharing what I've learned through reading and conversations.

With your weight, and assuming you are a beginner, the Lemans is the best bet. I'm 175 and I've been told that I'm right on the boarderline weight-wise and it will be my technique that could push it either way. If I'm aggressive enough of a person, the Suzuka will flex well for me, but if not, the lemans might be the best bet while learning. A 200 pounder can flex the Suzuka without having to be super aggressive and I'm told will usually collapse a lemans as soon as they start aggressive carves.

So it is a combination of weight and aggressiveness that will determine the right boot. If you are a beginner and at your weight of 150, I'd guess the lemans will be the boot for you (if you are deciding only between those two boots). I'm sure someone else will chime in and give you some real world experience and possibly even recommend some other boot choices, besides these two, that might be appropriate. <O:p</O:p

[zoltan]

Are we talking side to side flex or front to back flex? If it's front to back, could that be taken care of by riding it in walk mode (which I know a lot of people do) or by fitting Bomber's RAB mechanism on there?

[toddflyingdog]

Have not ridden the other. I like a softer boot however...

I am 6'1" 185 lbs

I ride alot of mixed big mountain conditions at Copper Mountain. So the LeMans is perfect. I was also successful in the gates and sbx last season in that boot. Finished 14th Open class Alpine combined USASA.

Love my boots. Have about 70 days in '05 LeMans.

[scotts.Scheinman]

i rode the sb series (sb413) and i own a pair of susukas. i like the susukas more. check the gear review section.

[Mike T]

I am 195 and love my Suzukas for both carving and all-mountain riding. I had 423's at one time... which is the predecessor to the LeMans... they were too soft for me. (And too big, so I sold them...)

Now, at 150, I might like the flex on the LeMans better. However I like the higher toe box and the asymmetric flex on the Suzuka too.

[lonerider]

Well, I'm ready to buy some boots. I'm 150 pounds without gear, 6' tall, and am in the Mid-Atlantic (Maryland). I'm trying to decide between the Suzuka and the LeMans. I'm afraid that the Suzuka will be too stiff for me, especially when the snow is choppy like it usually is around here.

Hi, I'm 5'9" 150 lbs. I originally had the SB224s, but when I switch to the Suzuka(aka AF600) they were really too stiff for me in my opinion (because of my weight and size). Even switch the boots into walk-mode, it was still really stiff and force me to ride with a more "knee" steering method, whereas I like to combine that with quite a bit of ankle extension/flexion (Tahoe snow gets pretty choppy here as well because of the large temperature swing during the day). I switch to the Lemans (aka 324) and it was much better. I saw if you are just starting out go for the Lemans. They still stiffer than the 413s and MUCH stiffer than any softboot your might be coming from. They also sell race-tongues for the Lemans, which will let you got a grade stiffer if you want. Whereas the Suzuka cannot really be made softer (even with walk mode). In the meantime, you will strengthen your ankles which willl be incredibly useful for carving and for injury prevention (sticking your foot into a plastic cast that you aren't strong enough to flex will just lead to muscle atrophy).

Just my thoughts. I think since you have a slimmer frame, you too will prefer the Lemans (I also got really bad shin bang trying to force the tongues of my Suzukas to flex).

[ar(angel]

and just switched to the new Lemans boots & love 'em. Had to get adjusted for a couple of runs to the softer flex, but for me it was just what the doctor ordered. Get them fitted though, that was a big difference for me as well. Never had fitted boots before and now I wonder how I ever lived without them. Worst of all my AF's actually had thermo liners and I never even had them molded.... :o

Good luck,

Paul