Alpina  Alaska 75 Cross-Country Ski Boots

I dread buying footwear. I have a wide foot and it is difficult for me to find footwear that works well for me. I also did not want a "plastic boot". The trick that worked for me was to buy one size larger than my usual. I normally wear a EU45. I got the EU46 - and the fit with my thicker ski sock is perfection. The boot provides a good driving force for my ski touring activities. I cannot state enough my pleasure at the performance of these boots. Additionally, I am impressed with the quality. I have logged about 70+ miles with these boots since Dec. 1, 2018 (now Jan 31, 2019). Lastly, I use these with my BC-90s with Voile 3-Pin Cable Bindings (rarely use cables).

I have skied these boots a total of maybe ten times. Very light easy skis. The sole is already coming apart from the boot very bad. In addition to that, the lacing system sucks. Instead of letting the lace slide through the main rivet that locks your heel in, it locks so it’s very difficult to tighten them down properly. I had high hopes for these, but as you can see, they are a fail. Not sure if REI will accept them back, or if I’ll have to deal with alpinas warranty.

Top toe area completely ripped away from sole after just 3 times out. Each time out was an easy road ski. I am really disappointed as these boots would have been perfect! A friend has worn her boots rather extensively over the past couple ski seasons with no problem so I had high hopes! I would try another pair but can't risk a blow out miles away from the car. Leather ski boots used to last years and years! They don't make them like they used too!

Duckbills failed after two seasons of average use. I recommend these boots only if you go out skiing a few times a year, but if you are using these boots often this may be a problem for you after a couple seasons. REI customer service let me know they will not help customers with product defect issues and you will need to work with the manufacturer directly for warranty issues.

Sole attachment issues have been posted for years on these boots. I purchased these boots any way, man really disappointed. Skiing last night under full moon the entire sole came off the boot still clipped to the binding. I rely on my boots to get me back to the car without having to walk or post hole out. What kind of bubble gum are you using on your boots, it's not making it. "Come on man" I'm done with Apina products. You've done nothing to fix this issue.

I purchased these boots after my Karhu boots that I have used hundreds of times finally shed a sole. Out of the box these Alpina boots look like a great piece of hardware, I wear men's size 11.5 US, and purchased the 45 for this boot and they fit very nicely. Construction feels good, the lacing system is not the greatest, where the laces go through the fixed loop it is a challenge to get the laces tight below that point and get them hooked. I can deal with that. They are nice and warm, go up high enough to provide nice ankle support, and fit well in my Voile 3-pin bindings. Problem is on the second ski in these boots, the sole has started to separate from the rand or welt or whatever that piece is called. It took years and hundreds of tours for this to happen with my Karhu boots. I am sending them back and trying a second pair, but I am now dubious and pretty disappointed, because I was initially impressed. I am not expecting the second pair to last very long given the quality of the first pair.

I have had these boots for a couple of seasons now. They are very comfortable and are good for all-day use. Or, in my case, three big days use. I completed skiing around Crater Lake in Oregon. These boots were comfortable to use each day. I never had a hint of a blister or any issues at all. They turned my skis well with great control.

As a result of poor design, incompatible flex characteristics of sole and upper, abysmal glue and gluing techniques, and failure of glue to bind properly to the sole and upper materials, the soles of Alpina boots invariably detach from the uppers. If lucky you may get a season's worth of use out of them. If unlucky, you may get to watch your ski, sole still attached, disappear down the slope ahead of you on your very first outing.

After going through boot after boot looking for a good fit without pressure points, these fit perfectly and give my ankles the support they need. No more giant blisters on my heels! So far, I have not had any issues with the sole pulling away from the boot. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Very satisfied with these tough, warm boots, helping me keep my vintage skis and bindings on the snow, and my aging ankles, feet and toes warm, dry and safe. Only wish I could figure out how to easily set the first stage of lacing to keep my heel where it belongs