Viva Crossfire

Round 5 – Boot Selection, AT/Sidecountry/Telemark, Pick 2

Looking at AT and sidecountry boots, the Viva Crossfire makes sense for me. It is similar to my current boot, the Viva Crush, but has a slightly bigger volume in the foot plus a walk/tour mode. In a place like Jackson, where we hike nearly as much as we ski, it’s a huge help to have a hinged cuff for the uphill slog. Despite my racing and competition background, I now often prefer a softer flex for comfort. I work ski patrol and ski hard in my free time, so I spend long hours in my boots. I still want a performance fit, but the softer flex is more comfortable for hiking and standing around. I still get what I need out of the Crossfire when it’s time to go downhill.