FITWELL FREERIDE 2015/16
Price
£395
Gender
Unisex
Brand // Manufacturers
Although easier to purchase via Sick+Wrong etc if you’re in the UK
What we liked …
Unleashing these on the mountain.
What we didn’t …
Having to take them off.
The Verdict
Our Rating
5 out of 5
the Short Read…
My Fitwell Freeride boots have been tested over three seasons now 2015/16. A rugged, well crafted, does everything they claim, splitboarding boot for big mountain free riding.
The Long read …
The Fitwell Freeride is made for exactly that – freeriding. If you’re predominantly an inbounds rider, a snowpark junkie, a lunchtime pints on the sun terrace monkey – these are not for you. Not to say you won’t love these in a resort, you will – it’s just that these boots really come into their own when you let the throttle out further afield
I’ve ridden my Fitwell Freeride since 2015/16 season. Norway Lofoten Islands, arctic / Kyrgyzstan / Alps various resorts, touring and slack country.
There’s nothing the Fitwells can’t deal with from hard packed resort groomers to traversing icy faces off piste, to deep powder dream riding.
Out of the box these were super comfy, I went straight into a monster tour day and we bonded immediately. There was no need to wear them in, the design seemed extremely practical and well thought through. Understandable, as they come from an established Italian mountain boot manufacturer with history.
They’re light, comfy and stiff. I’ve been waiting my whole snowboarding life for these boots.
The laces are simple to pull and tie on the inner liner. This alone provides good support as well as comfort. The Boa system then cranks up for great control. So depending what you’re doing you can refine the fit easily. Messing and jumping, I keep them loose for more ankle bend. Hard packed ascent or desecnt, crank them up. They’re bomber either way.
Rigidity is second to none, when ascending and traversing, with or without crampons, there is zero unwanted torsional flex or movement in the foot front or heel. The foot is comfy and solid the boot. I’ve never had a blister or pressure point in these. Their ‘what shall we call these boots?’ moment can’t have lasted very long. Fitwell by name, fit well by nature.
The sole is Vibram and feels powerful kicking steps or kicking any other thing you like with them! These are based on mountain climbing / ice boots and so they’re compatible with leverlock universal closure crampon, but I used the Petzl Irvis Hybrid Crampons which held firm and offered up a snug fit.
Ascending – totally rigid and perfect snug, well supported foot bed, bomber heel, no lift, no movement, total comfort. I have found this particularly useful on hard packed or icy traversing. Normally a weal point for splitboarders, not with these boots. I ride an Amplid Milligram, so the carbon deck itself might help with this. I’ve not tried traversing on a softer deck.
Overall, I am very happy with these boots. My resort boots are Salomon Malamute, but they’ve not been out of the cupboard now for a couple of years. I always ride the Fitwells. Three seasons in and showing no signs of wear whatsoever. It turns out the holy grail is actually a snowboard boot.