Which boot to replace Dobermanns?

[Ken]

I've been skiing on original Nordica Dobermanns, 130 flex. They're getting tired. They've worked great, only needed punch outs at the 5th met plus Zipfit liners that snugged the heel & ankle.

Which replacements? I try to ski as technically correctly as I can, all mountain, and appreciate the precision of the Dobies. But--I'm now 68, 6', 180#, narrow foot, especially the heel, not as much strength as before and never was a hard charger.

Help me get started picking a boot:
Nordica Dobermann WC EDT 130
Anything else from Nordica?
Head Raptor 130 RS
Head Raptor 115 RS
Head Challenger line
Anything else from Head or others?

I'll be skiing in Solden, Austria, for a week. Good place to buy boots? Good fitters? How are prices? The nearest shop to home is 2 hours away, so buying boots during a long ski trip works well for me.

[CO_Steve]

I've been skiing the Head RS for a couple of years now. I also have a narrow heel. With the stock liners heel retention wasn't all that great. I have since switched to the Intuition Pro Tongue liners and everything is much better. A lot warmer as well.

[Max_501]

Only a trained boot fitter can answer that question (after seeing your foot) unless you are replacing with the identical shell.

[geoffda]

Only a trained boot fitter can answer that question (after seeing your foot) unless you are replacing with the identical shell.

Agreed. That said, if you are correct in your assessment that your foot is narrow all the way through your forefoot, you should consider the Head Raptor B3 RD. The RD series has the 95mm last which will likely provide a better fit than the RS series (which IIRC is 98mm last). Like Max_501 says, without seeing your feet, this is just a guess, but if you are considering a Head Raptor, you should definitely investigate the RD. Also, the 130 flex Head boots are actually a 120 flex unless you stiffen them. I wouldn't bother with the 115; it will be too soft.

[Max_501]

I believe the Dobie 130 was a 98mm last so dropping to a 95 if the Dobie fit well and still required some work could be a challenge.

[skifastDDS]

I believe the Dobie 130 was a 98mm last so dropping to a 95 if the Dobie fit well and still required some work could be a challenge.

The Pro 130 is a 98mm last, but there's also a WC 130 [which I have] that is a 95mm last.

[Ken]

Is the published last width across the forefoot at the inside of the shell? Inside of the liner?

A quick-n-dirty measure of my narrower forefoot is about 105 mm. The Dobie got punched out there and it fits fine. I have narrow heels & ankles, and that's the concern. The stock Nordica liner needed padding added. The Zipfit liner is great even without added goop.

Has Tecnica improved their offerings? Tecnica owns Nordica; have they learned anything? Their R9.8 130 seems similar to the Dobermann EDT 130. The higher level boots look identical, even the same warning stickers on the non-DIN sole lugs (ready for cant grinding).