FAQ

GENERAL

1. Garmont: why does that name sound familiar?

   Garmont was born as an Italian alpine ski boot manufacturer in the 1960s. By the late 70’s, Garmont was a well-known global producer of top technology and innovative ski-boots. Garmont began manufacturing Alpine Touring boots in 1999. In 2004, Garmont introduced Adrenalin, the first FFreeride Alpine Touring boot, enabling ski mountaineers to ski big mountains with the confidence of alpine boots and the functionality of A.T. boots. Garmont bridged the gap between AT and Alpine with the launch of the new Shaman and Astral alpine FFreeride boots in 2006 conceived from the creation of the ultra-form fitting G-1 race boot.

2. If something goes wrong with a Garmont product, what should I do?

   Go back to the retailer where you bought the product. They should be able to help you through the problem. If this is not possible, Contact Us to find other local retailers or options for your region

3. Special Orders, Mail Order, Electronic Ordering

   Though a dealer may not carry the product you are looking for, if we have it in our stock, we are happy to ship it to your local retailer.

4. Where are your boots made?

   Our ski boots are all manufactured at the Garmont headquarters in Montebelluna, Italy. Our mountaineering boot collection is produced in Eastern Europe, while the remaining hike boot collection is produced in Asia.

5. I need more information!

   Visit your local retailer—we distribute through specialty outdoor retailers because they know your local outdoors the best, and can pick out the products that will work best for you. If a dealer is not close by or if you have a question that can’t be answered locally, Contact Us.

Liners

1. Why take the laces out of the liner before thermoforming?

   Our liners mold closely and comfortably around the foot. Most models have a low-profile lace system that better secures the foot in the liner when touring, and maximizes fit adjustability. When thermoforming, the liner becomes very soft and delicate and laces put too much stress on the materials. Laces also compress the foam, as does over tightening the buckles, so leave the laces out and close the buckles loosely to preserve the thickness of the heated liner. Once the liner cools, it firms up and is ready to be laced and buckled down for the most comfortable, adjustable fit of any thermformable liner.

2. I’ve heard that you can ski in Garmont liners and shells for a few days before thermoforming them. Is this a good idea?

   Our liners use specific foams and construction that allow you to ski them out of the box and decide at a later date if you want to thermoform them or not. They use different foams that require that they be thermformed. If you can ski comfortably in your Garmont ski boots for any length of time without thermoforming the liners, then they are probably too big and will be unsatisfactory once they are thermoformed and used.

   To get a proper fit, two steps are important:

   1. A shell fit confirms that the shell has sufficient length without being too big.

   2. When the boot is tested with the liner in the shell, thin socks, and preferred footbed, the fit should be tight. If it’s not, try a half size down. During thermforming the foot will push out space it needs for a close, comfortable custom fit.

3. Why does Garmont use a tongue design for your liners instead of an overlap liner?

   Overlap-style liners are cheaper and simpler to manufacture, but can be a compromise. They can significantly reduce a boot’s forward lean because of the double-thick layer in front of the shin. They are more difficult to flex at the ankle because of restriction caused by the bulk of the material in front of the ankle. They do not flex as easily as a tongue design does for walking. And, their simple construction prohibits a key feature and benefit that Garmont liners offer: incorporating various densities in different areas of the liner that have different requirements in thickness and stiffness. The result of incorporating these different foams is the best, most supportive fit that is roomy and comfortable in the forefoot, snug and supportive in the rear foot and heel, with reinforced protection against the shell in high-pressure areas. The Garmont design provides a more comfortable, more secure, higher-performance fit. Garmont liners have a very supportive lateral foot, ankle, and cuff, with a softer, more forgiving toe area for comfort. We could not achieve this level of comfort and performance with an overlap. We have also found that our tongue design with stiff foam or plastic T-bar reinforcement holds its shape better, making it much easier to thermoform.

4. Are Garmont liners compatible with other boots?

   This is a fit issue that is up to the discretion of the retailer. It strictly depends on how much bulk goes inside the liner, i.e. the skier’s foot and footbed and how much room they require, the thickness of the liner, and how much room there is in the shell. Before thermoforming, try the liners in whatever shell is chosen, with the foot-bed in place, wearing thin socks. The liner should be TIGHT on the foot. Starting with a tight fit is important to take advantage of the thermoforming process, and to accommodate what little pack-out occurs with Garmont liners. Garmont liners are meticulously developed, designed and constructed to perform BETTER than a reinforced traditional liner. It is very stable when heated, easy to thermoform consistently, and has great shelf appeal. Because it uses a design much more finished than most thermoform-able liners, employing different foams and levels of stiffness, as well as plastic reinforcement, it should be fitted to the shell-not heated and crammed into it like “space filler” liners.

5. Is there a women’s-specific Garmont liner?

   Yes. All women’s-model boots with liners have a specifically-developed women’s liner with different, thicker foams to better accommodate women’s feet securely and comfortably. Because of these liners’ thickness, they will be quite tight before thermoforming and, like all Garmont liners, should be thermoformed thoroughly before use. Boots should always be shell-fit to assure the smallest shell size that affords sufficient length.

6. Thermoform-able liners can be lightweight, warm, and comfortable. What are the disadvantages of a thermoform-able liner?

   There is a downside to many thermoform-able liners. – PERFORMANCE – The first disadvantage to most thermoform-able liners is lack of performance, one which we have eliminated with Garmont liners by using a TONGUEDESIGN, DENSE FOAMS, AND TONGUE AND CUFF REINFORCEMENT. – DURABILITY – By design, thermoform-able liners are less durable because they are built of ultra-light materials. Garmont liners are, however, more durable than most because of the protective outer skin and substantial Reinforcement Density foam. We have significantly improved this outer skin over the years, achieving great longevity – SWEATING, OVERHEATING – can be an issue with thermoform-able liners because the foam is very warm, closed-cell, and does not absorb sweat. We have lined Garmont liners with a short-nap wicking fabric that does not retain water—unlike the pile material used in many thermoform-able liners. The pile material feels great in the shop, soft and cushy, but on extended trips it is very slow to dry out. Using our liners’ short-nap lining, with a little drying and a change of socks you can usually eliminate the clammy feel common with thicker fleece linings. And our short nap is comfortable as well.

7. Do you recommend footbeds with the Garmont liners?

   We strongly recommend supportive footbeds with Garmont liners, or any liner. You should at least include the stock footbed that came with your boots. Preferably use a custom footbed if possible. Some manufacturers claim that with the thermoform-able nature of their liner, you eliminate the need for supportive footbeds. Most of these liners are much less supportive than a Garmont liner. And although the foams of Garmont liners are very supportive, they are not designed for the kind of support you need underfoot with a footbed.

8. Is it easy to thermoform Garmont liners? How long does it take?

   It is very easy. If you are prepared with socks, etc. it takes about half an hour for a pair of liners. See our Thermoformable Liners page for detailed instructions.

9. How many times can the liners be thermoformed?

   Garmont liners can be re-thermoformed up to six times. If there are problems- wrinkles, not enough toe room, etc.-with the first thermoforming, it’s no problem to do it again. Some shops even let a skier try the liners and if they aren’t satisfactory, take them back and re-thermoform them for another customer! Of course this is at a shop’s discretion-the point is to remember that even with liners that have been thermoformed, you can completely start the process over for a different or improved fit, new footbeds, etc.

10. Can I use other ovens for heating Garmont liners?

    Yes. Any closed convection oven will work, as long as there is room for the liner without being too close to the heating element. With smaller convection ovens, you may have to heat your liners one at a time. Be sure that the oven that you use is set no higher than 120˚ C (248˚F). Be sure to use the recommended heating times for our different liners that are listed above.

11. Can I melt the Garmont liners?

    If you are careful you should not melt the liners, but if you are using a convection oven and the liner gets too close to the heating element, you could burn the liner. Be sure to try the liner in your oven before turning the oven on and heating it up. Ski Mountaineering and Freeride boots fall into different categories that prioritize the different performance needs when skiing in the high mountains. We recommend that you determine what your priorities are-what kind of Ski Mountaineering or Freeride skiing that you choose to do most often-and then select your boot accordingly. Guidelines for choosing your Garmont boot *Note that ALL Garmont boots, whatever their overall category, are designed with an emphasis on comfort, versatility, with superior downhill performance in that category.

The following aren’t hard and fast rules, but are good guidelines for choosing your Garmont boot.

1. Ski Mountaineering and Ski Touring

   Higher boots with more buckles are designed for better downhill performance. Lighter, softer boots are developed for more ankle flexibility and easier touring and climbing performance. If your priority is downhill performance and you savor each turn on the tour, then you’ll probably want one of the 4-buckle models of Garmont Ski Mountaineering boots: Radium, Luster, Shogun or Hydra. If your priority is light weight touring comfort for classic ski tours like the Haute Route, or you just prefer the climbing/mountaineering aspect of Ski Mountaineering, then we’d recommend one of our 3-buckle boots: Helix or Phantom. In Winter 2012, we will introduce our new, super-light and high performance PowerLite series, which includes the Cosmos, Celeste, Orbit and Nova.

2. Ultralight Touring

   With the Webframe Light Project, which includes our Materlite and Literider models, we have created a new category to satisfy the trend towards ultra-lightweight Ski Mountaineering. These models were developed for skiers who prioritize go-fast, ultra-lightweight tours, early morning workouts, and the occasional recreational race. Unlike other ultralights on the market, which sacrifice downhill performance for their light weight, our Webframe boots are as light as many racing boots yet offer the versatility (and fun) of excellent downhill performance.

3. Freeride

   If you are a Freeride skier or ski professional who requires the stiffness and performance of an alpine boot but also needs walking mobility for walking, boot packing, short tours, and everyday comfort, we’d recommend one of our new Power Frame Freeride boots: the Delirium, Asylum, Mystic, or Azula. These are the most comfortable, best-fitting, best-performing Freeride boots on the planet. They offer true alpine boot performance, with interchangeable soles for triple binding compatibility (ISO Alpine, ISO Touring (UNI), and TECH), and an easy-to-use walk mechanism that has adjustable forward lean. Garmont offers a full range of performance Alpine and Ski Mountaineering boots, including models compatible with step-in Alpine bindings, traditional hinge-frame Ski Mountaineering bindings, and the TECH system.

Ski Mountaineering Boot & Binding Compatibility

Most Garmont Ski Mountaineering Boots*, both traditional and TECH compatible models, are compatible with step-in AT bindings developed according to the “TOURING NORMISO 9523” standard. Only bindings that comply with these ISO standards should be used with Garmont Ski Mountaineering Boots, such as Hagan®, Silvretta®, Fritschi®, Marker® Ski Mountaineering models. * Note: Garmont ultra-light Webframe boots are the only Garmont boots that ARE NOT compatible with step-in AT bindings. They are designed to be used ONLY with Tech bindings.

Tech Compatibility: The Radium, Luster, Shogun, Hydra, Helix, Daemon, Sugar, Axon, Outrider, and Phantom offer compatibility with both the ultra-light TECH system and the traditional Alpine Touring Norm. Garmont’s new Power Frame Freeride boots, when mounted with the Touring Sole Set, are also fully compatible with both step-in and TECH AT bindings. That includes the Delirium, Asylum, Mystic, and Azula. For maximum touring comfort, the easiest walking, scrambling, and climbing, and the lightest weight, Garmont Webframe boots-the Masterlite and Literider-are compatible ONLY with TECH bindings.

The TECH binding system, well-proven by many professional guides, backcountry Freeriders, ski mountaineers, and racers, uses the molded-in TECH interface as its pivot point for touring, eliminating the need for a heavy pivoting “plate” in the binding. The weight-savings is significant. In downhill mode, the TECH System offers both forward and lateral heel release. They provide a very rigid, positive boot/ski interface with excellent torsional stability and turning performance. For superior durability and retention we have developed our own proprietary Garmont TECH Inserts.