Alpina BC 1550

Best classic boots I have used. Comfortable, good support, right flex, warm, easy to put on and off with some thoughtful details. Only issue is that the surface material on softer parts of older version delaminated and flakes. The cloth version has not.

In addition to summary, the lacing is outstanding.  Easy and quick to use and holds well. The strap provides additional support and ensures laces do not come loose. Best fit I have experienced. I have medium to wide foot, normal arch, slightly narrow heel.

Skis really well for recreational skier usually covering between 7 and 8.5 KPH on trails. Also works well off-trail in the woods.

My only concern has been durability, though this is more an appearance factor than functional.

We have full range of sizes in men's and women's versions for our guests and they all seem to like them.

Background

Many years.

I bought these while looking to put a quiver together. They are a well-made and nice-looking boot with a high volume interior. This is why I could not make them work.

If you have a wider, thicker foot these may be perfect for you. I found them to be too voluminous for my foot and found the Rossignol and Fischer to fit much closer and tighter.  

Nice looking sturdy XC boot that is well lined and great for cold weather, but with a MAJOR problem. Be sure to try on and talk to an expert before buying these; they possibly have a defective design flaw.

I am so happy to see another review on this site explaining the EXACT problem I have with these boots. After about five trips; perhaps 4-7 miles, the toe box collapses right at the break where the laces end and the firm toe area starts.

I keep trying different socks, snugging up the fit, but no luck; it has just gotten worse. I am sitting writing this with four blisters across both feet after a 6-mile trek which I had to cut short due to the pain.

Very disappointed with these; I think they are defective and am going to contact Alpina to see if they will replace them for me.

These could be one of the best nnn bc boots out there if not for one major issue, as everyone else has also noticed.

It's a shame, really. These are really good boots with just the right balance of flex and support, they're well constructed, have great materials and perform really well on bc skis. But the toe box, oh that stupid toe box. Seems to fold over when flexed, pushing down on the toes just like everyone else has said.

I'm sure it could be broken in over time, but during that time would be extremely unpleasant. I'm tempted to keep trying but fitting some sort of plastic insert in the toes or taping up my foot, that's how much I like the boots and want to solve this issue. 

Background

Used them four times before saying "uncle".

The worst! I tried two sizes to see if it was a size issue that was causing the break point to push down on the base of my big toenails causing much pain. The one size was just as bad as the other. I was able to return one pair, the other I had to sell on GearTrade.

Don't waste your time with these; go for the Alpine Alaska. That one is worth the premium price tag and is what I'm currently using.  

Background

Enough.

Exactly the same problem as another reviewer—blisters on big toes. There is a group of four of us that all have these boots and we all have this problem.

I wouldn’t recommend these boots. Not only do I have blisters on my big toes but the backs of the boots rub on my heels causing terrible blisters.

My friend got the red coloured ones and she says that they are much better.

Good while they lasted.

I bought these as part of a package with some Atomic Sierra skis. After about six medium length (e.g. 6-10 mile) trips, the toe boxes collapsed, causing an unbearable rubbing across the tops of all of my toes and causing severe pain and blisters. They still look almost like new, but are now unwearable.

Warm boot, but the toe box collapsed putting pressure on the top of my right toes at each stride.

I am currently shopping for a new boot due to the discomfort of these boots in the toe area.