The Leadville Chronicle

"We've converted another 'bootist,'" Giovale said.

November 23-29, 2006 - Racers test new boots

Intrepid souls field-tested a new brand of snowshoes from Red Feather creator Bill Perkins. The new snowshoe, FLIGHTsystem, launched November 18 in Leadville. Envisioned by Perkins and created by Kahtoola, the FLIGHTsystem consists of a crampon boot that clips directly into the snowshoe deck.

Perkins kicked off modern snowshoeing with Red Feather snowshoes. Now he's on to something a bit sleeker. The top half of the system consists of a neoprene overboot, meant to go over running shoes. But these are not some sloppy galoshes. A strategically placed strap and a tight zipper keep the boot snug. Some racers had to do a fair amount of toe-tapping to get the tight boots on their feet.

Once on, the lightweight overboot actually felt lighter and sleeker than my snowboots. Father inside, my feet were right at home in their favorite pair of shoes. The neoprene also holds in warmth. Or in the words of one racer, "have you thought about adding vents?" My tennis-shoed, thin-socked feet stayed warm, even when standing in ankle-deep powder waiting to take photos. Not the most rigorous test, but a telling one, let me assure you.

On the bottom of the boot are inch-long claws that provide traction on hard-packed snow. Even non-snowshoers - and non-snowshoe racers - might be interested in just having the boots. "I was thinking I wanted the boots to just get around on the city streets," said one racer. But the claws aren't just about traction. Some are specifically designed to grab more than snow. They grab into snowshoe decks. A rubber block in the heel area of the deck keeps the back crampons from slicing through the deck.

It also provides a clear spot to knock snow out of the front claws before clipping into the decks. So I knock the snow off the front claws of my boot, and point the cleats at the holes. I'm locked in before I realize it. Boots line up with the holes and one click later I'm in snowshoes. It was a snap.

For the most part, the decks release as easily. A T-bar pull opens the gates. One thing I liked about the system was not having to hold the T-bar while pulling out. Once the T-bar had been pulled, I didn't need to hold it; I could stand up to pull my foot free off the deck. This avoids the awkwardness of having to crouch over while trying to pull up my feet.

Decks on, decks off. On the fly switching means boots can be used on hard pack, and snowshoes on softer stuff. The system means racers may have to have strap strategy. They will probably need to think through how and when to snap into the decks.

Kathy Albers said she would have liked to have had the decks even early in the race. Albers, who was farther back in the race conga line, said the course was pretty chewed up after everyone else. One 12k racer said he switched back and forth several times throughout the race. Another racer came across the finish line carrying the decks over his shoulder. But it was still easier than having the decks strapped to his feet.

"You've got the people who started snowshoe racing right here," said Kahtoola owner Danny Giovale. Giovale was on hand as much for promotion as for feedback. He questioned racers about how the boot handled and how the clipping system functioned on the trail. At least one racer said they had a new addition to their Christmas list.

"We've converted another 'bootist,'" Giovale said.

Chronicle Staff Writer Renee Davis can be reached at (719) 486-3666 or rdavis@vaildaily.com.

(Photo captions: (a) Snowshoe racers of all levels hit the trails Saturday for the launch of a newly created snowshoe boot that's like walking on air. (b) The launch of a new snowshoe Saturday drew sports enthusiasts of all types in Lake County, eager to test the new product on the trails. (c) "We've converted another 'bootist,'" said Danny Giovale, practicing Buddhist, and co-creator of FLIGHTsystem, a new snowshoe for the sports enthusiast.)

—Renee Davis, Chronicle Staff Writer

"This is the first outdoor product designed for the 21st century," said inventor Bill Perkins. Perkins, founder of Red Feather snowshoes. Perkins called the FLIGHTsystem the first innovation in the snowshoe field in 20 years.

November 16-22, 2006 - FLIGHTboot takes FLIGHT locally.

Snowshoeing just might have been made easier thanks to a new boot that's like walking on air - or powder. The first field launch and demo of the FLIGHTboot will be this Saturday on Harrison Avenue. And it's a Leadville-style launch, so you just know there's going to be a foot race - quite possibly in a blizzard.

The FLIGHTboot is a cleated overshoe that goes over a running shoe. On the bottom of the shoe, there are cleats - and clips. The clips lock into the FLIGHTdecks, which are about eight inches wide and two feet long. The FLIGHTdecks provide flotation, when needed. There are no straps. There are no buckles. And when runners are on hard-packed trails, the FLIGHTdecks can be held or stowed in a small pack.

A fleet of demos will be available for racers Saturday morning. Practiced runners can reportedly throw down the decks and clip in without breaking stride. "This is the first outdoor product designed for the 21st century," said inventor Bill Perkins. Perkins, founder of Red Feather snowshoes, said led the FLIGHTsystem the first innovation in the snowshoe field in 20 years.

Perkins originally conceived of the FLIGHTsystem in the mid-1990's, he said, but the world was too caught up with snowshoeing to be interested. It took a while for snowshoers to realize they were often on hard packed snow. For example, many times at the Nordic Center, he meets up with snowshoers who have taken off their snowshoes on their way to Tennessee Pass Cookhouse. He said he thinks people are ready for the FLIGHTsystem.

Perkins described the FLIGHTsystem as cycling through the snow. When the decks are on, runners use a gait similar to pedaling a bicycle.

FLIGHTboots retail for about $149, and decks are another $185. The systems are sold separately, because not everyone is going to need decks, Perkins said. The FLIGHTsystem isn't just for runners. In fact, he said some people have expressed an interest in just having the boots to navigate winter sidewalks. A lightweight snow navigation system could also be helpful for spring and fall mountaineering, when minute-to-minute weather patterns can dictate the need for snowshoes.

Perkins looked to Kahtoola for design and manufacturing. He worked with Kahtoola founder Danny Giovale to create the product. Giovale also will be on hand for Saturday's race.

After two years in the prototyping phase, the FLIGHTsystem was introduced to runners at the Leadville Trail 100 in August. Perkins said he wanted the first demo to be where the idea for the FLIGHTsystem was born: Leadville.

"And I had a suspicion we could hold a mid-November demo," Perkins said. A second event is planned for December 16, with more information to follow at Kahtoola's web site at http://www.kahtoola.com/FLIGHT-boot.html. There will be FLIGHTsystem demo races throughout the west, Perkins said.

If the local events are supported, Perkins said he thinks Kahtoola might get more involved with Leadville. Who knows where it could go? As Perkins points out, the first snowshoe race in Leadville attracted a whopping eight people. Since then, races have grown to hundreds of runners.

Chronicle staff writer Renee Davis can be reached at 719-486-3666 or rdavis@vaildaily.com.

(Photo captions: (a) Red Feather snowshoe designer creates a new style of snowshoes - for the snow and the trail. (b) Red Feather founder designs new snowshoes described as cycling through the snow. When the decks are on, runners use a gait similar to pedaling a bicycle.)

(Insert: LAUNCH RACE - 5K FunFLIGHT. 12K MountainFLIGHT. Cash and prizes. Saturday, Nov. 18. Pre-race meeting 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Provin' Grounds - 508 Harrison Avenue; race location to be announced Saturday. Race starts at 10 a.m.)

—Renee Davis, Chronicle Staff Writer

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