Ski buckles for mountaineering boots

[Anthony Goldstein]

I have been thinking of replacing the laces on my Scarpa Invernos with ski boot buckles. The problem: the boots fit great, but I can't seem to get the necessary tightness using the standard lacing, or they loosen up throughout the day. It would be nice to be able to really get some mechanical advantage on them and also be able to adjust them without removing gloves (i.e. undo top buckle for hiking, and then clamp them down for climbing). Anyone heard of this being done? I know it kinda goes against the backpacking light mantra, as it will probably add some weight, but the functionality really appeals to me.

[David Chenault]

It could certainly work, and a good alpine shop could do it. The main problem I see would be the likelihood of climbing flipping the buckles open, more likely than when skiing IMO.

[Brian Austin]

Do you cross your boot laces on lower ankle twice before lacing up the ankle and shin and tieing a normal knot? If not, this is where your laces will work loose from. That and they get wet and stretch a bit. Then again the foot swells and I find myself unlacing the boots usually not tightening my laces.

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