Salomon X adventure 6 or Garmont Excursion?

I've found my excursions to be the comfiest of all my ski boots. Warmer and dryer than leather or synthetic boots. They are by far the best plastic boots in terms of striding ability, but they are definitely overkill for flat or mellow terrain. For rolling tours I stick with my leathers, except if I am staying out overnight and want to take advantage of removable liners.

The excursions are functionally waterproof for me (hopping through spring streams, melting corn snow etc.) and comfortable for days up to 14 miles. The only knock against the garmonts is their clunkiness and weight, you do feel a bit disconnected from the skis and they can give your hip flexors a real workout.

Happy skiing.

p.s. As to fit the excursions have a ridiculously wide heel and I do experience a fair amount of slop/heel lift. Luckily no blisters/chafing though. Being plastic with liners, shims would be pretty easy to retrofit.

What he said.

Thanks for the comments.

To clarify:

Price:
Salomon XA6 $125
Salomon XA8 $240
Garmont+binding $370

If I look at the boots and at your comments it seems to me that the XA8 offer the best blend of turning capability and striding comfort.

How big an issue are the fixed liners on an overnight trip for you?

I have excursions and I like them for multi-day trips in mountainous terrain. They stay dry day after day after day. I have the thermo-moldable liners, which they don't make anymore, but you can and should retrofit, as the moldable liners are warmer, dryer, lighter and fit better once they have been properly molded. I say properly because it should be done by someone who is experienced.

I have at times wanted a lighter and more flexible boot than the excursions, but I would not want to give up the dryness of a plastic boot, and I have asked many times on various forums in search of someone who has skied any of the system boots or fabric/leather 75 mm boots for a week-long tour in wet snow. I never get an answer, so I have yet to hear that it is a good way to go.

I think the issue with moisture on multi-day trips is not so much a one-piece boot vs a shell and liner as it is a non-absorbent boot vs one made of materials than can soak up water. With a plastic shell that is unaffected by water and cannot absorb any, and a closed cell foam liner that can only absorb a tiny bit of moisture in the fabric that lines it (and that dries out pretty well every evening), the excursion just can't get very wet no matter what. A fabric/leather or an all leather boot can absorb a lot more water, and then it can freeze, and it will take a long time to dry. You can do supergaitors and VBL socksand keep the boots pretty dry, but with all that you'll have more weight than the excursions, and less downhill control.

All that said, my purpose is different than yours because I ski in more mountainous terrain – and quite likely wetter snow since I go in the spring only. so you may prefer the Salomons, as they will be better for striding. But I would be thinking VBL socks for sure, maybe neoprene, and I would probably play with some kind of home-brewed outer waterproofing – like coating the whole outside in shoe goo. As for XA6 vs XA8, you ought to get your hands on both so you can judge for yourself whether the sole stiffness is any different between the two. If not I'd get the 6, since it's lighter and cheaper.