Sometimes, the only way to change minds is not by telling but by showing. That strategy worked for Eric Giese, one of the creators of the first 3-piece ski boot, in the 1970s when he struck a deal on his boot design by hopping on top of a conference table with a standard ski boot on one foot and his 3-piece boot on the other and displaying in person how much better his boot could flex. And thus, the 3-Piece Boot that has become Full Tilt’s calling card was born...Read More
Full Tilt Ski Boots designs have stood the test of time, revolutionizing the way skiers ride since their beginning. With a proven construction that is based off NASA technology, Full Tilt stands to be around for many more decades to come, too.
Birth of the 3-Piece Boot
Before that fateful conference table episode, the origin of Full Tilt ski boots began with two NASA scientists, Al Gross and Dixie Rinehart, who helped to design spacesuits in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Applying this knowledge of space technology to boot design, Gross and Rinehart worked with former ski racer Giese to create the first prototype of the 3-piece ski boot.
Initially, there was much trepidation from those who were first presented the design. Time after time, Giese found himself facing great concern from those who felt it was too different, too drastic of a transformation. But once Giese demonstrated how the standard boot bulged and distorted under pressure while Giese’s boot maintained its shape and aesthetics, the doubters were quickly converted.
In 1979, the first 3-piece boot prototype was built, and finally it was brought to market in the Winter of 1981. This Full Tilt classic boot was called the Flexon 5, later being called the Flexon Comp. This was the first step in a long line of successes.
Better than Buckles
The goal was simple: create a boot that can flex without a bulge or distortion in the lower shell, which was one of the largest problems of the day when it came to boot design. Boots during that time period had no ankle hinge; no hinge meant any distortion caused a significant loss of control.
Full Tilt’s solution to this conundrum? Instead of buckles on some of their boots, they have cables which offer a smooth, even pressure which effectively eliminates dead spots. Their design creates a boot that is lighter, more comfortable and fits better. Here are some of the other features on 2018 Full Tilt ski boots that make them so beloved:
3-Piece Design - The Evolution Shell features the Original 3 Piece design – a rear cuff which infinitely pivots with your calf, a ribbed tongue that offers a more natural, linear flex and a lightweight shell.
Cable and Buckle Tech - An updated cable and buckle system locks your foot in place for a precise edge-to-edge feel without applying pinch points.
Smooth and Infinite Flex Tech - Full Tilt's unique tongue design allows for a smooth, infinite flex which seamlessly shifts with your shin & ankle as you apply forward pressure in the boot. FT's tongues are also swap-able, offering a variety of flex patterns from 4 to 10. Smooth and Infinite Flex.
Ribbed Tongue - The Evolution Shell features an all-new Asymmetric Ribbed Tongue which is optimized for the 45º cable position for the smoothest flex possible.
To learn more about all that Full Tilt Ski Boots has to offer and the see the bestselling Full Tilt ski boots for sale, check out our Full Tilt Brand Page.
A Pro Boot for Pro Riders
The 3-Piece Boot prototype hit the market in the winter of 1980 and quickly became not only a hit, but the new standard for ski boots in competition. Throughout the early 1980s, the 3-Piece ski boots stood unmatched in terms of wins in Olympic races, world cup races and freestyle competitions. Four years later, at the Olympics in Sarajevo, the 3-Piece Boot was being worn by a skier named Bill Johnson, who took home the gold, a watershed moment in the popularity of the boot.
Plenty of other skiing legends of the era competed in these boots. Some of the first professional skiers to compete in the boots were Billy Shaw, on a prototype in the early 80’s, as well as hot dog freestyle skier named Peter Ouellette. Nelson Carmichael would also dominate the late 1980 mogul scene in a pair.
From the Olympics to the World Cup circuit to Freestyle competitions, no other boot could match its performance in part to the athletes that wore it and in part to its patented flex technology. Today, Full Tilt has dozens of pros in the freeride, freestyle and Olympic categories like Seth Morrison, Tom Wallisch and Henrik Harlaut, who have all helped to further the evolution of the boots via their pro input, releasing models of their own. The Full Tilt Ski Boots deliver the performance that the pros crave, and they’ve kept this 3-Piece Boot in their arsenal because they know they can count on it.
Need Some Advice?
Lucky for you, Skis.com is here to help you pick out your gear. You can watch Full Tilt ski boots reviews, as well as reviews for all of the latest ski boots, helmets and goggles, on our Ski Talk Video Review page. Take a look at our Ski Boot Buying Guide for some expert advice on how to determine what kind of boot is right for you, and if you need help picking out what size boots you need, check out our Ski Boot Sizing Guide.
Once you’ve got the knowhow, use the refinements on the left side of this page to narrow down your search to find the perfect pair for you!
