The Stiffest boot in Black Diamonds boot line-up brings in the Factor whether or not you can handle it...
The Factor is built for the hardest of hard chargers, who run it wide open on blower pow, send 30-footers to hardpack and pull 60 mph straight lines'³skiers with tight pants or skinny skis need not apply. The stiffest freeride boot in the BD line, the Factor, with its Flex-130 rated Triax-Pro Frame™ constructed with 100% Pebax, is the ultimate combination of backcountry and alpine boots. You want a custom fit? You'll get it thanks to the Factor's thermoformable high-performance foot bed and Power Fit Liner. The Factor comes equipped with ISO Alpine DIN blocks and is compatible with BD AT blocks with tech inserts, which are quickly and easily changed out with our unique sliding, four-screw attachment.
Features:
- Triax-Pro Frame Technology with Pebax creates the lightest and stiffest boot possible
- Flex 130
- Alpine overlap construction
- Equipped with ISO ALpine DIN blocks; compatible with BD AT blocks with integrated tech inserts (sold Separately)
- Mechanically integrated ski/walk mode securely toggles on/off and offers eight degrees of forward lean customization in three settings
- Power Fit Liner: Thermoformable, hight-performance Strobel liner with BOA closure system
- Four Micro adjustable buckles
- Weight: (Size 27): 4.13 kg (9 lb 2 oz)
Fit Flex Access...inside the BD boot story The design and construction of Black Diamond's all-new line of freeride boots can be broken into three main areas of focus: Fit, Flex, and Focus. It is the unique combination of these three areas that makes BD's boots unrivaled in comfort and uncompromising in performance. Fit: Insulating boot boards... Strobeled, true-lasted liners... Unique custom foot beds... Exclusive BOA closure system-these are all integral parts to BD's boots "ground up" Net Shape Fit Technology, in which the boots' anatomical shell construction is based off of the "net" foot shape after taking into account the interior boot board, footbed and liner layers. To ensure an optimized fit and performance, BD's liners come in four boot-specific styles: Power Fit, Power Fit Light, Efficient Fit, and Efficient Fit Light. Another key to the boots' exceptional overall fit and comfort is the liners' proprietary, engineered foam, which provides comfort, customizable fit and long-lasting durability in a fully thermoformable, true-lasted system.
Anti-Microbial Liner fabric is smooth for comfort and easy in/out
Multi-density internal Achilles pad insert
Zero-compaction Strobel liner construction for long-lasting volume
True-lasted construction for out-of-box performance fit or can be thermoformed for total Customization
Elastic bridge for rearward flex during touring
Performance, custom foot bed is thermoformable(though we still recommend true arch support for most people)
Reflective foil for an excellent radiant thermal barrier
Boot board is removable, customizable and insulating
The shells of BD's A.T. and Freeheel Telemark boots are built using alpine overlap construction, which produces a natural progressive flex and ankle articulation to drive and steer skis, as well as absorb terrain. This true progressive flex results in an immediate transfer of power with the sensitivity to absorb and feel-something an unnatural, mechanically obstructed, traditional tongue construction cannot deliver. The overlap construction also yields and unrestricted upper cuff for touring efficiency-not possible with boot shells made from outdated designs and tooling. The shells are made with Pebax® or engineered polyurethane and offer a stiff yet sensitive structure.
BOA Closure System:
The Boa Lacing Boot System™ comprises three primary components:
The Boa Lace Reel
The lace cable ends are fixed to a spool within the miniature Boa Reel. When the knob is rotated, the lace is wound on to the spool as the boot tightens. The gear train in the reel develops significant mechanical advantage so a great deal of tensioning force is created with very little effort. The replaceable lace is a miniature cable that is made especially for the Boa System. It has been developed and refined over several years and many thousands of days of use. It is woven of 49 individual strands of aircraft grade stainless steel and then compressed to create a very smooth surface with exceptional strength. The lace cables are cut to length with proprietary Boa equipment and the ends are welded into a small ball to keep the strands from unraveling and to provide easy feeding through the lace guides.
Elongated Lace Guides
The elongated lace guides distribute closure force perfectly across the eyestays of the boot creating a more even and controlled closure - with fewer lace crossings - than is possible with shoelaces. The guides are made of a durable and lubricious plastic which allows the lace to run through them with very little friction, allowing for a superior closure and fit.
The Boa Shoe Lacing System™comprises three primary components:
Steel Shoe Lace™
The replaceable Steel shoe lace was developed especially for the Boa System and tested with thousands of hours of in field use. It is made of 19 individual super high strength strands of aircraft grade stainless steel. These strands are braided together to form a long lasting, abrasion resistant, super strong lace. These strands are then wrapped in a specially formulated engineering polymer coating to provide a smooth durable and friction free surface.
The Boa Lace Reel
The Steel shoe lace ends are fixed to a spool within the miniature Boa Reel. When the knob is rotated, the lace is wound onto the spool as the boot tightens.
Elongated Lace Guides
The elongated lace guides distribute closure force perfectly across the eyestays of the shoe creating a more even and controlled closure - with fewer lace crossings - than is possible with shoelaces. The guides are made of a durable and lubricious plastic which allows the lace to run through them with very little friction.
The performance advantages are significant:
No pressure points. Because of the unique elongated lace guides and precise closure, pressure points are eliminated. You can adjust tightness minutely and instantly to dial in the perfect fit every time. On-the-fly adjustments like this are impossible with shoelaces. Closure is solid. It can't loosen up. As the shoe itself stretches through the course of the day, a quick half turn of the knob tightens it back up again.
The convenience advantages are also significant:
It is vastly easier and faster to put your shoes on and take them off. You can wear your shoes loose and comfortable for kicking around and then instantly tighten them up for super support during play. Athletes sometimes tighten them up super tight when they are on the field or court and then loosen them up on the bench for comfort. No more loose shoelace ends in the way when your shoes are on or off. Foot retention independent of shell-i.e., all buckles can be loosened while skinngin uphill and your foot won't slide around.
A.T. Boots:
The frames on BD's A.T. boots are designed with high torsional stiffness to provide the maximum lateral power transfer required to drive today's fatter skis, and, most importantly, offer progressive alpine-like flex that you desire for the down. The A.T. frames are divided into two categories: Triax-Pro and Triax-Performance frames.
Innovation in Design:
Here at Black Diamond, innovation is not a four letter word. It is our driver. As we demand more and more from our gear, we demand more and more innovation from ourselves. As part of a new approach to designing, developing and engineering the best gear for climbing and freeride skiing, we are constantly striving to innovate not only the gear itself but also our processes.
For the last two years we've employed the power and flexibility of Siemens' NX PLM software to enable our designers to be cutting-edge in design, innovative in process and quick to make iterations, as well as operate more efficiently within the context of our global design studio. Watch the video below to learn more about how BD engineers use of the NX software to set new benchmarks of design and engineering excellence and most importantly, build the best gear possible for the sports that define our lives
