Comments on: SIA: Tecnica Cochise, Cochise Light, and Cochise Pro

By: Frank

Frank — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 14:51:37 +0000

In reply to Johnny. Johnny, did you miss my review posted HERE, where I compare the zzeus to the cochise? Some of your questions can be answered there. Keep in mind that flex numbers don't conform to any sort of standard from one company to another. So while Dynafit may call the zzeus a 120 flex, same as the Cochise, I can tell you from experience with both that they aren't even close- the Cochise is far stiffer. It's also a bit taller, which also helps if you are worried about stiffness. I am much smaller than you (5'8" and 130 lbs) but with my aggressive ex-racer background, I always found the stiffness of the zzeus to be lacking, whereas it's nearly perfect in the Cochise for me. At your size you may want to consider the Cochise Pro as well to get a little more stiffness- if you're worried about the weight you can lighten them up a bit with an aftermarket liner or buckles like the Cochise Light. And in the end, with any boot, it's about fit. Hope that helps!

By: Johnny

Johnny — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 13:50:19 +0000

Frank perfect review, exactly what i was looking for – from somebody who got experiencis with Cochise in action not only from store. I want to update my backcountry set and cant decide between Cochise PL and Dynafit ZZeus. Friend of mine got Cochise 120DYN and he’s saying that on his weight 180 lb (81 kg) they are very stiff. I’m a bit heavy guy 210 lb (95 kg), 5,9 ft (181 cm) and don’t know how they will behaviour in colder condition as in the shop is different temperature.
Dynafit team wrote me back that ZZeus got flex index about 120 what is the same as PL, but for sure can’t compare two different manufacturer as the flex index is no standard. ZZeus got four magnesium buckles and seems that their are higher that PL so I think they can hold my leg better. PL are stripped-down Cochise 120 so instead of power strap connected with buckle (cochise 120) they leave there only power strap with three aluminum buckles. So how do you felt in PL in downhill mode, the transmition from leg to ski was good, is the cuff high enough? Also I couldn’t find how big the lean angle is. Is it between 15°- 21° as in ZZeus or lower? I will use them with Marker Baron and skis Line Prophet 100.
Sorry for to many questions but I’m trying to get as much information as I can, becasue I have limited selection of products that I can also try here. Thanks in advance =))

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:41:43 +0000

In reply to Aaron. Well, only you can say for sure, but food for thought is this: my liners have packed out a bit, so the 27.5 might be perfect after some time in them. I find that Intuitions pack out a lot, so that 28.5 might get really roomy after a while.

By: Aaron

Aaron — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:10:51 +0000

I finally got my hands on this years cochise…and as fate would have it, I am between sizes. I am a 1 to 1.5 finger fit in the 27.5, and a 2 to 2.5 finger fit in the 28.5 (my left foot is half size bigger). The 27.5 feels really good stock, and the 28.5 only feels good with an intuition liner to help take up room.

I like a performance fit even with an AT boot, but do have a bone spur on both back heals that I need to make sure doesn’t get worse.

Do I stick with a 27.5 or size up???

By: Frank

Frank — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:33:04 +0000

In reply to Aaron.

Our source at Technica couldn’t remember the weight of the Pro offhand, and we certainly weren’t carrying a scale with us, but the weight difference is quite noticeable. Brittany picked one up and immediately exclaimed, “Yours aren’t this heavy, are they?” That’s why I envision them as more of a lift/access/heli boot than a pure touring one.

I have not skied the Titan or Titan UL, but I did spend the past 4 seasons in the zzeus, which is nearly identical except the zzeus uses a slightly softer plastic. The Cochise tours a little better, IMO. Comparing those two boots on the descent is like comparing a Yugo and a Ferrari. The Cochise Light will be as light or lighter than the Titan UL. Of course, we’re talking boots here, so if the shoe doesn’t fit, as they say… better off with whichever boot fits your foot best.

By: Aaron

Aaron — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:02:17 +0000

How much of a weight penalty is there from the cochise to the pro (both stock)?

I know this is a review for the cochise…but have you been in the dynafit titan ultralight? I would prefer to stick with an alpine ski company for my beef AT boot…hence the cochise as my first choice….but a lot of good boots out there!!

Girdwood just got 27 last night…another 10 on the way!!

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:16:22 +0000

Well, I’m not sure you can get the Pro or the Light yet, so you may have to wait for next year if those boots are really what you want. And of course I haven’t yet been able to make a single turn in the Pro or the Light. But I’d probably look at it like this- the Pro would be my choice for a boot used 80% of the time with lifts (or snomo or heli), or if I was 6’6″ and 225lbs. The Light would be the opposite- 80% touring, with the standard Cochise inbetween. Nice thing about the standard Cochise is that you could put an intuition or Palau liner (which you’ll probably want to do anyway) in there and replace the buckles and end up with the Light (pretty close to it, at least).

We’ll be in Girdwood on the 18th… maybe we’ll ski.