Ride Orion 2001

Review Date
December 18, 2003

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Used product for
6-15

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by: musdod(Unregistered User) ,  Advanced

Price Paid:  $99.00 at Sport Mart

Favorite place to ride:
Big White

Riding Style:
All Mountain/Freeride

Product Year:
2002

Summary:
Both my girlfriend and I rode this system for almost a year untill we had the same problem FSRslug had. My girlfriend was just coming off the chair when for no reason at all, or so it seamed, she landed flat on her ass. Turned out the toe clip ripped right out of the boot! So I took a look at mine and found the plastic was cracking all around the toe clip on my left foot. It was really too bad cause I loved the boots. I felt they were the perfect balance of stiffness and comfort. We tried to take them back to the store but the couldn't replace them because they no longer carried that line. So we contacted Ride and the service rep told us to have the store ship them back so that they could find us some new boots that would work for us. Well that was almost a year ago now and we can't get in touch with those people we spoke with. I will never buy another Ride product again.

Strengths:
Great comfort and control

Weaknesses:
Poor construction of binding interface.

Similar Products Used:
Rossignol step ins (heavy soles, but at least they won't break)

Review Date
November 13, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Countless

Reviewed by: Jessie(Unregistered User) ,  HardCore

Price Paid:  $130.00 at Sports Outlet in Spo

Favorite place to ride:
Silver Mountain

Riding Style:
All Mountain/Freeride

Product Year:
2002

Summary:
I personally have been very pleased with these boots. Originally, these did come with the step-in high back binding system. After riding a friends board w/strap in bindings though, I have retired my step-in bindings and gone to traditional strap-in's (strap in's are much more response at high speed). I've modified these only a tad - I removed the ankle strap which unscrewed pretty easily. They fit VERY well and work excellent with strap-in systems now, but are durable, and have not wore down after 75+ days of use. Before buying these I had been to several stores trying on different boots. When shopping, be sure to try on many until you find the proper fit. These fit and work for me perfectly... they may or may not work for you, so be sure always to try boots on before buying them.

Strengths:
Very comfortable, very sturdy. After over 75 uses, there's normal wear and tear such as scuffs, etc., but they are still in great shape.. not too soft.
Easy to remove ankle strap, allowing compatibility with strap-in bindings should you change your mind and no longer use step in systems.
Excellent if you need ankle support, etc.

Weaknesses:
Might be too rigid for a freestyle rider or someone who prefers a softer boot. Also, if the owner decides to shop for strap-in bindings, a size up than normal will be needed since these are larger than a traditional boot since step in was the intended purpose

Similar Products Used:
Rosignol (standard, not step in)
K2 Sherpa clicker boots (?97/98 model)
Vans (too soft for my personal preference)

Review Date
January 11, 2003

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Used product for
Countless

Reviewed by: slamanamp(Unregistered User) ,  HardCore

Price Paid:  $99.00 at pedersons sport shop

Favorite place to ride:
49 degrees north

Riding Style:
FreeStyle

Product Year:
2002

Summary:
These boots were ok at best. they work and thats about it

Strengths:
the were fast to get in and out of

Weaknesses:
countless weaknesses, the outershell wore off everywhere. the binding became loose very soon after i puchased them. the hurt my feet very badly, i can't believe i actualy stayed with them as long as i did.

Similar Products Used:
other Ride boots

Review Date
February 26, 2002

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Used product for
Countless

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: FSRslug(Unregistered User) ,  Advanced , from Duluth MN

Price Paid:  $130.00 at The White Wolf

Favorite place to ride:
Winter Park

Riding Style:
All Mountain/Freeride

Product Year:
2000

Summary:
I got these boots with the Ride SL bindings in the winter of 2000. Worked wonderfully when I used them. I have obnly ridden on them for about 50 hours. Last month i went through some powder and did a face-plant. My boot was ripped out of the binding. I tried to get back in but couldnt get clipped in. I looked at the boot and the toe clip ws broken off. I called ridde and they said that they would replace the boots and bindings with the clicker style. So I sent them in and 2 weeeks later the dealer called me back to tell me that they wouldn't replace them. I called ride and told then that I was disappointed in their customer service, and asked that they send my setup back. A week later I called to check the status. Stil havent left the company. I was pissed by then. I explained what they said and the lady was basically saying to F*** OFF, they out of warranty so you are screwed. She also hung up on me. How bad is that? And because the device system is no longer made I not only need to buy new boots, but new bindings as well. I guess they are engineered to have a useful product life of not long enough. I would buy these or any product from ride again.

Strengths:
Stiff, durable shell

Weaknesses:
Toe clip broke off

Similar Products Used:
generic strap bindings

Review Date
January 21, 2002

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
2-5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: hpglow(Unregistered User) ,  Intermediate

Price Paid:  $100.00 at blades

Favorite place to ride:
a basin

Riding Style:
All Mountain/Freeride

Product Year:
2002

Summary:
Big and soft. Totaly comfortable. At the same time not lax enough to cause your foot to move around in the boot.

Strengths:
Warm, comfortable.

Weaknesses:
Massive! Havent had any problems with em yet but hardware on the bottom looks like it may be a tad weak. On the other hand I'm no engeneer.