New EC12: the first Extreme Carving boots, ready to use!
Moderators: fivat, rilliet, Arnaud, nils
- Swoard team
- Administrator
- Posts: 659
- Joined: Thursday 21 March 2002, 11:23
- Location: Switzerland
- Contact:
New EC12: the first Extreme Carving boots, ready to use!
WOW! A dream has come true.
In a previous subject we explained how the story started in 2013. Our perseverance has paid.
Release in November 2019!
Finally here are the first Extreme Carving boots, ready to use! The POWER of hardboots, the MOBILITY of softboots.
Addressed to alpine snowboarders and former softboots riders who want to push the limits of carving and extremecarving. Designed for wider alpine boards and reduced bindings angles, they will allow you to absorb bumps and to ride with fluidity at any speed.
This model is the result of a collaboration between UPZ and the Extreme Carving founders for two years. UPZ is the famous Austrian company, whose owner Wolfgang is a nice guy, 25-years experienced in boots making! He knows everything on the subject and is making the most advanced products of the market, in our opinion. There is a wide range of models, from racing to freecarving.
Used to customize their hardboots since the nineties, the SWOARD team has selected and modified various plastics and tongues to get best performances for their ride technique inspired from surfing. If rotation of the chest is one of the basics, movement of the legs and the ankles are really important ("push-pull").
The new spring system EC-Box is SWOARD exclusive and made in Italy. It was designed by Arnaud (specialist in plastics and CAD), who was already producing spring kits ("ACSS") for many years to make the boots softer. Remember also that Patrice and Jacques modified their spring system in the nineties, what started a trend in 2002 for spring kits which we still see nowadays for all boots. Now for the first time, there is a real EC system mounted on the boots, ready to use. Nothing to install. No plastic to cut. No holes to make.
The EC-Box gives a linear and progressive flexion. Both ISO springs can be easily changed and tested to fit rider's weight and preference. You can also play with the tongues, provided in two stiffnesses. The flex adjustment is really important, and your taste can vary with time. That's why the EC12 is proposed as a package.
The high-end plastics are not affected by temperature: flex remains the same in the cold.
The new FLO-thermo liners are very comfortable. They form thermally to your feet with time.
Available in 20 sizes, from UK 3 to UK 12,5.
Distribution: SWOARD online shop (in November 2019)
Shipment: worldwide from France with UPS
Price of EC12 package: 655 € + local VAT (in EU, there is no custom tax)
The Swoard team
In a previous subject we explained how the story started in 2013. Our perseverance has paid.
Release in November 2019!
Finally here are the first Extreme Carving boots, ready to use! The POWER of hardboots, the MOBILITY of softboots.
Addressed to alpine snowboarders and former softboots riders who want to push the limits of carving and extremecarving. Designed for wider alpine boards and reduced bindings angles, they will allow you to absorb bumps and to ride with fluidity at any speed.
This model is the result of a collaboration between UPZ and the Extreme Carving founders for two years. UPZ is the famous Austrian company, whose owner Wolfgang is a nice guy, 25-years experienced in boots making! He knows everything on the subject and is making the most advanced products of the market, in our opinion. There is a wide range of models, from racing to freecarving.
Used to customize their hardboots since the nineties, the SWOARD team has selected and modified various plastics and tongues to get best performances for their ride technique inspired from surfing. If rotation of the chest is one of the basics, movement of the legs and the ankles are really important ("push-pull").
The new spring system EC-Box is SWOARD exclusive and made in Italy. It was designed by Arnaud (specialist in plastics and CAD), who was already producing spring kits ("ACSS") for many years to make the boots softer. Remember also that Patrice and Jacques modified their spring system in the nineties, what started a trend in 2002 for spring kits which we still see nowadays for all boots. Now for the first time, there is a real EC system mounted on the boots, ready to use. Nothing to install. No plastic to cut. No holes to make.
The EC-Box gives a linear and progressive flexion. Both ISO springs can be easily changed and tested to fit rider's weight and preference. You can also play with the tongues, provided in two stiffnesses. The flex adjustment is really important, and your taste can vary with time. That's why the EC12 is proposed as a package.
The high-end plastics are not affected by temperature: flex remains the same in the cold.
The new FLO-thermo liners are very comfortable. They form thermally to your feet with time.
Available in 20 sizes, from UK 3 to UK 12,5.
Distribution: SWOARD online shop (in November 2019)
Shipment: worldwide from France with UPS
Price of EC12 package: 655 € + local VAT (in EU, there is no custom tax)
The Swoard team
- Swoard team
- Administrator
- Posts: 659
- Joined: Thursday 21 March 2002, 11:23
- Location: Switzerland
- Contact:
Re: New EC12: the first Extreme Carving boots, ready to use!
Here are a few words about the long development of EC12, just to make people realize all the work it represents. Indeed these boots are really different from RC12, RCR and AT8, even if the molds used are those of UPZ (to limit the final price). This is not a question of color, but of very different technical choices and a specific tuning. In the same way we develop snowboards, we have to spend many days testing on the snow and modifying prototypes.
What are the important parameters to be studied and tested on the snow?
- the types of plastics for the shell and the cuff
- the tongues (shape, stiffness, ...)
- the spring system (shape, length of springs, stiffness, ...)
- the way all the boot is working in flexion (or not!)
- the lateral supports
- the dampening (in bumps)
- the precision
- the comfort (liner and geometry)
- and more!
How are made the tests?
All the parameters have to be tested one by one. And to make comparisons, it is required to make quick changes on the snow. Thus several pairs of hardboots are required, ready with different setups, prototypes of spring systems or other customizations. They are taken to the slopes and kept if possible in a warm place. For example, Patrice had bought 4 pairs of UPZ (in addition to 4 pairs of another brand). It seems crazy, but necessary for efficient comparisons. Anyway, when the tests are over, the boots can be used by other riders.
What program and setup?
If carving and extremecarving are the goals, we also make drifted turns or straight runs. Riding with only one attached foot is also an interesting test.
Bindings: Redline.
Bindings features and setup: flat, with good lateral flex, not high bindings angles
Boards: Extremecarver Gen5 and Pro2.
On what slopes?
From blue to black (double diamond), all day long.
If there is nicely groomed snow in the morning, it's important to also ride at the end of the day, when there are bumps and ice in between. A crucial point is the behavior of the boots in moguls: stiff boots are shaking the rider and prevent fluidity. For EC on the ice and in the steep, we also need progressivity of the boots flex to lay down the turns with smoothness.
Conclusion
In our group of engineers, plastic specialist, CAD designer and physicist, with different know-how, we give priority to the tests on snow. Though theories and concepts are important, finally all the tests on snow lead to the best result. As passionate riders, we are very excited by launching the EC12 and carving with them.
The Swoard team
What are the important parameters to be studied and tested on the snow?
- the types of plastics for the shell and the cuff
- the tongues (shape, stiffness, ...)
- the spring system (shape, length of springs, stiffness, ...)
- the way all the boot is working in flexion (or not!)
- the lateral supports
- the dampening (in bumps)
- the precision
- the comfort (liner and geometry)
- and more!
How are made the tests?
All the parameters have to be tested one by one. And to make comparisons, it is required to make quick changes on the snow. Thus several pairs of hardboots are required, ready with different setups, prototypes of spring systems or other customizations. They are taken to the slopes and kept if possible in a warm place. For example, Patrice had bought 4 pairs of UPZ (in addition to 4 pairs of another brand). It seems crazy, but necessary for efficient comparisons. Anyway, when the tests are over, the boots can be used by other riders.
What program and setup?
If carving and extremecarving are the goals, we also make drifted turns or straight runs. Riding with only one attached foot is also an interesting test.
Bindings: Redline.
Bindings features and setup: flat, with good lateral flex, not high bindings angles
Boards: Extremecarver Gen5 and Pro2.
On what slopes?
From blue to black (double diamond), all day long.
If there is nicely groomed snow in the morning, it's important to also ride at the end of the day, when there are bumps and ice in between. A crucial point is the behavior of the boots in moguls: stiff boots are shaking the rider and prevent fluidity. For EC on the ice and in the steep, we also need progressivity of the boots flex to lay down the turns with smoothness.
Conclusion
In our group of engineers, plastic specialist, CAD designer and physicist, with different know-how, we give priority to the tests on snow. Though theories and concepts are important, finally all the tests on snow lead to the best result. As passionate riders, we are very excited by launching the EC12 and carving with them.
The Swoard team
Re: New EC12: the first Extreme Carving boots, ready to use!
This news scares me! I'm already afraid to give up on my old gray NW boots.
Will I have to buy new orange bootts?
ps
UPZ boots are self-disassembling. The screws of the washer regularly remain in the snow on the slope. But you can’t buy them in the store. Plastic is very fragile upon impact, instantly bursting. These problems have been noted previously. Are these problems resolved in the new boots?
Re: New EC12: the first Extreme Carving boots, ready to use!
Hello to all! Congratulations to the EC on the release of its own boot model! Great news.
Will there be a separate EC-box kit for tuning UPZ RC10, of which there are so many ...?
Will there be a separate EC-box kit for tuning UPZ RC10, of which there are so many ...?
Re: New EC12: the first Extreme Carving boots, ready to use!
whats the different between the new xc12 an this one ec12?
https://upzboots.com/shop/2020-xc12-shoxxter-orange/
https://upzboots.com/shop/2020-xc12-shoxxter-orange/
Moon and Carve - der Hardboot Event in der Schweiz
Re: New EC12: the first Extreme Carving boots, ready to use!
No, the EC-Box is dedicated for the EC12 boots. But the ACSS kit is still available. Contact me by MP.AVel1990 wrote:Will there be a separate EC-box kit for tuning UPZ RC10, of which there are so many ...?
Swoard EC Pro2 168H - Swoard EC12 Boots - Gen5 168H - Stoke 162 M
- joemzl
- Moderator
- Posts: 1399
- Joined: Tuesday 5 September 2006, 20:29
- Location: where Varus died in Germany // above you see, why I came to snowboarding: the Vitelli Turn
Re: New EC12: the first Extreme Carving boots, ready to use!
Self-disassembling has been only a problem on the first generation of RC10 years ago and was discussed on Frozen Backside forum intensively. No more problems since second generation. But to be sure, some guys use Locktite.Vitaly wrote: ↑Wednesday 23 October 2019, 19:03UPZ boots are self-disassembling. The screws of the washer regularly remain in the snow on the slope. But you can’t buy them in the store. Plastic is very fragile upon impact, instantly bursting. These problems have been noted previously. Are these problems resolved in the new boots?
Plastic is fragile? In fact, I can´t remember to have read about any broken boot. So it only can be a seldom problem. But maybe in the cold at Ural?
@denza: difference: name , ec spring box, additional set with springs and tongues included at RX12? (to be confirmed by the team)
Extreme Dreamer every night
Swoard Pro 175M +Race Ti Flex, Plasma CE185/17, Swoard Stoke 162M
Swoard Pro 175M +Race Ti Flex, Plasma CE185/17, Swoard Stoke 162M
Re: New EC12: the first Extreme Carving boots, ready to use!
RCR spring boxes are sold as spare parts:
http://carver.si/snowboard_hard_and_sof ... pz_rcr_box
But i assume it to be different than one with EC one
http://carver.si/snowboard_hard_and_sof ... pz_rcr_box
But i assume it to be different than one with EC one
Re: New EC12: the first Extreme Carving boots, ready to use!
Good question ! I do not understand why UPZ released 2 types of shoes with similar programs ??denza79 wrote: ↑Thursday 24 October 2019, 10:43whats the different between the new xc12 an this one ec12?
https://upzboots.com/shop/2020-xc12-shoxxter-orange/
- Swoard team
- Administrator
- Posts: 659
- Joined: Thursday 21 March 2002, 11:23
- Location: Switzerland
- Contact:
Re: New EC12: the first Extreme Carving boots, ready to use!
Thank you for asking! We hoped that a clear image would be clear.
Here is more detailed info.
All developments on the snow have been made by the SWOARD team, what has led to the EC12 as explained above. Then in the factory the XC12 has been derived partially from this development: some elements are the same, some are not. It's a way to explore what the public will prefer on the snow for freecarving.
Roughly the XC12 is in between the RC12 and the EC12. It has been made in small series for Japan and a few distributors, so more shops can sell such softer hardboots (not only Swoard which is small). This is great because there is a real demand worldwide. In addition, bigger production has allowed a lower price for the customers.
Along to the pictures, you can see that the cuff (upper part) is not the same.
A big difference is the spring system: the RCR-Box is originally made for the RCR model, which is a race model (stiff hardboots). It is assembled now with softer springs.
The EC-Box is really different (designed by Arnaud and made in Italy) and has various strong features:
- it works without friction, thanks to a different geometry and other material
- it gives a linear and progressive flexion
- it comes with ISO springs: the colors are well known from the community and are a good reference for flex adjustment (from soft to hard: green > blue > red; then yellow is very hard)
- the springs are really easy to change (what is not the case with the RCR-Box).
- anthracite tongues (soft flex) and black tongues (medium flex).
The XC12 has only the anthracite tongues. Note that the price of extra tongues which can be bought directly by e-mail at www.upz-boots.at are 70 €, without shipment. - additional ISO springs (for frontside and backside), with the well-known colors.
The hardboots are mounted with the softest springs.
We wanted such a package because the flex adjustment is really important. You can't give same gear to a 45 kg small girl and a 100 kg big guy. It's a bit like the concept of flex choice for SWOARD boards: you can find what closely matches yourself. Moreover, your flex preferences can vary with time. Easy adjustment is cool.
Voilà!
The Swoard team
Re: New EC12: the first Extreme Carving boots, ready to use!
Is there any other color we can choose?
Re: New EC12: the first Extreme Carving boots, ready to use!
thanks for your detailed explanationSwoard team wrote: ↑Thursday 24 October 2019, 18:02Thank you for asking! We hoped that a clear image would be clear.
Here is more detailed info.
Moon and Carve - der Hardboot Event in der Schweiz
- Swoard team
- Administrator
- Posts: 659
- Joined: Thursday 21 March 2002, 11:23
- Location: Switzerland
- Contact: