I tried on the EXO PROs yesterday(dry land); the front of my left foot lost circulation within a few minutes and was uncomfortable. I then tried on the EXO Form. It was more comfortable, so they mounted them to my ski. I adjusted the fin and boot angles. I am starting with as close to the same as the Animals were. (front straight and back almost full angle.) If you loosen the boot just a little, you can feel the clicks of the serration on the mount as you slide it to the side. The full amount is four clicks. I angled it to three clicks. The bottom of the plate that allows movement in all direction of the boot mounts is pre-calibrated forward and aft. Front has 2, 1, 0,-1,-2. Obviously 0 is factory suggested setting, I attempted to measure (hard to be exact) but came up with 29”. The back has 13 settings, 6 through -6. The shells have removable heat moldable booties which have removable rubber insoles. I know some people that like to feel the ski more and for them they can remove the rubber insoles and achieve that if desired. Those people also seemed to want to be as low to the ski and water also. This new HO system has the inside of the boot (before the bootie goes in) at 17mm or 11/16” above the top of the ski. The old Animal front boot not including the rubber insole was 15mm and the rear was 3.5mm. They are other systems out there to get you closer to the ski.

I will report back after I ski today.

How hard are the EXO's to get in to? I'm recovering from a pretty serious foot injury, (back in November, 2 operations etc.) and want to get Hard Shells for when I start skiing the course again, but I need ones that will be easy to get on / off.

Let reiterate this disclaimer: I have not skied the Exo system, I have only examined and tried on the boots. Of the not-rubber boots, these are by far the most difficult to get on. I don't think it's a good or bad thing, but if you have a tender ankle, I think the Pros will be pretty difficult to get on. The Form might be all around easier to get on.

Interesting and surprising comments. I have been skiing on Fogmans for the past 10+ years and I never had the discomfort problem. Same with the Reflex hardshell and (from what I heard) Goode Powershells , Radars and FM. The really big advantage of hardshells is that they hold the feet well but don't hurt and allow long sets w/o cramping. So far, it seems that this will be EXO Mk I and that we will see more versions in the future! Pity! Anyway I hope to try them out in a few weeks time.

any more people on the exo's? Why arent more people talking about these bindings like the RS1s? Im on a pair of RS1s and was wondering if anyone has switched from them to the exos and their thoughts. Is the adapter plate out yet?

I switched from EXO to RS1. I like the RS1s much better. The HO rep told me that the first batch of EXOs were not what HO wanted.

I have sold two pairs and both recipients totally loved them right away.  I have seen them release and perform and they look pretty killer.

I would contact HO directly and talk to them. They are always very helpful over there. Im sure they would be glad to sell you just the plate.

dleenhouts wrote:

I won a pair of these from HO & I'm wondering where I can get an adapter plate since I'm skiing on a 2009 HO model. I've seen a few online shops that offer them as an option for an extra $60 or so, but they're only available if you buy the whole setup. Anyone have any info there? I'm still waiting to hear back from HO, & I can't seem to find any ski shops around Boston either.

There are no ski shops around Boston.  There is one in Naples Maine called Sun Sports and I haven't found any others.

These EXO Pro's are the best boot I have ever tried, Foog's, Power's, Reflex.  I was hooked on the RS-1's until they wore out and from the first set these HO's are by far the best.  They must have used a foot exactly like mine to mold them because the fit is great. Only took me one set to figure out how snug to pull the laces and clicks of the buckle to get the best feel without any pressure points.  Someone earlier said they were moldable, they are not. They are formed to support the achilles and heel. The arch support is rubber like a rubber binding type material.

The numbers on the bottom of the rail are for reference only, meaning the Zero Mark on the front is not the exact placement for factory boot distance from tail. The marks on the rear boot are the reference point that matches up to the chart showing where to set the release tension. It relates to a height and weight chart included in the box. Depending on where the rear heel number falls for your size boots and placement, it will change the leverage point and will require more or less tension on the release mechanism. Again, refer to the chart.

As far as getting in them, you just pull the cuff backwards all the way and lift the tongue. Slips in wet or dry, no soap needed.  As easy to get off as the Powershell, reflex or Foog's. Just make sure you get the edges of the tongue back under the eyelets before tightening the laces, this is where pressure on the top of the foot may be realized. Once I got the tongue back in the right spot, it was very comfy.

These are links to some videos a guy made showing how he puts them on the swim step, he got them wet to show how easy they go on even when wet, dry is even easier. The second is a close up review he made of the boots and system assembly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBq5-UtmesU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_6CFRHrqNE&NR=1

Home Run HO !

Last edited by crdickey (Fri, Jul 2, 2010 3:32 AM)

OK it took a while but here is a kind of fuzzy phone picture of my adaptor plate. I had a big family vacation coming up and nobody had the EXO bindings in stock. I searched and search and finally found a pair. All the EXO boot suppliers had sent there boots back. Still from the one company I could fiind that still had the first batch, they still had no adaptor plates. Every company I talked to said that they would call when they are in....... well I knew what that meant. So I set out making my own plate out of 1/8 in. aluminum. Cut, shaped, drilled, and carved and a day later and I had my adaptor plate.  Crude-ish... I know, but it works.