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Lange XT3 120 Review

These are lightly modified resort boots, built to optimize the downhill and be minimally functional on the way up
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Lange XT3 120 Review
Credit: Lange
Price:  $750 List
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Manufacturer:   Lange
By Jediah Porter ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  May 8, 2023
62
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#12 of 18
  • Downhill Performance - 35% 10.0
  • Uphill Performance - 20% 1.0
  • Weight - 20% 2.0
  • Comfort and Fit - 10% 8.0
  • Warmth - 10% 9.0
  • Ease of Use - 5% 7.0

Our Verdict

We grant the Lange XT3 120 one of our more specialized awards. It is an excellent product but is really only serviceable in a narrow niche of applications. If you want resort boots for occasional human-powered endeavors, you might justify these boots. You'll get excellent downhill performance, but pay for it on the way up with greater weight and limited touring cuff efficiency. To see how it stacks up versus the competition, check out our review of the best backcountry ski boots.
REASONS TO BUY
Excellent downhill performance
Durable
Warm
Reliable
Familiar
REASONS TO AVOID
Very limited uphill and foot-travel performance
Heavy
Editor's Note: We updated this review on May 8, 2023, to reflect the latest version of the XT3 120. We're linking to the updated model in our review.

Compare to Similar Products

 
lange xt3 120
This Product
Lange XT3 120
Awards Top Pick Award
Best Hybrid Touring Boot
Editors' Choice Award
Best All-Around Backcountry Ski Boot
Editors' Choice Award
Best Lightweight Backcountry Ski Boot
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck
 
Price $382.49 at Evo
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$899.95 at REI
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$948.95 at Backcountry
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$948.95 at Backcountry
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$699 List
$699.00 at Backcountry
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line Excellent for short climbing sessions interspersed with largely mechanized access backcountry skiingThis is an excellent ski boot that quietly entered the market and crushes the competitionFor all-around skiing with a light and fast preference, this is a great choiceWell-balanced AT ski boot performance at a reasonable price point and with a fit that favors comfort and accommodates average to high volume feetThis is a contender for our highest award. It is slightly edged out in the scoring, but should definitely be on the short list with the flagship boots from the other more prominent manufacturers
Rating Categories Lange XT3 120 Tecnica Zero G Tour... Scarpa F1 LT Scarpa Maestrale RS La Sportiva Vega
Downhill Performance (35%)
10.0
8.0
6.0
8.0
8.0
Uphill Performance (20%)
1
7.0
8.0
6.0
6.0
Weight (20%)
2.0
5.0
9.0
5.0
5.0
Comfort and Fit (10%)
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
Warmth (10%)
9.0
7.0
5.0
8.0
8.0
Ease of Use (5%)
7.0
7.0
5.0
8.0
8.0
Specs Lange XT3 120 Tecnica Zero G Tour... Scarpa F1 LT Scarpa Maestrale RS La Sportiva Vega
Weight per Pair (Size 26.5) 7 lbs 11 oz 5 lbs 13 oz 4 lbs 7 oz 6 lbs 5 oz 6 lbs 8 oz
Weight of One Boot Shell 1398 g 1119 g 0809 g 1180 g 1220 g
Weight of One Stock Liner, No Footbed 352 g 204 g 214 g 252 g 253 g
Weight of One Complete Boot, No Insole 1750 g 1323 g 1023 g 1432 g 1473 g
Range of Motion (degrees) 34° 55° 72° 60° 60°
Binding Compatibility? Tech, DIN AT, Grip Walk Tech and DIN AT Tech only Tech and DIN AT Tech and DIN AT
Stated Flex Index 120 130 95 125 115
Manufacturer Stated Last Width 100 mm 99 mm 102 mm 101 mm 102.5mm
Liner Design Wrap Wrap Tongue Tongue Tongue
Shell material Polyurethane Grilamid Grilamid, Carbon core Carbon Grilamid Grilamid

Our Analysis and Test Results

Lange is a ski boot company. They make nothing else. For this, we applaud them. In a world of “vertical integration”, where every company seems bent on taking over the world, it is refreshing when one outfit focuses. For years and years, even as the AT ski business boomed, it seemed that Lange would stay focused on alpine only boots. We, for one, are thankful that Lange has bucked this inertia and decided to enter the AT ski boot market. Their XT3 130 brings alpine performance with just a touch of touring functionality to make it a specialized backcountry downhill ski tool for the modern market. This is an alpine ski boot that tours. Nothing else.

Performance Comparison


lange xt3 120 - when maximum ski sensitivity matters above all else, the lange xt3...
When maximum ski sensitivity matters above all else, the Lange XT3 has got your back. The rest of the time, its weight and touring friction will hold you back. Choose wisely.
Credit: Jediah Porter

Uphill Performance


We are careful with our words. This is an alpine ski boot that also tours. It isn't a “backcountry ski boot” in the modern sense of the phrase. The “walk mode” has limited range and a great deal of friction. The fore-aft walk mode flexion range of the XT3 is the lowest in our entire test. We measured it at 34 degrees, total. We find that limiting, even in boots that offer low friction within the range. Ankles and bodies like 40 degrees or more of cuff range.


Further, efficiency comes from range and friction within that range. The associated friction of the tight Lange pivot rivets and closely engineered ski/walk mode switch makes for a tool that, even in walk mode, feels like an alpine boot. These are ski boots for short tours. You will suffer, as compared to anything else in our review and most of the backcountry boot market, on the uphill in these Lange boots.

lange xt3 120 - just a few years ago, it was inconceivable for tech binding...
Just a few years ago, it was inconceivable for tech binding compatible boots to perform like the Lange XT3. Not so any longer.
Credit: Jediah Porter

Weight


On our calibrated scale, we measured the size 26.5 tester pair of the Lange XT3 130 to weigh 7 pounds 11 ounces. That's 1750 grams per boot. Of that, 1398 grams is in the shell, and 310 grams is in the liner. The liner is heavier than average but not the heaviest available in a touring boot. The shell is heavier than anything else in our current test, and nearly twice the weight of one of our highest award winners. It is definitely more than twice the weight of uber light options on the market.


Beware catalog copy. Boots in this category are touted as being “lightweight”. As compared to resort boots, they are. A pair of Lange XT3 130 might weigh 80% of what resort boots weigh. They might weigh 50% of the absolute heaviest boots, provided those heavy boots are equipped with rigid, vacuum-style custom liners. However, the range of touring boot weights is significant. As we noted above, the Lange XT3 is more than 200% the weight of the lightest competitors. The weight of this Lange is much closer to average resort boots than it is to average touring boots.

lange xt3 120 - the traditional, four-buckle form of the lange xt3 is much of its...
The traditional, four-buckle form of the Lange XT3 is much of its appeal. We like familiar things in unfamiliar environments.
Credit: Jediah Porter

Downhill Performance


The Lange XT3 goes downhill very, very well. You choose these for downhill performance. Their downhill performance is virtually indistinguishable from typical recreational resort boots. The materials, geometry, construction, and accessories are all tuned for downhill performance first.


The “touring dork” faction of our test team is blown away by the Lange XT3 120. To show this misanthropic, reclusive team how rad optimal downhill performance can be has been a sweet treat. It takes them an adjustment period (yes, going from flimsy boots to stiff boots is nearly as tricky as the opposite journey), but it changes their view without fail. The Lange is too heavy and confining for extended human-powered use, but it opens the eyes of even the most jaded practitioners.

lange xt3 120 - choose the lange xt3 for lower paced, high-quality downhill ski days...
Choose the Lange XT3 for lower paced, high-quality downhill ski days and priorities. the fit, warmth, and control is amazing.
Credit: Jediah Porter

Comfort and Fit


The XT3 is one of the rare boots in our test that worked for most testers straight out of the box. Only a few share this honor. All the others required some sort of work to be usable by the bulk of our test team. Now, our test team is pretty resilient. They swap ski boots from one day to the next for long days of ski mountaineering and backcountry skiing. You may very well need to customize any of the boots we didn't.


Further enhancing the value, fit and appeal of this boot, Lange sells it in a “low volume” version. This LV version, presumably (we did not test it), offers the same performance attributes with less space inside for a given shell length. This is amazing and will further sell the boot to those tougher to fit. We have to attribute the fit options to Lange's commitment to ski boots.

lange xt3 120 - the xt3 wins a niche award for niche performance. it is a great...
The XT3 wins a niche award for niche performance. It is a great choice for maximum downhill performance and occasional uphill travel.
Credit: Jediah Porter

Warmth


You lug all that material up the mountain. The bulk and mass of the Lange XT3 is first credited with mind-blowing downhill performance. The next and hidden advantage of the thick liners and shells is in insulating value. More material around your foot makes your foot warmer.


After fit, warmth is mostly influenced by the shell and liner thickness. These Lange boots are thick, first for downhill performance. The upshot is that this makes them warmer too. As compared to ultralight boots, the XT3 is more insulating. It is similar to other heavy and thick boots in our test.

lange xt3 120 - the gripwalk sole of the lange xt3 works in matched resort bindings...
The GripWalk sole of the Lange XT3 works in matched resort bindings. This could be an excellent way to streamline your kit, provided the vast majority of your skiing is at the resort.
Credit: Jediah Porter

Ease of Use


To optimize downhill performance, the XT3 is built with “overlap construction”. This means that the entire boot is two pieces. To get in and out of the boot, one must flex overlapping flaps out of the way on both cuff and lower boot. “Three piece” or “tongue constructed” boots have a front tongue that folds out of the way for entry. In short, it is easier to get in and out of tongue boots than overlap boots. In some instances, this difference is unimportant. If you can put your boots on in a warm lodge or hut, it doesn't matter very much. If you are on the tailgate of your car in a cold and windy parking lot or, even worse, in a tent on an expedition, overlap boots can be a battle not worth fighting. For this reason alone, and we know it may seem silly, but trust us, we don't recommend the XT3 for overnight ski touring camping.


Otherwise, the four standard buckles, velcro power strap, and tightly engineered walk-mode are familiar and reliable. The external walk mode switches on other boots are easier to operate and less likely to ice up than the XT3, but not by much.

One major attribute of the XT3 is its sole. Regarding binding compatibility, this boot is more versatile than most others in our test. Like all the boots we tested, and this is how we tested all of them, the Lange can be used in modern “tech” style touring bindings. These are the best bindings for all sorts of backcountry skiing. Also, the sole of the Lange is built to be compatible (and safe for use) with so-called GripWalk alpine resort bindings. For use in-bounds, GripWalk bindings are better than touring bindings. Then, the XT3 boots are more versatile for those that want boots for inbounds and a little bit of out.

Should You Buy the Lange XT3 120?


For your normal, skin-accessed, largely straight up and straight down ski touring, the compromises of uphill efficiency of the Lange XT3 can be reasonably overcome. Ski performance aside, that's high praise coming from us. For their performance, the XT3 isn't very expensive. In fact, touring ski boot prices are consolidating nearly across the board. Further enhancing the value of the XT3 is its durability. These boots will last a long, long time. If recent history is any indication, this level of downhill-uphill balance won't be dramatically eclipsed for years and years.

What Other Backcountry Ski Boots Should You Consider?


For flat approaches, huge days, and any sort of non-skinning (cramponing, walking, scrambling), the limited cuff mobility of the Lange XT3 will indeed be noticed. In those situations — onces which most backcountry skiers will find themselves from time to time — the XT3 boots will be onerous. That is the reason we recommend lighter and more flexible boots like the Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro for all-around use. And if you're all about the up, an even more flexible boot like the Scarpa F1 LT better fits the bill.

Jediah Porter