REASONS TO BUY
Balanced uphill and downhill performance
Excellent for wide or high-volume feet
REASONS TO AVOID
Ski/walk mode prone to issues
More expensive than ever
Scarpa Maestrale RS Review
Proven ski boots with modern updates and an overall performance profile that is optimized for the majority of backcountry skiers
The beloved Maestrale RS is a well-made, dare we say excellent all-around ski touring boot.
Credit: Jediah Porter
RELATED: Best Backcountry Ski Boots of 2025
Our Verdict
Boots just keep getting better, and Scarpa is keeping up. The Maestrale RS goes uphill like the Rando race boots of 10 years ago and skis downhill better than anything of that era. The weight is acceptable, though surprisingly, it is a touch heavier than some options that ski downhill even better. The fit is generally higher volume than average, and the shell is thicker than many other boots we tested, both factors which account for the extra weight. Almost any boot can be modified and punched, but those of you with wide or higher-volume feet will likely have to do less work with this boot. There are some quirks you will have to grow accustomed to, but for all-around backcountry skiing, the Maestrale RS continues to be one of our favorites among the best backcountry ski boots on the market.
Editor's Note: We tested the newest iteration of the Maestrale RS through the 2023-2024 season. Savvy readers will know that this boot has long been our Best Buy award winner. However, the price has crept up over the past few seasons, and as a result, the Maestrale RS no longer earns that award title.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Scarpa Maestrale RS | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best All-Around Backcountry Ski Boot |  Best Bang for the Buck | Best Lightweight Backcountry Ski Boot |  Best Hybrid Boot | |
| Price | $949.00 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $899.95 at REI Compare at 4 sellers | $699 List $699.00 at Backcountry | $828.95 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $384.99 at Evo Compare at 3 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Well-balanced performance with a fit that favors comfort and accommodates average to high-volume feet | Whether a newcomer adjusting from the resort or a seasoned expert gunning for 100+ backcountry days a season, this is the most well-rounded AT boot available | Other boots edged this one out of our highest award, but it should definitely be considered for its well-priced value | This is a well-balanced boot for high-volume, high-tempo ski touring and ski mountaineering | Excellent for short climbing sessions interspersed with largely mechanized access backcountry skiing |
| Rating Categories | Scarpa Maestrale RS | Tecnica Zero G Tour... | La Sportiva Vega | Scarpa F1 XT | Lange XT3 120 |
| Downhill Performance (35%) | |||||
| Uphill Performance (20%) | |||||
| Weight (20%) | |||||
| Comfort and Fit (10%) | |||||
| Warmth (10%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (5%) | |||||
| Specs | Scarpa Maestrale RS | Tecnica Zero G Tour... | La Sportiva Vega | Scarpa F1 XT | Lange XT3 120 |
| Weight per Pair (Size 26.5) | 5 lbs 11 oz | 6 lbs 6 oz | 6 lbs 8 oz | 4 lbs 12 oz | 7 lbs 11 oz |
| Binding Compatibility? | MNC, Tech | MNC, Tech | Tech and DIN AT | Tech only | Tech, DIN AT, Grip Walk |
| Measured Range of Motion (degrees) | 76° | 98° | 60° | 108° | 34° |
| Manufacturer Stated Last Width | 102 mm | 99 mm | 102.5 mm | 100 mm | 100 mm |
| Weight of One Complete Boot, No Insole | 1286 g | 1445 g | 1473 g | 1076 g | 1750 g |
| Weight of One Boot Shell | 1045 g | 1212 g | 1220 g | 872 g | 1398 g |
| Weight of One Stock Liner, No Footbed | 241 g | 233 g | 253 g | 204 g | 352 g |
| Stated Flex Index | 125 | 130 | 115 | Not Listed | 120 |
| Liner Design | Tongue | Tongue | Tongue | Tongue | Wrap |
| Shell Material | Grilamid | Grilamid | Grilamid | Grilamid | Polyurethane |
Show full specification details ▼Hide full specification details ▲
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Scarpa Maestrale family of ski boots has become a backcountry skiing institution. Our lead tester rode his first pair more than fifteen years ago now. Iterative and significant improvements make the current Maestrale RS a no-nonsense backcountry skiing boot for all kinds of users. Beginner backcountry skiers will appreciate the way it mimics your resort gear with minimal fiddle factor, while more experienced riders will dig the durability and balanced uphill-to-downhill performance attributes. Other boots are lighter, and still others ski better, but few are as well-balanced as the Maestrale RS. The latest version maintains its excellent overall value and further enhances both uphill and downhill performance.
Performance Comparison
The walk-to-ski transition in the Scarpa Maestrale RS is fairly standard, though we do really like the new design of the booster strap that allows it to be quickly cinched tight.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Downhill Performance
For the weight, at this time in history, we want a little more downhill performance. The cuff and lower shell connection are a little rattly, and the flex isn't as progressive as we expected. The lateral and rearward support is above average. If these boots fit and you have expert-level downhill ski skills (as you probably should for pretty much all backcountry skiing), you will suffer none for choosing the Maestrale RS. Another choice might move the needle a bit on downhill control and sensitivity but cost you in other ways.
The Maestrale RS offers balanced downhill performance for a wide range of users, provided they fit you well.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Uphill Performance
On the uphill, aside from weight (which we assess elsewhere), your primary concerns are with cuff mobility and friction within that range of motion. In these ways, the Maestrale RS is excellent. The overall range of motion is greater than most skier ankles. This is amazing for a boot that skis this well. The friction within the range of motion on the Scarpa is a little greater than that of other boots, at least out of the box. Long-term use indicates that the cuff friction loosens with use. Pivot tolerances grow with time, and interfering surfaces of the cuff and lower shell smooth out to pivot with less resistance than when new.
Scarpa boots are increasingly featuring this ridiculous cuff range. We like it for easy in and out and it doesn't hurt your touring mode either.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Weight
Relatively speaking, 1400 grams per boot is now heavy among available AT boots. For human-powered skiing, with all the excellent ultralight options available, boots around 1400 grams (roughly six pounds for a pair) are considered downhill-oriented. On our scale, the Maestrale RS weighs 1432g. Our top award winners now are lighter than this boot, but both cost more, too, and one doesn't ski nearly as well as this boot.
Backcountry gear, like many things in life, is a matter of compromise. Do you want a lighter boot for going uphill, or one that will ski better downhill?
Credit: Jediah Porter
Comfort and Fit
The Maestrale RS is generally a pretty wide and high-volume fit. For feet that match that description, this is an excellent choice. For average feet, the stiff and thick “Intuition” liner takes up some volume in an almost-sustainable way. Narrow feet should look at other boots in our review.
The thick and relatively stiff Intuition brand liner lends both initial comfort and greater-than-is-typical accommodation for varying foot shapes and sizes. It sure seems that more users are able to fit in the Maestrale RS with just liner molding than in other boots. Most boot customers need some level of customization of their kicks. The simplest customization is to heat mold the liner. In this boot, as compared to other similar options on the market, more people need nothing more than this liner mold procedure. If you need the more sophisticated sort of work down to the shell of your boots, the sturdy materials are conducive.
The buckle form factor is now a little unique. The instep buckle is rare on other boots, though some users still really like that option.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Warmth
The thick liner and average shell material combine to make for a pretty warm package. Especially if your feet are narrow to average, the liner will stay “puffed up” and lend great insulation. Performance suffers from this use, but insulation value is optimized. Many customers of other brands of boots will switch to an Intuition brand liner for boot warmth. The Maestrale RS includes a stock liner that is very similar to this common aftermarket choice. As a result, right “out of the box”, this boot is quite warm.
Cold-weather “testing” in a previous model of the Maestrale RS in Grand Teton National Park. This isn't your typical use case, but it was a good way to test warmth.
Credit: Rosie De Lise
Ease of Use
Scarpa has carefully tailored the Maestrale RS. The latest version improvements came almost equally in terms of uphill, downhill, and ease of use. The set of buckles is simultaneously proven and simple but innovative and unique. The most unique usability feature is the instep buckle. This buckle pushes your heel back into the heel pocket for maximum uphill and downhill retention. We love this. As do many other testers and routine users. The lowest buckle appears complicated, with a routed cable joining multiple anchor points. In use, though, this buckle shaves weight and effectively distributes the holding power.
The ski/walk mode is a large, external lever similar to that which is fast becoming standard. It works as advertised but features a spring that often has lower tension than you'd wish and a bar/slot interface that is pretty tight. With icing and quick flips of the lever, the boot can and does fail to get easily into ski mode. In our testing, we had this issue with this boot more often than we wished. Even when careful with icing and such, the lever fails to lock down at some frequency.
Fairly standard heel and toe profile and fittings on the Maestrale RS make it compatible with most setups.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Should You Buy the Scarpa Maestrale RS?
If the shoe fits, wear it. In this case, if your feet are average to high volume, consider the Maestrale RS. Especially if your performance needs are “average” — meaning almost perfectly balanced going up and down — then this boot hits a sweet spot. They even include an Intuition liner, while most other boots, at any price, do not come with such high-quality, proven liners. This boot is widely available and has been on the market for a very, very long time, which speaks to its time-tested design. You are almost as likely to find a pair of these boots on sale or on the used market. All this adds up to a solid, high-value option.
What Other Backcountry Ski Boots Should You Consider?
The Scarpa Maestrale RS is a well-balanced, all-around touring boot. Other boots, like the Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro or the resort-tuned Lange XT3 120, definitely ski better. There are also other boots that weigh less and offer better uphill performance, like the Scarpa F1 XT. But for the balance of price and performance, it's tough to beat the Maestrale RS. There was a time when we recommended it as a budget pick. At full retail price, that is no longer the case. Comparatively, you can nearly match the performance of the RS and save hundreds of dollars with the award-winning La Sportiva Vega.
—Jediah Porter
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