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Over the past decade, we've purchased, tested, and reviewed over 50 of the best backcountry ski boots. Our current review compares 18 of today's top models side-by-side. Our expert team of acclaimed ski guides spends all winter backcountry skiing in these boots. Every boot is shared among testers with feet of different shapes and sizes, which allows us to compare their overall performance from different perspectives. Our comprehensive review will set you on the right track with expert advice backed by real-world, comparative testing.
The freshly updated Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro continues to top the charts as the best overall backcountry boot. We all put in the effort for high-quality turns – the Zero G Tour Pro masterfully balances weight and downhill ski performance with a neutral fit that comfortably accommodates a wide range of feet. If you're in it for the uphill, the lightweight Scarpa F1 XT is a performance-fit boot that's well-tuned for maximum efficiency.
While the average price of touring boots has crept up over the past few years, the price of the La Sportiva Vega has actually gone down. This well-balanced, high-performance option is now a standout for its exceptional value within a market that has all but standardized the price of ski boots.
Editors' Note: We updated our review of backcountry ski boots on December 11, 2024. We added 7 boots to our lineup, including the freshly updated Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro. We were able to purchase this 2024-2025 boot ahead of its release date and tested it alongside other boots from Scarpa, Atomica, Fischer, Dalbello, and La Sportiva throughout the 2023-2024 season.
An excellent ski boot that quietly entered the market and continues to crush the competition
Proven ski boots with modern updates and an overall performance profile that is optimized for the majority of backcountry skiers
A well-balanced touring boot that emphasizes your downhill experience, at an exceptional price point
Great ski boots for the weight with a tour mode that is free and easy, that misses the mark on fit and in transitions
A high-performance, albeit expensive, option for all sorts of human powered skiing. One wide-footed tester liked these the best of all touring boots we tested
This is widely considered to be the best "speed touring" boot on the market
This neutrally fitting boot is well-balanced, but it is slightly heavier than others with similar downhill performance and has a cuff shape that impedes stride
Balanced, all-around ski touring boots that lean in the light-and-fast direction; these are optimized, probably, for what you like about the mountains
These are lightly modified resort boots, built to optimize the downhill and be minimally functional on the way up
A lightweight, all-around backcountry ski boot with a function that enables fast and smooth transitions
High volume ski boots optimized for downhill use with some convenience aspects included
Lightweight ski boots that ski well but fit roomy and have fiddly hardware and transitions
A great lightweight touring boot that gives those with particular foot shapes an alternative
Dalbello hangs it out there with a unique form factor for their lightweight boots. Our test team is divided on the end result: Some like them, others don't
This is the "speed touring" boot that many have been looking for for a few years
Well-built, high performance ski touring boots for all-around use. Especially good for wide and high volume feet
Skimo race boots that are suitable for some all-around and fast-and-light ski mountaineering endeavors
These boots have a performance-fit (read: tight fit) and climb like a dream, but their flexibility is a detriment on the downhill
Excellent balance of weight and overall performance
Neutral fit to accommodate different feet
REASONS TO AVOID
Slightly involved transitions
Limited insulation value
SPECIFICATIONS
Binding Compatibility?
MNC, Tech
Weight per Pair (Size 26.5)
6 lbs 6 oz
Measured Range of Motion (degrees)
98°
Manufacturer Stated Last Width
99 mm
Weight of One Complete Boot, No Insole
1445 g
With this latest update, the “classic” status of the Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro is firmly established. You won't see another ski boot on more feet of passionate, human-powered skiers. Before the Zero G Tour Pro, downhill-optimized touring boots were basically alpine boots with tech fittings and a walk mode. This model still features an overlapping shell familiar to many alpine boots, but unlike other “hybrid” models, the Zero G Tour Pro was designed from the ground up for ski touring. The result is a boot with an amazing weight-to-downhill performance ratio. This Tecnica boot is lighter than many others, yet skis downhill better than all but a few in our lineup. We've consistently skied every iteration of this boot since its release in 2018, and we're confident that this update keeps everything we love about the original model. Thanks to new hinge points to further decrease friction and an even greater range of motion, the newest version of the Zero G Tour Pro is even easier to walk in and tours slightly better.
All backcountry boots present inherent tradeoffs. Right off the bat, uphill and downhill performance are conflicting. Manufacturers are getting better at optimizing both, but you can't have it all. There are definitely other boots that tour better than the Zero G Tour Pro, like the lighter-weight Scarpa F1 XT, which is specifically tuned for uphill efficiency. However, very few ski better; the notable exceptions are true “hybrid” alpine-touring boots, like the Lange XT3 120. To minimize weight and maximize performance, the Zero G Tour Pro sacrifices a bit of insulation – consequently, it is noticeably less warm than similar-looking boots, though this was noted only among testers with notoriously cold feet. As a boot designed to keep you moving all day, we doubt that fact will deter most backcountry skiers from choosing the best touring boot available.
The top scoring, widely popular Tecnica Zero G boot, in action. One minor downside of this otherwise amazing boot is the more complex transitions, relative to the competition.
The Scarpa F1 XT is the best lightweight (sub-1100 grams) ski touring boot we've worn in a long time – it isn't perfect, but it comes pretty darn close. Backcountry ski boots are improving, all the time, in both downhill ski performance and uphill efficiency. The F1 XT is a derivation of Scarpa's skimo-race boots and, with that lineage, is an excellent companion for long tours and longer ski mountaineering objectives. With a ridiculous range of motion and remarkably low friction in the cuff, it's wonderful to walk in. Yet the lateral stiffness and progressive forward flex are sturdy enough for “nearly normal” downhill skiing. For uphill-oriented backcountry skiers, the F1 XT is the most well-balanced boot currently available.
To improve at all on the uphill performance F1 XT, you would have to sacrifice a lot of downhill performance. A boot like the Dynafit Mezzalama is slightly lighter and includes a softer cuff for improved striding but doesn't ski nearly as well as the F1 XT. To improve downhill performance, you have to add at least 100 grams to each boot, arriving at a boot like the Salomon S/Lab MTN Summit. No lightweight boot is particularly warm due to the thickness of the shell, and this type of boot does require a bit of adjustment to your downhill technique. If you are willing to adapt your pace and energy downhill, then the F1 XT is the lightweight solution to enable high-volume, high-pace ski adventures on all kinds of skis and touring bindings.
The La Sportiva Vega has quietly sat near the top of our lineup for many years. After first testing this boot, we even considered it a contender for our highest award. While the average price of boots like the Scarpa Maestrale RS has slowly crept up over the past few years, La Sportiva actually dropped the price of the Vega. After some years of consideration and this subtle shift in the market, the competitively priced Vega is now an easy choice for our Best Buy award. The best part is that you won't compromise much performance by choosing to save some money. Although the Vega doesn't tour quite as well as other highly efficient boots, it is surprisingly powerful, with a gentle, progressive forward flex that promotes high-energy skiing on par with the Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro.
Compared to other burly boots, the hardware on the Vega is a bit lightweight and thus a bit more vulnerable to breaking. We don't really like that the ski/walk mode mechanism is inside the plastic of the boot – although we didn't experience any problems during testing, other boots with a similar design have given us issues in the past. Externally mounted levers tend to be a bit more reliable and, more importantly, easier to troubleshoot if problems arise. Like other La Sportiva boots we've tested, the Vega is tight-fitting, particularly over the instep. Of course, any fit issues can be easily mitigated by a professional boot fitter. However, folks with wide or otherwise high-volume feet will likely find that the Dynafit Radical Pro is more accommodating.
We like to be able to recommend a boot to you that skis narrow to mid-fat skis well, tours very well, weighs around one kilogram, and transitions from up to down and back again with one lever move. In the past, we have been able to give that product an Editors Choice award, but ski boot innovation has come a long way. The Dynafit TLT X stands out as our recommendation for speedy touring because of its one-move transition lever. This function is so much more efficient than other top lightweight boots on the market that require complex transition sequences.
Other boots in our lineup weigh about as much as the TLT X, tour just as well, and ski downhill better – namely the Scarpa F1 XT. While the fit of the TLT X is comfortable and accessible to most foot shapes, its minimalist design isn't very warm (though that is to be expected of any lightweight touring boot). The cable-and-dial lower closure is contentious, but it works for this boot. For us, it really comes back to the efficiency gained by the one-move transition. There may be other boots that ski or tour slightly better, but if we're on a mission with tight margins, the ease of transition of the TLT X just might make all the difference.
The Lange XT3 120 is the best we've tested for downhill-optimized performance. For someone who spends most of their time riding chairs or other mechanized access, it's a great choice. It's also optimal for those who typically engage in short tours, boot packs, and “sidecountry” touring. It is one of a few available that will work with tech-style touring bindings and with resort alpine bindings (the resort bindings must be “GripWalk” compatible). Our lead test editor and full-time backcountry ski guide have used them for some day-to-day guiding, where comfort, downhill performance, and warmth are his biggest considerations.
The weight and lack of touring mobility will narrow the appeal of these boots. They don't tour or climb nearly as well as other options we assess. We do not recommend them for big days or technical tours. If you have aspirations along those lines, a similarly-priced boot like Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro is a better investment. That said, if you're a fan of going into the backcountry for short jaunts and want excellent downhill performance, where the uphill isn't as much of a concern, the XT3 120 is a strong recommendation. We've seen people take these boots on 8000-vertical-foot walkabouts. It isn't recommended and is more a testament to those testers' grit than to the efficiency of the boot. Nonetheless, almost anything is possible.
Lange XT 130 is a burly, resort-quality ski boot that can be used for short tours or by those that are very fit and don't mind uphill inefficiency in exchange for maximum downhill performance.
Credit: Jediah Porter
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Choose your boots wisely. Peruse our findings to refine your choice.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Why Trust GearLab
We have used backcountry ski boots in locations all over the world. From the western United States to Canada, Alaska, Peru, Argentina, Chile, and Europe, our testers encountered every type of snow and terrain conditions. We found whatever limitations, quirks, or impressive qualities each pair brought to the table. In addition to testing out in the wild, we measured, weighed, and flexed each boot in our lab to gain empirical data and see how manufacturer claims held up to our measurements. Our testing is ongoing and continuous. Through all of the Northern Hemisphere ski season (and beyond, travel climate allowing), we have tester boots out on the snow almost every day.
Our backcountry ski boot test team has had hours of conversations with people just like you – seeking advice, assessment, and comparisons between the ever-expanding list of options on the market. With many decades of experience in backcountry skiing, dozens of years spent in ski gear consulting, and thousands of days of touring, ski mountaineering, and human-powered ski guiding under the belts of our test team, we can make authoritative and relatable recommendations.
We assess each boot on our weighted scoring matrix that considers these six metrics:
Downhill Performance (35% of overall score weighting)
Uphill Performance (20% weighting)
Weight (20% weighting)
Comfort and Fit (10% weighting)
Warmth (10% weighting)
Ease of Use (5% weighting)
Our AT ski boot testing team is led by longtime tester and all-around mountain athlete Jed Porter. As an IFMGA certified guide, Jed spends a huge amount of time on skis for both work and play. These professional and personal ski pursuits take him deep into the backcountry in a multitude of locales, providing a unique opportunity to put gear to the test over a variety of real-world conditions. In addition to Jed's wealth of knowledge and experience, we sought input from seasoned ski mountaineers, beginner ski tourers, and other guides to round out our evaluation of these ski boots.
We test for uphill and downhill performance, and note what it takes to switch between.
We objectively measure range of motion.
Some of our findings are out of the ordinary. For instance, we recommend the La Sportiva Skorpius CR II more for alpine climbing than traditional ski touring.
Analysis and Test Results
We've been steadily testing these boots and, over the years, have gathered more and more information on performance and best uses. Our comprehensive testing starts by researching the market every season to judge which models we want to compare against our award-winning lineup. We then purchase all of these boots at retail – just like you. They are run through a battery of objective, laboratory-style testing, and then we take them into the wild for months of field time in backcountry ski touring and ski mountaineering terrain.
What's the Best Value?
It is likely that you've already dished out for a pair of top-rated backcountry skis and some sweet AT bindings to go with them. Now, you're prioritizing value as you look at the up-to-four-figure price tag of backcountry ski boots. Worry not! We rounded up all the specs for the boots in our review and mapped them out specifically in terms of value. First, ski touring boot prices are consolidating. The best, most expensive ones aren't nearly as far from the least expensive as they used to be. This is largely due to a decrease at the top of the heap, though the least expensive boots have inched up, too.
The La Sportiva Vega represents the best value on the market. This boot is notably less expensive than other top performers – there are a few other boots that score similarly yet cost hundreds of dollars more. It tours nearly as well, but more importantly, maximizes downhill ski performance. We want to point out that bargain shopping for ski boots usually compromises performance and weight more than durability or fit. If the boot fits, less expensive options will do the trick, and you will grow accustomed to their particular performance tradeoffs. In fact, less expensive boots, like the Vega, are often more durable than the lightweight options at the top of the heap.
If hunting for low-angle pow is your jam, budget gear can get you out on the skin track with few compromises.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Downhill Performance
We tested and compared all these boots mainly while ski touring but also scored some mileage on chairlifts. As a whole, stiffer boots performed better in our testing. Heavier boots, too, helped us ski down better. Stiffness has a direct causative relationship with performance.
Overall Flex and Stiffness
Generally speaking, everyone wants, or at least thinks they want stiffer boots. That said, depending on your skiing ability, body weight, and skiing style, ski boots can easily be too stiff and will work against you instead of helping you while skiing down. For example, most 120-pound people won't benefit from the stiffest boot available; they won't be able to absorb bumps as effectively as someone who has just a little more mass behind their ankle flexion. On the other side, a 225-pound, 6'3" user will need a stiffer boot even at intermediate ability and speed because they just have more weight and leverage to flex the boot.
Side-by-side, direct comparison like this is one of our greatest tools for assessing boots.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Our testers flex-tested the stiffness of all the boots in our review, side-by-side indoors, and also did our best to test them one at a time while skiing multiple laps in varied terrain. In order to reduce variables, we made sure to make at least a few direct comparisons using the same skis and bindings. Our testers agreed the stiffest boots were the hybrid Lange XT3, while the Dynafit Radical Pro wasn't too far behind as a true touring boot.
Stiff boots, like the Dynafit Radical Pro, allow you to more easily manage the heavy loads required for expedition skiing. Pictured is our lead tester on the way home after a successful ski descent from the summit of Denali.
Credit: Jediah Porter
The next category down holds boots like the La Sportiva Vega, Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro, Atomic Backland XTD Carbon 120, and Scarpa Maestrale RS. Other boots with similar flex, like the Fischer Transalp Carbon Pro and Salomon S/Lab MTN Summit, ski nearly as well as these top performers.
Soft snow allows for use of soft boots. Those light, soft boots, though, will feel better if their forward flex is “progressive”.
The Atomic Backland Ultimate is the only boot in our lineup that dips below 1000 grams (and well below at that). A long tour into the heart of the Tetons stretched the limits of this specialty boot.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Forward Flex Pattern
In actual ski use, absolute stiffness is only part of the equation. For the most part, stiff boots ski better. However, when comparing similarly stiff boots, we examine the subjective sense the skier gets from the forward flex pattern. Fully rigid boots, especially when pressing shins forward, are actually impossible to ski. One needs some degree of forward motion. The best boots flex easily at first, maybe in just the first degree of travel, and steadily meet greater and greater resistance. This resistance should ramp up steadily and smoothly in what we call a “progressive flex.”
Stormy skies and tough snow make for excellent testing conditions.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Lightweight, stiff materials, especially carbon fiber and other types of fiberglass, constructed into “three-piece” style boots (lower shell, upper cuff, and tongue) offer less progressive flex than “overlap,” two-piece boots (lower shell and upper cuff – no tongue on the shell) made of thick plastic and no carbon. Generally, the best flexing boots we tested are those overlap boots at the hefty and less-touring-friendly end of the spectrum. Special mention must be made of the Dynafit Radical Pro. These Dynafit boots are tongue-style boots that flex nearly as well or, in some cases, better than an overlap boot. The cuff and ski/walk mode of the Radical models is an entirely different, tensioned design that better locks the parts in downhill mode, dramatically improves the initial feel, and at least somewhat enhances the ultimate performance.
Tougher, windblown snow rewards sturdier boots for the downhill. Especially if your ski technique is less polished.
Credit: Jediah Porter
As evidenced by the Radical Pro, tongue boots can be made to offer a modicum of progression in their forward flex. However, overlap boots remain better. The Zero G Tour Pro is lighter than and tours better than heavy tongue boots with a flex pattern that is equal to or even slightly better.
Even though the Zero G Tour Pro includes “tongue” over the instep for easier entry and exit, it's still considered an “overlap” boot with a two-piece shell.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Among the “one-kilogram” class of boots, forward flex progressiveness has improved in recent years. The Salomon S/Lab MTN Summit and Scarpa F1 XT have the best forward flex pattern in this weight class. Interestingly, the Dynafit TLT X and Dalbello Quantum Free Pro aren't too far off. We wanted the Tecnica Zero G Peak Carbon to be better this way, but unfortunately, it just isn't. Other speed touring boots like the Dynafit Mezzalama and Fischer Travers CS are stiff without optimum progressiveness. The ultralight Atomic Backland Ultimate isn't stiff enough for progressiveness to matter much; they pretty much just fold under forward pressure. Same can be said of the La Sportiva Skorpius CR II.
If this is your idea of “backcountry skiing”, maybe the Skorpius II is just right for you.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Uphill Touring Performance
The Yang to the Yin of downhill performance, we tested this as one should do – mainly by skinning uphill. We also logged plenty of vertical booting with and without crampons, scrambling, and sometimes even climbing. In general, more flexible boots with a greater range of motion tend to perform better on the uphill.
Range of Motion
The range of motion of the boots we tested ranges from 108 degrees (more than you need, more than you are even capable of) to a minimal 34 degrees, with most boots being in the 40-55 degree range. We are talking about the forward and rear hinging of the boot cuff relative to the lower boot shell, all while the boot is in its touring mode. We measured this cuff range using a standardized, repeatable method. We chiefly found the manufacturers' reference to be close to accurate. Ten years ago, most boots had a range of motion that was around 30 degrees, but with design improvements, the range of motion has increased dramatically.
Uphill performance of a boot involves assessing its ability to skin, boot (flatfooted and in crampons), as well as more general walking.
Credit: Jediah Porter
With that said, there are diminishing returns on additional cuff range of motion. For example, most people don't need more than 50-60 degrees; you just aren't striding that far, and naturally, your ankles don't have that much range. We do think that 50 degrees of motion is way better than 35 degrees, and users will instantly notice this critical difference. You'll see the difference going from 50 to 65 degrees, and it feels better, but it isn't a dealbreaker. Beyond 55 or 60 degrees is irrelevant to your experience in the boots; your ankle just can't bend that far in even the weirdest ski mountaineering scenarios. Backcountry ski boots with around 35 degrees of range or lower, like the Lange XT3, have an excellent walk mode for an alpine boot but a weak walk mode for a human-powered option. They perform poorly for all-day ski touring.
Many boots include an exceptional range of motion, as exemplified by the TLT X. Even though they can flex this far, your ankles likely cannot.
Credit: Jediah Porter
High-scoring boots with the best range of motion include the Scarpa F1 LT and F1 XT, Dynafit TLT X, and Salomon S/Lab MTN Summit. Of course, ultralight options like the Dynafit Mezzalama, Atomic Backland Ultimate, and La Sportiva Skorpius CR II blow away the competition, but these boots are so soft that maximum range of motion isn't super practical. For a model that is essentially an alpine boot, the 34-degree range of motion in the Lange XT3 isn't bad. Further, the 55 degrees of articulation of the Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro is admirable for a boot with an “overlap” constructed. The 66-degree range of motion of the Atomic Backland XTD Carbon is also admirable, especially considering its downhill acumen. The Scarpa Maestrale RS and La Sportiva Vega are right in the mix with these Tecnica and Atomic boots.
The cuff on the Maestrale RS also features an incredible range of motion. It certainly doesn't hurt touring efficiency, and helps getting into and out of these boots.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Cuff Friction
The range of motion is easily quantified and, once past that 45-degree threshold, makes a huge difference in one's touring efficiency. The trickier part, and arguably more important, is the friction within that range. Plastic flexion, liner binding, upper/lower interface friction, interference from ski/walk mode hardware, and cuff pivot tension all inform the ease with which a boot's cuff hinges through its range of motion. The best backcountry ski boots approach zero interference within the range of motion. It is difficult to describe what creates friction, but it seems to be a combination of plastic thickness, ski/walk mode construction (pin-in-bar systems have more friction; bar-less systems have less), and liner stiffness, especially in the ankle flexion zone.
Cuff friction is literally unseen, but very important. Considering its high flex point, the Backland XTD Carbon is surprisingly free-pivoting.
Credit: Jediah Porter
The ultralight backcountry ski boots we tested have the least friction. Everything around one kilogram also features thin liners and cuff rivets tuned for touring. The cuff friction, after a brief break-in period, of boots like the Atomic Backland XTD and Scarpa F1 XT is very low. Friction on speed touring boots like the Dynafit Mezzalama, TLT X, and Fischer Travers CS is virtually indistinguishable. On the other end of the spectrum, the heaviest boots, like the Lange XT3, experience significant friction. The nearly 50-degree range of motion on the Dynafit Radical Pro rivals those of the ultralight boots but has considerably more friction within that range.
The F1 XT flexes easily with much less friction than other similarly designed boots.
Credit: Jediah Porter
It is cuff friction in the Radical Pro that really sets it apart from the Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro. The Dynafit model features an innovative buckle and lever system that theoretically allows for one-move transitions between up and down. However, when used as intended, the cuff friction in tour mode is significant. If you lift your pant cuffs and individually disengage the relevant buckles, you get lower cuff friction. The Scott Freeguide Carbon and Fischer Transalp Carbon Pro both tour much like the Zero G Tour Pro.
Even though the Transalp Carbon Pro features plenty of mobility, a high lower cuff limits articulation of the shell, which inhibits touring performance.
Credit: Jediah Porter
We tested the cuff range and friction with each of the boot cuffs unbuckled. All AT boots tour better with the cuff buckles and Velcro straps undone, which makes a good fit even more crucial. If you need the upper buckles secured for a comfortable fit, you will be significantly compromising the touring efficiency.
You will notice things like cuff friction on long, flat approaches, which give you ample time to focus on such nuances.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Weight
Among diehard backcountry skiers, it is becoming somewhat “standard” to communicate the weight of one boot, including the stock liner but not including the insole, all in grams. We employ the same protocol, and all of the ski boots in this test are size 26.5. Our comprehensive stats chart shares various weights, including liner and shell separated, and conversions to imperial units.
There is a pretty big range in weight among touring boots. The heaviest boots we tested were the Lange XT3 at a stout 1750 grams; the lightest was the Atomic Backland Ultimate at a scant 785 grams. For the ski performance they deliver, the Langes are fairly lightweight. The La Sportiva Vega, Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro, Scarpa Maestrale RS, and Dynafit Radical Pro all offer above-average downhill performance at a very reasonable weight.
For durability and all-around use, provided you do not need class-leading downhill performance, you should be able to keep your boot near 1400 grams. The fact that Tecnica, with their Zero G Tour Pro, gets alpine-like performance into size 26.5 boots that weigh 1445 g is a benchmark to celebrate. 1500-gram boots now have to ski much better than the Tecnica to stand out. Other boots right around the 1400-gram mark are the Fischer Transalp Carbon Pro, La Sportiva Vega, Atomic Backland XTD Carbon 120, and the Scott Freeguide Carbon.
Classic glaciated ski mountaineering is an excellent place for lightweight boots and more cautious ski movement choices.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Ultralight boots weigh around 1000 grams. The Fischer Travers CS, Dynafit Mezzalama, Tecnica Zero G Peak Carbon, Dynafit TLT X, Salomon MTN Summit, and Scarpa F1 XT are solidly in the ultralight category. You'll fly uphill but have cold feet and limited durability. Downhill performance, after an adjustment period, won't suffer as much as you might fear. These boots don't charge downhill, but you'll adjust and enjoy yourself in a different way. Finally, we dropped below 1000 grams to test the Atomic Backland Ultimate. This is a “rec-class” skimo racing backcountry ski boot that can be pressed into use in certain “real world” wild ski situations.
Soft, gentle powder snow deep in quiet wild. Light boots, heavy boots, either works in this environment.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Comfort and Fit
Each person has a different foot shape, width, and size, but we did our best to compare boots for touring and downhill comfort, as well as how each liner affected fit. Our test team represents a variety of foot shapes, all in size 26.5. Our lead test editor has feet that are neither wide nor narrow. Ours is a comparative, qualitative assessment largely based on the experience of our lead testers. With length fixed at 26.5, for test and comparison purposes, we compared rough estimates of the boot's volume and additionally noted toe box, overall volume, and heel pocket retention/volume.
We also comment on the general impression of width, though volume is a better metric. Generally, we find that boots have been getting more and more voluminous in recent years. In general, a newer model is going to be wider or have a higher volume than an older model. This is a bit unfortunate, and we are not the only ones to notice. Narrow boots can be modified to fit wider feet but wide boots cannot be modified as well to hold narrow feet. It is a weird trend that directly affects your ski performance. The close fit of the Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro is a major reason why so many people like them. Even Tecnica's more lightweight offering, the Zero G Peak Carbon, is considerably more voluminous than the similarly branded Tour Pro. We were really hopeful for the Peak Carbon; a lighter, modern boot that fits like the Tour Pro would crush the market. Unfortunately, this boot isn't the one to break the mold.
Steep and wild; extreme skiing at its finest. We need our boots to be comfortable, precise, and reliable for descents like this one.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Many popular boots, like the Zero G Tour Pro, La Sportiva Vega, Scarpa Maestrale RS, and Lange XT3 offer a neutral fit that works for most feet. A few boots, like the Fischer Travers CS, Dynafit Radical Pro, Salomon S/Lab MTN, and Scarpa F1 LT, are much higher volume and better accommodate wide or otherwise high-volume feet. The Scott Freeguide, in particular, is optimized for very wide, high-volume feet. The Fischer Transalp Carbon Pro and Travers CS shells are oddly shorter than all the others at the same mondo point. Only in these boots does the toe of our lead tester bump up against the front. The La Sportiva Skorpius CR II fits narrower than almost everything else in the test.
The unique instep construction of the Fischer Travers CS adjusts particularly well to high-volume feet. Just watch the shell size.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Fit is paramount to a good ski experience, but there is one major non-fit-related comfort criterion we looked at. For some boots to get lighter, materials in both shell and liner have gotten thinner. Thin shell materials offer better support when they fit closer to your foot. Any shell material offers better support when it is close to your foot, but thin shell materials need that performance bump more. In the end, some liners are thinner than others. For bony feet (and everyone's feet are bony), no matter how well you fit the boots, thin-liner boots are more prone to cause pressure points.
The traditional form of the Lange XT3 makes it an easy fit for many feet.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Warmth
We find it surprising how seldom the insulation value of backcountry ski boots is mentioned in other web reviews. Skiing regularly takes place in cold conditions, and your boots should accommodate that. Thicker liners and thicker shells make for warmer boots. More material between your warm foot and the cold outside slows the transfer of heat. This means that there is a correlation between the weight of the boots and the insulation value. Fit matters, but that can be adjusted. The other thing that matters is the “density” of the liners. Softer foam in the liners seems to feel warmer.
The ultra-light boots are the least insulating, while the beefy boots are the warmest. A notable exception is the Scarpa Maestrale RS. It is among the lighter four-buckle boots in the test, but the liner is thick and fluffy. Scarpa works with Intuition Brand for their liners, and Intuition liners are proven and highly functional. Many will replace stock liners with Intuition liners for performance, warmth, and comfort. If you are committed to Intuition liners, Scarpa saves you significant hassle and expense by sourcing their liners from Intuition.
Among lightweight boots, the Maestrale RS stands out for the thickness of its shell, which makes it a great option for cold, grey (read: snowy) climates. While insulation is a bonus, it doesn't hurt durability, either.
Credit: Jediah Porter
The least insulating boots in our test are the Dalbello Quantum Free Pro, Dynafit Mezzalama, Scarpa F1, and the Atomic Backland Ultimate. It is no coincidence that these are also the lightest boots in our test. Lightweight backcountry ski equipment users rely on speed and movement to keep themselves warm. In contrast to the other fast touring boots, the La Sportiva Skorpius is relatively warm.
On cold touring days you need insulating boots and need to be able to make your transitions with your gloves on.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Warmer options include, as mentioned above, any of the heavier boots. The Tecnica Zero G Pro Tour, Atomic Backland XTD Carbon 120, Fischer Transalp Carbon Pro, and La Sportiva Vega can be configured for acceptable warmth. The stock liner in each is thin and cold, but their respective shells are supportive enough to “size up” and insert a thicker aftermarket liner.
Depending on your climate, you may seek out particularly insulating boots. The majority of backcountry skiers, however, won't be able to tell much of a difference between most boots.
Credit: Rosie De Lise
Ease of Use
We compared the “fiddle factor” of each boot in normal use. We identified how easy it was to buckle, how easy it was to switch to touring mode and ski mode, as well as the ease of entering and exiting the boot. In the ease-of-use category, we also assessed durability. A broken boot in the backcountry is not easy to use. Some are more likely to break than others, and on some, the consequences of failed parts are greater.
Entering and Exiting
Boots with tongues, or “three-piece” style, are easier to get into than two-piece boots or boots that feature an “alpine wrap.” Among the three-piece boots, we found the low-cuffed, super flexible ultralight boots easiest to get on and off. The Dalbello Quantum, Fischer Transalp Pro, and Carbon, both F1 models, Scarpa Maestrale RS open wide. The Lange and Tecnica Pro Tour, predictably, are the hardest to get in and out of. We would be reluctant to choose these lattermost boots for an expedition or multi-day use, where you'll be getting in and out of the boot while in a tent. With the overlap touring boots, remember that you can activate the walk-mode for greater ease in getting them on and off. Overlap touring boots are easier to get on and off than overlap resort boots because of the walk mode.
Getting in and out of overlap boots, like the Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro, is much harder than tongue style boots.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Buckles
We compare how easily each buckle is to operate, as well as how durable they are. Our favorite buckles were on the Lange XT3 and Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro because they were super easy to use, even with gloves, and durable. There is something very satisfying about the positive snap of the standard buckles on the overlapping cuff of the Lange boots, in particular. Dynafit has slimmed down the buckle arrangement of their flagship TLT series. The TLT 7 employed a complicated arrangement of cables and snaps, while the TLT 8 eliminated the cable and some connections. We like the more recent closures better than we liked the closures of the TLT 7. The newest TLT X (there was no TLT 9) keeps the simple upper buckle of the TLT 8 and swaps in a knob-and-cable mode on the lower foot.
Check the hardware on your boots. This tested pair of boots had light or nonexistent thread locking solution applied at manufacture. Reapply thread lock to your boots before a season or long expedition. Here, a buckle has fallen off on an expedition, but we found the hardware!
Credit: Jediah Porter
The closure system of the Scott Freeguide is elaborate. First, the liner closes with a proprietary BOA closure. BOA is a knob and cable system that tightens down on your instep. The lower and mid cuff of the Scott closes with regular levers. The top closes with one wide Velcro strap tightened with a camming buckle. The ski/walk mode lever is an old-school, internal affair. Scarpa's F1 LT and new additions from Fischer, Dynafit, and Dalbello are all similar: BOA lower shell closure and upper buckle. For the upgraded F1 XT, Scarpa skipped the BOA and opted for a regular lower buckle, which is an interesting move. Scarpa was an early adopter of BOA closures and has since reversed course. Other boot manufacturers, for touring and resorts, are now switching to BOA and the like. Will they, like Scarpa, move back to regular buckles? Only time will tell.
Speed touring boots from Scarpa like the Alien RS (left, discontinued) and the F1 LT (right) feature a BOA closure system to cut down on weight.
The Scarpa F1 XT, however, opts for standard, low-profile buckles for their reliability.
Comparing and contrasting Scarpa's boots with BOA closures (left) versus buckles (right).
The upper cuff closure of the Dynafit Radical Pro is about as complicated as it gets. The whole “Hoji Lock” cuff is designed with two major goals in mind; the cuff locks together super securely, and the user can switch between tour and ski mode with just one lever. The result, though, is a more complicated system than other options and more vulnerable (theoretically… we didn't have any actual problems) to failure. Once you are accustomed to the “Hoji Lock,” you can indeed make transitions with just one move. However, the tour mode involves more cuff friction than anyone wants. The “pants down always” transitions that Dynafit claims are novel but not a useful reality when undoing the buckles completely results in much better touring ease.
The lever on the Radical Pro is the Hoji Lock.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Buckles that stick out are more vulnerable to disengagement or damage while skiing or walking. We especially like that Tecnica has turned the lowest buckle of the Zero G Pro Tour around 180 degrees. In this configuration, it is less likely to be flipped open or snag on rocks and brush while walking.
Tecnica flipped the lowest buckle on the Zero G Tour Pro, which is a thoughtful design point.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Transitions
Most of your backcountry ski day will be spent going uphill, less time downhill. The love of one or both of these things is what draws people to backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. Another large chunk of your day is spent transitioning between the two. That isn't nearly as much fun. Therefore, it is nice when equipment makes it easy to get through the transitions without much drama. Your boots will have two distinctly different modes, and switching those modes involves buckles and adjustments. The best transitioning boots make this process easy.
Ski to walk mode in La Sportiva Skorpius CR II. It's not a “one move” transition, but faster than most boots currently available.
Credit: Jediah Porter
The Atomic Backland Ultimate, Dynafit TLT X, and Dynafit Mezzalama are the fastest boots to transition. All that is required to switch modes is one lever accessible without moving your pant cuffs. The Dynafit Radical Pro should be as simple, but the walking articulation in “fast change mode” is significantly limited. The Fischer Travers CS and La Sportiva Skorpius CR II transition between the full lock and full tour mode with a cuff buckle and a rear lever.
The Ski to walk transition on the Dalbello Quantum Free Pro is a bit easier than other comparable boots.
Credit: Jediah Porter
The “standard” 3-4 buckle configuration of the Scarpa Maestrale RS, Lange XT3, Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro, Atomic XTD, Fischer Transalp, and La Sportiva Vega involve multiple steps, but those steps are familiar and readily repeatable. All these have one cuff buckle, a rear ski/walk mode lever, and a power strap, all of which usually require adjustment between up and downhill mode.
The ski to walk transition on the Zero G Tour Pro requires relatively more steps, but at less than 10 seconds, it's still very reasonable.
Credit: Jediah Porter
The buckle configuration of the Fischer Transalp Pro, Tecnica Zero G Peak, Atomic Backland XTD, and Salomon MTN Summit is pretty consistent with the current trends in boot design. There was a time, five years back or so, when it seemed like buckle configurations were simplifying. That trend has largely reversed; these latest boot models have multiple buckles and levers to work with at each transition. The TLT X bucks this trend with a one-move transition lever. If you skip the “power strap” (and most users of light touring ski boots can do this), you can transition the TLT X with one move, just like a skimo racer.
Deep wilderness skiing in the Waddington Range of British Columbia.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Conclusion
Choosing your backcountry ski boots is not easy. Further, it is a high-consequence decision that has a direct impact on your experience in the mountains. And unfortunately, your decision is not getting any easier. As more and more models enter the market, differences become broader in some ways and narrower in others. Use our findings in concert with your own judgment and careful, intentional trials to get the right boots to make your feet happy and your adventures happier.
