Atomic Backland Carbon ($950)
Best for Going Deep, Long, and Light
With a Boa closure on the lower shell and a carbon-injected polyamide upper, the new Backland offers a premium power-to-weight ratio. It also boasts 74 degrees of range in tour mode and a tall, tough liner that’s both washable and perforated for breathability— ideal for high-mileage athletes. 2.4 lbs
La Sportiva Vega ($679)
Best for Low Weight and High Speed
A four-buckle daily driver, the 115-flex Vega has three forward-lean options (12, 14, and 16 degrees), so it’s extremely tunable. It’s less stiff than its heavier peers but more tour-friendly, with a 60-degree range of motion in walk mode. The thin polyamide upper, beefed up with a carbon spine, provided a crisp lateral flex even when driving girthy touring skis. 3.2 lbs
Scarpa F1 LT ($799)
Best for Going Fast and Hard
Built for recreational ski mountaineers, the new F1 LT is a quarter pound heavier than Scarpa’s race-specific Alien and has the same 72 degrees of walking range, with more power on the downhill. A Boa closure system clamps the foot uniformly for strong downhill performance. The carbon-infused cuff offers predictable power for moderately high speeds and variable conditions. 2.2 lbs
Lange XT3 130 ($900)
Best for Big Lines
The all-new XT3 continues Lange’s eight-year progression toward a more useful touring boot that retains full downhill chops. The updated ski-walk transition mechanism now slides up and articulates between the upper and lower shell, generating 53 degrees of touring range of motion—13 more than its predecessor. The new boot also has a liner that fits more precisely than the minimalist thermo foam that came before, and a shell made of dual-density polyurethane with a Lyftran plastic cuff for added power. 1.9 lbs
K2 Mindbender 130 ($850)
Best for Steeps
In a crowded market of four-buckle touring boots designed to crush the downhill, the Mindbender’s edge is an impressive 50-degree range in walk mode, great for both steep pitches and flat approaches. Meanwhile the shell, which is made from three densities of polyurethane, is the stiffest of the four-buckle alpine crossovers yet still neutralizes vibration at dizzying speeds. Plus, the 98-millimeter last is molded so that it still fits a wide range of feet. 3.8 lbs
Hagan Core Pro ($699)
Best for Speed Tours on a Budget
Engage the Pro’s 65 degrees of walking range by toggling a carbon slide lever built into the back of the boot. A two-piece Pebax tongue adds even more uphill comfort—one tester described it as frictionless in tour mode. Locked down, the Pro has a category-leading 18 degrees of forward lean. It’s among the most capable downhill performers in its weight class. 2.8 lbs