In early December of 2023, SKI and șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű editors sat around a conference table in Rossignol’s pop-up showroom at the Gravity Haus in Vail, Colorado, staring at a powerpoint presentation. Projected onto the wall were illustrations of a new ski boot the brand would be releasing in the fall of 2024—a boot, the brand claimed, that would address skiers’ biggest issue with ski boots: getting them on and off.

We sat and looked at slide after slide highlighting the Vizion’s key design and technology elements: a traditional four-buckle overlap boot; a steel spine; and something Rossi is calling “Spine Link Mechanism,” an element that allows the back of the boot cuff to hinge backwards to widen the cuff opening, then lock back into an upright position. Each slide was bedazzled with phrases like “easier entry,” “optimal performance,” “powerful flex.”

It all looked and sounded good, but as I sat in that darkened conference room, it was hard for me to get excited. Call me a jaded gear editor, but the Vizion boot just looked like a new hybrid of an alpine boot and a backcountry boot, with a fancier hike mode mechanism that Rossignol was putting a new spin on to speak to desperate ski boot customers: Not only is this boot easier to walk in, it’s a breeze to get on!

Then Jake Stevens, Rossignol’s North American alpine and bike category manager, handed me a real-life Vizion boot to try on. With the flip of a buckle, I disengaged the boot’s Spine Link Mechanism, placed the boot on the floor, stood up, and stepped into the boot—handsfree.

Color me impressed. But what really blew me away was reengaging the spine and buckling up; once locked in, the Vizion felt like a true alpine boot with a predictable flex. I’d expected it to feel like a backcountry boot, with a weird, hingey flex that comes from a walk-ride mechanism. But I was firmly locked into the 100-flex Vizion model on my foot, and when I drove my knee forward, the cuff moved with my shin exactly as a traditional four-buckle, overlap shell should.

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That’s what sets the Vizion apart. Ski boots that are designed to be more comfortable and easier to get on are not new—Nordica brought back the rear-entry design with its (hands-free) boot, and plenty of brands make four-buckle overlap boots with a walk-mode to not only make it easier for skiers to walk in boots, but easier to get them on. But most of these ski boots compromise on performance in the name of comfort.

Rossignol claims that the new Vizion is not just a “comfort” boot aimed at the recreational skier. The Vizion line—which encompasses 10 models across the unisex and women’s range—includes everything from a 130-flex low-volume offering down to an 80-flex high-volume option, making it for every type of skier.

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According to Rossignol, its goal in creating the Vizion was to keep the performance of a traditional overlap boot (i.e. consistent boot flex, feel, and function), but make it the easiest boot on the market to slip on and off the foot, solving the biggest pain point for skiers worldwide.

Mission accomplished? I haven’t had a chance to ski in the new Rossignol Vizion boot yet, though I’m definitely intrigued. But I’m no ski boot expert, so to gauge how legit the concept of this boot actually is, I turned to professional bootfitter Sam Tischendorf to get her take.

Sidelined by a knee injury last season, she also hasn’t had a chance to ski the boot yet, but she’s spent a good amount of time inspecting it at trade shows and chatting about it with her Masterfit colleagues (who have skied in it). From the sounds of it, bootfitters are bought into Rossignol’s new Vizion. Considering how can be, that’s saying something.

The following interview has been edited for length and clarity. Look for SKI‘s official review of the new Rossignol Vizion boot in the fall.Ìę

Rossignol Vizion Preview with Professional Bootfitter Sam Tischendorf

JW: Sam, in your professional opinion, is the hype about this boot real?Ìę

ST: I think so. This is not just fairy dust sprinkled on a boot. It’s a legitimate solution for getting your foot into a ski boot. I was still hopping along on my bad knee and apprehensive about wrestling with a boot to get it on, but I was able to stand on my good leg and slide into the boot on my bad leg, hands-free and without a grimace.

Bootfitters seemed skeptical about BOA when it was introduced—some still are. Do you get the sense that they’re more on board with the idea of the Vizion boot?

There’s more excitement with this Vizion boot compared with BOA in terms of actual technology. No offense to BOA, but all they did was put a new buckle on a boot that’s meant to wrap the foot a little better. Most brands are using BOA but doing so slightly differently, and across the board, I don’t think it’s that impactful of a difference.

The spine mechanism on this boot seems similar to a walk mechanism on a backcountry boot. Is it basically the same?

The technology Rossignol developed for this boot is unique. You open this latch on the lower buckle of the cuff that releases the spine of the boot, opening the cuff wider than any hike-and-ride boot does. You can then literally stand and slide into the boot hands-free. And the way Rossignol designed this boot, the buckles on the front wrapping section don’t get in the way.

As bootfitters, a solution we often use for folks who really struggle to get into their ski boots is a hike-and-ride boot, so we can open that walk-mode feature to help people slide their foot in. But a walk-mode feature is minimal compared to what the Vizion boot actually does.

Rossignol’s Spine Link Mechanism is primarily designed to help you get into the boot. But once you buckle up, you don’t have a massive walk-mode in the Vizion. This is not a super easy boot to walk around in necessarily, and it’s not designed to be used for uphill, which is why it doesn’t have tech inserts. It’s really an alpine boot with a mechanism built in to help you effortlessly slide into the boot.

How is the Vizion different from the rear-entry boots of yore? Those boots were all designed to address the ease of entry issue, but there’s a reason we don’t see those boots on shop shelves anymore.Ìę

The problem with rear-entry boots was that they just didn’t ski well. When you look at the Vizion when it’s closed up, it looks like a traditional four-buckle overlap boot. And by all accounts, that’s how it skis.

When I was walking around and flexing it, it felt like I was just in a regular four-buckle performance alpine boot. There was no feeling of “oh, this feels dodgy,” or “they missed this feature because they focused on the ease of entry component.” When you’ve got the boot on, it feels like a boot you can really ski in.

And from everyone I talked to who was at the America’s Best Bootfitters boot test this spring, it sounds like it’s a really strong-skiing boot.

Who is the target market for the Vizion? Is it more casual recreational skiers who just don’t want to deal with the inconvenience of stiff boots?

It’s for everyone. If we’re being honest, we all wrestle with putting our ski boots on and taking them off. Within the bootfitting community, it’s the constant question on the table: How do we make a boot easier to put on and take off. It does not matter the skier—all of us want and need more of that convenience.

So from a feature standpoint, we can sell this boot to a super casual, recreational skier who wants a 100 flex boot that’s comfortable and easy to get on. We can sell it to people who are a little less physically able to get into their ski boot, yet give them better performance than some of the rear-entry boots that are still floating around. But this boot is also for the expert skier who will love the boot from a performance standpoint—how it skis. They might be interested in the ease-of-entry feature, but they’re also interested in the performance side of it.

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Can you still customize it like a regular boot?

It’s made like a regular Rossignol boot, so you can custom fit it like any other Rossignol boots. From stretching to padding to whatever customization you typically do to your boot, you’re going to be able to do that to this boot, too.

Any early criticism or potential drawbacks to this boot?

My one complaint is that I think Rossignol missed the mark on the women’s Vizion boot in terms of aesthetics. It’s a really white boot with a plush, soft liner.Ìę I’m afraid it will give women the wrong visual of what this boot actually is. Some lady customers might like the look, but it might take a while for some women to step away from the frilly visual and focus on the legitimacy of the boot from a performance standpoint.

And like any ski boot,Ìę Rossignol boots aren’t the perfect fit for every customer. I personally think Rossi boots work best for more moderate foot types—someone who doesn’t have a pencil foot but does have a little bit of a heel bone. I’ve found them to be fabulous for folks who have a higher instep—Rossi boots tend to encapsulate that higher instep really well. They also tend to be good choices for skiers who are between two sizes—I find that Rossignol boots give you a few extra millimeters in length, so it can help with size differentiation.

But having the Vizion be available in so many different flex, last, and volume options definitely opens this boot up to a wider demographic.

Sam Tischendorf is one of the very few professional female ski bootfitters—or as she likes to say, professional feet ticklers—in the industry. She currently works at Ìęin Telluride, Colo., is a member of theÌę, and collaborates with Blizzard/Tecnica on the Women To Women gear project.

More On Ski Boots

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It was a big year for outdoor gear. From e-bike technology that promises to revolutionize kayaking to the invention of a new super steel that makes knives more indestructible, there was a lot for gearheads to get excited about in 2023. These are the six innovations in outdoor gear that topped the list.

BOA Fit System for Ski Boots

For decades skiers have been clamoring for something (anything) that would make ski boots more comfortable and less complicated. This year, four prominent boot brands—Atomic, K2, Salomon, and Fischer—finally heard those cries and delivered a solution to address fit and function: a BOA Fit System to replace the lower buckles on select ski boots. BOA lacing itself isn’t new; it’s been commonplace on snowboard boots and cycling shoes for years. But it hasn’t been adopted by ski boot manufacturers until now because of durability and performance concerns. However, the new BOA H+i1 dial, specifically designed to withstand the type of wear and tear ski boots are accustomed to, alleviates those concerns and won over major boot brands. What does this mean for skiers? Dialing in your ski boot fit just got a little easier. .

Safeback SBX Technology for Avalanche Safety

An avalanche airbag can decrease your risk of being buried in an avalanche, but if you do (heaven forbid) get caught up in sliding snow and find yourself under it, an airbag won’t do you much good. In that event, your best hope of survival is being found and rescued before you run out of oxygen. Asphyxiation is the leading cause of death in avalanche victims, a statistic Norwegian brand Safeback hopes to change with its innovative SBX Technology. This fan system, which is integrated into the DB Snowpro Vest 8L and the Y MountainLine Daypack 40L, provides clean oxygen to an avalanche victim’s air pocket, decreasing the risk of asphyxiation before rescue. .

Kayaks with Electric Pedal Assist

Pedal kayaks aren’t new—they’ve been around since the nineties. But in 2023, the first electric pedal kayak came to market. The Old Town Bigwater ePDL+ 132, the first kayak ever fitted with electric pedal assist, gives users the choice between manual pedal power, power-assisted pedal, or fully-motorized propulsion at the push of a button. Casual kayakers out for a cruise are sure to appreciate the assist when they run out of muscle power. But our tester, Wes Siler, thinks anglers stand to benefit the most from this new technology. “Old Town’s electric pedal assist technology is so effective, that many anglers will likely be able to use it to replace gasoline-powered skiffs, utility boats, and fishing rigs in many, if not most applications,” noted Siler. “And in so doing they won’t just be eliminating emissions, they’ll be gaining ease of transport, simplicity of use, lower maintenance, and a smaller, less invasive footprint on the water, all at a lower cost.” Read Siler’s deep-dive review here.

Supershoe Foam Harnessed for the Trail

For the past several years, shoe brands have been trying to translate the technology found in road racing super shoes (first introduced in the 2016 Nike Vaporfly) to work on the uneven, unstable surface of trails. The challenge requires enabling the shoe to adapt to the terrain and not roll or bounce off in random directions while retaining the trampoline-like rebound that makes super shoes super. While several models have been released since 2021, none, quite frankly, have mastered the feat. In the summer of 2022, Nike released a prototype trail model to its athletes that used the same ultra-soft and bouncy foam as found in its signature racing models. While it was more energetic than other trail models to date, athletes found it too unstable, particularly in the high-stacked heel. In creating their 2023 production Ultrafly, rather than opting for a less-bouncy foam or making it denser, Nike creatively wrapped the foam in a thin, durable mesh fabric, which controlled the squish and wobbliness without dampening the rebound. Plus, it served as a skin for the soft foam, protecting against punctures and tears from trail hazards. The innovative solution worked so well the shoe won our Editor’s Choice award for all running shoes in 2023.

Knives Featuring MagnaCut Super Steel

When you shell out big bucks for a quality knife, it’s fair to expect that knife to be tough, durable, and have a superior edge. But the reality is, common steel doesn’t usually excel in all three of those properties. Enter MagnaCut, a new stainless steel that resists rusting, holds an edge well between sharpening, and is resistant to edge rolling and chipping. How is that possible? Metal magic, or metallurgy. MagnaCut is produced by Crucible Industries, a New York-based steel manufacturer whose specialty is a powder metallurgy process—known as Crucible Particle Metallurgy—which allows for fine control of a steel’s molecular properties. Learn more about MagnaCut steel and our favorite MagnaCut knives here.

Lightweight Tents and Tarps Made From UltraTNT

Big news in the ultralight backpacking world: Dyneema finally has a stronger, more affordable rival. This year Challenge Sailcloth, the fabric-maker that produces Ultraweave (the superstrong material found on many new ultralight backpacks), released UltraTNT, an even lighter-weight fabric designed for shelters. It’s 100 percent waterproof and supposedly becomes more resistant to tears and punctures as the fabric breaks in. Will this new fabric replace Dyneema or silnylon, the two most popular fabrics in the ultralight gear world? Not likely. Instead, our ultralight backpacking expert Nathan Pipenberg expects it to become a popular choice for four season shelters. .

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Some years, there just isn’t that much big, exciting news to report in the world of gear. This, however, is not one of those years.

From ski boots with the new BOA H+i1 lacing system to innovative avalanche safety tech to new skis touted by pros like Cody Townsend and , brands gave us a lot of exciting new gear to consider for our annual Winter Gear Guide. When all was said and done, we tested more than 800 products in 2023 to determine which ones were worth writing home about. Of those 800-plus products, 20 stood out during months of field testing to earn our prestigious Editor’s Choice award.

What merits an Editor’s Choice award? Performance, first and foremost. To receive this award, products have to demonstrate best-in-class performance over months of rigorous testing, besting the competition in their respective categories. Items that showcase innovative new technology or significant moves towards sustainability also get brownie points. But it’s not just the newest and shiniest toys that are considered for an Editor’s Choice award. Sometimes, products that have been around for a while continue to outperform in their field. Items like the Tracksmith Bislett pants and Salomon QST Blank get an Editor’s Choice nod because, after years of being on shelves, they’re still the best.

If top-of-the-line gear is what you’re after this season, then you’ve come to the right place.

The Best Winter Gear of 2024

DB/Safeback Snow Pro Vest 8L with Safeback SBX ($699)

While avalanche airbags aim to keep users on top of the snow, the Snow Pro Vest, developed with the Norwegian Armed Forces and School of Winter Warfare, is designed to keep athletes from asphyxiating when buried underneath the snow—the cause of 75 percent of avalanche deaths. After pulling a T-shaped handle, the Safeback SBX’s lithium battery-powered electric fan provides breathing assistance under the snow by pumping clean, oxygenated air through mesh tubes from the back of the vest to the air pocket around the victim’s face, all while pushing out exhaled carbon dioxide—no mouthpiece required. The brand alleges that this process extends the survival window from 15 minutes to up to 90 minutes in temperatures as cold as negative 22 degrees Fahrenheit. .

Salomon Brigade MIPS helmet ($200)

In an age when some products are overcomplicated and overdesigned, the Salomon Brigade MIPS helmet won over testers for its understated minimalism. Some helmets come with an attached plastic clip on the back to hold your goggles in place, but they tend to break or fall off. Salomon solved that problem with an integrated rubber strap that’s not going anywhere. The chin buckle is old-school but easy to use. The Brigade comes in a MIPS and non-MIPS version (which is $70 less). The MIPS one has an extra layer between the foam and the liner to help divert rotational impacts to the brain in case of a fall. .

Sweet Protection Connor Rig goggles ($220)

In order to increase the field of vision, goggles these days have gotten massively oversized. But the new Sweet Protection Connor Rig offers a large field of vision without dramatically increasing the span of the goggle. These sleek frameless goggles do that thanks to a toric sculpted lens that gives you an understated feel with ample side vision. .

Rab Conduit Crew base layer ($75)

In spite of the widely different range of tester expectations, sports, and geography—the Conduit was a unanimous tester favorite thanks to its extreme comfort and wide usable temperature range. Testers unanimously agreed that there must be some form of alchemy in the 92-percent recycled polyester eight-percent elastane weave that manifested in a lightly gridded fleece backer. It received top marks all along the temperature range—it was called “comfortable” by testers in temps around the tens in sideways snow in central Oregon under some layers all the way up to a 40-degree overcast long-run on its own in the Ashland, OR watershed. See how it stacks up against other base layers here.

Lib Tech Apex Golden Orca snowboard ($1,299)

This year’s crop of boards was arguably the best submitted in the history of our snowboard test, yet awarding our Editor’s Choice honors was easier than ever. Why? Well, the Gnarwinian evolution of Travis Rice’s ever-popular Orca series has surely peaked with the debut of this year’s supercharged Apex Golden Orca. Six of nine testers gave this futuristic directional deck perfect scores—nearly 15 percent of the perfect scores awarded at this year’s test. This telling data sums up an airtime-annihilating, confidence-inspiring ride that approaches terrain like a killer whale toying with a blubbery seal before making it a meal. Read more here.

Jones Stratos splitboard ($950)

Whether you’re buying your first split or upgrading your main squeeze, you’ll make the most of your days on the skintrack with a board that’s fun in dreamy conditions and capable in nightmarish ones. The Jones Stratos Splitboard, now available in both men’s and women’s sizes, hits that sweet spot. It’s a heavenly blend of trustworthiness, capability, and fun. From hut trips and glacial camping expeditions to sidecountry laps and dawn patrol powder days, the Stratos is ready for the task at hand. Read more here.

Rome Katana bindings ($400)

If you like to tweak your bindings as much as you tweak your grabs, peep the Rome Katana. This high-performance binding is ultra-adjustable thanks to Rome’s PivotMounts—modifiable ankle strap mounting hardware that enables riders to swap between eight ankle strap positions per side, yielding a total of 64 possible configurations. Raising the ankle strap provides more rapid-fire responsiveness, while lowering the strap position translates to increased range of motion and a surfier ride. Additional adjustability comes courtesy of composite highbacks that pivot and cant for a more ergonomic, fine-tuned fit. Read more here.

Stöckli Laser WRT Pro carving ski ($1,499)

If the Stöckli Laser WRT Pro were college bound, it’d be an Ivy League contender. This hard-charging model scored top marks in all testing categories, solidifying its spot as the No. 1 unisex carving ski in this year’s test, including near-perfect scores for stability at speed and hard-snow integrity. .

Elan Wildcat 86 C Black Edition frontside ski ($1,150 with bindings)

A frontside friend with benefits, the Elan Wildcat 86 C Black Edition earned the highest marks of all women’s frontside skis for nearly all traits, including near-perfect tens for carving and responsiveness. The Black Edition adds a higher level of performance to the Wildcat line (plus a layer of carbon), and testers appreciated the combination of characteristics that allows for aggressive skiing—without needing Mikaela Shiffrin’s thighs or precision. .

Blizzard Sheeva 9 all-mountain ski ($750)

Last year, the Blizzard Sheeva 9 won best in test. This year, it repeats the feat, but while boasting a complete redesign that hones its strengths and eliminates its weaknesses—“favorite ski of the day” was our testers’ refrain.

Nordica Enforcer 104 Free all-mountain wide ski ($850)

The Nordica Enforcer lineup is no stranger to the upper ranks of the SKI Test, and the Enforcer 104 Free carries on that tradition by claiming the top step on the unisex all-mountain wide podium for 2023-24. This model combines a wood core, carbon, and two sheets of metal sandwiched into Nordica’s Powder Rocker Profile to build a stout ski that earned top scores for stability at speed, flotation, and versatility. .

Salomon QST Blank powder ski ($800)

Except for new graphics, nothing has changed about the highly popular Salomon QST Blank for 2023-’24 season, and that includes how much skiers of all stripes love it. Proof: For the third year in a row, this unisex ski won the highest scores in the powder ski category from both male and female testers. What we loved most about this ski is how quick and playful it is. The QST Blank features a full poplar wood core and no metal, which keeps it feeling light underfoot (2,220 grams per ski) and makes it extraordinarily nimble..

Salomon QST Echo 106 backcountry ski ($800)

Known for their energy, playfulness, and solid feel in variable conditions, the QST skis have an uncanny ability to please pros like Cody Townsend as well as us mere mortals. The brand-new QST Echo 106 shares the shape and profile of the all-mountain QST 106, with a slimmed-down construction (the Echo shaves off 200 grams per ski) that’s spry on the skintrack while maintaining an impressively quiet feel through variable snow in the backcountry. .

Fischer RC4 Pro alpine boot ($1,100)

So often in the hardgoods market, a brand will roll out a redesign that’s little more than a fresh decal. But with the RC4 Pro MV, Fischer tore up the foundation and started from scratch. This thing is a legitimate work of art, and it comes with a Sotheby’s-level price tag to prove it. Built to bring the brand’s heritage race last to the consumer market, the new RC4 Pro MV was developed from the ground up with a new mold to include the BOA H+i1 alpine lace system and a full ZipFit liner. .

Dynafit Tigard 130 hybrid boot ($899)

Dynafit’s Tigard 130 is the most impressive hybrid boot we’ve ever tried. In a category defined by compromise, this model seems to operate in a different plane of reality. The Tigard 130 is the hardest-skiing boot with a walk mode we’ve ever had the pleasure of stepping into. .

Mammut Haldigrat HS Hooded Jacket ($629)

With a freeride cut, light and durable Bluesign-certified recycled fabric, and tasteful color hits, testers couldn’t clock enough ski days in this jacket. It’s the perfect freeride jacket for anyone looking to do front, side, and backcountry. If you can’t make up your mind about what you want to do for the day, this is the jacket for you. .

Strafe Cham Jacket ($589)

With a name like the Cham Jacket, there’s no surprise that this shell was one of our favorites for long days in the high alpine. The three-layer design constructed with Schoeller Aerobrane fabric boasted a ton of air permeability and an impressively soft and supple handfeel, staying on during long climbs with the occasional deployment of pit zips. .

Stio Figment Bib ($479)

Usually, the first time wearing a bib pant involves a few stops to make adjustments. Not with the Figment. Adjusting the fit required just a quick tighten or release of the Velcro tabs on the suspenders and a pull on the waist belt. Done! Whether sitting, carving, or picking his way down the steeps off of Whistler’s Peak Chair, category manager Ryan Stuart didn’t notice the pants again. “They felt like a custom fit,” he said. .

Nike Ultrafly trail shoe ($250)

The Ultrafly borrows the successful energy-saving, speed-enhancing tech from Nike’s speedster Alphafly and Vaporfly road shoes, with some smart tweaks to make it excel on trails. A super-responsive midsole of Pebax ZoomX foam (the same foam found in Nike’s road supershoes) is encased in a textile wrap, which slightly limits its squishy tippiness and harnesses its energy, creating a controlled rebound effect. Read more here.

Tracksmith Bislett pants ($198)

Lead running apparel tester Scott Douglas bought the Bisletts when they first came out in 2014, and they’ve been his main winter running bottoms since. He’s tried dozens of other pants and tights since then, he says, but none are better. Read more here.

More from the 2024 Winter Gear Guide

The Best Midlayers

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A skier is only as dynamic as the boots they wear. It’s the piece of gear that connects an athlete’s energy to the rest of their ski system—and Lange caught on to some strategic ways to make that connection more efficient and comfortable. With the , skiers will unlock their full potential and smoother turns this season. To learn all about the genius behind the Shadow, we talked to Thor Verdonk, technical product director of winter sports equipment at Lange. Here’s what he had to say.

șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű: Where did the inspiration for the Shadow come from?

Thor Verdonk: Lange’s goal was to design a boot system that could output more energy than the skier put in to make skiing easier and more dynamic. For inspiration, we looked at full-suspension mountain bikes. They have suspension and smoothness while maintaining tire grip and drive performance. With this in mind, we started to think differently about how a ski boot functions.

The rocker arm suspension concept was the real aha moment for us. We knew there was a better way to deliver and receive energy from the ski system and current snow conditions using that same principle—and we brought it to life with the Shadow.

What sets the Shadow apart from traditional ski boots?

The Shadow is an all-new look at how the ski boot functions. Traditional boots are typically fixed with two screws to connect the lower shell and upper cuff. These fixed points are very close to the actual central pivot point around your ankle joint. This creates a very small and centralized zone of power. That means the transfer of energy from your body through your ski boot relies on plastic deformation—distortion of the shell from your weight. To take the mountain bike rocker arm concept to ski boots, we developed two proprietary features that work together to deliver enhanced power delivery and energy transmission, for improved feedback and feeling.

• The Suspension Blade is a long lever arm that’s molded into the lower shell of the boot and sandwiches the upper cuff, connected by an elastomer. Thanks to this feature, we no longer fix the cuff and shell in a static fashion. The arm increases leverage, so your energy powers through the full length of your boot. Meanwhile, the elastomer absorbs shocks, provides rebound, and delivers smoother power.
• The Dual Pivot adds a secondary connection just below the central pivot point. Combined with the Suspension Blade, this additional pivot point mimics the rocker arm concept by creating points of tension and compression above and below the central pivot. That translates to superior rebound, increased snow-contact feeling, and smooth power delivery.

The Suspension Blade–Dual Pivot system is available in two elastomer options—hard and soft—so skiers can dial in their desired feel of power and rebound. Need a visual? Check out this video:

What is the mechanical advantage concept?

Mechanical advantage is the law of leverage—one of the simple machine concepts. If you have a lever arm and a pivot point, where you put the pivot can either increase or decrease the energy required to lift or move an object. In Shadow, we’ve implemented that concept with the longer lever arm of the Suspension Blade and its high elastomer connection point in relation to the central pivot. The result? More power out to the ski/binding system than the skier puts into flexing the front of the boot.

Can you tell us about some of the other technical innovations the Shadow embodies?

When creating the Shadow, we also focused on the fit of the liner. Visualize a ski boot:the liner is the only part of the boot that actually touches our bodies. Because of this direct interaction between body and boot, the fit of the liner is important for optimizing comfort and performance. Using the Auxetic concept, geometric-patterned cuts allow the two-dimensional material to adapt three-dimensionally to naturally and precisely cradle the foot shape. Adding Auxetic liner material allowed Lange to achieve an ultracomfortable fit while enhancing performance by accurately translating body movements to the holistic ski system.

Who was this boot designed for?

The Shadow was designed for all-mountain ski enthusiasts looking for the perfect marriage of fit and performance—and anyone who wants to get more out of their skiing.

A great-fitting ski boot is every skier’s most essential piece of equipment. For more than 50 years, Lange’s attention to foot mechanics and desire to help skiers perform better has resulted in some of the most important innovations in ski boot design. From World Cup racing to the Freeride World Tour, Lange is consistently the industry benchmark. See why at .

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You went to a , you chatted with them about your skiing goals, and you got your foot measured to find the right shell size. You did everything right and wound up purchasing the best possible boot for your foot shape and skiing ability. Congratulations! Your boot journey has really just begun.

Chances are, even the best possible boot for your foot still won’t fit perfectly right out of the box. It will take some breaking in, but it may take even more than that. If the shoe just doesn’t quite fit, here are a few after-market modifications to get the most out of your new boots.

Custom Footbeds

This is the most important modification you can make to your boots. Whether you buy a custom or trim-to-fit insole, what matters is that you throw out the stock footbeds that come with new ski boots. Manufacturers put zero dollars into these stock footbeds because they assume you’ll replace them.

All of your control and stability in a ski boot comes from the subtalar joint in the heel that supports your foot and controls pronation—so it’s not arch support that matters as much as heel support. Look for a tall and neutral heel pocket in your insoles, not a flat heel with a high arch.

For custom footbeds, I prefer unweighted vacuum-process footbeds like to weighted ones like —not because the latter is bad, but because the former is basically idiot-proof. A good bootfitter can make great weighted footbeds, but it’s much more difficult to get right.

Heat Molding

“Heat molding” a ski boot liner is a misnomer. Heat doesn’t mold a boot to your foot; it allows your foot to mold the liner. When we put a liner in the oven, all we are doing is making the foam more malleable and compressible. When you insert your feet into your boots, they compress the soft foam and expand the liner. Your liner will not vacuum in and make your boot tighter. At my boot shop, our advice is always this: ski your boots. If you find discomfort or numbness, come back in and we’ll bake them. But we don’t want to make extra room that you don’t need.

Shell Modifications

There are a number of ways to modify the plastic shell of your boot if you’ve sized down too aggressively, or if you have painful bunions or bone spurs. Just know that you can’t make the shell of your boot smaller unless you own a . It’s also worth noting that a quality footbed can often suffice instead of shell modifications.

Related:

If you need room in just one spot, grinding is the way to go. Grinding works best in thick, polyurethane boots and is both quick and iterative, so you can dial in your fit. If your boot is too stiff, a bootfitter can also flex-grind material away and soften it.

For larger width expansions or ankle bone and navicular issues (the sometimes-protruding bone in front of your inner ankle bone), the best fix is a boot punch, which is done by heating the boot and pressing out problem areas.

Liner Upgrades

If you ski more than 20-30 days a year, you might consider a liner upgrade after a few years. For alpine boots, it’s hard to do better than cork-injected liners. Zipfit makes a leather cork-injected liner in different volumes that lasts over 600 days on snow and can be continuously modified.

For touring boots where warmth and keeping weight down are priorities, I prefer Intuition liners. Depending on the model and thickness, they can last up to 150 days on snow. Intuitions often come quite dense and benefit from a heat mold more than stock liners.

t are great, as long as you have a quality footbed. The injection process locks you into place, so if you have a pronated footbed, that can exacerbate your issues. They can offer the best precision in the game, but once you start to pack them out after about 100 days, they’re done.

Buckle Adjustments

Most people overbuckle their boots. If your shell fits properly, your cuff buckles should be about two fingers tight (if you have to use your palm to close it, it’s too tight). Lower shell buckles should be barely one-finger-tight. These buckles are mostly used to keep the gasket closed and keep water out of your boots. Many skiers don’t know that you can move cuff buckles in and out, which can help people with skinny or muscular calves. For women, this can be a life saver as their calves are located lower on the tibia than men’s, are often larger, and can get squeezed.

Booster Straps

Chances are, you’ve seen Booster Straps on the boots of the race kids cutting you in the lift line.The patent on this product lapsed recently, so you will be seeing elastic cam power straps more often on top-shelf boots. But the Booster Strap is the original, and in my opinion, still the best. Booster Straps offer a more progressive flex and can stiffen a boot that’s become too soft. They are a boon for those who suffer from , as you can tighten them directly to your liner’s tongue (under the plastic cuff) and then loosen your buckles. They can also be worn over the plastic cuff to stiffen a boot and provide more instantaneous response.

Liner Modifications

Shell modifications are what most people think of when they hear the term “bootfitting,” but I spend far more time creating shims and wedges to modify the liners rather than the shells of ski boots.

Liners are made of soft material that compresses over time, so bootfitters will create dense foam shims that can take up further space inside a boot. If you start to feel your heel move, we can create banana-shaped shims that lock it back in place. Feel slop over your ankle bone? We’ll create a medial shim to fix that up.

One of the most important types of liner modification is the varus or valgus wedge. These are thin foam wedges that attach to your boot board under your liner and correct pronation and supination by rotating your foot in the shell. The former is much more common than the latter because it mitigates excessive pronation, which can cause pain to the inner ankle bone—and it’s much cheaper than a punch.

Jake Stern is șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű’s digital editor and a professional bootfitter based in Mammoth Lakes, California. , the shop where he fits, has been a leader in custom bootfitting for four decades.

More On Ski Boots

The Best Alpine Ski Boots of the Year
The Best Backcountry Boots of 2024
The Best New Bindings of the Year

The post Boot Problems? Try These Modifications For a Perfect Fit. appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

This article was first published by .

Other backcountry skiers are in it for untracked powder—they head out of the resort’s backcountry gates to ski and skin lap after lap of pristine snow just beyond the resort boundaries. These skiers don’t care so much about how light their equipment is so long as it crushes the downhill. It’s for this type of skier that the hybrid backcountry boot category was born.

Hybrid boots bridge the gap between the downhill performance of alpine boots, and the uphill performance of alpine touring boots. They may also feature tech inserts in the toe and walk-modes with an acceptable range of motion for longer tours, but they tend to be heavier because they’re made with burlier plastics and materials that increase downhill performance. These boots also often feature GripWalk or Multi Norm Compatible (MNC) soles that may be compatible with the bindings mounted on your resort skis, meaning they can be great one-boot quiver options that you can ski in and out of the resort.

Because we all have different backcountry agendas, we’ve included 2024’s best backcountry boot options in both the hybrid and alpine touring categories. If you’re looking for one boot to use inbounds and in the backcountry, peruse our top-rated hybrid options. If you’re a dedicated backcountry skier who’s looking to shave grams to make big backcountry missions more doable, check out the boots labeled under the “Alpine Touring” category. Whatever you choose, make sure you carefully consider and research your boot/binding compatibility.

How We Test

Our test starts in the back of the boot room, where we strip and examine each boot and assess the features and biomechanics of the shell and liner. Then we determine which tester would best fit each boot out of the box and send it to them to ski. We ski each boot for a minimum of three full days with our own custom footbeds and then make any necessary adjustments and ski it for a final day. For backcountry boots, we climbed and skied at least 6,000 vertical feet per boot.

Meet Our Lead Tester

Jake Stern is a freelance writer and professional bootfitter based in Mammoth Lakes, California. , the shop where he fits, has been a leader in custom bootfitting for four decades. Working with flipper-footed Angelenos who haven’t worn a closed-toed shoe in their lives, he understands the importance of comfort as well as performance when it comes to finding the right boot. Stern has been testing skis and boots professionally for four years.

The Reviews: The Best Hybrid Resort/Backcountry Ski Boots of 2024

Editor’s Choice: Dynafit Tigard 130 ($899)

Flex: 130
Last (mm): 101
Volume: Medium
Weight (per boot in grams): 1,590 (26.5)
ISO: 23223 (GripWalk with Dynafit inserts)
Size range: 25.0-31.5
Gender: Unisex

Pros:

• Amazing downhill performance for a boot with walk-mode
• 70-degree range of motion is more generous than what you find in other hybrid/all-mountain boots

Cons:

• Fit can be tricky for skiers with low-volume feet

Let’s get this out of the way at the top: Dynafit’s Tigard 130 is the most impressive hybrid boot we’ve ever tried. In a category defined by compromise, this model seems to operate in a different plane of reality. The Tigard 130 is the hardest-skiing boot with a walk mode we’ve ever had the pleasure of stepping into; it’s also the best walking boot we’ve ever been able to put into an alpine binding. This model has replaceable GripWalk soles and could be perfectly happy never seeing a skintrack. Or a chairlift.

The Tigard, Dynafit’s imaginary tiger/leopard combo, stalks the skintrack and pounces on untracked powder, perfect corn, and manky mogul lines right under the chair. While the fit can be a little tricky for lower-volume feet, it’s a godsend for folks with high insteps who want a single boot to charge inbounds and seek adventure in the great beyond.

Read more testing feedback in our deep-dive review here.

Flex: 115
Last (mm): 98
Volume: Low
Weight (per boot in grams): 1,630 (24.5)
ISO: 23223 (GripWalk with tech inserts)
Size range: 22.5-27.5
Gender: °ÂŽÇłŸ±đČÔ’s

Pros:

• A BOA boot that actually achieves a high-performance fit
• A solid option for narrow-footed skiers

Cons:

• Range of fore-aft motion is restricted by stiffness of the cuff, resulting in less comfortable touring

Atomic turned heads this year when it unveiled the only new H+i1 BOA boot in a low-volume last. For aggressive skiers who want a super-snug do-it-all boot, the new Hawx Ultra XTD 115 W is a panacea in polyurethane. While other brands conceived their BOA boots as a one-size-fits-all solution for medium- to wide-volume feet, Atomic saw an opportunity to crank down on an already snug last to give experts an even higher-performance fit on one of its most popular boots. Our testers in Washington ski a lot of bad snow, and they were pleased to report that this boot ate up refrozen death cookies, windstripped chutes, and “lumpy terrain in complete whiteout.” If you’re a strong expert skier who craves a low-volume fit without a lot of wiggle room and you’re interested in short hikes or sidecountry tours, you should definitely swing by your local shop and check out the Hawx Ultra XTD 115 W. Atomic really knocked this boot out of the park; it’s confidence-inspiring and skis inbounds incredibly well.

Flex: 130
Last (mm): 102
Volume: High
Weight (per boot in grams): 1,850 (26.5)
ISO: 23223 (GripWalk with tech inserts)
Size range: 22.5-30.5
Gender: Unisex

Pros:

• Finally, a high-volume version of this popular boot for those with high-volume feet
• New mold uses mostly recycled materials, a big win in the world of ski boots

Cons:

• Skews more towards resort skiing than getting after it in the backcountry

We couldn’t have been more thrilled this year when we found out Tecnica was building a high-volume version of the Cochise, its venerable freeride touring boot. This offering stays true to the brand’s nature: fit-focused, downhill-oriented, and built with as little compromise against skiing capability as possible. The best part? Tecnica accomplished all of this in a brand-new mold that incorporates recycled materials. The Cochise HV 130 is an alpine boot with a nice walk mode, and for a large and ever-increasing number of skiers this option fills the niche. Want to walk five days a year? Great! Ski a Cochise. Did Alta open the Baldy Chutes and the booter is in? Perfect. This is an ideal boot for the skier who wants just one pair and is curious about backcountry powder, but not willing to commit to a featherweight backcountry model. With a new high-volume fit that will attract skiers looking for comfort and performance, the Cochise HV 130 checks all the boxes.

K2 Mindbender 130 BOA ($1,000)

Flex: 130
Last (mm): 97 to 104
Volume: Low to Medium (K2 MultiFit)
Weight (per boot in grams): 1,945 (27.5)
ISO: 23223 (GripWalk with tech inserts)
Size range: 24.5-30.5
Gender: Unisex

Pros:

• A solid resort-meets-backcountry boot option for skiers who split their time evenly and do it one boot
• Roomy fit above the midfoot makes it a good choice for skiers with high insteps

Cons:

• You really have to crank the BOA dial to get this boot to fit a lower volume foot

The all-new Mindbender 130 BOA is a versatile 50/50 option for skiers who don’t want to think about their setup before heading into the mountains. Equally at home on the skintrack as it is riding chairs, this boot is also a perfect travel option for ski trips without a set itinerary. Skiers with a high instep, rejoice! The Mindbender 130 BOA has a ton of room atop where the second buckle would traditionally sit. Because of the room in the heel pocket, we’re a little skeptical of K2’s MultiFit Last cranking all the way down to 97 millimeters, but our low-volume testers were able to ski this boot as hard as they wanted with the BOA spun down. The walk mode, while not delivering an astonishing range of motion, felt smooth and frictionless, and we were able to put in big days with minimal fatigue. The Mindbender 130 BOA is a solid quiver of one for the advanced, backcountry-curious skier.

Rossignol Alltrack Pro 130 LT MV ($849)

Flex: 130
Last (mm): 100
Volume: Medium
Weight (per boot in grams): 1,830 (26.5)
ISO: 23223 (GripWalk with tech inserts)
Size range: 24.0-29.5
Gender: Unisex

Pros:

• Familiar alpine boot feel
• Deluxe comfort features

Cons:

• Walk-mode range of motion is limited and better suited to quick sidecountry skins than backcountry tours

Rossignol’s ever-popular Alltrack Pro remains one of the most comfortable downhill-oriented hybrid boots on the market. The polyether Dual Core scaffo (lower shell) provides true alpine suspension and rebound, while the polyolefin cuff lightens the total package to keep you fresh in the sidecountry. Our tester loved the new double-sided power strap: It allows you to slot it under the cuff and to easily tweak the tension for hiking. The Alltrack Pro 130 MV is the most resort-focused boot we tested in the Hybrid category. There is almost no perceptible play in walk mode, keeping the spine of the boot stable and dependable. We felt the walk mode was more of a “performance-lodge mode” that wasn’t the most efficient for tours longer than an hour. But for an inbounds bootpack or quick sidecountry hits, it was more than adequate. The Alltrack Pro 130 MV is a versatile option for advanced skiers who want deluxe comfort features from a boot that doesn’t shy away from aggressive skiing.

The Reviews: The Best Alpine Touring Ski Boots of 2024

Flex: 95
Last (mm): 100
Volume: Medium
Weight (per boot in grams): 1,145 (27)
ISO: 9523 (Touring)
Size range: 23.0-31.5
Gender: Unisex

Pros:

• For a lightweight AT boot, it drives a heavier ski exceptionally well
• Surprisingly warm for a minimalist boot

Cons:

• Not quite burly enough to handle variable conditions with confidence

If your vision of spring skiing includes pre-dawn starts, steep couloirs, and booting thousands of feet to the top of your line with enough gas left in your tank to enjoy the descent, Scarpa’s brand-new F1 XT could be the boot of your dreams. The scaffo (lower shell) of the boot has a nice low-volume fit that doesn’t feel crushing for those with a medium to high instep, thanks to the tall waterproof gaiter. The upper cuff is nice and tight, with no play at all, allowing for easy power transfer to the ski. We tested the F1 XT in the biggest winter—and longest spring—the Eastern Sierra has ever seen. That means we put it through the paces skinning steep, icy slopes, crossing raging streams, booting impossibly long chutes, and skiing back to the sagebrush. This boot blew our minds with both its blissful walking abilities and its capacity to drive any ski we threw at it.

Flex: 130
Last (mm): 100
Volume: Medium
Weight (per boot in grams): 1,280 (26.5)
ISO: 9523 (Touring)
Size range: 24.5-30.5
Gender: Unisex

Pros:

• Stiffness inspires confidence at speed and in technical terrain
• Exceptional weight-to-performance ratio

Cons:

• Lack of rearward flexion makes skinning on flat approaches a bit cumbersome

Latching the ski mechanism on Fischer’s new Transalp Carbon Pro at the top of a very big line was one of the more confidence-inspiring feelings our tester has had in the backcountry. There aren’t a lot of sub-1,300-gram boots that have the progressive flex and stiffness of this one. We tested this boot on several routes with greater than 6,000 feet of vertical and were repeatedly impressed with its ability to drive the hell out of a big ski in big terrain. It doesn’t have the best rearward flexion while walking, which can feel cumbersome on flats, but is much more stable and secure when booting steep sections than a model with no friction in its walk mode. If you’re looking for an option that skis astoundingly well for its weight, and you don’t care that it doesn’t walk like a pure skimo machine, then the Transalp Carbon Pro is a sure bet in the medium-volume category.

Flex: 130
Last (mm): 99
Volume: Medium
Weight (per boot in grams): 1,450 (26.5)
Gender: Unisex
ISO: 9523 (Touring)
Size range: 24.5-29.5

Pros:

• Incredible walking range-of-motion that feels more generous than advertised
• Burly Vibram outsole stands up to even the toughest scrambling

Cons:

• Sacrifice in stiffness in the name of shaving weight

Lange was never going to make a really light touring boot until it knew it could do it right. Each winter for the past three years, it’s released a touring boot that skis just as well as the last, while weighing less and less. This year, the brand has again shaved some grams from the XT3 Tour Pro and is introducing the XT3 Tour Light. This all-new construction keeps what we loved about the Tour Pro and adds an enormous Vibram outsole while dropping weight with lighter buckles. Lange’s ethos has put downhill performance above all else, and with its Dual Core Light Grilamid mix we felt the pop and suspension the company is known for, albeit in a breezier package. We would recommend this boot for big days in the spring, overnight missions (or longer), or powder-chasing far from the trailhead. Maybe Lange wanted a downhill weapon, but it created an uphill monster that can ski anything you have the gall to boot to the top of.

Scarpa Maestrale RS ($949)

Flex: 125
Last (mm): 102
Volume: Medium-high
Weight (per boot in grams): 1,470 (27)
ISO:
Size range:

Pros:

• Expanded forefoot improves comfort fit and warmth
• Built-in versatility makes it a do-it-all AT boot

Cons:

• Flex isn’t quite as smooth as other boots in this category

Scarpa redesigned its beefiest touring boot this year, optimizing for comfort and fit. Still using industry-leading bioplastics, the Italian brand expanded the forefoot of its flagship free-touring boot to increase warmth and ease for long days in the backcountry. We put about 20,000 vertical feet on this boot in the Eastern Sierra and were impressed by its versatility as a do-it-all AT tool. The cuff rotation felt fluid and efficient on the skintrack, with a 61-degree range of motion. The rockered Vibram sole performed solidly while scrambling up scree-choked gullies, and we appreciated the wider toe box for punching steep booters in firm snow with boot crampons. The three-piece Pebax Rnew tongue delivered a linear flex that didn’t feel quite as smooth as its more progressive competitors, but in sun-cupped and slushy snow this boot provided dependable power transfer and a stable ride. If you’re looking for a more comfortable fit for longer days or are used to cabrio-style alpine boots, the Maestrale RS will feel like home.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know my ski boot size?

Ski boots use mondopoint sizing, typically ranging from 22/22.5 to 29/29.5 for adults. Your appropriate mondopoint indicates the shell size you should be in, but there are other measurements that also factor into finding the right ski boot size for your foot. You need to know your foot sole length, the width of your foot, and your instep height, among other things. To determine your ski boot size and get the best ski boot fit, go see a bootfitter. A professional will be able to take all kinds of foot measurements to find the right ski boot size for your foot and your style of skiing.Ìę.

What is ski boot flex?

• Ski boots come in a variety of flex points, from 60-130
• Ski boot flex ratings vary across ski boot brands
• The higher the flex rating, the stiffer the boot; the lower the flex rating, the softer the boot

Flex refers to how easily you can distort the ski boot—how much force it takes to drive your shin forward. That’s based on what type of skier you are (beginner, intermediate, or expert) as well as your physical stature. Ski boots come in a variety of flex points, generally along a spectrum of 60 to 130, where 60 is considered soft and 130 considered very stiff.Ìę.

What is ski boot volume?

Volume refers to how much space there is between the floor and ceiling in the instep of the boot, as well as how much space there is in the toe box. Most brands now make boots that come in three volume options: low volume (LV), ranging between a 97-99mm last; mid-volume (MV), between 99-101mm; and high volume (HV), between 100-104mm.Ìę.

More from the 2024 Winter Gear Guide

The Best Backcountry Skis of 2024
The Best New Bindings of the Year
The Best Powder Skis of 2024

The post The Best Backcountry Touring Ski Boots of 2024 appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

This article was first published by .

How We Test

Our test starts in the back of the boot room, where we strip and examine each boot and assess the features and biomechanics of the shell and liner. Then we determine which tester would best fit each boot out of the box and send it to them to ski. We ski each boot for a minimum of three full days with our own custom footbeds and then make any necessary adjustments and ski it for a final day. For backcountry boots we climbed and skied at least 6,000 vertical feet per boot.

Meet Our Lead Tester

Jake Stern is a freelance writer and professional bootfitter based in Mammoth Lakes, California. , the shop where he fits, has been a leader in custom boot fitting for four decades. Working with flipper-footed Angelenos who haven’t worn a closed-toed shoe in their lives, he understands comfort as well as performance. Stern has been testing skis and boots professionally for four years.

The Reviews: The Best Alpine Ski Boots of 2024

Editor’s Choice: Fischer RC4 Pro MV ($1,100)

Flex: 140
Last (mm): 100
Volume: Medium
Level: Expert
ISO: 5355/23223 (Alpine and GripWalk)
Size range: 22.5-30.5

Pros:

• Comes with a ZipFit liner
• BOA H+i1 alpine lace system enables a really dialed fit

Cons:

• Hefty price tag (though it’s reflective of the included ZipFit liner)
• 140 flex is as advertised, i.e. extremely stiff, and therefore only for the chargiest of skiersÌę

So often in the hardgoods market, a brand will roll out a redesign that’s little more than a fresh decal. But with the RC4 Pro MV, Fischer tore up the foundation and started from scratch. This thing is a legitimate work of art, and it comes with a Sotheby’s-level price tag to prove it. Built to bring the brand’s heritage race last to the consumer market, the new RC4 Pro MV was developed from the ground up with a new mold to include the BOA H+i1 alpine lace system and a full ZipFit liner. (ZipFit calls them “inner boots.”) This combination delivered the best fit we’ve ever found in a medium-volume boot: precise, comfortable, and extremely warm.

We were grateful for the exact fit, because this boot is extremely stiff. It was easy to get into an aggressive stance because of how well-lasted the boot is, but flexing this model requires some heft and skill. If you can drive it, the RC4 Pro MV is the highest-end alpine boot on the market, full stop.

Read the deep-dive review and more testing feedback here.

Flex: 130 (also available in 120 LV and 110 LV, 100-130 MV)
Last (mm): 97
Volume: Low
Level: Expert
ISO: 23223 (GripWalk)
Size range: 24.5-31.5

Pros:

• Extremely responsive flex
• Snug heel pockets for high-performance fit

Cons:

• Generic Velcro power strap may not be strong enough for expert skiers

Kiss Lange’s stalwart RX line goodbye: The 61-year-old boot company is moving into the future with its all-new Shadow series, and the updates are absolutely worthy of the rebrand.

Lange introduced a fully new shell construction with its Suspension Blade and Dual Pivot. Almost any pressure to the tongue of the boot drives the shovel of the ski to initiate a turn. And if you felt the old RX heel was too wide and blocky, the Shadow’s snugged-up heel pocket will put a smile on your face.

The Shadow 130 LV and its family of boots build on Lange’s six-decade legacy with a novel construction that you can feel on snow. They didn’t just slap a new label on this thing; it was retooled from the ground up, and not only does it ski better than the previous generation of Lange boots, but it fits better too.

Flex: 120 to 140
Last (mm): 96
Volume: Low
Level: Expert
ISO: 5355 (Alpine)
Size range: 22.5-29.5

Pros:

• Slender profile translates to incredible energy transfer
• A high-performance boot that also handles well in crud

Cons:

• Not very warm
• Very narrow last means most skiers will need to make some fit adjustmentsÌę

Nordica overhauled its entire Dobermann line for 2023-24 and produced an even leaner, meaner carving machine. Both the race-department boot (93-millimeter last) and what we lovingly call its “cheater race boot” got the tear-down-and-rebuild treatment, and we were impressed with the end result. We tested the 96-millimeter model, which is not only narrower than last year’s Dobermann GP 130, but also remarkably shorter. The result is a boot that is in total control of firm snow.

The fit is wholly reimagined, with thick walls and a slimmed-down profile that is extremely tight through the midfoot and heel. Nordica’s new liner is excellent and contributes to how comfortable the Dobermann 5 S is for a quasi-plug boot. This model supplied the wonderful yet confusing property of both absorbing irregularities in the snowpack and delivering tremendous rebound at the exit of a turn. This is the perfect platform to live out your Marcel Hirscher dreams—even if you’ve never had a coach.

Head Formula 130 LV ($1,050)

Flex: 130/140
Last (mm): 98
Volume: Low
Level: Expert
ISO: 23223 (GripWalk)
Size range:

Pros:

• Fully customizable shell and liner
• Plug-boot-like fit translates to great precision

Cons:

• Short fit means that many skiers will need to punch out the toe box

Head’s updated Formula 130 LV is a serious all-mountain boot with a racing pedigree. The all-new liner has a thin, plug-boot feel that allows the foot to sit as close as possible to the shell for ultimate precision. Complete with compartments for injectable Liquid Fit, the liner and shell are fully customizable. Liquid Fit allows you to snug up the heel and ankle pockets, while the shell can be heat-molded to expand problem areas.

The Formula 130 LV comes with a substantial 16 degrees of forward lean. Pushed forward, it’s almost impossible not to drive the shovel of your skis. Fit wise, this boot is incredibly short. Head’s extended toe box is nicely tall and wide around the toes, but it’s still quite abbreviated internally; luckily, the dense polyurethane shell takes a great punch.

If you’re looking for a race-inspired alpine boot that you can push to highway speeds without flinching, the Formula 130 LV demands your attention.

How to Buy Ski Boots

Here we list the most exciting new alpine ski boots to hit the market in 2024. The boots on this list were vetted and tested by a professional bootfitter who considered the technology, performance, fit, and customization characteristics of each boot. While we consider the boots on this list to be the cream of the crop, they may not be the right fit or choice for you. Unless you’re an experienced skier and know your boot size, volume, flex and last, visit a professional bootfitter to figure out what boot is best for your physique and skiing style. If you determine a Low Volume boot or 130 flex isn’t right for you, consider other models of the boot families we list—more often than not, these boot lines offer a variety of volume and flex options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best alpine ski boots for men?

• Fischer RC4 Pro MV
• Head Formula 130 LV

What’s the difference between alpine ski boots and all-mountain/hybrid ski boots?

Traditional alpine boots are designed to enhance performance for the type of skiing you’re likely to do at the resort: making turns at faster speeds, on firm and chopped up snow, and using more edging skills. Alpine boots (also known as downhill boots) are made with heavier, stiffer plastics that encourage better energy transfer when you’re doing this kind of skiing at the resort. While alpine boots may include some features you’ll see on all-mountain or hybrid boots these days, like GripWalk soles and walk/hike modes, they differ from hybrid boots in that they’re heavier and designed to be compatible with traditional alpine bindings—they do not feature the metal tech inserts in the toe that you see on hybrid or alpine touring boots designed to work with alpine touring or hybrid backcountry bindings.

How do I know my ski boot size?

Ski boots use mondopoint sizing, typically ranging from 22/22.5 to 29/29.5 for adults. Your appropriate mondopoint indicates the shell size you should be in, but there are other measurements that also factor into finding the right ski boot size for your foot. You need to know your foot sole length, the width of your foot, and your instep height, among other things. To determine your ski boot size and get the best ski boot fit, go see a bootfitter. A professional will be able to take all kinds of foot measurements to find the right ski boot size for your foot and your style of skiing. .

What is ski boot flex?

• Ski boots come in a variety of flex points, from 60-130
• Ski boot flex ratings vary across ski boot brands
• The higher the flex rating, the stiffer the boot; the lower the flex rating, the softer the boot

Flex refers to how easily you can distort the ski boot—how much force it takes to drive your shin forward. That’s based on what type of skier you are (beginner, intermediate, or expert) as well as your physical stature. Ski boots come in a variety of flex points, generally along a spectrum of 60 to 130, where 60 is considered soft and 130 considered very stiff. .

What is ski boot volume?

Volume refers to how much space there is between the floor and ceiling in the instep of the boot, as well as how much space there is in the toe box. Most brands now make boots that come in three volume options: low volume (LV), ranging between a 97-99mm last; mid-volume (MV), between 99-101mm; and high volume (HV), between 100-104mm. .

More from the 2024 Winter Gear Guide

The Best All-Mountain Skis of 2024
The Best Carving Skis of the Year
The Best Backcountry Boots of 2024

The post The Best Alpine Ski Boots of 2024 appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

This article was first published by .

Because we all have different backcountry agendas, we’ve included 2023’s best women’s backcountry boot options in both the hybrid and alpine touring categories. If you’re looking for one boot to use inbounds and in the backcountry, peruse our top-rated hybrid options. If you’re a dedicated backcountry skier who’s looking to shave grams to make big backcountry missions more doable, check out the Atomic Backland Pro UL, the dedicated alpine touring boot on this list. Whatever you choose, make sure you carefully consider and research your .

Related: These moves will help prevent tight muscles after skiing

Reviews: The best women’s backcountry ski boots

K2 Dispatch LT W ($950)

Category: Hybrid
Flex: 115
Last: 100mm
Weight: 1,390 grams
Size range: 22.5-27.5
Binding compatibility: Multi-norm compatible (MNC)
Best for: Advanced and expert skiers who spend more days aggressively charging the backcountry than at the resort

The all-new K2 Dispatch LT W was built for big missions and technical descents, a lightweight freeride touring boot for advanced to expert female skiers looking to charge. At 1,390 grams, it’s remarkably light for a four-buckle touring boot; while it’s not burly enough to smash resort laps, it’s about as performance-oriented as you can get for the backcountry and the occasional inbounds day without jumping way out of the weight class. With a flex of 115, the Dispatch LT W is slightly stiffer and about 1,000 grams lighter than K2’s other new Dispatch, which is a softer and more approachable 105-flex boot. Testers appreciated the large external walk-mode lever, which is easy to use with gloves on, and the 60-degree range of motion feels on par with other freeride touring boots like the Tecnica Zero G W and the Atomic Hawx Ultra. Fit-wise, the Dispatch LT W features a pretty wide box and a 100mm last, so skiers with a low-volume foot might want to look elsewhere.

Fischer Ranger 115 GW DYN ($750)

Flex: 115
Last: 99mm
Weight: 1,590 grams
Size range: 22.5-27.5
Binding compatibility: MNC, GripWalk (GW)
Category: Hybrid
Best for: Resort skiers in search of a boot that can also hang on short backcountry tours

A charging boot that’s down to earn a few turns, the updated Ranger 115 GW DYN is an ideal everyday boot for female resort skiers who occasionally take a few backside laps. Thanks to a 115 flex and redesigned TPU cuff and shell, it’s strong and capable while railing icy groomers or jockeying for a rope drop on a powder day. Tech fittings, Gripwalk soles, and a decent range of motion make bootpacks and sidecountry hot laps a breeze. At first glance, the Ranger 115 W doesn’t look like a touring boot at all; the walk-mode lever is tucked away next to the top buckle, preventing pant legs from getting snagged on an external mechanism. For what it is, this boot walks pretty well, but it’s definitely a better choice for those who prioritize the ski down and prefer to smell the roses on the way up.

Lange XT3 Tour Pro W ($900)

Flex: 115
Last: 99mm
Weight: 1,380 grams
Size range: 22/22.5-27/27.5
Binding compatibility: MNC
Category: Hybrid
Best for: Backcountry skiers who occasionally ride the resort and are looking for a good balance of uphill and downhill performance

For decades, Lange has proven to skiers that their boots don’t mess around when it comes to powering downhill, but it wasn’t until recently that their touring boots found a seat at the table among hardcore backcountry skiers. The new XT3 Tour Pro W strikes an impressive balance between downhill and uphill capabilities, with a stiff 115 flex, a lightweight Grilamid shell, tech inserts, and Vibram soles. Testers who had skied on past versions of the XT3 and XT Free touring boots were impressed with the 53-degree range of motion on the women’s-specific XT3 Tour Pro W. This new range allows you to glide through strides smoothly, but the cuff can still be cinched down at the summit for a compromise-free descent. The walk-mode lever is manageable with gloves on, although not quite as easy to manipulate as a large external lever, which testers felt was the only big drawback in user-friendliness in this boot.

Atomic Backland Pro UL W ($975)

Flex: N/A
Last: 98mm
Weight: 936 grams
Size range: 22/22.5.5-27/27.5
Binding compatibility: Tour Light Tech (TLT) pin bindings only
Category: Alpine Touring
Best for: Dedicated backcountry skiers with big missions on the agenda

For adventures that are more about the walking than the skiing—admit it, we’ve all had them—the updated Backland Pro UL W makes skinning a heck of a lot smoother. On the up, it feels like a hiking boot. The 74-degree range of motion allows for more movement than most human ankles can physically flex, and the polyamide shell and cuff keep things light on the skintrack. At the summit, it’s a breeze to lock things up: The external walk-mode lever, Speed Strap buckle, and BOA Fit System system cinch the boot quickly, making for efficient transitions on fitness laps and alpine missions alike. A soft boot like this requires a fair amount of balance and technique, so unless you’re hippie-wiggling in low-angle pow, you can’t put this one on cruise control. For this reason, it’s a great option for advanced female skiers with their sights set on long pushes in the wilderness. Like the other Backland boots, it’s incredibly low volume, and a few testers had to go up a whole size to find a comfortable fit.

The post The Best °ÂŽÇłŸ±đČÔ’s Backcountry Boots of 2023 appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

In 2017 I almost gave up skiing. The boots I’d loved for three solid years had failed me almost overnight. I’d hop off the chairlift and five minutes later, my feet would cramp, my toes would go numb, and pain would shoot up my arches. Blues felt like blacks. I was bailing after lunch. Embarrassment aside, the discomfort was excruciating. The longer I skied and the steeper the terrain, the worse it got.

So I sought out two of the best ski-boot fitters in New England: Lyndall Heyer and Carol Beale, two skiers with 50 combined years of experience fitting boots. They can shred—Heyer was on the U.S. Ski Team in the 1970s—and they can listen, which, in boot fitting, is half the battle. Having fitted at a dozen ski shops, Beale is now a medical athletic footwear specialist. They taught me that a boot out of the box is only a blank canvas for the perfect vacuum-seal fit, because every foot is different.

Ski boots are the most important component of your setup, so it’s worth taking the time to get it right. “Many people don’t even know boot fitting exists or how intricate it can be. They think you’re in a plastic cast so of course your feet will hurt. Not true,” says Beale. But getting fitted for the first time can be an intimidating experience. Here’s how to be sure you’ve found a good fitter and the questions you should keep in mind when you go so you can ski comfortably.

Swap Stories

• There are a lot of factors that inform the ideal fit—talk with your boot fitter and give plenty of context.
• If you need help finding a good boot fitter, ask your community for leads.

If a boot fitter puts you in a measuring device the minute you walk through the door, pump the brakes and talk. “I need to figure out who my customer is, and make sure we have a solid, trusting relationship,” says Beale. She’ll always ask for your ski story. Your level, ski goals, size, previous injuries, other sports, and current skis and boots will all inform the ideal fit.

The customer should know the boot fitter too. The credible ones, like Beale and Heyer, have taken multiple courses from Masterfit University, which sets the standard for their profession. (It’s important to remember that a single certification is not proof you’re getting a caring and skilled boot fitter.) Beale takes it a step further: at BalanceWorks in Rutland, Vermont, she’s a pedorthist, trained to modify therapeutic footwear and orthotics to support your feet and lower limbs. In this field, experience is your friend. If you need help finding a reliable boot fitter in the first place, ask around and check in with your community for good leads.

Get All Your Measurements

• A boot fitter should take five measurements.
• Make sure the fitter measures both of your feet.

After five measurements—heel to toe, heel to the ball of the foot, instep, forefoot width, and calf—I learned that for six years I’d been wearing ski boots an entire size too big. According to Beale, this is not uncommon. It’s easy to talk yourself out of a tight fit when you’re trying on a boot in the store. But remember, as your liners pack out, your boots will only get bigger from the moment you first try them on.

Boots are sized from heel to big toe in centimeters via . Mondo conversions are complicated, though. A would have a woman who wears a size eight street shoe in a 25. Beale would put her in a 24, though. But one șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű editor who likes a performance fit comfortably sizes down two mondo sizes from her recommended. All this to say: try on a few sizes, and talk to your bootfitter about what makes sense for your anatomy and ski style. And don’t forget, despite what some will try to sell you, there are no half-size ski boots, only thicker liners.

Most of us have a dominant side, and therefore a stronger turn side on the hill. This can create varying muscle strength and shape, and many of us are just born with two different size feet, so make sure your boot fitter measures both feet. Beale and Heyer have accommodated mismatched bony protrusions, lengths, widths, hammertoes and curves, claw toes, injuries, and birth defects. “One woman was born with a 23 on one foot and a 25 on the other, so she buys two sets of boots for two different skis,” says Beale.

Ask to Be Liner Fit and Shell Fit

• Look for a half-inch gap between the shell and the back of your foot.
• If your liner is too tight, your boot fitter might be able to stretch it.

At Inner Bootworks in Stowe, Heyer removed the liner to “shell fit” me in three boots. Good boot fitters won’t need make you try on a dozen pairs: they should already have an idea of what boots to pull, based on your feet and ability. And if you try on too many, you might overthink the fit. I climbed in the shell and slid my toes to the front to ensure no more than a half-inch gap occurred between my heel and the back of the boot—a ski racer should have less. Generally, the more advanced the skier, the closer the fit. If expert skiers wear their boots too loose, their exact movements won’t transfer to their skis at aggressive speeds. They may overcompensate by buckling too tightly, putting unnecessary, painful pressure on their feet.

While boot fitters don’t always “liner fit” too, Beale is all for fitting both the shell and liner. When liner fitting, with the liner out of the shell, step in to ensure a snug but comfortable fit: the artery along your instep shouldn’t be too compressed, and the liner should securely grip the back of your heel. If the liner is too tight, the boot fitter can stretch it to prevent loss of circulation in your foot.

Before you try on the whole setup, a good boot fitter will tell you what to expect: a ramp pushing your toes forward that makes the boot feel short until it’s buckled. When you flex forward, the instep buckle and ramp will push your toes back and your heels should reach the back of the boot. In my new Nordica Promachine 95—the first boot Heyer instinctively pulled for me—my narrow foot felt snug, as it should, especially after my old clunky boots. Perfect for skiing on my Black Pearls again when I’m finally out of pain.

Get Fit Right

• A custom footbed enhances performance and comfort.
• If you have balance troubles, you may need canting.

Ski boots are some of the tightest footwear you’ll ever step into. The right fit will feel painted on. “Everything should feel like it’s an extension of your leg and your foot,” says Beale.

Your boot fitter has a big bag of tricks to help dial in your fit. It’s worth it to spring for a custom footbed, which will help neutralize any imbalances from the shape of your foot or your range of motion. Mine eliminates the gap between my arch and the boot, providing great support.

Canting can help align your boot with the natural side-to-side angle of your lower leg. In some cases, this can be accomplished with by simply adjusting the screws on either side of your boot at the ankle. This is especially helpful if you’re bowlegged or knock-kneed. Other solutions include adding foam or plastic pieces to help fill space in your boot and neutralize the position of your foot.

Understand Your Range of Motion

• Your boot fitter should test your range of motion.
• Your leg and foot shapes matter.

We’re born with varying foot mobility on three planes of motion, and our boots should accommodate all of them so we can ski in a neutral stance without a fight. Limited mobility in your frontal plane, which allows your foot to move from side to side, can cause pain in your knees on the hill. If you can’t fully rotate your foot toward and away from the center of the body, along what’s known as the transverse plane, you may have balance problems while skiing. But the most important one for boot fitting is the sagittal plane: the forward flexion of your ankle joint. “If your joint can’t flex, it locks up at a certain point, so when you bend your knee, your heels come up,” says Beale.

Ski boots have varying degrees of forward lean, and you should buy one that aligns with your range of motion. If you are an intermediate skier who lacks dorsiflexion, you’ll likely be happier in a more upright boot. As boots get higher-performance, that forward angle gets more aggressive. If you prefer expert-level equipment but have limited range of motion, your boot fitter can adjust the ramp at the base of your foot to better match your natural mobility.

Consider Height—and Flex

• If you’re a woman with long legs, you may need a men’s boot.
• For newer high-quality plastics, go for a flex rating of 80 or 90 or above.

There’s a sweet spot where boots should hit on the shin and calf. Men’s boots typically have taller cuffs than women’s boots. The thinking behind this is that women’s legs are typically shorter, and they also tend to have a greater curve in their lower leg due to their calf muscles. A shorter cuff may help if you find your calf muscles are being squeezed uncomfortably, and a taller one might be ideal if you’re long-legged and want more control while you ski. Beale wears a men’s boot and encourages similarly long-legged women to consider the option. “So many women come in with bloody shins because they’re in a women’s boot and they’re taller than me,” says Beale. Typically, though, women benefit from the lower cuff and snugger heel of women’s boots.

Flex rating, which inconveniently isn’t standard across boot brands, ranges for recreational boots from 60 to 130 and higher for racing boots. “The truest flex ratings for high-quality boots with good plastics should start at 80 for women and 90 for men,” says Beale. “Avoid boots under those numbers.” If your flex rating is too low, your knees will fall forward. The boot won’t bounce back coming out of one turn to prepare you for the next, causing your midfoot to bow or the tail of your skis to skid out. If your flex rating is too high, the stiffness will force your backside to drop behind your feet, into the “backseat” position. You’ll see your skis chatter, or vibrate off the snow, and you’ll lose your edge and ski out of control. “Exceptions aside, the more aggressive the skier, the higher the flex, the thicker the shell, and the denser the liner,” says Beale. When you’re trying on boots in the shop, bend your knees deeply a few times and get a sense for how much support and resistance feels right for you.

Afterward

If you’re in pain after you’ve gotten your new boots, speak up, but before you get all Princess and the Pea, ski in your boots for three days in the thinnest, longest ski socks you can find, and graduate to thicker socks as your liner packs out over time. Since the process involves some trial and error, work with a boot fitter near you who can continue to modify the boot later if necessary. (Some ski shops include the fitting with the cost of your boots.) In the end, if something still doesn’t feel right, go back and ask about it. After all, as Beale likes to say: “Boot fitting is an art, it’sÌęa science, and a little voodoo.”

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“Plastic lasted, there was so much plastic in the world that it would never run out.” That is the reality depicted in , a new novel by Alison Stine published in October. It’s about a near-future apocalypse in which plastic becomes the only thing of value because it’s the only thing left.

I’ve been staying up late reading the book,Ìęso I might be too far down the dystopian fiction wormhole, but Trashlands doesn’t feel so far off from our current reality. Just last week, a National Academy of Science report end up in the ocean every year, and that the United States is responsible for about a quarter of that. That’s more than any other country and more than the entire European Union combined.

We are failing to be responsible for our trash. In the United States, we recycle only about of our plastic trash. The remaining waste is everywhere. It’s in our , , . We about a credit card’s worth of plastic every week. Our recycling rates are dismal because we’re and because recycling and reusing the complicated things we make is . The outdoor industry, with its fetish for new materials and focus on complex innovation, is a guilty party in all of this. Gear companies produce literal tons of items that are hard to recycle and repurpose, and less than are recycled into something new.

If we don’t want to burn through every possible resource on the planet or end up in a plastic-choked hellhole like the one in Trashlands, we have to rethink how we use and reprocess waste. But like any kind of structural change, that’s easier said than done. The solution can’t just come from individual behavior—it also has to come from the producers that benefit from the sale of these products.

One example of a company trying to take responsibility for its waste is Italian ski boot manufacturer Tecnica. Last month, it announced a boot recycling program, creatively called , which will both repurpose unwanted boots and track what actually gets recycled. The pilot program is launching in eight European countries and works like this: A skier drops their old boots (any brand, not just Tecnica) at one of 238 participating ski shops. Once the shop has a critical mass of 20 pairs, they’ll be shipped to Italian manufacturing company Fecam, which will break apart the fabric, plastic, metal, and foam. Then those components will be sorted into reusable or recyclable parts—liners can be shredded and remade into new liners, for instance. Giogrio Grandin, head of innovation for Tecnica, says the company is shooting to recycle 7,000 pairs of boots this year, from which it expects to get 21 tons of plastic.

The program is an interesting example of how many logistical pieces have to come together to recycle even just one piece of gear. A boot buckle alone can have 40 different materials, according to Grandin. In addition to figuring out the finances and logistics of breaking up the parts and putting them back together (and many other things, like the carbon footprint of shipping used gear), Tecnica is trying to benchmark the process to see how much it might actually make a difference in emissions and waste.

“The challenge is quantifying a system that doesn’t exist and monitoring all data,” says Alessandro Manzardo, an industrial engineering professor from the University of Padova in northern Italy who is running the monitoring part of the project. He says they’re trying to study the whole lifecycle of the boots, from production to material recovery to giving those materials a second life. “If we achieve our objectives, within five years we think we can basically reduce impacts by 40 percent,” he says.

Tecnica is not alone in the gear world in trying to reduce its waste. Brands have worked to , incorporate , and reroute old gear to be . These efforts by companies to hold themselves accountable are laudable, but they are only one part of a broader movement to shift the responsibility of recycling from the consumer to the producer.

Historically, and particularly in the United States, the burden of recycling has fallen to individuals and communities—it’s been up to ratepayers and municipalities to create and fund recycling programs, which, predictably, are highly inconsistent from place to place. Even if your community has a good recycling program, it’s often voluntary, which means the onus is on the individual, the last person in the supply chain, to complete the recycling loop. That doesn’t work particularly well. For instance, a recent study by the found that even when municipalities improved recycling education, rates remained low. The Colorado communities that were doing well had easy curbside pickup, trash rates that incentivized recycling, and well-staffed recycling departments. As with the Tecnica program, the study found that recycling needs to be easy and cheap on the individual level, and producer responsibility and funding can help that immensely.

Other places are also catching on to that idea and trying to figure out how to incentivize the shift. One prominent tool being used is (EPR) laws, which require manufacturers to pay into state recycling funds that would cover the costs of recycling and make practices consistent statewide. This shift toward producer-focused recycling reform has worked really well where it’s been tried. For instance, when Ireland implemented a similar law, the countrywide recycling rate rose from 19 percent to 65 percent.

While EPR laws have more momentum in Europe than in the United States, in July, , sponsored by state representative Nicole Grohoski, that requires packaging producers to cover 100 percent of the cost of recycling their products. Oregon a similar but slightly less robust bill in August, and , including California, New York, and Massachusetts, have bills in play. “We’re talking about making multinational corporations pay, just like they do in 40 other jurisdictions around the world,” Grohoski says.

The scariest part of Trashlands was how quickly the world descended into a wasteland and how close it feels to the moment we’re living through. If we don’t want the near-future to look like a dark, plastic-covered dystopian novel, we need to approach our waste problem from many different angles, and we need to do it now.

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