A lot of backcountry boots may claim to combine both uphill and downhill performance, but rarely do both exist in equally excellent measure--then add the nuances of a properly shaped fit and a stan
Testers loved the straightforward, honest approach of the 2019 Scott Cosmos III—it shares the well-contoured and comfortable fit of big brother Superguide Carbon but without all the flash and for $170 less. This evenly proportioned medium width impressed testers with a balanced flex feel and problem free skiing and touring—they said you could forget you were testing boots and just go find the stash without worrying about making that dicey turn when it's needed.
Testers praised the Cosmos III for its closely matched foot feel, which testers said was a nice combination of cushion and room in the forefoot and toebox and a firm grip elsewhere. Testers said that the boot top was flared enough for average to wider calves and they liked the even feel of the tongue against the shin when flexing. They call this an ideal medium-width fit in the Backcountry category and remind skiers that the deceptive 103.5 mm last is measured on a 27.5, not the usual 26.5.
Perhaps not quite as rigidly snappy as the carbon fueled Superguide, the Cosmos III nevertheless laid down solid arcs on all terrain without complaint. Testers actually preferred the simplicity of the four-buckles plus simple Velcro powerstrap closure to the fancy-pants top strap-buckle of the Superguide and said that your Luddite BC crowd may gravitate the same way for ease of use and a traditional approach. Testers said the 115 flex was on target and solid-enough to get the job done.
The Cosmos III shares the same bomb-proof Rear Hook Walk System cuff release, and testers liked its simplicity and highly effective function for full release for touring and full lock-down for solid skiing.
Comfort, performance, uphill functionality and good looks put the 2019 Scott Celeste III on top of the group of Backcountry category boots for our women's test team. This year's version comes with last year's re-designed cuff release and lock mechanism that provides a more solid connection between lower shell and cuff but also reduces friction fore and aft while in hike mode. Testers appreciated its straightforward entry, closure and evenly medium fit on the foot.
While Scott calls it a 103.5 mm last, they measure the 27 here, rather than the standard reference size 26, so bear in mind this is a medium, not a wide, and testers confirmed that. They liked the comfy, neutral grip it put on their feet—no weird edges or pressure points so common in BC boots—and they also liked the flex feel. A couple testers mentioned a bit of an abrupt spot on the lower shin, but found that remedied after full-thermo liner molding.
Hard chargers will not be disappointed with how this full-Grilamid tourer skis, testers relayed, citing an easy roll side to side for predictable edging on both fat and skinny skis. Word was that the flex feel was a little shy of the 110 billing, but far from collapsing. The padded cushioning of the PWR Lite Ultralon foam liner (while nice on the foot and leg) robbed a little bit of agility and snap in transitions, testers said.
Testers found the Dynafit-certified tech fittings easy to click in and out of bindings and lauded the simplicity of the new Rear Hook walk system cuff release. Four buckles and a Velcro powerstrap are a nice feature—simple—and the top two buckles have catch keepers for hassle-free touring then locking down.
While the 2019 Scarpa Maestrale RS is the same in name as the beloved 2017 version, it returns to our boot test with last year's revised shell construction, closure system and liner. The unique Evo V-Frame cuff utilizes stiff Grilamid plastic in an open cross-membered weave to increase stiffness, shave weight and allow for moisture venting. This rigid and light framework is linked to a rock solid carbon-strand infused Grilamid lower shell via the new Speedlock Plus metal-on-metal cuff release mechanism for a highly transmissive lateral connection between foot and leg to ski.
Testers again liked the revisions on the Maestrale's shell shape and Intuition Cross Fit Pro Flex G liner. They noted that it was more open than in the past, and more in line with the stated 101 mm last width. A few testers felt the lower boot was a little boxy with some pressure at the instep and ankle pockets prior to full-thermo liner molding, which evened-up the fit a bit there. The cuff rides slightly low on the leg, so it's particularly well suited to shorter skiers and larger calves.
Testers liked the lateral connectivity with the ski, rolling edge to edge smoothly. Testers were again not as excited with the Maestrale RS's forward flex character, which they said collapsed under heavy loads. Combined with the lowish cuff, this diminished the boot's hard-charging potential and rendered it a better match for skiers with a lighter touch on the tongue and smooth, side to side movers. The Maestrale RS still excels in uphill battles—light weight, long and friction-free range of motion in touring mode still make this one a top choice for skin track junkies.
The new pulley-wire loop lower buckle of the Wave Closure system was a fiddle-around initially but works well and appeals to a minimalist ethos. The ratchet strap style 45-degree middle buckle will appeal or offend depending on one's preference for ratchet strap buckles, but it is functional for retaining the instep. The ISO 9523 tech-compatible rockered sole is clad with the Vibram Cayman Pro lugged outsole.
Testers said the 2019 Scarpa Gea RS remains a no-compromise solution for backcountry skiers looking for uphill efficiency and energetic downhill performance without sacrificing a comfortable fit. Our tests confirmed that the cross-membered V-Frame cuff and carbon-infused Grilamid lower shell make for a light and rigid system for sending movements directly to the ski—testers called it light, responsive and fun and said that its touring range of motion and ease of cuff release are second to none.
Spacious and perhaps a bit boxier than the Gea RS of old, testers liked the toebox freedom (fits long and wide there) for a little more blood flow and warmth while touring. They mentioned that the ankle pockets were a little aggressive prior to thermo-forming the Intuition Cross Fit Pro Flex G women's specific liner (which they liked for its light weight and high moldability). Testers also said that the feel on the shin was pretty firm before molding but that it improved substantially.
One tester said: "Dominates the ski from tip to tail!" Another called it a solid touring boot with great dynamic balance. Uphill tests yielded similarly positive commentary regarding ease of use of the metal-to-metal hike mode mechanism and long-travel, friction-free touring range of motion. For good skiing women who want as easy an up as possible but don't want to back off on aggressive skiing, the Gea RS should be on their short list.
The Wave Closure System was a little tricky to figure out on initial trials, but the wire loop and pulley arrangement on the lower buckle functions well at feather weight. Testers like the minimalist power strap with its integrated finger pull loop. They also like the hot pink "flame" colored buckles.
Ok, we'll be honest about it, our boot test is prioritized around a boot's anatomical fit and how it skis. Sure, we generally care about ease of entry and warmth, and in the Backcountry category we care about weight, touring features and range-of-motion, certainly. But a boot's gotta be a boot first and foremost—it's gotta fit and it's gotta ski. The 2019 S/LAB MTN does both of these two things better every other true Backcountry boot we tested--so our testers gave it the nod for the silver medal spot on the podium.
This is a 98 mm boot and testers say it fits as one should—tight. Fit Impressions scores were dominated by 2's (1 is race boot tight, 5 is bucket boot loose) with a few 3's thrown in for the toebox and forefoot and a few 1's targeting the navicular and ankles. Most testers loved this fit and the ones who didn't loved what this fit did for their skiing, though they were begging for a Custom Shell HD molding session to ease peak pressures. The new HD molding protocol cuts the old time in half and our tests showed that it's now more effective in terms of shape change without "blowing out" the fit and without degrading stiffness--bravo.
Perfect scores for Dynamic Balance and also for Quickness, Steering & Feel—that's saying something. If you've ever watched skiers on BC gear ski and thought: man, they really suck, you're not alone. But c'mon, cut them some slack, because it could be the boots. The S/LAB MTN, on the other hand, is not one of those boots. Testers say it responds to real skiing movements with real performance guts—it's quick, it's powerful, it's responsive. It's a real ski boot no ifs ands or buts. True, it doesn't tour quite as well as many of those BC boots, testers admit, but believe them, you won't suck going down.
Kaprolene is the additive to polyurethane that allows for Custom Shell molding. New this year in certain models within the MTN and S/Max lines the Kaprolene used is pre-mixed in precise amounts into the polyurethane itself rather than as a somewhat random additive at the time of plastic injection. This creates a more predictable and defined molding response which, when used in the thin shelled MTN and S/Max boots, drastically reduced cook times from ten minutes to only two, molding from five minutes to only three and cool-down to five minutes. Our tests showed legit results without a degradation of performance, post-molding.
The new 2019 Roxa RX 1.0 Carbon is an ultra-minimalist (2 buckles and only 890 grams) backcountry ascending machine well-suited for long approaches, testers said. Its lower cuff height and less padded shin fit took it out of contention for crushing big lines of descent but testers liked its ground feel when cruising less critical terrain.
The RX 1.0 Carbon fits true to its 98 mm width billing, testers agreed, citing evenly spread 2's (out of 5) to indicate that it had a firm grip on every aspect of the foot, though without hot spots, they said. Testers also concurred that the RX 1.0 Carbon fits shorter, lengthwise, than the norm and they suggested that some skiers may want to consider going up a size to gain some toe room for touring comfort. Testers were not huge fans of the cuff fit, which they said is both low and abrupt against the leg.
The lower boot had a nice feel for the snow and transmitted edging movements to the ski well, testers said. The carbon cuff was a strong transmitter of energy to the ski, according to testers, but they said its low and abrupt fit robbed it of some edge power potential in demanding terrain. The easy to manage carbon touring mode release mechanism was a tester favorite, as was the RX 1.0 Carbon's long and unhindered touring range of motion.
The top buckle offers Velcro strap fine-tuning. The Ultralight Tour liner is fully moldable and has one liner pull loop for tugging this little one on. Dynafit tech fittings on board.
Testers lauded the arrival of the all-new 2019 Fischer Ranger Free 130 twice over, calling it Fischer's pièce de résistance in both the On-Off Area category and also here with the BC boots! The Ranger Free 130 executes on all the elements that make a great Backcountry boot: it's gotta fit well, it's gotta ski great, it's gotta be lightweight, it's gotta have an easy hike mode switch and superior touring range of motion and it's gotta be tech compatible. Check da boxes six times, again!
It fits the way you'd expect a 99 mm last should—snug side of the medium group. This is a close-to-anatomy shell design with a thin, fully moldable liner for some minimally cushioned separation between foot and shell, leg and cuff. Testers say it fits with an anatomically contoured python-like grip, especially though the lower leg shaft and into the heel and ankle pockets where the fit tension was fairly aggressive. Testers who had the liner molded found the fit relaxed there, but this is no wide side of medium last bucket—it's more like a Recaro bucket seat for the feet.
Where to start? When you first pick up the boot you realize it's out of the ordinary. The sleek alpine shape, clean looking buckles and smooth finish set it apart from others in the Backcountry category. The first buckle-up provides a performance fit feel, and then the search for the hike mode switch leads to the discovery of the stealthiest touring flip switch on the market. Barely the size of a beetle wing, a smooth flip of the lever engages a thin interior cable which releases the cuff (will it stand the test of time, a few tester wondered). And then the easy stroll to the skis begins, with long and unhindered strides enabled by friction-free and wide-ranging cuff rotation, both rearward and forward in equal measure. At only 1540 grams it's light enough to compete weight wise with other BC descenders. When veteran testers prepare to on-snow test a boot that weighs so little and walks so well, we naturally ready ourselves for a worthless downhill experience. So, imagine our collective surprise when we find that the Ranger Free 130 absolutely rips! Stable through high speed crud laps, sensitive in untracked pow, commanding to the edge when arcing trenches on piste. Testers couldn't find its performance Achilles heel—though it maintained one hell of a grip on theirs.
The Ranger Free 130 comes with GripWalk soles installed, which is where it differs from the other boots we tested in the Backcountry group which have lugged, rockered outsoles and no option to swap soles. However, it's tech compatible with Dynafit fittings and we think tours as well as dedicated BC boots, so we're confident it can bridge both the On-Off Area and Backcountry categories (again, we tested it in both categories this year). Two liner pull loops and a simple Velcro power strap are the extent of the features menu, and we are a little disappointed that there isn't a lateral cuff adjustment, but often those are sacrificed in the name of better cuff rotation in hike mode.
One of the lightest and best tourers our test team has ever experienced, the Hoji Pro Tour will appeal to those looking for room in the toebox and a simultaneously serious lock-down in the heel and ankle zones.
Testers could tell there would be little slop at the instep just by putting the Hoji Pro Tour on—it's a stiff, narrow throat of a boot to get past, and once youi're in the heel and ankle areas join in the instep's mission to put a serious submission hold on the rearfoot. All that compression occurs while the forefoot and toes bask in the warm glow of an ultra roomy front portion. Testers liked the combination of two cable buckles, a 45-degree instep ratchet strap and a Velcro power strap for a complete containment system. Testers report that the cuff is upright and firm against the leg.
The function of the hike mode release switch is simple and effective, testers said, and they all loved the frictionless quality of the cuff's fore-aft travel when released. The metal-on-metal cuff connection when locked into ski mode is bomber and the all-Grilamid construction makes for a stout feeling boot—stiff in flex with a firm liner feel against the shin. Testers were surprised in their on-snow descent tests that the edge power and transmission of movement to the ski wasn't more direct-drive feeling, given the stiffness of the boot. Testers enjoyed the Hoji Pro Tour's downhill progress best in the clean untracked, but found it taking them on a line of its own when conditions worsened.
The patent-pending Hoji Lock System incorporates two metal pins, internally, on either side of heel to release or lock the cuff for touring or descending. The shell's blunt-shaped Speed Nose toe design reduces bulk (tech bindings only) and creates a set-back pivot point when touring. The Hoji Pro Tour is also outfitted to accept the Dynafit Cramp-in, a super light crampon that is affixed to the bottom of the boot without traditional bales.
Is the 2018 Tecnica Zero G Guide Pro a true backcountry boot or a lightweight On-Off Area boot? Testers say that it could be both. Certainly it's a legit BC tourer, all Dynafit certified low-tech'd with a lightweight Grilamid plastic lower boot, a similarly weight-conscious Triax 3.0 (polypropylene) cuff and a 215 gram Palau liner, but testers say it rips almost as hard on the descent as beefier brother Cochise Pro 130. Could be pretty sweet for the guy who wants to buy all the backcountry kit but actually not stray too far from the lift—or it could serve the cardiovascular crusher who actually knows how to ski when he gets to the top. Either way we call this one a winner!
Testers gave the lower boot evenly narrow-mediumish scores, which is just about what you should expect from a 99 mm last. They loved the glove-like initial fit, wrapping all the right curves of the foot, instep and lower leg shaft. They said the Palau liner was soft enough for a comfy initial fit but still firm enough for containment, not spongy like many full-thermo liners. They did mention some shearing of the liner within the shell, which should be improved after thermo-molding the liner to better seat into the shell's interior.
Testers had zero complaints about the Zero G's on-snow acumen. They ripped pow, crushed crud, even arced groomers. Skinny skis, fat skis alike, all smiles. Uphill performance was similarly aces, with good range of motion scores and unanimous praise for the simple metal-on-metal cuff release mechanism.
As with the Cochise Pro 130 and Cochise 120, the Zero G line-up features the Custom Adaptive Shape (C.A.S.) shell, which is dimpled in common trouble zones to make heat stretching easier, more defined and better lasting. The Zero G range comes with Dynafit-certified tech fittings and rockered ISO 9523 soles (A.T. or tech bindings required), though a set of alpine soles is available as an accessory purchase. Lightweight Lift Lock buckles are sweet for locking them open for entry and exit or while touring—no accidental re-latching.
Comfort, performance, uphill functionality and good looks put the 2018 Scott Celeste III in the top group of Backcountry category boots for our women's test team. This year's version comes with a re-designed cuff release and lock mechanism that provides a more solid connection between lower shell and cuff but also reduces friction fore and aft while in hike mode. Testers appreciated its straightforward entry, closure and evenly medium fit on the foot.
While Scott calls it a 103.5 mm last, they measure the 27 here, rather than the standard reference size 26, so bear in mind this is a medium, not a wide, and testers confirmed that. They liked the comfy, neutral grip it put on their feet—no weird edges or pressure points so common in BC boots—and they also liked the flex feel. A couple testers mentioned a bit of an abrupt spot on the lower shin, but found that remedied after full-thermo liner molding.
Hard chargers will not be disappointed with how this full-Grilamid tourer skis, testers relayed, citing an easy roll side to side for predictable edging on both fat and skinny skis. Word was that the flex feel was a little shy of the 120 billing, but far from collapsing. The padded cushioning of the PWR Lite Ultralon foam liner (while nice on the foot and leg) robbed a little bit of agility and snap in transitions, testers said.
Testers found the Dynafit-certified tech fittings easy to click in and out of bindings and lauded the simplicity of the new Ergal hook walk system cuff release. Four buckles and a Velcro powerstrap are a nice feature—simple—and the top two buckles have catch keepers for hassle-free touring then locking down.
Scott calls the Superguide a 103.5 mm last—because they measure the 27 rather than the standard 26. So don't be fooled, this ain't wide, it's a medium with a nice anatomical fit that matches the curves of the foot. Given the category (in which the fit isn't held to as high a standard as alpine boots, apparently) this boot's fit is legendary! Testers like the plush but not too squishy liner feel and especially remark on the tall-enough, cushioned tongue and a progressive flex feel—just like a real boot!
For a blend of creature comfort, downhill performance and uphill functionality, look no further. The ease of use for touring was superior before Scott renovated the Superguide's release mode—now it's even better, stronger and smoother. Dynafit-certified tech inserts have rectified the Garmont tech debacles of old, and the cuff's range of travel in hike mode matches any of the slimmed-down rando-race buckets out there. But this one skis, thanks to a Grilamid lower with carbon fiber inlays and a carbon upper cuff—pimp daddy plastics!
Testers thought the PWR Lite Ultralon liner was pretty sweet—ventilated mesh areas keep the dogs from sweating profusely, and four-axis flex areas afford maximum mobility while touring but the grippy outsole keeps the liner from sliding around on the shell floor. The Velcro buckle strap system is good for setting and then forgetting and buckle catch keepers on the cuff are slick for hassle free touring, then locking back down.
Testers said the all new 2018 Scarpa Gea RS is a no-compromise solution for backcountry skiers looking for uphill efficiency and downhill performance without sacrificing a comfortable fit. Our tests confirmed that the new, cross-membered V-Frame cuff and carbon-infused Grilamid lower shell make for a light and rigid system for sending movements directly to the ski—testers called it light and energetic.
Spacious and perhaps a bit boxier than the Gea RS of old, testers liked the toebox freedom (fits long and wide there) for a little more blood flow and warmth while touring. They mentioned that the ankle pockets were a little aggressive prior to thermo-forming the Intuition Cross Fit Pro Flex G women's specific liner (which they liked for its light weight and high moldability). Testers also said that the feel on the shin was pretty firm before molding but that it improved substantially.
One tester said: "Dominates the ski from tip to tail!" Another called it a solid touring boot with great dynamic balance. Uphill tests yielded similarly positive commentary regarding ease of use of the metal-to-metal hike mode mechanism and long-travel, friction-free touring range of motion. For good skiing women who want as easy an up as possible but don't want to back off on aggressive skiing, the Gea RS should be on their short list.
The Wave Closure System was a little tricky to figure out on initial trials, but the wire loop and pulley arrangement on the lower buckle functions well at feather weight. Testers like the minimalist power strap with its integrated finger pull loop. They also like the hot pink "flame" colored buckles.
