Let’s lead with a tester’s comments: The Zero G is money!
What is it about hot pink highlights on a navy blue boot that works so well? It may simply be that the light weight and fit and performance of the Dalbello Quantum Free W was so good that testers felt compelled to compliment its looks too. Regardless, Dalbello brought a complete Backcountry package to the table at this year's boot test and our team was impressed.
The package itself on the Quantum Free W is a minimalist, well-engineered affair, testers agreed--small and lithe, like a closely fitted hiking shoe, testers said it was astoundingly light with a stupid-long range of motion forward and back in touring mode. They were surprised by how tall against the shin this little two-buckle felt, and they said that combined with a solidly locked fore-aft position for skiing that offered a stable platform for launching all-terrain descents through a variety of different conditions.
The composite polyamide shell and cuff paired well to create a light and stiff build, and the thin, sock-like liner allowed for a direct and just-padded-enough connection with the shell for crisp and immediate edging response. Testers said this boot was quick to turn and accurate in steering moves, enabling a technical terrain attack they hadn't expected. They found that the Quantum Free W's strong skiing skills only got taxed on the iciest of surfaces, where they felt some lack of grip and stability, but outside of icy boilerplate they couldn't say enough about this micro-unit's skiing gumption. Its highest scores were found in the performance parameters of Edge Power, Quickness and Steering, and Dynamic Balance.
Testers liked the straightforward entry and closure offered offered by the lower cable-routing Freebuckle and a single cuff buckle with a touring keeper--one said getting the boot done up didn't require an engineering degree, which is a refreshing thing in the current Backcountry boot market. Testers approved of a simple, Velcro power strap--a nice, luddite element on a BC boot, and they dug how aggressively lugged the touring norm outsole was--and it was pink too!
This year our test team got a chance to get the Atomic Backland XTD 120 on their feet, out the door and all around 360-degrees of mountain to see what it could do. Some of our testers managed to do some uphill testing with it as well. The consensus was that the comfort and fit of this medium width backcountry access unit was one of its strong points, though testers couldn't decide if it's light weight and touring range of motion might not be even better.
The XTD in the name indicates that it's a 100mm last. There are 3 narrow (98mm) Backland models, recognizable by their lack of XTD badging, and 1 very narrow (96mm) Backland Ultimate available in Atomic's backcountry line-up. There are 3 men's and 3 women's Backland XTD models to choose from, and our men tested the backcountry-soled (ISO 9523) 120-flex but there is also a molded GripWalk norm sole available in an otherwise identical build that offers skiers some interesting binding compatibility opportunities.
The majority of our testers liked the lightweight, carbon-infused polyamide shell's anatomical shaping and several commented on a well-formed ankle and heel pocket, nicely padded by the 3D Platinum liner that's fully thermo-moldable but also washable which our testers called-out as a unique and useful BC boot feature. Though whether your average backcountry skier will take advantage of that freshen-up feature is pure speculation. The liner is a minimalist affair, and a couple testers felt it lacking enough padding to cushion against the shell in places, but they noted that the combination of a Memory Fit shell molding session followed by a full liner customization would likely even out those fit issues for them.
Testers felt the Backland XTD's downhill game came with some trade-offs for power and stability that would favor lighter weight skiers and those placing a premium on comfortable uphill travel over aggressive descent in difficult snow. Testers felt that there is obvious differentiation between the touring-focused Backland XTD range and the more area-centric freeriding Hawx XTD line-up, and for skiers looking for on-area-level downhill performance the Hawx XTD boots would be the obvious choice.
Testers loved the way the Backland XTD 120 got them where they wanted to go with a featherweight feel underfoot and easy operation of the both the Free/Lock 4.5 cuff release mechanism and also the clean closure of the buckle-on-cable Cross Lace 2.5 system mounted on the lower boot.
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 stance that's functional for both directions on the mountain and the list of contenders can be whittled down to just a few. The Tecnica Zero G Tour Scout W is one such boot, say our testers, and it was that way last year too!
Testers liked the revised Light Fit liner for its additional substance, which filled some gaps and provided a slightly more contained and padded feel inside the minimalist shell environment. They called this an all-day adventure boot that would get you where you were headed, then help you crush the descent, even with tired legs. They said the slightly upright stance was ideal for a less-flexed knee position and more sustainable long tours, and the predictable stability the Zero G Tour Scout W offered was second to none.
The 99mm last is true to its billing, testers concurred, which was snug enough for average volume feet to power up quick moves and point the skis exactly where intended. Testers gave the Zero G TSW a perfect 5.00 for it's Quickness, Steering & Feel metric and suggested that there were few boots to come anywhere close to the up and down performance package it offered the expert backcountry skier.
One of our testers said of the Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro, it's like they voodoo-shrunk a real ski boot and added a walk mode without messing it up! Another said it more simply: Skiing this one is like skiing a ski boot.
Why is this talk of real-skibootness a thing? Because this is the Backcountry category we're talking about, where light weight and uphill capability can somehow supplant what we think is most important--skiing! Well, that and a good, anatomical fit. Surprisingly (well, not to veteran testers it's not), the boots that can be found in the backcountry space commonly do not offer these two latter elements, that of skiing prowess and a well-executed fit for the human foot and leg. And while that might be just fine for the rando-racers, low-angle spruce doodlers and in-bounds ski area skinners (ugh!), it simply ain't okay for a backcountry charger who's going up for the sake of the down, not just for the fresh air or the peace and quiet.
The Zero G Tour Pro bucks the backcountry trend by packing real ski boot power and quickness into a tiny, lightweight package and it manages to do that without screwing up the stance or the fit! It's not miraculous, but it's close, testers said. One summed it up like this: The blend of light weight, uphill ease of use and solid downhill performance puts the Zero G at the top of the category. And testers did--it won the Backcountry category this year (it took silver last time) with a perfect score for its Quickness & Steering.
The range of motion while in tour mode is long and smooth, according to testers who thought it offered the best uphill skill set of the BC group tested this year. The entry through the throat of the boot isn't carefree, but it wasn't characterized as difficult--standard for the boot type, testers said. Testers said it's a proper 99mm fit, with curves where they need to be, but this is not a boot for the thick-footed. Perhaps they'll create a less-voodoo-shrunken HV version of this someday, but for now the slim-average to skinny feet folks will do best here. Though, one tester suggested that the boot's uphill and downhill performance was so good, that any skier should get this boot and hope that his or her bootfitter will be able to sort it out for them. Grilamid is a great plastic for stretching, but we would caution folks not to put too much hope in massive shell shape changes--if it fits pretty well out of the box (and it should for a lot of folks), call it a win and plunk down the cash while they last!
Testers liked the new Cosmos Tour for its clean lines and appealing fit characteristics. Testers say its a softer, gentler mirror image of the Cosmos Pro, and they liked the slightly more open fit tension powered by its half-step-down PWR Lite Tour liner.
Testers liked the rearfoot (heel, ankles, instep) fit which offered a nicely controlled roll from edge to edge in predictable lateral moves. They said that the length fit is short, as with the Pro, and the toebox a little cramped, so testers suggest that going a size up from one's typical size might be the trick with the Cosmos Tour. In their normal size, testers rated the boot a snug medium--going up a size would proportionately open-up the fit and better match Scott's 103.5mm last width billing, they thought.
Testers loved the touring range of motion and quality of cuff rotation--it was one of the best movers of the BC bunch we tested, they said. Descending power was limited in the fore-aft plane, as testers agreed that the Tour was even more prone to forward collapse than the Pro. Testers mention that for skiers most focused on a great fit for touring and easy-going downhill routes this would be a great choice. Shorter, lighter, less-aggressive pilots would be best-suited here, they advised.
Testers loved how well the Scott Cosmos Pro gripped the heel, ankles and instep--a fantastic fit for the low volume foot, they said. They also liked the indoor flex feel for it's smooth, progressive feel and long range of travel. The Cosmos Pro is one of the best in class for its touring range of motion and its smooth quality of stride, testers said. They also love its stealthy black look and clean, shapely lines.
The Cosmos Pro is described as a 103.5mm last, which would indicate a wide boot by alpine standards. Often, backcountry boot manufacturers may use a larger size (27/27.5) for this measurement, so that could explain some of the width discrepancy, but testers scored the boot with 1's and 2's, fit tension metrics that should suit the tightest of the narrow boots we test. Testers noted that the Cosmos Pro fits short, lengthwise, and suggested that most skiers would want to size up to ensure enough room for the toes while touring--this, also could close the gap between the advertised width and its fit reality, testers surmised. They advised that this would be a good one to try-on in person before buying to select the right size, or at least be sure of the return policies in place for an online purchase (which of course we brick-and-mortar bootfitter types can't support).
Some testers found a bit of a disconnect between the static flex feel they experienced during dry testing and the way the forward flex held up during skiing. A couple testers mentioned that once clamped into the bindings, the Cosmos Pro was rendered somewhat collapsible under firm flexing movements. They suggested that lighter skiers or those with a softer touch on snow would avoid taxing its fore-aft stability. Other testers made no mention of this issue and instead complimented the Cosmos Pro on its consistent and controlled edging game, powered by the snug, well-wrapped fit on the foot and leg.
Testers were interested to try the all new Gea RS at this year's test. Sometimes a "new" boot is hardly revised, with perhaps a minor liner material change or some tweak to buckle styles, but this is a really, really, new Gea RS. Change is difficult for some folks, and our test team had a hard time letting go of one of their favorite backcountry boots in the Gea RS of old, but they also found new things to rally behind with this new one.
First, it's a completely different mold shape, and likely the same or very similar to the 4-Quattro boots that we tested last year. This is a stripped and ripped new boot--its shell shape is closer to the foot than its predecessor and its liner is less bulky and padded. This boot says performance in the way it addresses the foot--it's pretty damn snug they said, and especially so over the top of the foot. Where the predecessor was one of those easy-going medium fits that was universally pleasing to most feet and legs, this new one tightens the screws down a bit. For the testers who matched its fit map they discovered a newly responsive and crisp feeling Gea RS that drove a ski harder with less effort and pointed the ski exactly as directed. The Grilamid Bio lower shell and carbon core inserts in both the shell and cuff produce a highly transmissive, powerful feel.
Scarpa has always been sly with their fit metrics--pay attention to where their sizing breaks with regard to the shared shell--it's the same with the smaller half-size and the larger whole-size (i.e. a 24.5 and 25.0 share the same shell). Similarly the listed last width of their boots is often measured off their particular sample size, 27.5, rather than virtually all other brands' sample size of 26.5...this may explain the 102mm label here. Testers say it's a snug medium, not a wide. The takeaway, testers said, is that this is one for in-person try-on for a purchase, not an online roll-of-the-dice.
Testers like the revised walk mode apparatus and found it both easy and solid in its engagement. They really appreciated that the forward lean angle of the cuff could be straightened up by 2-degrees. It could also be made even more forward-leaning by the same increment but testers said that would not be needed for them. If diversity is a goal in boot feature technology, the Gea RS buckle assemblage has a global village's worth of it! The down-hooking power strap is useful for sealing the top of the cuff where one traditional buckle resides. The mid-way, 45-degree buckle is a ratchet strap and the lower closure relies on a buckle-tensioned Wave Lite cable system that does the job nicely according to testers.
Testers were a little bittersweet about the new Scarpa Maestrale RS because, well, they really liked the old Maestrale RS. But, as with most change, there were good things to look forward to as well in this same-name but very different Maestrale RS--particularly how well it skis! Testers gave the new Maestrale RS a perfect 5.00 in Edge Power, the highest score in that metric across the board in the Backcountry category. As expected the Maestrale RS didn't lose a step in its uphill game, with testers loving its stride length, smooth quality and light weight upon the foot--as usual.
This is a power-packed minimalist uphill-downhill machine, testers said, pointing to the carbon core inserts in the lower shell and cuff as the light and rigid foundation that bolstered the Grilamid Bio and Pebax R-New plastics' transmissive qualities. This boot delivered real alpine-level power to the edge, testers said, and while they said it was energetic and springy feeling, it wasn't fidgety and remained damp-enough when controlling big skis at speed over variable snow surfaces. More than one tester commented on its on-area descent capabilities and its confidence-inspiring reliability in demanding terrain.
For the right feet and leg shapes the Maestrale's downhill game sealed the deal for testers as their new favorite BC boot. For testers whose feet and legs fell outside (i.e. wider or higher volume) the Maestrale RS's fit map, well, they were less enthused. The new Maestrale RS fit is not as universally mediumish or forgiving (read, well-padded) as its predecessor. Testers described something of a platypus bill as the foot shape required for the new Maestrale RS--wide at the toes and forefoot and low, vertically, through the instep and midfoot. While the 102mm descriptor might indicate a wide fit, testers said that only related to the width at the forefoot, as the three-dimensional space was more snug-medium in fit character. Testers mentioned that the heel pocket and calf were particularly snug, which suited some of our testers perfectly.
The boot feels close to the snow, with very little bulk separating foot movements from ground feel, and testers liked this performance trait for quick and sensitive steering and edging movements. But the shell also feels quite close to the foot and the liner is spartan in its cushioning, so testers with wider or bonier feet found some hot spots to whine about.
Testers liked the updated features here, like a revised walk mode switch that they found easy and solid, and they liked the forward lean adjustment that offered a two-degrees more upright or more forward cuff position if needed. The variety of buckle and strap styles provided for some initial fiddling about, as cabrio BC boots will, but testers liked the closure system once they worked out the bugs.
The Salomon S/LAB MTN SUMMIT is produced in sizes from 22.5 to 30.5 so at this year's test we decided to try-out the unisex gender bender with both our women's and men's test teams. Results were similar for both camps, with a resounding and unanimous thumbs up for the boot's light weight and massively smooth hiking range of motion that made our testers want to trek just a little bit further for another untracked lap.
The boot's closure system is unique and required a little extra time to sort out for testers brand new to the S/LAB MTN SUMMIT's entry protocols. The lower BOA reel rides on a gliding plastic carriage that sits over the midfoot and connects into the instep area "ankle strap," which provides for a lightweight and positive clamp down over the top of the foot. Testers found that pulling a little extra slack out of the BOA reel helped them navigate the snug boot throat and load into the minimalist lower boot. The upper cuff is closed-up via a wide pulley-style Velcro power strap plus a narrower velcro mini power strap above it. Testers were split about all that Velcro, with some liking the infinite micro adjustments found with the Velcro-set pulley tension and others wondering when the hook and loop might give up on its gription.
Our women's test team found that the fit in the lower boot offered a lot of vertical movement in the toebox, which made for warm and comfy toes while hiking but a bit of loss of fore-aft control as the toes often went seeking the ceiling to help maintain a balanced position. Testers thought the BOA and ankle strap controlled the midfoot well, though testers with bony, high arched feet found it overly aggressive there. Testers said that the instep, heel and ankle zones offered more mediumish fit tension levels.
Testers found the cuff a touch low and upright in stance angle, which they liked for comfortable hiking and skinning but found that it made maintaining a centered position in challenging snow conditions a bit tricky. They liked this set-up for touring to untracked pow stashes--which is the point of this lightweight goods-access unit, anyway, they suggested.
The Salomon S/LAB MTN SUMMIT is produced in sizes from 22.5 to 30.5 so at this year's test we decided to try-out the unisex gender bender with both our women's and men's test teams. Results were similar for both camps, with a resounding and unanimous thumbs up for the boot's light weight and massively smooth hiking range of motion that made our testers want to trek just a little bit further for another untracked lap.
The boot's closure system is unique and required a little extra time to sort out for testers brand new to the S/LAB MTN SUMMIT's entry protocols. The lower BOA reel rides on a gliding plastic carriage that sits over the midfoot and connects into the instep area "ankle strap," which provides for a lightweight and positive clamp down over the top of the foot. Testers found that pulling a little extra slack out of the BOA reel helped them navigate the snug boot throat and load into the minimalist lower boot. The upper cuff is closed-up via a wide pulley-style Velcro power strap plus a narrower velcro mini power strap above it. Testers were split about all that Velcro, with some liking the infinite micro adjustments found with the Velcro-set pulley tension and others wondering when the hook and loop might give up its gription.
Our men's test team found the fit map similar to the women's take: open toebox and forefoot, tight over the midfoot and instep, low in cuff height. Guys with lower than average instep heights enjoyed the S/LAB MTN SUMMIT's fit the best, and they had an easier time getting it on as well. Shorter and lighter testers preferred the cuff feel and fore-aft balance offered by the boot, whereas the heavier and taller guys felt a little under-supported by the cuff.
All our male testers loved the MTN SUMMIT's hike mode range of motion and quality of stride and universally praised the ease of hike mode switch operation. Testers thought that skiers looking for a minimalist, untracked-pow-seeking conveyance they'd be pleased with this one's offerings.
Testers were taken with the washable 3D Platinum Tour liner which they said was thicker and more comfortable than typically found in this category but without creating a bulky feel. One tester said, surprisingly plush and comfortable liner--so different from any boot before in the category. A washable option for the BC sweat sponge was universally applauded by bootfitters on the team, who said that it might become requirement for working on boots that come in from elsewhere for any potential remolding. Testers felt the liner and shell worked in tandem to produce a nicely medium width fit tension throughout the lower and upper though testers mentioned that the cable laced lower buckle was difficult to vary tension over different parts of the foot.
Testers were blown away by the uphill capability of the Backland XTD, praising its long, natural stride and lightweight feel underfoot. They liked the straightforward release and lock of the touring mode lever and thought the Stretch Guard 360 weather proof gusset worked as billed to ease entry and seal the deal as it related to wetter conditions (which we had some of during testing). Testers were less impressed with the cuff's flex feel which a few described as "hinge-y" and collapsible on aggressive descending. Lighter weight testers and those with a lighter touch on the snow didn't report these issues.
Testers put both the BC style rockered sole version (Skywalk touring norm sole) available in the 115-flex to the test alongside the softer 105-flex version with an integrated, molded-in GripWalk sole (Skywalk GripWalk sole) to see how things might shake out. Other than the obviously softer flex feel (which didn't help this test team) of the 105 and a step-down to a Velcro power strap in the softer version, testers found few glaring differences--however, the molded GripWalk outsole was a hit with the test team for its obvious convenience of compatibility with a variety of different bindings. Testers didn't suggest that this model would be a great on-area descender on a GripWalk alpine binding--but it could be done!
Testers who were not necessarily backcountry veterans were won over by the Backland XTD Carbon 120 GW for a variety of reasons--the first being access to the goods. The molded GripWalk outsole meant that some testers were able to use their GripWalk compatible alpine bindings to at least experience how the boot fit and performed on snow, even if they weren't testing it going uphill. And they loved how well it drove their on-area sticks! Yes, it was a little under-powered in that application but they felt that it handled most of what they threw at it and held up pretty well against other stiffer 130's. The crew that mated the Backland XTD Carbon with a more appropriate, lighter weight ski and tech binding found that the set up was at the top of the heap for a combination of natural and smooth ascending and more-than-capable descent skills. This little two-buckle affair had few flaws for testers to write home about.
Atomic calls the Backland XTD a "touring last 100 mm" which we assume means it runs a little to the snug side of all-mountain alpine medium width boots--cuz it did. Across the board testers praised the evenly contoured shape in both the lower boot and upper cuff, claiming the Backland's fit as one of its very best traits. Hyper-focused testers thought that the cuff height ran a touch to the low side on the leg, which made for lots of mobility while going up but left a little leverage-lacking on the down for the stork-legged on the test team. Some testers also commented that the instep felt a bit more snug than most medium widths but not enough that testers dropped its fit scores, which remained at the top of the category.
The GripWalk version comes with a 50mm Velcro power strap, which our testers liked, though the full rockered touring norm lugged sole comes with a quick-releasing cam buckle style strap. Testers were fans of the washable 3D Platinum Tour liner, which our bootfitter testers agreed might become the new standard for any re-molding of used BC boot liners. Wash that thing or we won't put it in the oven!
