Dalbello Quantum Free W

Model Year
2024-2025
Category
Backcountry
Last Width
100
Flex Index
105
Price (MSRP)
$800.00USD

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!

Gender 
Women's
Sizes (MP) 
22.5-27.5
Hike Mode 
Yes
Construction 
Cabrio/3-PC
Boot width profile 
Medium
Special Sizes 
22.5 and smaller
Cantology Compatible 
No
Total Avg Score 
4.53
Shell/Cuff/Tongue Plastic 
polyamide/polyamide
Anatomical Fit and Initial Feel 
4.33
Dynamic Balance 
4.67
Edge Power & Fore-Aft Support 
4.67
Quickness, Steering & Feel 
4.67
Convenience, Warmth & Features 
4.33
Tech Compatible 
Yes

Kudos

  • “Very lightweight shell and it has incredible forward and backward range of motion. The tongue cushion is standard but the boot liner elsewhere is very thin giving it a high-sensitivity, barefoot feel. a better boot for steering than edging--super agile. Awesome, fluid touring range with many performance attributes on the downhill especially its rotary/steering moves. Solid fore-aft build--zero give on the rear cuff during the downhill. ” -- Kim Holzer
  • “I like the memory foam tongue and the lace-up liner--kept my foot snug for both ascending and descending. It's light, agile and aggressive--impressive responsiveness in a true backcounty boot.” -- Michael Kendrick Powderly
  • “This boot has the skimo vibe. Very effective at rotational turns. A very light boot with good stability. The walk mode gives you full ankle range of motion.” -- Mary Slavkovsky
  • “Wow, I'm wearing a shoe--a nimble, hiking shoe! Initally, the forefoot feels nice and anatomical, especially for a regular forefoot shape--my 5th met head is not being super-squished but it feels snug. The sole rocker through the toebox is really noticeable--feels like it's just going to flow through super technical terrain, ready for crampons and your epic spring adventures. I love the no fuss buckling system--the closures are snazzy looking and don’t take an engineering degree to get done up. It's got a taller cuff than expected for your typical BC noodle boot. Skis way stronger than expected.” -- Sam Tischendorf

Caveats

  • “On a very firm, icy surface I had trouble with some ski chatter and felt like they were a bit all over the place--quick moves and softer snow are its wheelhouse.” -- Michael Kendrick Powderly
  • “The front of the ankle feels a little vacant and I'm not being held back into the heel firmly. I feel like a blister would happen a little too soon because of this looseness in the heel pocket--but easily fixed.” -- Sam Tischendorf

This boot available at...

Chicago, IL
Telluride, CO
Morris Plains, NJ
Seattle, WA

Special thanks to all of our sponsors!

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