This season’s test marked the third annual entry of the Scarpa 4-Quattro Pro, this time in its new, pearl blue color way, which testers said was a big improvement! Unchanged was how strongly the 4-Quattro Pro skis, which testers find especially commendable, given how well this freerider also tours.
The ease of cuff release and lock is a tester favorite in the hybrid group—simple and solid, without glitches. The cuff’s range-of-motion, once released, is long and its quality of rotation is smooth and natural-feeling, testers again report. They say that the 4-Quattro line sets the bar for “backcountry-boot quality” touring character within descent-oriented freeride boots. That the 4-Quattro Pro also skis down alongside the best (but heavier) on-off-area boots we test, is a point of commendation our test team continues to make.
The boot is remarkably light for how strongly it skis. The Pebax Rnew shell and cuff are the primary shavers of weight, and again, Scarpa executes a highly transmissive chassis using renewable plastics made from Castor bean oil—our test team says Scarpa is doing the best job in the industry with plant-based plastics, which are commonly not-associated with strong and stable ski performance. Testers say the lightweight plastic, in combination with the fully moldable Intuition tongue-style liner make for a very stripped down hybrid. You want a lighter boot? It isn’t going to ski as strongly as the 4-Quattro Pro.
Testers do remind potential buyers that the out-of-box fit is nothing like its feel, post-molding. The initial fit is much narrower than the 100mm last would suggest, and the feel against the foot’s bony prominences is a bit harsh, testers say. After proper liner molding the fit is customized to the skier and the fit tension is more mediumish, though testers say they’d call it a 99mm at best—this is a close-fitting medium.
Our test team agreed that the stance of the 4-Quattro Pro is more aggressively forward-leaning than the current standard. They unanimously mentioned that they would explore the option to adjust the stance to Scarpa’s advertised 2-degrees more upright option. Some testers find the 4-Quattro lateral geometry a little “outboard,” or bowlegged, which produces an overly strong feeling inside edge angle at times. A good alignment tech can glue in thin shims on the lateral side of the liner as a way to negate this for a skier who needs it, since there is no cuff adjustment mechanism.
