Scarpa Gea RS

Model Year
2014-15
Category
Backcountry
Last Width
101
Flex Index
120
Price (MSRP)
$699.00USD

Strong descent capabilities mate with best-of-category touring range of motion and an impressive power-to-weight ratio to make this a favored tester app.  Credit a stout Grilamid shell and Pebax tongue for the 20% boost in stiffness from the 2013 model. Testers said the boot was stable and strong no matter where on the hill they challenged it.

The three-piece, cabrio-style closure puts the shell into close contact with the foot and employs a solid, fully heat-moldable Intuition Pro Flex RS women-specific liner. Testers called it a snug-side-of-medium kind of fit. Testers unfamiliar with the side-hinged tongue entry fumbled a bit to get past the buckles and straps and settle into the cockpit but they all liked how the instep ratchet strap secured their heel deep into the pocket. A few testers felt that the Gea's lower, women-specific cuff caught them a touch too low on the shin, but it didn't inhibit the performance.

A new cuff release design combines a burly metal-to-metal attachment with an easy to activate switch that frees-up a huge range of motion both fore and aft. Touring movements were natural and low-friction touring movements. Best-of-category power on descent mated with best-of-category touring range of motion and pushed this one to the top of our testers' favorites list.

Gender 
Women's
Sizes (MP) 
22.5-27.0
Hike Mode 
Yes
Construction 
Cabrio/3-PC
Boot width profile 
Medium

Kudos

  • “Skis great. Very aggressive but sensitive. Best BC boot I tested.” --
  • “Strong, even flex. The new, stiffer shell is powerful and quick.” -- Carol 'Ski Mum' Mergenthaler
  • “Dynamic blend of ski and tour. Excels uphill but still gives you the security to charge.” -- Jana Rogers
  • “Very sturdy and firm with great feel for the snow. Super light.” -- Allison McGuirk
  • “Surprisingly powerful given its light weight. So solid right from the start.” -- Tamara Payton
  • “Super hard-charging but flexible. Springy, nimble, fun boot to ski.” -- Michael Kendrick Powderly

Caveats

  • “Kooky entry and closure system. Ouch over the top of my foot getting in.” --
  • “A bit awkward to put on, but it's worth it.” -- Carol 'Ski Mum' Mergenthaler

This boot available at...

Warren, VT
Ludlow, VT
Telluride, CO
Long Lake, MN
Princeton, MA
Stowe, VT
Telluride, CO

Special thanks to all of our sponsors!

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