![]() With a competitive weight of 6 pounds 15 ounces for the pair and a stated flex of 130, the Hawx Ultra XTD toes the line better than most. And it doesn’t hurt that the boot is now made with GripWalk soles for even better compatibility with alpine bindings. On the other hand, with an aggressive stance, four-buckle design (many backcountry models use two or three), and a new, more substantial liner, the XTD can hold its own on steep groomers. The Hawx is reasonably nimble and flexible for walking, and reworked, lighter buckles in the most recent update improve touring performance. The good news for these folks is that there are a growing number of one-quiver boot options, including Atomic's Hawx Ultra XTD 130. Truth be told, many backcountry skiers split their time between touring and the resort. What we don't: Falls short of the Maestrale for touring. ![]() What we like: Lightweight with a confident feel on the downhill. See the Men's Scarpa Maestrale RS See the Women's Scarpa Gea RSīest Crossover Backcountry/Resort Boot 2. For those on either end of the spectrum, Scarpa also makes a standard Maestrale (110 flex rating and $100 less) and Maestrale XT (130+ flex rating and $100 more). But it’s still the Maestrale we know and love: the RS is compatible with a wide range of binding and crampon styles, sports a generous 101-millimeter last that accommodates most foot types, and its 125 flex rating is plenty sturdy for the vast majority of aggressive skiers. Additionally, Scarpa introduced a new plant-derived material in the cuff that shrinks the boot’s carbon footprint during production without compromising rigidity or performance. The Maestrale RS (and women’s Gea RS) was lightly updated last year with a new ski/walk mechanism and a few tweaks to the shell and cuff design to boost power transfer. And Scarpa didn't skimp on the liner either: the included Intuition Pro Flex Performance is a proven design that is warm, resists packing out, and can be heat-molded for a custom fit. Further, the boot does a fine impression of an alpine model with a progressive flex that can be driven hard. To start, it's a standout on the skin track with a comfortable fit, lightweight construction, and total flex of 56 degrees, which exceeds our ankle's range of motion. Many backcountry boots favor either uphill or downhill performance, but the Scarpa Maestrale RS's impressive balance of both earns it our top billing for the 2023 season. What we don't: Not burly enough to be a top crossover resort choice. What we like: Excellent performance on both the uphill and descent. Best Budget Backcountry Ski Boot: K2 Mindbender 100 MVīest Overall Backcountry Ski Boot 1.Best Ultralight Ski Touring Boot: Dynafit TLT X.Best Crossover Backcountry/Resort Boot: Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 130.Best Overall Backcountry Ski Boot: Scarpa Maestrale RS.And to complete your alpine touring setup, see our articles on the best backcountry skis and backcountry ski bindings. ![]() For more background information, see our detailed buying advice and comparison table below the picks. Below are our top backcountry ski boot picks for the 2023 season, which range from lightweight builds for deep alpine exploring to downhill-oriented models that can split time between the backcountry and resort. The good news is that this growing category has seen some impressive advancements in recent years, with a plethora of models that excel both on the climb and descent. m’s 25-31.5, w’s 23-26.There's a strong argument that the most important part of your ski touring kit is a pair of quality boots that fit well. Caveat: If you’re the type of skier who can really only tell the difference between “this feels great” and “this doesn’t,” the amount of customization options can be overwhelming. “I liked geeking out on my boots and getting them totally dialed for different objectives,” one tester says. “It was hard to latch the buckles with gloves on, and the pegs could get caked with snow or ice,” one tester says.Īdjustability Not only can you fine-tune the four buckles, you can also adjust the forward lean (up to 4 degrees), the tongue (up to 4mm fore or aft), and the lateral canting (so your ski lays flat, even if you’re bow-legged or knock-kneed). It certainly makes a four-buckle system less bulky, but it proved a bit finicky. The boot ascends with ease, but has “no problems driving my fat skis,” says one tester who wore the Spectre 2.0s on sidecountry powder missions in East Vail, Colorado.īuckles La Sportiva keeps the weight down by using more streamlined, cable-style buckles that you essentially hook over small metal pegs. The Spectre has four buckles (and a fat power strap and carbon backbone)-yet, it’s a lightweight touring boot that boasts 60 degrees of ankle articulation. Downhill performance More buckles mean better power transfer, which is why four-buckle designs dominate the downhill market. ![]()
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