The Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro W is completely new this year in both shell and liner but that didn't stop it from taking the top step on the podium in the Backcountry category, again, for the
We've never understood the backcountry skier's willingness to sacrifice downhill performance for light weight and touring range of motion, honestly.
We mean, consider the typical day-tour, the approach is longer than expected (always) from wherever the vehicle got parked. The pack is always heavier than it you thought it was going to be. The skin track was put in by somebody you haven't met but you now definitely hate. You didn't stop to eat or drink enough along the way, and now you're at the top, with the rest of your group apparently ready to drop as soon as you arrive. Backcountry snow, in your overly optimistic daydream, would be knee-deep blower, but rarely is--more often it's some sort of wind- or sun-affected, stiff merenge or perhaps a freezing-rain-crustified creme brulee al fresco. You rip skins, stow your stuff, clip your pack straps, lock your heel and wait your turn to drop while your sweaty hat fogs your goggles. Go time! And then you blow every turn to the bottom. At least you didn't lose a ski and have to hike back up for it. Sick run!
So, if that's our average backcountry descent--why not do yourself a favor and get a boot that will help you crush every turn regardless of the snow surface, how heavy your pack is or how out of shape you are? Give yourself a fighting chance for success and fun in the backcountry--get the all-new Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro. At least that's what all of our testers said. New shell shape, new hike mode mechanism, new liner. They absolutely loved it.
It skis like a race boot on frozen morning melt-freeze crust if you need it to, but it puts the ski exactly where you want it to go (no, need it to go) in tight trees. Its tall-enough, carbon-reinforced, Grilamid cuff handles a big, tall guy with a pack and still has some gas left in the tank to hammer a serious descent. It doesn't fold over or fail. It doesn't have weird buckles and overlaps. It doesn't require a bootfitter to make the liner fit properly for day one. It doesn't suck. It's the non-backcountry-boot-backcountry-boot according to our testers who have a long history of feeling BC boots make them worse skiers, instantly. The Zero G Tour Pro does not do that--in fact, it'll probably make you a better athlete.
But it isn't a three-piece hybrid made of recycled, vegan plastic and it has way too many buckles--I mean, four of them and a power strap (said in a nasal, whining voice)!
Nope. It looks like a ski boot, fits like a ski boot and skis like a ski boot, testers said. It just so happens to also be as light as the so-called best in the category and offers just as good a touring range of motion as those placeholders.
Our test team couldn't find any reason that this shouldn't be on every good backcountry skier's wish list this season--with the exception of the fit. It's got a perfectly-contoured fit map with the fit tension right where you'd expect a 99mm last to be--just a touch more snug than the average medium fit. So, yeah, the fat foot guys are left out in the cold on this one. But that's about it for negatives--our test team was wholly won over by the Zero G Tour Pro. One of the best in the entire test, they said.
One tester called the Scarpa Gea RS a wee Ferrari for your feet, and by the looks of other tester comments and scores that's a pretty good way to understand this returning re-design of a past perennial performer.
The Gea RS's is a low-slung roofline, along the mold shaping of Scarpa's 4-Quattro line, that holds the foot in place from the top down, engaging it against the low-clearance boot floor where it ties into the binding and ski in highly transmissive fashion. Testers said the lower boot connection to the snow-surface was highly tactile and immediate--kinda like that Ferrari feeling every crack in the pavement. To follow the analogy, testers said to mind the parking lot speed bumps, as the carbon core stiffened Grilamid lower shell returned terrain messaging to the leg shaft as directly as it sent the skier's inputs to the ski. This is a direct-drive, stiff suspension sort of Backcountry roadster.
The initial feel is firm on the foot and the leg, testers agreed, though one tester felt that the smoothness of the rear part of the liner made for an easier entry into the boot than in the former Gea. Testers felt that the overall fit was substantially more snug than the 102mm width designation would inidicate. Our low-volume instep, narrow forefoot testers found the Gea RS a perfect fit for them, while average and thicker feet suffered the Geaconstrictor's grip on the foot. Our bootfitting-savvy testers felt that the out-of-box pre-molded shape simply wasn't a fair representation of the boot's ultimate fit and suggested that a full-temp liner cook would be needed to provide a more contoured, open and all-around more-comfy fit.
The Pebax R-New cuff felt stiff and responsive to the test team who liked the lateral connection of the boot to the ski for consistent and solid edging. The light weight and snug fit also drove up its Quickness and Steering score, but it's Edge Power metric was one of its highest scores, matched by the score in Dynamic Balance. Tester felt that both the fore-aft and lateral stance position was good for functional skiing and touring. The cuff's Speed MLT walk mode was favored by testers who called it simple and effective to switch between the solid skiing linkage to its wide-striding walking and touring mode that they said matched a long rearward rotation with a similarly long-travel move forward.
Testers liked the permanently fused Vibram lugged backcountry norm (ISO 9523) outsole for a confident scramble where needed. They said the other on-board features were all useful skiing- and touring-oriented options and said that the each-unique buckle closure system would keep them focused while getting ready to head out the door.
Our test team had a chance to get back into the Scarpa Maestrale RS after testing it last year for its redesign debut--they still love the way it skis and tours, and they still say its fit-labeling is a little deceptive. Their takeaway was that it's true potential lies in the post-liner-mold experience, so skiers should not let initial try-on dissuade them from pulling the trigger.
It's a light and capable all-terrain descender, still, said testers who beat it up all around the mountain, finding a variety of snow, from frozen melt-freeze leftovers to shaded pockets of pow. It handled all of it admirably, they said, though it was daunted by the hardest hardpack--which we should all strive to avoid, especially in the backcountry where sometimes another cup of coffee is the key to finding perfect corn instead of boilerplate. Some testers thought the cuff struck them a little low on the leg, but all testers liked the stance position and felt the boot fostered good skiing movements and responded to them in kind. Testers gave its Quickness and Steering higher marks than they did for its Edge Power but both paired well together for a no-issues, versatile BC boot.
The snug fit amplified the boot's quickness abilities, but testers said that it missed the mark on fitting like a wide, which is what a "102mm" on the box or in the catalog says to the customer. Most of the fit scores settled between common narrow and medium averages, but testers did remind that they were testing the out-of-box, stock initial fit. Yes, the Intuition Pro Flex Performance liner is factory pre-molded to allow for ease of try-on in a shop environment, but it's a performance (read, firm) liner, so without performing a full-temp liner cook a skier won't have a fix on how well (and possibly wider) the Maestrale RS could fit. That's a leap of faith, of course, when it comes to buying boots, but testers thought that if the fit along the shin and down into the instep was close to ideal, it would only improve from there.
Testers appreciated the sustainably produced plastics in the Grilamid Bio lower shell and Pebax R-New cuff and were pleasantly surprised by how well they skied, if not suited for the race course. The backcountry specific feature set hit the mark for testers, with a Vibram lugged backcountry norm (ISO 9523) outsole that paired with a long and smooth touring stride enabled by the simple Speed MLT cuff release mechanism. They noted that every buckle was different, and for different reasons, and they liked the way they closed up the fit once they got their various layers and catches organized.
While our testers were drawn to the Crux W's cool grey and turquoise cosmetic, a closer look yielded more interesting elements for them. A standard height cuff with two buckles and a lower shell without a hard plastic overlap over the foot, sealed instead with a bonded fabric soft top and a cable-routed single buckle closure. This is Head's maiden voyage into true Backcountry boots and our team said the first time was the charm for a nearly flawless debut.
No need to bury the lead--this boot rips, testers agreed. It skied great (and not just for a lightweight touring boot, one said) in all conditions and terrain, with a strong alpine-feeling flex and solid closure from top to bottom that powered quick moves and deep edge angles no matter what ski it was paired with. Our tallest testers loved the cuff height for a well-distributed feel along the shin and for a supported fore-aft position for all day skiing, in and out of the skin track. Our shorter-legged and thicker-calved testers weren't quite as stoked, saying that the 99mm shape favored the average of height and taller as well as the average of calf and more slender-legged.
That is often the nature of the 99mm boot--it's right between the medium and narrow boot shape, and testers say the Crux W trends a bit toward the skinnier fit throughout the lower and upper portions of the boot. Testers felt the boot fit a little short, lengthwise, and commented that given the short sole length, a skier in-between sizes could go up a size to gain more toe room for touring and a more relaxed medium fit pattern. Testers that didn't mind the length also didn't mind the snug fit along the lateral side of the foot and they sure didn't complain about the snug ankle and heel pockets that provided a just-padded-enough control center for managing the ski. The single buckle powered cable closure for the lower boot was a hit with testers who said that somehow the cabling didn't chop the top of the foot and worked in a smooth, wrapping way to tighten up the fit.
Testers really liked the solid attachment between cuff and lower and the ease with which they could release that lever, and they applauded the long range of motion it enabled in touring mode. They were impressed with the quality of cuff rotation, the lightness underfoot and the length of stride this newcomer brought to the category. Regardless of the Crux W's rookie status, this was top-shelf, they said. The cam buckle power strap provided additional cuff closure at boot top for maximizing leverage over the ski and testers praised the option on forward lean adjustment--they didn't feel it needed it as the stock set-up was balanced but mentioned that some tech binding slope angles might necessitate a tweak to regain a balanced position. The lugged Vibram outsole was rugged and effective for scrambling on Mt. Bachelor's lava rock (or stairs to the bar deck), but most importantly, they said it was turquoise to match the other highlights.
Testers thought that the new Head Crux Pro should win some sort of international Best-of-Design award--its lines are supercar-like and the cosmetic is understated and stealthy. And functionally, testers loved how the Head boot DNA was apparent in its anatomically accurate fit, strong power to the edge and blisteringly quick connection to the ski. Oh, yeah, and it went uphill with the best of the category and then some.
One tester said this was Rookie of the Year for the entire boot test. This is Head's first foray into the dedicated Backcountry boot market and our test team said it was a home run on the first pitch. Testers said it was a smart first go, seemingly borrowing a few key design elements from the category favorites and then doubling-down on how those were executed.
First, the cuff is noticeably tall (meaning, alpine boot height on the lower leg) and is secured by two straightforward buckles. These two facts, alone, appeal to our testers who disdain an under-powered, short cuff on a flagship model that's supposedly aimed at real downhill applications. The two-buckles on the cuff made a difference for our team who said the fore-aft position was balanced and solid, and while there are single-buckle cuffs in the BC group that do quite well, more is better, our testers said. The spine of this boot is rigid, testers said, giving it a legit, 130-plus flex rating with a well-distributed (if stiff) flex feel.
The lower boot is a cabrio-styled cut-away with a fabric weatherproof cover that's bonded to the shell. It's not a three-piece shell, as it relies on the rigidity of the cuff's solid linkage to the lower shell in skiing-mode for its fore-aft support. This non-overlap design opened up a nice amount of ceiling height over the bony midfoot for our testers and the buckle-tensioned cable closure didn't mess up that fit, they said. The 99mm boot sits on the fence between the medium and narrow fit, and testers concurred that this one might tip a bit to the skinny side, especially along the lateral side of the lower boot where it put the squeeze on the 5th metatarsal and styloid process. The liner is a thin EVA creation that testers loved for its clean lines and smooth fit, but they said there wasn't enough thickness to offer much relief to those bony points, which they mentioned could be resolved with a bootfitter's easily accomplished heat stretches if needed. The fit is secure and well-shaped throughout, just close to the curves of the foot--for testers with abnormally curvy curves, well, they knew they were there.
The boot is strong and rigidly transmissive both laterally and torsionally in addition to having a stout flex feel. Testers mentioned big rebound energy and a commanding presence over big skis at speed. This is a testament to Head's use of recycled carbon fibers in the Pebax Rnew shell and cuff. We aren't typically impressed with the edge-driving power of Pebax but here we've had to reevaluate that bias--it's the real deal on edge, testers said. A couple testers mentioned that the lateral geometry is set-up slightly strong to the inside edge, which was confidence-inspiring on firm surfaces and carving through Spring corn but caused a little extra shovel hook-up in softer snows on fatter skis--easily remedied with a lateral liner shim, they said, as there isn't a lateral cuff adjustment (common in touring boots).
The Crux Pro's top scores were unsurprisingly in the performance parameters of Stance, Edge Power and Quickness (4.75's). Its fit score took a little hit for being more snug than the 99mm target, according to some very critical testers. The Convenience score took a beating for the Crux Pro's challenges to entry and exit, for which some of our testers didn't have enough patience. The fabric gusset that maintains a warm and dry inner boot and also opens up big range of motion in tour mode also creates a bit of a restriction point (or crux, shall we say) for the foot getting into the boot. This is largely the category norm and an easy trade-off for all the Crux Pro's benefits, but it was the one element that dragged down its total average (which we thought deserved to be higher).
The Fischer Transalp Tour W's impressed our testers with a just-right blend of fit, downhill power and uphill capacity. Testers said it nailed the target audience for good skiers looking for a strong skiing BC boot that didn't miss a beat for a lightweight feel and big range of motion for touring. While it lost a few points for convenience of entry and exit, it remained solidly on the podium in gold medal status.
This was one of our test team's favorite backcountry boots for how nicely it matched the foot with a narrow heel and slightly wider forefoot. Testers said it fit tighter than many medium-width boots (not uncommon in this category) but they felt that the proportions and contours were right on the money for the female foot. While all testers agreed that the Transalp runs a little short, lengthwise, they didn't have big problems with that. One tester suggested that if possible, skiers might try on the larger size to see if that gained a slightly longer, more typical medium-width fit without losing the grip on the heel and ankles, which were very strong fit zones. Testers also mentioned that the fit over the midfoot and into the instep was right where it needed to be, even if a skier had a knobby top of foot.
A size-up might benefit the longer-legged skier looking for a more solid fore-aft platform for descents in tricky snow or with a heavy pack, as the taller cuff and liner feel might provide a bit more leverage over the ski, as well. However, our testers thought that other than a slightly lowish cuff feel on the leg, it was not a collapsible or weak feeling cuff. They pointed the Transalp downhill through a variety of snow conditions and terrain options and came out smiling--this was a lightweight that skied up a weight class or two, they said.
The fabric gusset that contains the liner and keeps moisture from the elements on the outside of the boot created a bit of a barrier to easy entry and posed a bit of a challenge when re-inserting a liner that was removed for drying or to swap insoles, but this was a minor inconvenience according to testers who felt spending a little extra time getting the boot on was a fine trade for how well it fit and skied. The minimalist design with open areas between the shell and cuff (necessitating the weatherproof gusset) is also responsible for how well the cuff rotates with the liner while in hiking mode--testers felt its range of motion and quality of movement is up there with the very best backcountry boots they've ever tested.
Testers liked the slick operation of the single buckle closure on the lower shell's cable system and the hook-grip style Phatt Maxx power strap with a quick release ripcord was also a hit. No issues for our team as it related to actuating the cuff release mechanism with gloves on, and there was absolutely no complaints about the Ice Grey hue over an Aqua lugged outsole--a test team fave.
The Transalp Carbon Pro stood out for its high power-to-weight ratio on descent, testers said, and they liked how this boot fit, if a little shrunken in proportions from the 100mm medium-width fit target. The range of motion in touring mode was impressive and testers commented that the quality of cuff rotation was smooth and natural. One tester said that this was the strongest-skiing iteration of the Transalp boots we've tested over the last few years.
The fit runs shorter than other boots and testers claimed that the fit elsewhere in the lower shell trended toward the snug side of the medium fit range. Some testers thought that this earned the boot a demerit on its fit score, while others liked the roomy-narrow feel even if it didn't match its metric fit-lable. It might be a boot that a prospective buyer would want to try-on in the next size up to see if that might offer more toebox room for touring and gain a bit more room for blood flow elsewhere.
The lightweight feel on the foot was undeniable and testers appreciated the thin liner build that somehow managed to provide just enough padding for the foot to live happily in the close quarters offered by the Pebax Rnew shell. Surprisingly the carbon-infused polyurethane cuff didn't add much weight to the mix but it did add some useful torque and stability to the Transalp Carbon Pro's edging game--solid and quick were common descriptors that testers applied to it.
The flappy, waterproof gusset that contains the liner in the shell offered some challenges to testers who had removed the liner--it's a little tricky to load it back into the confined fabric tunnel. It's not the easiest of boots to put on for the same reason, but the gusset works undeniably well to keep the elements on the outside while freeing up huge amounts of touring range of motion in comfy fashion.
Testers liked the single-buckle-leveraged bite on the lower shell's cable closure and found the hiking mechanism release straightforward. The Phatt Max power strap was a favorite for its hook-grip attachment and quick releasing pull tab, though one tester with pretty slender legs felt it didn't get tight enough for him. The majority of testers liked the fore-aft positioning in its stock setting, but the forward lean angle is adjustable on the Transalp Carbon Pro.
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.
