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
Our test team’s consensus on the Freedom SL: “Best one-boot quiver for hard-charging women as interested in going uphill as down.” Crisp, racy power and quickness paired with light weight and huge touring range of motion make this a no-brainer for skiers who regularly venture beyond area boundaries for day-long or even multi-day missions.
The Scarpa fit varied for our team, who bounced between their normal size and a step-down. Those who took advantage of the model’s slightly longer fit in the toebox to drop down a size, found a form-fitting Narrow feel. Those who stuck with their normal size experienced a Medium fit with extra toe room. For those doing extended tours, the latter is the go-to option as creating more toe length in the thin Pebax lower boot is tricky for even the best bootfitters.
Note that even our veteran test team experiences some confusion over sizing with Scarpa due to the fact that the brand’s shell length changes on the half-size (i.e. the 24.5 and the 25.0 are the same sole length at 287mm). The Freedom SL series merits try-on with a topnotch bootfitter to ensure you get the desired fit.
The lower boot sole’s rigid carbon insert construction continues to impress testers with the accurate power it generates; uncanny given the overall lightweight package. No other Pebax boot we've tested comes close to the Freedom SL's torsional stability and direct transmission of energy.
The cuff's range of motion and friction-free quality of movement would stand out among true backcountry boots but it's staggeringly surprising in an all-mountain hybrid that has the option to swap-out with Alpine soles. The boot comes stock with rockered, tech-compatible soles but the Alpine set (which we tested) is available as a $35 add-on.
Testers look at the backcountry category in three main areas: fit, downhill performance and uphill performance. Sure, they're interested in how well they go on and off and how warm they'll be, but the big three dominate. What element stood out to testers with Salomon's new Mountain Lab? How this boot skied flat-out shocked the hell out of us. The super-sensitive, close-to-snow feel of the boot sole underfoot was the first indication that something was going right with this one, and then the crisp, direct-drive nature of the transmission of movement and energy to the ski made every tester take note.
The Grilamid lower boot and so-called Alpine Pebax cuff combine to make this a lightweight powerhouse with a touch on snow that will appeal to solid, technical skiers considering going uphill. And this boot does that well too—we especially loved the cleanly finished and easily operated sideways-oriented Surelock cuff release switch. The released range of motion is vast to the rear and better than most in forward flex, and a few testers noted that the fit of the boot actually improved a bit in hike mode—a rarity, that.
The fit was the only element of the BC triad that testers faulted the Mountain Lab for, saying that the fit in the lower boot was inconsistent (loose in the toes and forefoot and choked off at the instep) and harsh on ankle bones. Testers noted the feel against the shin was a bit abrupt and overly firm at the boot top. A few mentioned wishing for a Custom Shell option here, but alas, no such luck. Cooking the full-thermomoldable CF 3D liner helped many testers even-out the fit in the lower boot.
The completely new upgrade to the previously tested and loved Cosmos II was a hit with testers, who were totally impressed with everything about this lightweight backcountry rip machine. More specifically, the combination of well-cushioned and anatomical fit (testers gave it medium-width fit tension scores), strong, agile skiing character and a lightweight and rangy touring skill set put it at the top of the class for backcountry boots we tested.
A lot of backcountry boots get the weight and touring range of motion down just fine but falter either with fit or with downhill skiability. The fact that this boot fits and skis as well as some of the best alpine boots on the market and yet maintains such a long and friction-free touring range of motion in this lightweight a package is remarkable.
One element contributing to this boot's strength on-snow is its all-Grilamid shell construction and use of carbon fiber inserts in the lower boot's side panels. The also new sock-like liner utilizes Gore-Tex (possibly the first that we know of) to better manage moisture from outside and in and provides a well contoured grip on the foot without excess bulk or sharp edges.
The Maestrale RS returned to excel at this year's boot test by displaying both power and convenience in a well-balanced backcountry boot. Testers liked the combination of the Mirage Pro hike mode's simplicity of design and bombproof connection between upper and lower with its no-brainer ease of use. They also liked that the stiffer cuff connection was paired with a revised, burlier powerstrap for a more solid-feeling flex and better matched fit along the shin.
While the test team mainly approved of the Maestrale's precise transmission of energy to the ski for performance downhill operations and its huge and un-restricted touring range of motion, they noted smaller touches that also pumped up convenience scores—like the oversized buckles for gloves-on adjustments and the powerstrap's cutaway grab-loop that made for easy readjustment on the fly.
As with many of the Backcountry category entries, testers said the Maestrale RS fits a bit more snug through the forefoot than the 101mm rating would suggest, and snug through the instep as well, favoring medium- to lower-volume foot types. One thing to note is that Scarpa's sizing scheme breaks shells on the half-size. For example the 26.5 and 27.0 share the same shell and boot sole length. We're always fans of supporting your brick-and-mortar bootfitting specialist, but trying on the Maestrale to ensure you're getting the right size is a smart move.
