Dalbello Lupo AX 120

Model Year
2017-18
Category
All-Mountain Walk
Last Width
100
Flex Index
120
Price (MSRP)
$800.00USD

The Gist

The all new 2018 Dalbello Lupo AX 120 is the slightly softer, roomier little brother to the narrow, carbon-cuffed Lupo Factory, and the AX 120 comes with all the same backcountry bells and whistles and put skis on a mean rail (testers said) for 300-bucks less!

The Fit

The Lupo AX shares the same lower shell as the non-hike-mode Krypton AX, so testers found a roomy-side-of-medium-width fit here as well. The AX suffix indicates a medium, whereas sans-AX the Lupos and Kryptons are narrows (for the sake of nomenclature clarity). What was clear to testers was that an extremely easy slide in was followed up by a very easy fit in the lower boot—cushy, cozy and warm. Testers agreed that thicker feet will be fine here, so both medium and wide guys should have this on the short list if they're looking for ease of fit with backcountry styling.

Performance

While not Grilamid, like the skinny Lupos, the AX 120 is noticeably light (polyolefin lower, nylon cuff, Pebax tongue), which testers liked, but they also liked that for its heft, it still managed to roll a ski up on edge and rally powerfully through chunder and smooth pistes alike with consistent stability. As with the Lupo Factory, many testers found the boot's ramp angle a bit too flat and its firm-flexing cuff a bit too upright—a combination that put them into turns on their heels--a little heel lift and extra rear spoiler and the problem would be solved, was their consensus.

Cool Features

Testers dug the unique tongue-free walk mode feature once they figured it out—the tongue is released with an easy-to-use pin and then the tongue gets stashed in your pack. Without the tongue hindering forward rotation, the cuff is free to walk and skin like no other, and the weatherproof gusseting keeps the feet dry and warm. The AX is tech-compatible and comes with rockered, lugged GripWalk soles—alpine soles are available as an extra.

Gender 
Men's
Sizes (MP) 
24.0-29.5
Hike Mode 
Yes
Construction 
Cabrio/3-PC
Boot width profile 
Medium
Also in this Collection 
Lupo AX 115, $650
Cantology Compatible 
No
Total Avg Score 
18.75
  • 2017-18  Dalbello Lupo AX 120 at America's Best Bootfitters Boot Test
  • 2017-18  Dalbello Lupo AX 120 at America's Best Bootfitters Boot Test
  • 2017-18  Dalbello Lupo AX 120 at America's Best Bootfitters Boot Test

Kudos

  • “The quick-release tongue hiking mechanism is awesome!” --
  • “For such a light boot this is a real winner in the power department” -- Eric Kipp
  • “Surprisingly this boot skied really well (but from the backseat).” -- Brian Elling
  • “Excellent fit! Good feel. Solid edge power and quick, with easy steering.” -- Greg Coulter
  • “Quick side to side.” -- Tanner Eccles
  • “The smooth cabrio tongue flex feel isn't as smooth as, say, a Bently but its calming and comfy.” --
  • “The backcountry crowd will love this! Techie, modern and well-crafted.” -- Marc Stewart
  • “Very impressed with the Lupo AX—skied well and the walk mode was excellent.” -- Stacy Crumpler
  • “Out of the box and into the future! Amazing boot in my opinion. ” -- Dallas Goldsmith

Caveats

  • “Super upright stance and stiff tongue made sure I was never forward.” -- Brian Elling
  • “Upright with a blocky flex—has an odd balance point.” -- Bob Gleason
  • “I couldn't find a comfortable spot to work from. ” -- Marc Stewart

This boot available at...

Chicago, IL
Columbia, SC
Seattle, WA
Princeton, MA
Costa Mesa, CA

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