The Gist
One of the lightest and best tourers our test team has ever experienced, the Hoji Pro Tour will appeal to those looking for room in the toebox and a simultaneously serious lock-down in the heel and ankle zones.
The Fit
Testers could tell there would be little slop at the instep just by putting the Hoji Pro Tour on—it's a stiff, narrow throat of a boot to get past, and once youi're in the heel and ankle areas join in the instep's mission to put a serious submission hold on the rearfoot. All that compression occurs while the forefoot and toes bask in the warm glow of an ultra roomy front portion. Testers liked the combination of two cable buckles, a 45-degree instep ratchet strap and a Velcro power strap for a complete containment system. Testers report that the cuff is upright and firm against the leg.
Performance
The function of the hike mode release switch is simple and effective, testers said, and they all loved the frictionless quality of the cuff's fore-aft travel when released. The metal-on-metal cuff connection when locked into ski mode is bomber and the all-Grilamid construction makes for a stout feeling boot—stiff in flex with a firm liner feel against the shin. Testers were surprised in their on-snow descent tests that the edge power and transmission of movement to the ski wasn't more direct-drive feeling, given the stiffness of the boot. Testers enjoyed the Hoji Pro Tour's downhill progress best in the clean untracked, but found it taking them on a line of its own when conditions worsened.
Cool Features
The patent-pending Hoji Lock System incorporates two metal pins, internally, on either side of heel to release or lock the cuff for touring or descending. The shell's blunt-shaped Speed Nose toe design reduces bulk (tech bindings only) and creates a set-back pivot point when touring. The Hoji Pro Tour is also outfitted to accept the Dynafit Cramp-in, a super light crampon that is affixed to the bottom of the boot without traditional bales.
Kudos
Caveats