The Gist
The 2019 Synchro updates its predecessor Spectre 2.0 with a bump up in stiffness to a stout (and testers said legit) 125 flex and a revised, hinged Double Power tongue construction. Testers say that while it's slightly heavier and more burly, its touring range of motion and quality of movement remains top of class. The fit requires full thermo liner molding to even out the peaks and valleys, testers said, and the new Pegasus Plus buckles elevate closure to performance art (but tricky).
The Fit
Prior to full liner molding testers were unimpressed with the disjointed fit of the lower boot—loose in the toebox and forefoot, tight over the midfoot, loose in the heel, sharp against the shin. All of these fit problems were moderated by proper liner molding. The flex feel is very strong, testers said, if still a bit firm against the shin. They liked the extra room in the toebox for touring warmth and sensation. Testers warn that the aggressively tight and flat feeling inside ankle pocket (or lack thereof) that was characteristic of the Spectre remains problematic in the Synchro.
Performance
Testers said that the uphill game of the Synchro was second to none in the Backcountry group tested. They liked the simple release actuation and felt that the touring motion was ergonomic, smooth and long-ranging. They were less impressed with the way the Synchro descended, finding it inconsistent to the edge and generally disconnected from the feel of the ski.
Cool Features
We didn't think that the La Sportiva buckle system could get any cooler looking or more difficult to deal with, but they succeeded on both counts! While testers love the aesthetic of the Pegasus Plus buckles they unanimously found them difficult to deal with.
Kudos
Caveats