Lange XT Free 130 LV

The Gist

Testers said that if you're looking for a lighter weight hike mode boot with tech binding compatibility that skis as well as an alpine boot, the 2019 Lange XT Free 130 LV should be on your (very) short list. Returning this year unchanged it garnered praise for its true-to-narrow fit character, true Alpine level ski skills and the ability to swap on Max Grip alpine (ISO 5355) soles for your on-area set up or roll with the sticky, rockered GripWalk soles on an A.T. or low tech binding.

The Fit

Testers were aligned on the fact that the LV moniker is a little exaggerated—they say it's sort of the opposite of a mullet, in that this one is all business in the back and a party in the front! Tight and right rearfoot with a relaxed fit forefoot and toebox—testers said, nice! At any rate, average feet shouldn't be scared away by the 97 mm labeling. Testers like the lightweight, cushioned Ultralon liner (full thermo-moldable) and said that the fit was firm enough in control areas without feeling harsh. Testers liked the fairly tall instep fit—good for blood flow and maintaining warm feet while touring, they said. Entry to the XT Free 130 LV was no problem for testers this year who mentioned considering using the liner as a lace-up (laces come in the box) for slick entry and for further customizing the fit.

Performance

For the weight and the mobility features here you won't do much better for a solid descender. Testers liked the Lange-family stance angles—slightly upright but with enough travel of flex to move through the downhill power band and find dynamic balance turn to turn. The Dual Core Grilamid lower boot proved surprisingly strong on edge, testers agreed, who easily found a stable platform in the midst of deep carves at speed. A few testers mentioned the boot's previous jittery, overly springy feel seemed tamed this year and highly ready to dominate in off-piste sorties. Testers were still a bit unimpressed with the touring range of motion—not great to the rear and fairly limited in forward travel, but most were willing to trade that for real-boot fit and performance in a lightweight package.

Cool Features

In addition to a full-thermo Ultralon liner, removable rear spoiler, easy to actuate Power V-Lock cuff release, rockered GripWalk soles and Dynafit-certified tech fittings, the XT Free 130 LV also sports grippy mid-arch cladding for secure scrambling and boot-packing.