The 2021/2022 Dalbello Panterra 120 GW was tested in the men’s All-Mountain Walk wide category by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.
The Gist
The Panterra 120 GW is updated this year with a revised liner tongue and toebox, and while testers appreciated the better match between liner and shell shape for fit and less liner movement than past Panterras they also noticed what hadn’t changed—its solid, honest performance and fit that exceeds expectations for a wide walk-mode unit. Good bang for the buck in a perennial favorite.
The Fit
The smooth transition from over the top of the foot, through the tall instep and into the cuff has long been a Panterra fit hallmark—the thick footed will find a comfortable warm grip that’s easy to slide in and out of, whether with traditional tongue or spiral wrapping liner styles. Our test team liked the tongue style liner they tested this year for its ease of use and reduced bulk in the upper cuff—and it’s 100 bucks cheaper. The toebox and forefoot is a bit tubular (i.e. lacking anatomical shape) but it works, and the VVF (Variable Volume Fit) bottom buckle does work a trick for tightening up that radius around the piggies.
Performance
The 120 flex Panterra is an unflappable cruiser that handles whatever you throw at it without missing a beat. Large dudes may want to step up to the 130 flex but our test team’s heavyweights had no collapse complaints here. Damp, reliable, stable and torquey were more common descriptors than lightning quick, but the Panterra is no slouch turn to turn when it comes to clicking off short radius arcs. The hike mode is super easy to actuate and the range of motion is better than expected for cruising about.
Cool Features
The use of DB Hyperlite shell and cuff reduces the swing weight at the end of your legs, but it is the bootfitter’s bane of existence when it comes to a ball and ring stretch (seek a skilled bootfitter’s help to keep the end result looking clean). The Dynalink 45-degree middle buckle remains a tester favorite for simple instep retention without shape distortion over the top of the foot. GripWalk soles are sticky strolly for high performance apres trouble seeking.
