The all new K2 Dispatch Pro impressed testers with its good skiing character and (mostly) anatomical fit map for the average foot and leg. Testers were universally enthusiastic about the Dispatch's hardened outer self (i.e. the shell) which offered a great, balanced stance and a highly transmissive linkage between skier movement and ski response with crazy-good hike mode functionality. Testers were similarly universal in their skepticism surrounding the Boa Tourfit liner, which most claimed restricted entry and exit and came with tongue fit issues.
Now, ignoring those two caveats, our test team thought the Dispatch Pro was one of the better skiing and better touring BC boots they've tested in recent years. The tall-enough cuff and progressive flex feel offered a substantial amount of leverage over the ski and proper stability in rock-and-roll conditions. The Pebax shell and cuff provided a surprisingly crisp, yet damp, feel when tipping a ski on edge, testers said. They also praised the hike mode's simplicity and vast range of motion when released. Testers agreed that for a first foray into the full-rockered BC market K2 hit a homerun--well, at least a stand-up double.
The caveats were hard to ignore, however, as the Boa reel's cable length seemed short, and as such kept testers from getting the bugger on. Most testers found they needed to don the liner, snug the Boa, then enter the shell, which is fine but not always convenient for skiers and leads to excess wear and tear on a liner over time. Second, the liner tongue's out-of-box fit was neither smooth nor anatomical for many of the test team, who across the board suggested that a full temp, thermo molding session would probably sort out this issue. However, given that an out-of-box, customer purchase experience is part of the testing process, this didn't help the Dispatch's score. There's always the chance that we were testing early production liners and the likelihood that this issue will be ironed out by the Fall's buying season (no answers yet from K2 on that). Testers suggest that upon try-on, if the entry and exit isn't an issue and the shin fit is comfy, then buy it, as the rest of the Dispatch's skill set is top notch.
Testers did like the idea of the Boa liner closure in the Pro, but observed that the boot's available without it in the Dispatch LT, along with a softer 120 flex. The Pro comes with a sweet cam buckle power strap though, and testers do like those. The softest Dispatch at a 110 flex comes at $150 MSRP discount for the lightweight of body and wallet.
Kudos
Caveats