Testers have issued a sleeper alert for the Scarpa 4-Quattro GT WMN, and it comes with a double-meaning. First, they say good skiers who may have heard of the 4-Quattro and not paid attention need to wake up to the availability of the newly launched GT. Second, they say that this is a boot that will surprise many skiers with better-than-expected power, quickness, convenience and price.
Let’s start with the 4-Quattro GT WMN’s scores—out of six parameters, it received four perfect 10’s for its initial fit, its dynamic on-snow fit, its stance geometry and its convenience. That’s the most perfect scores awarded to any boot model at this year’s test, including men’s models. By the looks of testers’ written commentary on the GT, the numeric scores accurately support a story of expectations greatly exceeded, across the board.
The fit was found to be spot-on for a snug, medium-width fit and right in line with Scarpa’s advertised 101mm last (that’s rare) though perhaps a bit tighter than the target in the liner’s out-of-box form. Testers say that after a full thermo molding session it could accommodate folks on the thicker side of the medium width spectrum. Testers also liked the comfort and added warmth of the GT WMN’s extended toebox fit, which they said was closer to its BC cousin Gea RS than it was to its big half-sister 4-Quattro SL W (and in fact, the GT WMN’s boot sole length is 9mm longer than the SL’s).
As testers headed out the door they noted, first, that the GT walked like a dream, and second, that the full-length molded GripWalk outsole provided a broad swath of binding use options for skiers seeking a one-boot solution for on- and off-resort adventures.
The 4-Quattro GT WMN’s performance on descent was a delightful surprise for our testers who said it over-delivered by driving big skis at high speeds in demanding terrain with the power and stability of 110-class boots, not at all like the under-promised 90-flex catalog spec. Testers said it held edges strongly when needed but was quick to feather-off of them, schmearing at will, and was lightning quick in transitions and tight spots. That all of this downhill dominance came from a polyurethane (usually heavier) shell and cuff was not surprising—what was a shock were testers’ mentions of how light underfoot the GT WMN felt.
The 4-Quattro GT WMN’s uphill acumen was flawless, according to testers who donned skins and gave it some quick tour tests to assure that it brought ascent functionality matching Scarpa’s best. Long and smooth cuff range of motion and simple releasing and latching for up or down was the takeaway.
Testers unanimously suggested that good, bargain-conscious skiers should take away the GT, and quickly, since at $120 below the price of the SL it may not last long.
Kudos