~1750g Touring Boot Thread

[auvgeek]

We have threads for 1kg and 1300g boots, figured we should have one for beefier touring boots. I used to think this category was closer to 1600g but it seems that many beefier touring boots going to heavier materials (PU).

Some contenders:

- Dynafit Hoji Free (1650g). Thread: https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...e-touring-boot

- Dynafit Tigard (1678g). Thread: https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...Dynafit-Tigard
Notes: fit can be weird but very stiff, alpine flex. More alpine-like than the Hoji Free.

- Lange XT3 (1770g). Thread: https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...-Lange-XT3-140
Notes: Fits like a Lange. Personally, I've found the thinner PU doesn't punch as well as an RS/RX. The rearward support can be lacking.

- Dalbello Cabrio Free Lite (1770g)

- Hawx XTD 130 (1850g). Thread: https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...TD-v2-with-Boa

- Dalbello Lupo HD (1850g). Thread: https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...-Pro-HD-thread
Notes: walks well without the tongue

What boots walk well enough that you'd want to tour 3k+ vert? What boots ski closest to an alpine boot? As pointed out by N!CK, the bar for 1400g boots like the ZeroG Tour Pro is quite high so it's not worth a 1750g boot if a 1400g boot skis/walks just as well.

I realize this class of boot can range from something like the Hoji Free that people do 10k+ ft (3k+ m) vert in to crossover boots that nobody actually tours in. I'm hoping to focus on boots you'd actually tour in and weed out boots with walk modes best suited for apres.

[mr_pretzel]

The new nordica unlimited DYN boots seem to be doing well. I havent tried a pair on snow yet. 1680g for the heavier one and 1460g for the LT.

You also have the mindbender 130 at 1780g which I also like in this category due to the walkmode lever, however the rom isn’t the greatest.

The XT3 has the potential to be the best boot in this class, but imo the walk mode mechanism is so unsupportive in the rearward direction.

[N1CK.]

no Zero G Pro?

[auvgeek]

no Zero G Pro?

Doesn't it weigh like 1400g and best served by this thread: https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...0g-boot-thread

Or is there a new version in the 1700g class of boots?

[kootenayskier]

I’m in the (sadly discontinued) Hoji Free 110s with Intuition Luxury liners, which I use exclusively for touring. They’re comfortable enough, with plenty of room around the toes/forefoot, an instep that closes down enough and a heel/calf fit that’s tight enough for my lowish volume anatomy. They’re supportive enough for aggressive soft snow skiing, with a reasonably progressive flex (certainly don’t need them to be stiffer). Changeovers are as simple as I’ve ever experienced, and the walking action feels unimpeded. Ultimately, when I’m doing my typical 3-5,000’ days lapping steep featured powder lines, I have zero complaints. Sure, I’d like them to be lighter (while skiing the same), a lower volume fit all around would work better, I’d prefer significantly more forward lean (I really just want the fit, stance and flex of my Raichle/Fulltilt originals) and I’d change the front buckle, but I’m happy most of the time.
I hope to live to experience true custom 3D a boot printing: Raichle OG fit, stance and flex, hinged tongue, touring sole, with Boa closure, but until then I don’t know what’s next, perhaps the new Dynafit Ridge or Scarpa Quattros.

[N1CK.]

Doesn't it weigh like 1400g and best served by this thread: https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...0g-boot-thread

Or is there a new version in the 1700g class of boots?

sure. it just skis so well I thought it should be in consideration. cheers and carry on!

[auvgeek]

sure. it just skis so well I thought it should be in consideration. cheers and carry on!

Yeah, it seems like it's been a "gold standard" for touring boots for quite a while. So many people on them. And for sure worth discussing because why go with a 1700g boot if a 1400g boot will ski and walk as well?

Thanks!

[mr_pretzel]

Yeah, it seems like it's been a "gold standard" for touring boots for quite a while. So many people on them. And for sure worth discussing because why go with a 1700g boot if a 1400g boot will ski and walk as well?

Thanks!

That’s my opinion for any skiing that doesn’t include huge airs or tricks. The zeroG and Scarpa quattro XT ski almost as well and as well as a lot of the 1700g boots.

[Pins and Skins]

Not sure if this is a worthwhile addition: https://www.fischersports.com/us_en/...o-130-dyn-3447

I've been on the older Ranger Free model and really liked them, very comfy and high volume, walks really well. The new version is considerably heavier, 1790g. I've moved on to the Transalp Pro so don't have any beta on the new Rangers, but figure I share it here.

[CaliBrit]

Mine’s a ZGPT with a Scarpa booster strap and Intuition Godiva liner upgrade.

[auvgeek]

I'll add to the discussion with some boots I've owned:

- Lange ZB plug. My personal holy grail (aka benchmark) of alpine boot performance. Stiff, upright, supportive, likely, amazing. Only con is the weight and getting them on/off.

- Vulcan. Not really this class of boot and not available anymore so maybe not worth mentioning, but my benchmark for a touring boot. Walks pretty dang well without the tongue. With the tongue, the flex is stiff but kind of brickwall-ish, no very progressive. Rearward support in ski mode is lacking compared to an alpine boot. But IMO an amazing balance of uphill and downhill performance.

- Lange XT3: The XT3 140 97mm couldn't be punched enough by my bootfitter to fit my feet -- felt narrower at the end of the boot work than my ZB plug which my boot fitter claims is the thickness of the PU. Skied half a day inbounds a few times and was in pretty bad pain. Did some boot packing but never did tour in them. I would consider the walk mode to be "adequate" for the weight. Forward flex was fairly Lange-like: lively but not as stiff as the RX. Personally, I could have used more support in all directions in ski mode.

- Salomon Shift Pro 130. Fit felt pretty high volume particularly in the ankle and heel. Walk mode was lacking IMO, particularly in rearward ROM. I would not want to tour in them all day. Flex was stiff but not particularly progressive and honestly felt pretty dead to me. Not a very lively boot. I would take the XT3 over the Shift Pro every time if I could get the XT3 to fit my foot.

I would love to hear comparisons between the new Hawx Ultra XTD 130 and the Lupo HD, if anyone can speak to that.

[XXX-er]

I'll add to the discussion with some boots I've owned:

- Vulcan. Not really this class of boot and not available anymore so maybe not worth mentioning, but my benchmark for a touring boot. Walks pretty dang well without the tongue. With the tongue, the flex is stiff but kind of brickwall-ish, no very progressive. Rearward support in ski mode is lacking compared to an alpine boot. But IMO an amazing balance of uphill and downhill performance.
ski mode.
t.

In a small BSL the Vulcan/ intuition/ sole is 1380 but pretty powerful for that weight,

I had Mercury before the Vulcan and it was also a good boot, pretty much a softer Vulcan copy

i used to think Dynafit really had their shit together until I bought a Rad binding which promptly blew up

Then I watched Dynafit introduce 2 big boots that were losers the Khion and the Beast .

Then with the Hoji pro they almost snatched defeat from the jaws of victory by putting a speed nose on a freeride boot so the boot doesnt fit in any binding a prospective customer would most likly already own

I believe Vulcan was suposed to done after a 3 yr product cycle but Dynafit had to keep selling Vulcans cuz they were unable to make a sucessful big boot and Vulcan was/ is a great boot

[JRainey]

I went from those Green BD boots (decent with hv liner and a booster) > Mercury w/ powerwrap and booster > Lupo Carbon TI with PW and no booster > ZGPT with PW and Booster. Now I'm on another Lupo experiment.


I was happily skiing Kryptons before the "big skis, little binding" craze sent me off into a decade of underperforming equipment. Now, this coincided with moving to the alps, so the benefit of touring flexibility and lack of moguls made it less of a problem.


The Lupo Carbons are the real deal. Got them under 1500g for touring weight. They rip, but I sized them like race boots and my feet are still recovering for two seasons of touring in them.

Lupos went to "ski area" boot status and the ZGPTs came in for touring duty.

ZGPTs are great boots, but they just don't have a deep enough flex for rough terrain. I ended up removing the top buckle and just using a Booster strap over the cuff as it would allow me to deepen the flex and increase rebound without having to go to a softer plastic boot.

Like most 3 piece boot lovers, I enjoy the ability to have a super stiff boot in all directions but still have a deeper flex forward. For my anatomy and ski style, this gives me the most control and suspension when skiing fast in rough terrain. ZGPTs were fine in powder, but on jumps those stiff touring boots make you absorb the impact in the backseast (toilet style) vs Knees over toes. That same concept applies for me on any terrain hits at speed, if I can't take the hit with my knees and ankles, it goes to the equipment (pre-release) or body (my back isn't so young).

ZGPTs with booster are good, but I knew, deep down, I wanted a boot that could flex off a real tongue.


Current strategy: Dual Lupo (in progress): Modified Lupo Air w/ Tongue(Touring) and Lupo HD Pro (Ski Area/Sidecountry).

I had been eyeballing Lupo Airs as basis for modification for a few years: lighter/better vibram soles, lighter boot board, lighter shell. And all the other crap I can cut off and replace with real buckles. The goal is just to have the middle buckle on the boot and connect the top buckle to the tongue with a ladder on the shell. (Pics to follow for the confused). This should get the touring weight around 1250g.

Lupo Carbons in 25 = 95% fit and performance
Lupo Air 26 (w/ 25 tongue) = 80% fit and performance (Shorter tongue causes instep fit issue and not ideal flex progression)

I think the Lupo Air can get up to 90% with the correct tongue size. (Still that AX fit will have some skiing downsides, but nice for touring). 90% for a 1250 touring boot is plenty good for me, at 80% it still skis like a real alpine boot. Also, wrap liners walk better w/o a tongue and def vs overlap boots.

If I can get the Lupo HD Pro up to that 95% of the carbons while sizing up I'll be happy. I think they might surpass the lupo carbons with the PU shell. They just came in today though, the initial feel is positive.

This might not be the best fit for this thread, but I think a modified Air can ski as good as real 3 piece boot. You just have to deal with the tongue (a sacrifice I'm willing to make). They can be had for pennies. I even got the 110, and even with a compromised tongue fit they way outskied the ZGPT in crud bashing.

This allows me to have, basically, the same boot for touring and the resort. If I had to have just one, I would buy an old or used Lupo Factory in a 26, punch it, and remove the bottom buckle. But I think two is the way to go.

Once again, sorry if this was thread drift, but I think I'm onto something. Thought about the new Cabrio boot, but Lupos are so fucking cheap right now, and battle tested.

[dub_xion]

Not in the spirit of this thread, but with a few seemingly obvious refinements (fixed, dedicated touring sole, liner looks to be 300g, fix the distal end of the wave lower cable) for weight, that Nordica Unlimited LT could easily be in ZGTP weight/performance realm.

[turnfarmer]

I’m in the (sadly discontinued) Hoji Free 110s with Intuition Luxury liners, which I use exclusively for touring. They’re comfortable enough, with plenty of room around the toes/forefoot, an instep that closes down enough and a heel/calf fit that’s tight enough for my lowish volume anatomy. They’re supportive enough for aggressive soft snow skiing, with a reasonably progressive flex (certainly don’t need them to be stiffer). Changeovers are as simple as I’ve ever experienced, and the walking action feels unimpeded. Ultimately, when I’m doing my typical 3-5,000’ days lapping steep featured powder lines, I have zero complaints. Sure, I’d like them to be lighter (while skiing the same), a lower volume fit all around would work better, I’d prefer significantly more forward lean (I really just want the fit, stance and flex of my Raichle/Fulltilt originals) and I’d change the front buckle, but I’m happy most of the time.
I hope to live to experience true custom 3D a boot printing: Raichle OG fit, stance and flex, hinged tongue, touring sole, with Boa closure, but until then I don’t know what’s next, perhaps the new Dynafit Ridge or Scarpa Quattros.

Hawx ultra xtd might work for you. Forward lean can be set to 17*. Narrower fit than Flexon, but the new pu version molds well. Boots from the Flexon era often had a higher ramp angle to go with the higher forward lean.
Not sure if Flexon did, but a heel lift would help if it did. Leave the upper buckle a little loose and use a voile strap instead of power strap and your probably there.

[rod9301]

We have threads for 1kg and 1300g boots, figured we should have one for beefier touring boots. I used to think this category was closer to 1600g but it seems that many beefier touring boots going to heavier materials (PU).

Some contenders:

- Dynafit Hoji Free (1650g). Thread: https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...e-touring-boot

- Dynafit Tigard (1678g). Thread: https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...Dynafit-Tigard
Notes: fit can be weird but very stiff, alpine flex. More alpine-like than the Hoji Free.

- Lange XT3 (1770g). Thread: https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...-Lange-XT3-140
Notes: Fits like a Lange. Personally, I've found the thinner PU doesn't punch as well as an RS/RX. The rearward support can be lacking.

- Dalbello Cabrio Free Lite (1770g)

- Hawx XTD 130 (1850g). Thread: https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...TD-v2-with-Boa

- Dalbello Lupo HD (1850g). Thread: https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...-Pro-HD-thread
Notes: walks well without the tongue

What boots walk well enough that you'd want to tour 3k+ vert? What boots ski closest to an alpine boot? As pointed out by N!CK, the bar for 1400g boots like the ZeroG Tour Pro is quite high so it's not worth a 1750g boot if a 1400g boot skis/walks just as well.

I realize this class of boot can range from something like the Hoji Free that people do 10k+ ft (3k+ m) vert in to crossover boots that nobody actually tours in. I'm hoping to focus on boots you'd actually tour in and weed out boots with walk modes best suited for apres.

I went from lange and tecnica bc boots to a 130 hoji free and i like it a lot more.

Even though it's heavier by 200 g, i am faster uphill because of the much larger rom

Skis better too. Stiffer, and very supportable in the rear.

I like it so much that i bought a second pair for the future.

Sent from my moto g 5G using Tapatalk

[LeeLau]

It's ZGTP ie Tecnica ZeroG Tour Pro. Love that boot but my version had a lot of slop after 120+ days from the ankle rivets loosening and wearing that it had lost substantial stiffness.

Got the rivet re-pressed which helped a bit but then found that it had so much slop that it had worn enough shell plastic that the boot shell uppers and lowers themselves deflected no matter how the rivets were pressed.

Pre- emptively re-pressed my wife's ZGTPs which had 30 days and found that the ankle rivets also had started developing slop.

Agree with Auvgeek that the ZGTP belongs in the 1300g boot category. Version 2 of the ZGTP is expected this upcoming 2024-5 season. One feature is a better ankle rivet. I wonder if weight will go up a bit in which case perhaps the ZGTP can move to this category

[JRainey]

It's ZGTP ie Tecnica ZeroG Tour Pro. Love that boot but my version had a lot of slop after 120+ days from the ankle rivets loosening and wearing that it had lost substantial stiffness.

Damn, I even fixed one that I spell the right way!

Mine are the same, super slop.

Still defending my post as 1300g boots that ski like 1800g boots.

[mr_pretzel]

New ZGPT is supposedly going down 100g in weight.

https://www.ispo.com/en/promotion/is...ero-g-tour-pro

[bwcurran]

Not in the spirit of this thread, but with a few seemingly obvious refinements (fixed, dedicated touring sole, liner looks to be 300g, fix the distal end of the wave lower cable) for weight, that Nordica Unlimited LT could easily be in ZGTP weight/performance realm.

Both of the unlimited boots are significantly smoother flexing than the ZGTP... similar in terms of power but the ZGTP was particularly harsh perhaps as a trade-off for plastic weight. The fully replaceable soles seem to be a big bonus as I tend to walk on rocks and sled a lot, it's really nice to get multiple seasons out of a touring shell so I'm not sure I would trade the sole weight off either.

[skisurfmirth]

I went from those Green BD boots (decent with hv liner and a booster) > Mercury w/ powerwrap and booster > Lupo Carbon TI with PW and no booster > ZGPT with PW and Booster. Now I'm on another Lupo experiment.


I was happily skiing Kryptons before the "big skis, little binding" craze sent me off into a decade of underperforming equipment. Now, this coincided with moving to the alps, so the benefit of touring flexibility and lack of moguls made it less of a problem.


The Lupo Carbons are the real deal. Got them under 1500g for touring weight. They rip, but I sized them like race boots and my feet are still recovering for two seasons of touring in them.

Lupos went to "ski area" boot status and the ZGPTs came in for touring duty.

ZGPTs are great boots, but they just don't have a deep enough flex for rough terrain. I ended up removing the top buckle and just using a Booster strap over the cuff as it would allow me to deepen the flex and increase rebound without having to go to a softer plastic boot.

Like most 3 piece boot lovers, I enjoy the ability to have a super stiff boot in all directions but still have a deeper flex forward. For my anatomy and ski style, this gives me the most control and suspension when skiing fast in rough terrain. ZGPTs were fine in powder, but on jumps those stiff touring boots make you absorb the impact in the backseast (toilet style) vs Knees over toes. That same concept applies for me on any terrain hits at speed, if I can't take the hit with my knees and ankles, it goes to the equipment (pre-release) or body (my back isn't so young).

ZGPTs with booster are good, but I knew, deep down, I wanted a boot that could flex off a real tongue.


Current strategy: Dual Lupo (in progress): Modified Lupo Air w/ Tongue(Touring) and Lupo HD Pro (Ski Area/Sidecountry).

I had been eyeballing Lupo Airs as basis for modification for a few years: lighter/better vibram soles, lighter boot board, lighter shell. And all the other crap I can cut off and replace with real buckles. The goal is just to have the middle buckle on the boot and connect the top buckle to the tongue with a ladder on the shell. (Pics to follow for the confused). This should get the touring weight around 1250g.

Lupo Carbons in 25 = 95% fit and performance
Lupo Air 26 (w/ 25 tongue) = 80% fit and performance (Shorter tongue causes instep fit issue and not ideal flex progression)

I think the Lupo Air can get up to 90% with the correct tongue size. (Still that AX fit will have some skiing downsides, but nice for touring). 90% for a 1250 touring boot is plenty good for me, at 80% it still skis like a real alpine boot. Also, wrap liners walk better w/o a tongue and def vs overlap boots.

If I can get the Lupo HD Pro up to that 95% of the carbons while sizing up I'll be happy. I think they might surpass the lupo carbons with the PU shell. They just came in today though, the initial feel is positive.

This might not be the best fit for this thread, but I think a modified Air can ski as good as real 3 piece boot. You just have to deal with the tongue (a sacrifice I'm willing to make). They can be had for pennies. I even got the 110, and even with a compromised tongue fit they way outskied the ZGPT in crud bashing.

This allows me to have, basically, the same boot for touring and the resort. If I had to have just one, I would buy an old or used Lupo Factory in a 26, punch it, and remove the bottom buckle. But I think two is the way to go.

Once again, sorry if this was thread drift, but I think I'm onto something. Thought about the new Cabrio boot, but Lupos are so fucking cheap right now, and battle tested.

I’ve done the heavily modified Lupo Air to pair with a Lupton (tech compatible krypton with removable tongue, no walkmode) for inbounds/slack and a true touring 2 boot quiver. I really like the Lupton/kryptolupo, incredibly versatile boot that skis great.

The Air never worked for me. Either it had the inconvenience of the tongue or the very clicky ski mode rear blocking mechanism that made strange noises with every step as it slid against the scaffo.

I ended up in the Hoji110 which is a really great touring boot and by far the best snow mobile ski boot I’ve ever used. As they are discontinued you can find them on some good sales. The new Ridge that replaces them looks cool but $. YMMV but I’d recommend the Hoji over the Air 100%.

[JRainey]

The Air never worked for me. Either it had the inconvenience of the tongue or the very clicky ski mode rear blocking mechanism that made strange noises with every step as it slid against the scaffo.

Yeah, I read all your posts. Not having to deal with a tongue for 5 years, I'm ready to be burdened again. But my style of ski touring is: go up a mountain, ski down, go home, and make kids breakfast. So there's no real lapping going on. Once I'm a yo-yo rad brah again, the Ridge looks nice. Spesh if it's tlt5 fit.

I never intended to ski the Air with the bullshit flex stopper, like a halfbaked hoji.

I do have an idea put a carbon cuff on the air, then use a skateboard truck bushing or something flexible as a flex stopper in the back. But then I'm veering hard into Swissiphic territory, and I don't know if I have that level of commitment.

[el hefe]

These: https://www.roxa.com/ski-boots/freeride/r3-130-ti-i-r/

Ski so well, have not been out touring yet but man are they fun at the hill. Ex FIS racer and love to huck.

[beowulf122]

Dynafit radical pro + zip fit gft. In a size 27 shell comes in around 1750 grams. Walks well enough that 3-5k days are not an issue and skis as good if not better than a stock inbounds boot.

[Marshal Olson]

Curious if something like a Scarpa Maestrale RS/XT with Zipfit GFT (around 1750g) gets you something as good/better than a standard boot mentioned about?

Also curious about how the Radical Pro slots in as an alternative fit-option to the Hoji boots that are great, but can crush some foot shapes.