Category killer - Scarpa Maestrale - now the lightest 4 buckle touring boot

[LeeLau]

http://www.wildsnow.com/2951/scarpa-...e-boot-review/

- As stiff as the Spirit 4
- About 300g lighter than Spirit 4
- Drops in price over other boots reversing ugly trend of increasing prices! $ 599

More details in the review.



minus 15 deg lean



Comparison of rear cuff heights (from L to R: Dynafit DNA, Garmont Megaride, Scarpa Shake, Maestrale and Dynafit Titan. The ruler is held level on the Titan's liner. The tallest boot shell is the Titan followed closely by the Shaka and Maestrale.



Comparison of fronts of all boots show that they are all very comparable except for Dynafit DNA

[Wunderkind]

Good review - now I gotta figure out if I'm going to drop coin on a TLT 5 next season or roll with this boot.

Any comparison to the Dynafit Zzero 4C Carbon? Have you skied that boot?

[Jonathan S.]

Any comparison to the Dynafit Zzero 4C Carbon? Have you skied that boot?

He wrote the first review of it!
Although the standards for comparison are a lot different these days.
Would be interesting to see him revisit that review in the current context.

[LeeLau]

I actually thought a lot about the ZZero carbon when I skied the Maestrale.

The ZZero was laterally stiff but not very fore-aft stiff and I had to be very delicate with it in variable snow.

The Maestrale is just as laterally stiff and stiffer fore-aft. And is slightly lighter - and tours much much better.

[Eluder]

That looks like a sick boot. Lace up Liner? I wish more boots still did this.

I think I will have to use the FrakenDanalis one more year unfortunately.

[pfluffenmeister]

hmmm ... choices, choices

[skiitsbetter]

soo very tempting... lightweight...reasonably priced. Some cool lighter weight reasonably priced boots that still ski very well for next year! (TLT5 MTN, Maestrale). Strong/stiff, light, cheap; pick three?

[LeeLau]

soo very tempting... lightweight...reasonably priced. Some cool lighter weight reasonably priced boots that still ski very well for next year! (TLT5 MTN, Maestrale). Strong/stiff, light, cheap; pick three?

EXACTLY. I have no idea how Scarpa could have hit that $ 599 pricepoint. Amazing really and good for the consumer.

[Verde]

Thanks for this review. I was about to pull the trigger on pair of ZZeros.

[salomonskiier12]

[summit]

I currently use Spirit 3's and swap the stock tongues with black stiff tornado (spirit 4) tongues for the downhill. I also have added rear spoilers and boosters.

How can I expect the tourability and skiability to compare if I use the same mods? Or can I even swap in stiff tongues?

Does the Spirit 3 have the same 15deg back angle? The 3s sure do go back far.

If these are as tourable as the 3 with touring tongue and can have stiff tongues added, it is definitely my next boot.

How much has the forefoot last shrunk?

I'd otherwise been considering a Titan to complement my Spirit 3s. But I'd rather only have two pairs of boots, not three.

[LeeLau]

I currently use Spirit 3's and swap the stock tongues with black stiff tornado (spirit 4) tongues for the downhill. I also have added rear spoilers and boosters.

How can I expect the tourability and skiability to compare if I use the same mods? Or can I even swap in stiff tongues?

Does the Spirit 3 have the same 15deg back angle? The 3s sure do go back far.

If these are as tourable as the 3 with touring tongue and can have stiff tongues added, it is definitely my next boot.

How much has the forefoot last shrunk?

I'd otherwise been considering a Titan to complement my Spirit 3s. But I'd rather only have two pairs of boots, not three.

I'm still trying to confirm the forefoot last shrinkage. But if you fit a Titan without punching you'll fit a Maestrale. Re the Spirit 3 I had to tighten the toe buckle a lot to get into it so if you're someone who gets into a stock un-punched Spirit 3 without any punching TRY the Maestrale before you buy

You cannot add stiff tongues - it doesnt have the same design. I'll ask Scarpa if they're considering adding a different tongue for this boot. Recall that this boot is a good deal stiffer fore-aft than the Spirit 3, Spirit 4 with the soft tongue - but I didn't think it was quite as stiff as the Spirit 4 with stiff tongue (close but not as stiff)

The Spirit 3 leaned back about 5 deg from vertical - really good at the time but nothing like this Maestrale.

Let me get back to you on the possibility of stiffer tongues for Maestrale.

[Jonathan S.]

I actually thought a lot about the ZZero carbon when I skied the Maestrale.

The ZZero was laterally stiff but not very fore-aft stiff and I had to be very delicate with it in variable snow.

The Maestrale is just as laterally stiff and stiffer fore-aft. And is slightly lighter - and tours much much better.

Tours much much better with . . . all the buckles & strap latched but loose? Or the two upper cuff buckles and power strap completely undone?

[LeeLau]

Jon - see wildsnow reply to your question. I tour the same with all boots - buckles undone in loosest setting and powerstrap done up loose (SNUG - contrast with TIGHT) just so it doesn't drag around in snow

[harpo-the-skier]

LL,

You said in your review that the liner is the Pro Tour without the laces. Does the Maestral liner have eyelets so you can add your own laces if you want?

Also, I talked to someone at Scarpa today and they said the Maestral has the same last as the F1/F3, so you would be the same size in the F1/F3/Maestral.

[harpo-the-skier]

Also, what BSL was your 27.0 Maestral?

[LeeLau]

harpo - the BSL was 307mm. The liner had eyelets to add laces.

[Wiilbert]

Hmmm, I'm interested in a pair of these to go with my sissy sticks. What's the BSL breakpoint for Scarpa? I need a 297, 26.5 or 26?

[LeeLau]

Sharon is testing a Shaka - its BSL is 297 and its a 26

[Hugh Conway]

-15 degree lean?

Thats a whole new level of backseat!


Nice looking boot.

[Wiilbert]

Sweet. Can you get me a deal on a pair?

[garyfromterrace]

Thanks Lee, I figure I've finally got the boot thing dialed with the ZZero 4, I'm happy as a clam - now you go and show me those. You bastard.

[Meadow Skipper]

Oh man, those look cool. My gear gland is throbbing. I wonder if they'll do something similar for NTN?

[hutash]

minus 15 deg lean

I saw this before reading the review, and thought, "wow, that's a new trend, super back seat skiing".

I really like the idea of that much rear lean (now that I know it is touring mode). I assume it makes it much easier to walk in them. My biggest complaint about AT boots is walking long distances in them. The Garmonts and Dynafit boots I have owned just don't seem to give me enough neg. lean when hiking.

[verbier61]

useful, thanks!
could you compare the maestrale and the F3?