~1300g boot thread

[LeeLau]

This thread seems as good as any. Looking to consolidate my boot quiver, currently on ZGT Scout + TourWrap and Skorpius both 27.5, would like to go down to one boot (for now). Looking for something that skis as well as (or just about as well as) the ZGTP but walks better. Loved walking in the Skorpius, but surprisingly was never able to get along with it skiing, and I'm not a big guy or a super hard charger. I think the stance just never worked for me. I've got a super low instep, fairly narrow and low volume feet. ZGTP fits pretty well, but even feels like it's a bit "tall" in volume.

Boots I'm considering, anything I'm missing?

Ridge Pro - Probably in a 28.5
Radical Pro - Probably will be too high volume
New ZGTP - Not expecting to walk any better than existing.

Can confirm that new ZGTP does not walk substantially better than old. "Substantially" to me means better than say 10%

[ASmileyFace]

Related question... for people who were in the ZGTP and tried on/moved on to the Ridge Pro. Did you have to size up? I am a 1.5 finger fit on my ZGTP 28.5 and am considering the Ridge as a replacement but am worried the 28.5 is going to be too short based on the fit feedback. I am guessing the 29.5 will be the right shell, but won't likely have an opportunity to try it on before if I buy this season.

[tang]

Does new boot have to be able to fit into an alpine binding? Zgtp does I think, skorp doesn’t

[mr_pretzel]

Related question... for people who were in the ZGTP and tried on/moved on to the Ridge Pro. Did you have to size up? I am a 1.5 finger fit on my ZGTP 28.5 and am considering the Ridge as a replacement but am worried the 28.5 is going to be too short based on the fit feedback. I am guessing the 29.5 will be the right shell, but won't likely have an opportunity to try it on before if I buy this season.

Finally able to log back into my account.

My 25.5 ZGPT and the 26.5 ridge have the exact internal length when measuring. I’d go up for sure if you’re somewhat tight in the ZGPT

[Backward_Banana]

Does new boot have to be able to fit into an alpine binding? Zgtp does I think, skorp doesn’t

Nah, I've got resort boots, and I just ski regular pin bindings, nothing fancy.

[PinyonJuniper5]

The new Head Crux Pro seems to fit well in this category. ~1380g for a 27.5.

Word on the street is that they are slightly softer than the new Ridge, but the ROM is much better as they do not have a tongue. Similar fit to a Zero G Peak, with a medium width forefoot. Heel hold felt quite good to me during a floor test. The stock liner is almost as nice as the Scarpa Intuitions that I’m used to. The cuff is quite tall for a boot with this much ROM, and the walk mode feels very durable. If overall durability is good, it seems like this boot will be a winner for walking far and skiing hard.

The best way I can think of describing it would be bolting a ZGPT cuff onto a beef-ified F1 XT lower. I’ve never skied a HEAD product before, but I know many people love their alpine boots. Does anybody on here have time in this new boot??


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[wilcox510]

I'm very curious about the Head Crux as well, surprised I haven't heard more about it yet. This review is very positive.

https://www.bootfitters.com/reviews/...-head-crux-pro

[ezgzy]

This thread seems as good as any. Looking to consolidate my boot quiver, currently on ZGT Scout + TourWrap and Skorpius both 27.5, would like to go down to one boot (for now). Looking for something that skis as well as (or just about as well as) the ZGTP but walks better. Loved walking in the Skorpius, but surprisingly was never able to get along with it skiing, and I'm not a big guy or a super hard charger. I think the stance just never worked for me. I've got a super low instep, fairly narrow and low volume feet. ZGTP fits pretty well, but even feels like it's a bit "tall" in volume.

Boots I'm considering, anything I'm missing?

Ridge Pro - Probably in a 28.5
Radical Pro - Probably will be too high volume
New ZGTP - Not expecting to walk any better than existing.

How about scarpa quattros or atomic backland xtd? You gain some weight over the zgtp stock probably about equal with the intuitions. They should ski just as well as the zgtp and walk a bit better


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[LeeLau]

How about scarpa quattros or atomic backland xtd? You gain some weight over the zgtp stock probably about equal with the intuitions. They should ski just as well as the zgtp and walk a bit better


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The Backland XTD skis much much worse than the ZGTP.

[Backward_Banana]

Quattros seemed interesting, but had some buddies' whose boots didn't hold up very long - worth trying on at least. Head boot seems interesting, but seems to be shooting a class below for ski performance, unless I'm missing something?

[Yukonrider]

Anything new in this arena this year? My Backland XTDs work...fine. But they go through cuff bushings every 30 days ($80 per) And fit fine, and ski fineish. So I'm keeping my eyes open for a replacement.

[ASmileyFace]

Quattros seemed interesting, but had some buddies' whose boots didn't hold up very long - worth trying on at least. Head boot seems interesting, but seems to be shooting a class below for ski performance, unless I'm missing something?

The quattro's are solidly in the class above 1300g. They are like 1575g+ in normal adult foot sizes and grip walk. Great boot for what they are (outside of the durability issues), but not really in the same category as the Crux/ZGTP/Ridge Pro

[altacoup]

The Backland XTD skis much much worse than the ZGTP.

Interesting. The zgtp is way too big vertically for me in the forefoot, I’d need to shim a ton. The xtd is by far the best skiing touring boot I’ve ever used. Plastic isn’t as good as a alpine boot but the fit and power transfer is miles better than any other touring boot I’ve ever skied. I don’t have enough free time to wear out the bushings. Sierra has some for $300 right now

[PinyonJuniper5]

I'm very curious about the Head Crux as well, surprised I haven't heard more about it yet. This review is very positive.

https://www.bootfitters.com/reviews/...-head-crux-pro

Having just tried the boot on, not skiing it, I can agree with most of what that review reports. It seems like it may be one of the best skiing, light AT boots without a tongue. I’d imagine it performs similar to the Backland XTD, but with a lower volume fit overall.


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[Tjaardbreeuwer]

Having just tried the boot on, not skiing it. It seems like it may be one of the best skiing, light AT boots without a tongue. I’d imagine it performs similar to the Backland XTD, but with a lower volume fit

I agree, although I think it flexes stiffer than the Backland carbon 120 XTD (which my kid has) and is taller in the cuff too. So for some people, that might mean it skis better too.

A quick carpet test of the Crux Pro has me very excited.

Weight is 1100 grams for the shell, size 27.5.
Range of motion of the shell is fantastic, both the amount and the fact that it’s very, very, low resistance.
Dont be fooled by the 55 degree claim. These rotate far more than any “55 degree” boot I’ve tried. Both shell on table and when walking (I have great dorsiflexion).
Liner is so-so. Nice neoprene around the toe, some scuff guard material, but not very firm and inside is open-cell foam.

Comparing to my Backland Carbon (current version with Z-cable, not the XTD):

• ~200 grams heavier shell
• range of motion is the same forward, even better backwards.
• cuff is much taller: about 30-40mm both front and rear
• Ever so slightly pointier for the medial side of the tip of the big toe.
• Very similar in width and volume for the rest of the foot, including heel.
• ankle might be a tiny bit roomier (I have super skinny ankles)
• forward flex is progressive, and way, way, stiffer.

Hardware is bolted on, forward lean is adjustable.
pivots are not replaceable.
powerstrap is narrow, and does not have a cord to pull it loose, nor a hook to undo it completely.
cuff buckles do not have a slider system, so will need to be moved to end of ladder.
buckles use solid metal, not wire (take that Technica!).
overal I’d say the hardware is a little below the Atomic, but much, much better than Technica.

Basically, this is the boot for people like me who:

• Want excellent walking (the new Zero G Tour felt too annoying for me)
• need something that skis a bit better than the lightest boots (really struggled in anything but perfect snow in my Backlands)
• are willing to accept extra weight for that trade off.
• have long legs
• have a low volume foot

The latter is the crux (pun intended) of the matter. There have recently been several of these boots that walk like a 1 kg boot, but ski much better. However, they all have some kind of high volume last.

The Backlands fit my feet super well, and these are very nearly as good. I have narrow feet, but a fairly high instep.

Hope his helps someone.

[Benneke10]

Interesting. The zgtp is way too big vertically for me in the forefoot, I’d need to shim a ton. The xtd is by far the best skiing touring boot I’ve ever used. Plastic isn’t as good as an alpine boot but the fit and power transfer is miles better than any other touring boot I’ve ever skied. I don’t have enough free time to wear out the bushings. Sierra has some for $300 right now

Pretty sure you’re talking about the Hawx XTD, not the Backland XTD. The Backland XTD has way more forefoot volume, it isn’t as powerful and it’s not $300

[altacoup]

^^^
You’re correct I was confusing models. I did pick up some new carbon backland xtds from levelnine last spring for $250. Excited to see how the ski. Basically a spring mission boot for me, but the fit feels close to the Hawk. Walk mode is ridiculous more ankle flex than my hiking boots. And they feel like they’ll ski better than my previous experiment in this weight class. Which was a dalbello quantum with no buckles only strings. Fit was excellent on that boot, super narrow lower. But absolutely zero cuff support laterally or to the back. Fine on perfectly smooth flattish terrain but terrifying on anything with pitch or variability.


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[Benneke10]

^^^
You’re correct I was confusing models. I did pick up some new carbon backland xtds from levelnine last spring for $250. Excited to see how the ski. Basically a spring mission boot for me, but the fit feels close to the Hawk. Walk mode is ridiculous more ankle flex than my hiking boots. And they feel like they’ll ski better than my previous experiment in this weight class. Which was a dalbello quantum with no buckles only strings. Fit was excellent on that boot, super narrow lower. But absolutely zero cuff support laterally or to the back. Fine on perfectly smooth flattish terrain but terrifying on anything with pitch or variability

I hope the new boots are awesome for you! Sounds like you got the Backland Carbons which as you said have a low volume fit. The Backland XTD is its own separate thing that has a higher volume fit.

[Backward_Banana]

Relatively unscientific info on the Ridge Pro. Tried on the 28.5. Some frames of reference for other boots I have:

Skorpius 27.5 and 28.5 - 27.5 is short in the length, fits the foot well otherwise. 28.5 ok on length but generally felt sloppy, boot got very soft with any unused space. Instep is great for me in either boot. Heel pocket on this boot sucks for my foot, have tried both Pro Tour and Stock liner, just not enough "cup" in the heel. Wrap helps, but not the best liner for this class of boot.
ZGTP 27.5 - Length is great. Fit is good overall, width is nice but volume feels a bit tall. Heel cup is "adequate". Cuff volume is a bit high, even with Tour Wraps, but can be alleviated by really cranking the shit out of the buckles.
Lange RX 27.5 - I have MV (got them for cheap) which isn't the right last for me. A bit short on length, and otherwise a bit wide. Best heel pocket out of all the boots, though the Powerwrap is a big part of that. Powerwrap can help a lot of fit issues, it turns out.

Ridge feels "med/high" volume to me. Instep is higher than both Skorpius and ZGTP, though with the Tour Wrap in the Ridge it's close-ish to the ZGTP. 28.5 Ridge feels just a hair longer than a 27.5 ZGTP, but pretty comparable. I didn't find cranking the floating tongue down to dramatically reduce the instep height, but I'd guess what I need is on the edge of adjustability for the boot. Heel pocket is better on the Ridge than Skorpius, about the same as ZGTP. Not as good as Lange. Forefoot is quite wide on the Ridge, comparatively. Feels similar to Lange RX MV, though the Lange has more height and still better heel hold. This boot is just on the workable side volume wise for me with a Tour Wrap, though I hate having to take up volume with a liner. Zipfit would likely solve a lot of issues. If the Skorpius fits you perfectly, you'd likely find this boot too big overall. If ZGTP is perfect, this would be a more roomy but workable fit. Walk mode with the wrap liner was better than ZGTP with the wrap liner, unclear if it is $600 to $900 better for me.

Hope it's helpful for those skinny long footed folks out there.

[kootenayskier]

Tried on Ridge Pros today in 28.5. Previously owned Titans, Titan ULs, Mercuries, and currently in Hoji 110s, all in 28.5 and Ridge Pros have significantly more volume in every dimension (but length) than any of the aforementioned boots. I love the Hoji lock, and I expect I’d be fine with the skiing flex and ROM, but the boa and floating tongue made zero difference to an instep that’s way too high for me. Bummer.

[WhetherMan]

For all you folks who are finding the instep too high in the Ridge - are you running out of adjustment on the boa? I have a very low instep (mach 1 LV, scarpa quattro fit well) and in a size 30.5 I can kind of just keep cranking it down, much farther than I first expected and it actually feels like pretty damn low. I'm pulling the floating tongue all the way up/back and cranking the shit out of it.

I'm a 29.5 in ZGTP, Hoji Free, Mach1, Skorpius CR, Hawx ultra, but a 30.5 in these feels like it might be the right length. Haven't gotten our 29s yet so can't say for sure.

They list 2 forward lean angles (12, 15), is 15 just the tiny little spoiler in the box? Doesn't look like the walk mode has any adjustability. I would need a giant fucking spoiler to make these skiable if that's the case

[redbarnPD]

My single '21 Tecnica ZGPT 26.0: 1315 grams
My new '24 Scarpa 4Quattro SL 26.0: 1320 grams

4Quattro is a much better fit for my narrow foot (Lange ZA+ narrow). Low instep was barely OK, but dreamy after heat-stretching the instep buckle a bit. Easily better ROM than ZGPT (especially rearward). Great low, pretty flat stance. Carpet test, it's ski-stiffer all around than ZGPT, we will see if that shows on snow.

Bonus is that the SL version of this boot is molded in Bio Pebax, not Bio Grilamid like the XT/Pro, and none to date have suffered the broken clog pin (according to Scarpa NA). Lots of XT's broke, so they modded the mold.

The only thing I may miss is the awesome booster strap from the XT/Pro, but I reckon I will live. I'd also rather not have the clunker GW sole, but again, I will survive.

[rod9301]

I use a voile strap as a booster strap on my bc boots, it's elastic but very strong, so it works well. I put in over the liner, inside the shell.

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[~mikey b]

these came in today



I have not yet had a chance to get them on my feet, but they look pretty legit

[jacob_dbu]

I skied the Ridge Pro all spring, got a pair in late April I think. Great boot overall if they fit your foot. That's all.