Easily spotted on the hill, though all you’ll see is an orange streak if these are skied to their full capability.
A little something about Lange’s first tech compatible boot and my current beef boot of choice, the Lange XT Freetour 110.
Given the proliferation of mainstream alpine boot manufacturers entering the freeride ski touring market, it was only a matter of time before Lange jumped into the fray. The XT Freetour 110 (as well as 130 and 130LV) represent Lange’s first tech compatible boots.
Put these on your feet, and with their bright dayglo colors (orange and green) there is nowhere to run and nowhere to hide.
I found the lean lock to be a bit finicky.
Based on the walk mode equipped XT series, the Freetour makes many standard changes to bring them into the touring fold. It begins with Dynafit certified tech inserts, Grilamid shell, Ultralon liner, a grippy and slightly rockered sole, and a comfort oriented 100mm last (98mm in the LV) that covers nearly anyone’s foot shape.
Bear in mind that at 1743 grams for the 26.5 and 40 degrees ROM these are no elf slippers you’ll be using to set a personal best at the Pierra Menta, at least not on the uphill portions. The XT Freetour is oriented towards the alpine side of life. (I did save some mass by swapping in a set of Intuition Powerwrap liners; set up that way my XT testers come in at about 1,600 grams per boot).
Das liner is beautifully made. I have no contention with it. Yet as always I swapped in an overlap Intuition.
I have done a couple of short tours with the XT Freetour. Unbuckle the four buckles, loosen the power strap — results are acceptable. It’s critical to be sure the ski/walk mechanism is fully engaged or disengaged. Otherwise it has a tendency to stay locked when you want it open or open when you want it locked.
These boots are by no means something I would choose as a primary touring boot. I use them for frontside skiing including ski area bootpacks, guiding cat skiing and sidecountry tours. They would also make a very good one boot quiver for travel.
Where the XT really shines is on the down. They provide a solid link between the skier and ski with a lively and responsive feel. Lateral stiffness is excellent. The proof being in the pudding, as soon as I got on these boots, every one of my skis felt more precise and held better than with any tech compatible boot I have had for many years previous. I am able to ski more aggressively with greater finesse and confidence since I can remember.
Simply put, I have been able to buy more ability through improved technology. Love it! These boots have created a new standard for me in downhill performance with acceptable uphill capability. That’s a standard I can live with.
Bob Perlmutter and his wife Sue live in Aspen where Bob manages Aspen Mountain Powder Tours, a snowcat skiing operation. Bob has sought adventure skiing over the past thirty years, in the nearby Elk Mountains as well as numerous locales around the world. Presently, he is reeling it in close to home to embark on his biggest adventure yet, fatherhood.
22 comments
I just got a pair of 130s. Awesome! Wish they were here 20 years ago.
I am worried about putting on the 130s after a cold night in a tent.
When I tried them in a store, they were pretty hard to put on.
Any suggestions?
“cold night in a tent.” Can be awkward, but I sleep with my boots loosely on or in the bag with me, or at least keep the liners on and bring the shells into the bag for cooking/breakfast.
Ptor, my sentiments exactly. Rod, regarding your dilemma, I paraphrase a quote from the famous movie director, John Huston. When asked what would be essential for survival on a deserted island he answered, “a hot blonde and a good PA”(production assistant). I suggest you try the same. One to keep the boots warm and the other to help you put them on.
In my experience, the only boot type that really makes sense for winter camping are “tongue” shells with a tongue that easily hinges out of the way for easy entry. Fewer and fewer of those exist, as many of the tongue shells have the tongue anchored in such a way as it doesn’t hinge easily. Evaluating this is not that tough. It might look funny, but put the boot on in the shop while sitting on the floor, while imagining the plastic being stiffer. Or at home, cool the boots off and do the same thing.
Very few people winter camp, though it’s not unheard of (smile). Thus, winter camping is just about the last thing boot designers are thinking of. Nonetheless, I was amazed how many people winter camp in Norway, for example. And Denali is always there, without Sherpas to warm your boots, though your guide might do it if you pay them enough.
Rod, I’d add that sometimes overlap boots can be modified so they’re easier to put on and take off. Involves cutting away some shell plastic from the overlap, and molding the flaps so they don’t spring closed so aggressively. You can sometimes do it so the boot downhill performance is not compromised. Depends on the shape of your foot, style of skiing, etc. Lou
Lou, I was thinking of modifying then like that. What do you mean by molding the lips?
Hmmm – beefy overlap boots. I kind of sort of remember a boot company that made really sweet overlap boots with tech fittings molded into them…….Garmont! The Radium comes to mind for the beefy end of things with a flex of 120 and 40-45 degrees of articulation. Add in the rockered sole and it was a pretty amazing boot to ski in and drive big boards. The weight penalty wasn’t all that sever either if I remember correctly. Was bummed when Scott discontinued it a few years back.
I’m looking for a tech boot for mostly inbounds skiing, with Kingpin bindings (I have La Sportiva Spectres for touring). No shops around to try them on, but ones I’m looking for include this and the Tecnica Zero-G. Also heard a few good things about the Dalbello Sherpa/Lupo TI boots.
I’d also like to be able to use the boots with regular alpine bindings.
I weigh about 150, would ski these on fairly hard stuff such as the ridge at Taos or the bumps in SW Colorado resorts. Would like to find some boots that have progressive flex – it seems that my Spectres are soft until I buckle them tightly, then they’re bricks.
Any guidance as to which of these boots might be a bit better than the others, or others to try?
Tom,
I would also check out the Scarpa Maestrale or the Scarpa Freedom.
Tom, none of these boots will work in bumps. For some reason, the plastic used in bc boots is not responsive enough.
You will always feel like you’re half a turn behind.
Tom, I have been using the K2 pinnacle 130’s as my boot that I pair with the kingpins. I’ve used them a bunch in the NW in the central Oregon cascades. I also used them to ski from about 16500 feet on Denali when I was there last summer. I love em! They are heavy for sure, but amazingly responsive on the way down.
I am John Lawton’s eldest daughter. Dad now lives in Louisville, CO. I’m sure he would llove talking to you about the history of skadi. , here is his email Skadimann@gmail.com. he is almost 94, but still very sharp.
I use the Lupo TI carbon as my only boot for ski hill and touring. If they fit your foot they are awesome. Super stiff laterally and rearwards with the progressive flex that the kryptons are known for. If it fits, go for it.
Hi Rod, on a more serious note, I agree with Lou regarding a tongue boot for winter camping. Having hauled AT gear on Denali, Logan and numerous CO outings in tents and snowcaves, a tongue boot is much easier to deal with than an overlap in that environment. Also critical is to find a routine that works for the drying and warming of socks and liners and follow it religiously.
I respectfully disagree with your comment about none of the boots mentioned above being adequate for bump skiing and by inference, frontside skiing. In fact, that was very much the point of my Lange XT Freetour review. These boots ski well. Period!
I have skied some of the boots mentioned above including the Freedom, Maestrale RS, Zero G and many others. At the risk of fanning the flames of the now dormant Great Tecnica Freak Out of 2016, the Lange XT Freetour skis them all to shame. I would like to try the Dalbello Lupo Carbon TI but they do not even remotely fit my foot and I find the K2 Pinnacle to be unacceptably heavy though both boots get high marks for performance. I hope this helps.
It’s easier to get into stiff, cold Langes if you put the liner on your foot, then try to step into the shell. It’s the only way I can get into my RS140s with out feeling like I’m breaking my foot.
I ordered a pair of XT Freetour 130s and am excited to get them out. Hopefully they will be an acceptable compromise between my RS140s and TLT6Ps.
In Aspen, I got a pair of Langes that had belonged to an Olympic World Cup Skier.
After a cold day of skiing, they were so stiff, that I literally would have some tears from the pain of trying to get them off.
According to Alberto Tomba, World Cup Racers do everything in their boots, so they never have to take them off. Or so I’m told. If you have to take your boots off you shouldn’t be using WC boots… Lou
Thanks for the comments, all.
Bob (or others who have skied the Lange) – at what point would you choose the 130 over the 110?
I’m not heavy (again, 150 lbs or so), but ski bumps and steeps with a pack on. I’m looking for the most alpine-like performance I can get for the resort, but still use with tech bindings and be something that I can flex.
Also, have you tried skiing the Freetours with alpine bindings?
Thanks,
Tom
Bob !
Great review. Im into step up into new boot´s for more backcountry skiing.
Have Lange RX130 today. ( No walk mode )
I felt these are little to stiff in powder or as i say the progressive flexs is none!
But direct in piste and slopes if you can imagine what feeling that is.
The boot it self is just great best i had in years. ( fit like a glove )
But afraid it could be to soft with 110 if you charge groomers , thinkin of using the
boot as an one quiver BC , Resortboot.
The other boot im into Scarpa Freedom SL. 120
Small guy 5.8 ft 165 lb (advance skier if i must say, without brag to much )
Hi All, the Freetour 130 will fit fit right in between the RS140 and TLT6. I weigh 130lbs and ski the 110 with a pack on every day at work. I use it with alpine bindings on a regular basis. Tough call using the RX130 for comparison. Better in soft snow based on your comments with nice progressive flex. Still feels very direct on piste. Maybe a touch softer in forward flex than Freedom SL but as stiff or stiffer laterally. Very different fit which could be the determining factor. I think the XT Freetour is a top choice for a one boot quiver.
I’ve skied Lange XT 110 Freetour boots since March 2018. So far I’ve skied on them about a dozen times, in resort only, with alpine bindings (Salomon Warden 13 MNC). With their performance fit, stiffness and control, I’ve seen a big jump in my skiing. (my previous boots were a size too big), and this is a quiver of one boot. They are hard to get on and off in cold weather, but when they’re on the comfort is great. After just a couple days, the alpine bindings were making dents in the soft Grilamid plastic on the heels, so I wrote Lange customer service. They sent me a pair of stainless steel heel plates with small screws. I installed them on top of each heel – they fit perfectly.
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