Here’s a trifecta of brands and gear that we’re eyeing: some skis, a pack, and Salomon boots.
Fischer released a-whole-lot-of Rangers- revamping the line cosmetically, along with construction and geometry modifications, and subdued but fine-looking top sheet graphics.
The new Fischer Ranger lineup: 116mm – 90mm.
The Rangers have filled the niche at Fisher for skis marketed towards the all-mountain and freeride categories. Fischer’s Trans Alps skis are for those considering touring on lightweight construction and more modest waists (82mm-90mm underfoot). The Hannibal nests in the Fischer line with 106mm and 96mm underfoot skis geared towards freeride and powder skiing. Appropriately, these skis bump up in weight; the Hannibal 106 is 1540g/178cm g while the 96 is 1300g/176cm g.
When it comes to touring or using a tourable ski on-piste, the Rangers traditionally have bulked up in construction and weights, making them more aligned with the corresponding attributes: stable at speed, crust buster, and damp, to mention a few.
Last season’s Ranger 102 FR (that other pink ski) weighed 2000g/177cm, a beast for many. But, if you happen to look around on a backcountry tour, especially at the younger, young at heart, and high-speed-long-arching set, they are often on heavier gear. And they love it.
The new Rangers come in the following waist sizes: 116mm, 108mm, 102mm, 96mm, 90mm, all with flat tails.
The new Ranger 116: a subdued color but some serious meat on these bones: Weight 2150g/187cm.
All Rangers have a Titanal insert. According to Fischer, “the narrower the ski, the longer the Titanal insert and the flatter the tail, which supports more fall-line oriented skiers seeking more responsiveness.” The wider skis have a shorter Titanal plate, making them softer in the tips and tails – which Fischer claims make them more playful. The line also incorporates repurposed and recycled materials in some ski components.
If you’re concerned with high-performance up-track efforts, the Rangers can likely wait. But if the down reigns supreme – then they may be worth a look.
Basic Specs not currently on Fischer site:
Ranger 116: Geometry 147-116-137, Weight 2150g/187cm, 20m radius (187cm), MSRP $949.99.
Ranger 108: Geometry 143-109-134, Weight 2120g/185cm, 18m radius (185cm), MSRP $949.99.
Ranger 102: Geometry 138-103-128, Weight 2050g/183cm, 19m radius (183cm), MSRP $849.99.
Ranger 102 W: Geometry 137-102-127, Weight 1950g/176cm, 18m radius (176cm), MSRP $849.99.
Ranger 96: Geometry 129-97-120, Weight 1950g/180cm, 18m radius (180cm), MSRP $849.99.
Ranger 90: Geometry 129-90-114, Weight 1850g/177cm, 17m radius (177cm), MSRP $779.99.
The new BCA Float E2 will use Alpride’s new E2 supercapacitor technology/
BCA Float E2
BCA enters the fray into the supercapacitor avalanche bag scene. That means no compressed air/gas cylinder or rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
Coined the Float E2, BCA’s new pack capitalizes on technology from Alpride and their E2 supercapacitor inflation system. The supercapacitor system, when triggered, drives a fan to inflate the airbag. This technology’s advantages are greater reliability in cold temperatures than lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, and supercapacitors are TSA-approved. (If you travel tons to ski, this might be an upside). Additionally, unlike rechargeable batteries or gas/air canisters, a skier can get “multiple deployments” with each charge. Supercapacitor systems make it easier to practice deploying the airbag.
The BCA Float E2’s side stash pocket.
According to BCA’s press release, “The E2 supercapacitor is 40 percent smaller and 25 percent lighter than the Alpride E1 system currently in use by several other airbag pack manufacturers.” Some other manufacturers will be sourcing the E2 system next year as well.
BCA’s pack designers have incorporated an array of features that should make this pack a go-to for many seeking a fully functional avy pack. Pack features include a new side pocket for quickly stashing skins and a “back stash” to access/store radios and hydration systems.
Salomon’s MTN Summit Pro ski boot available 2022-2023.
Salomon S/LAB MTN Summit Ski Boots
As if Cody Townsend’s ski-booted feet could bring world peace, or at least the mythical lightness and control we all desire in some unobtainable fast and light yet oh so stable and GS-course worthy uphill downhill slipper. That was the buzz; it seemed, any time a cryptic shot of his MTN ski boots fluttered on social media.
The curtain has been pulled back on the MTN Summit. And note, WildSnow will review the MTN Summit within the next month, so… stay tuned on that.
The basics are this: A claimed 75-degree range of motion, 1,100g (per boot) for the Summit Pro in a 27.5 (298 BSL), a 120 flex, a BOA lacing system to secure the lower, with the upper secured with a buckle/power strap combo, and an additional yet thinner, power strap about that. The sole is full rubber. The MTN Summit boots come in a few models: the Summit Pro, Summit Pure, Summit Pro W, and Summit Pure W.
Rear view of the Salomon MTN Summit Pro – we’ll have a closer look at this boot towards the end of the month.
According to Salomon, “The Summit Pro, Summit Pure, Summit Pro W, and Summit Pure W boots feature the same sustainable construction as the S/Lab MTN Summit in varying flex and price options.”
Salomon's men's MTN Summit Pure.
Salomon's women's MTN Summit Pro.
Salomon's women's MTN Summit Pure.
While most of the WildSnow backcountry skiing blog posts are best attributed to a single author, some work well as done by the group.
26 comments
I think your stated weight for the mtn summit is incorrect. It’s quite different from what I have seen posted elsewhere, which has been 1100-1200g.
Thanks, Kyle. Got some wires crossed this AM with specs. Updating now.
S/LAB MTN Summit m: 1050g
MTN Summit Pro m: 1100g
MTN Summit Pure m: 1200g
MTN Summit Pro w: 1020g
MTN Summit Pure w: 1120g
Last 99-105mm, no flex indication, from Salomon 22-23 catalogue
That BCA pack is quite exciting. As an east-coast resident, I’ve thought about buying an airbag for many years, but still haven’t been ready to make the investment for something I would rarely carry. BCA seems to consistently provide a slightly lower Purchase Cost than other companies out there, and this could get them to a lower Cost of Ownership as well. Finger crossed!
Happy to see Salomon bring the tour mode lever from the MTN Lab to these lighter boots. It’s a slick, durable system that is up out of the snow. It also encourages a fluid motion for hitting the lever and buckle in one swipe. With all the new boots in the category I’m excited to see which ones rise to the top.
Three things I hope you will include in your review for that boot!
1) Is the upper power strap removable?
2) Does stay in place when hiking, unlike so many other boots of this type ? (I’m pleased to see that at least for the main (lower) strap there is clearly a little ridge that prevents that strap from riding up — so someone is thinking about this, which is good).
3) Fit!! I hope you can talk not only about the forefood width but also — especially! — about the heel pocket!
THANKS in advance!
Fit question is key. MTNs needed a lot of work to fit my feet, they come with a super narrow tapered toe and very spacious ankle area.
What size is the Float E2 Pack?
And FYI, claimed weights for the E1 and E2 show 140 grams savings.
“The Float E2 airbag comes in S/M and M/L sizes and in both 25- and 35-liter volumes.”
I would like to see a face to face comparison between Atomic Bakland UL Carbon, Scarpa F1 LT and this new Salomon S/LAB MTN Summit.
Expecially it terms os range of motion, progressiveness of flex and hold of heel…
The way that salomon inserts the BOA seems way better than atomic o scarpas one.
Add TLT X to this!
The Salomon MTN Summit looks to have a similar Velcro cuff buckle closure system to the Scarpa F1. On the F1 it’s fairly well accepted that you have to adjust the Velcro when you go from ski to tour because the buckle doesn’t have enough throw (or whatever you want to call it) to allow the best touring range of motion. Im curious if the Salomon boot will have the same problem or if the buckle is somehow designed better.
Excited news about the E2 system. Looking forward to seeing more packs with it and about the specs. The E1 somehow always ended in quite heavy backpacks, with the system being only cca 250g heavier than the cartridge ones, but the packs in total being at least 500g heavier. Ortovox supposedly also has a new electronic system ready for next season that should be marginally lighter (1080g) .
Justin, that Velcro strap issue you described with the F1 and F1 LT is why https://www.tahoetrailtools.com/product/strapoff/6?cp=true&sa=true&sbp=false&q=false exists. We’ve sent a pair to Wildsnow for testing. It should work with some other boots with Velcro buckle straps, like the Backland UL and this Mtn Summit, but we’ll see.
I’m familiar with those, I actually bought some of the original ones for my buddy (I’m on the TGR forums and he’s not). The new ones look great! But it would be even better if they weren’t necessary to begin with (not to cut into your business…)
There are other boots that do this type of closure better, allowing the strap to loosen more than the F1 buckle does. For example I’m pretty sure the Skorpius and Fischer Travers boots are both better in that regard
Correct, I have the Skorpius and I’ve never had to adjust the velcro since my first time fitting the boot. It’s a shame that it’s difficult for some brands to dial this in
I got to play with the MTN Summit boots in Serre Chevalier yesterday just a bit. Also skied the new MTN Summit skis. The closure system on the scaffo looks quite interesting – creating compression on the shell at the points where it could otherwise buckle under load. With the weight and the flex numbers, these look like very interesting boots. The MTN skis seemed to me fairly similar to most sub-kilo touring skis, they compromise the trip down to make the trip up better – you can survival ski just about anything with them, but getting to take them for a spin after I had a go on the Black Crows Mentis Freebird made me wish I was back on the Crows. Similar weights, similar underfoot measures, no contest on the ski I’d rather have under me on gnarly hardpacked humid/French snow. The big thing in my book that Salomon has going for them is their work toward making their skis more ecological; for years – even though they don’t tout it as a sales/product benefit like they could – they have been putting significant effort and resources into making the impact of their skis lower. Anything that reduces climate impact – and concurrently keeps my winters white – is a massive plus for me, so I always keep Salomon at the front of mind when I’m looking at gear. My favourite aspect of the MTNs is the recycled UHMWPE bases with a speckled look – eco and nifty…
How was the fit of the MTN Summit boot vs the other new light all touring boots that you’ve tried?
Didn’t get the chance to try the boots on – planned to do that in the afternoon when I wanted a bit of a break from testing new skis, but the wind kicked up and they packed up the “display” tent that had the boots in it. I’m sample size (26) for most companies, so I can generally try on the boots, but here mother nature conspired against me and it was not possible…
Lance, did you try the MTN Carbon skis or the MTN pro skis? Per the workbook, the Pros are about 150-200g heavier. Also full cap/half cap/full sidewall?
Got to try both the Carbon and the Pro. On icy/variable steeps, I preferred the Pro – better manners, but still not as progressive or solid feeling as the Mentis to me. The sidewalls looked to vary from model to model, with the skinny Carbons having a full cap if I recall correctly, and the wider skis having more of a semi-cap rounded down from the upper face and shortened in from the tip and tail. If I’m recalling correctly, the Pros all had at least a bit of a sidewall.
The Armada Tracers (now Location or Locator or something like that) are a bit heavier, but ski better than the MTN. The latest Blizzard ZeroG are possibly lighter, but more finicky/nervous (as the French like to describe it). The fantastic thing is that we are spoiled for choice these days and the quality of all skis is so high that you can learn to love most of the stuff that is produced, you may just need to change up your style of skiing a bit (or in my case, improve my technique also) to get the most out of them…
Salomon is not alone in building products with climate impact considered as one of the design goals. Rossignol has been doing this for a number of years. Recycled bases, recycled edges, partially recycled top sheets, sustainably harvested wood for their cores, less petroleum based ink in graphics, the list goes on, and includes the logistics of moving finished products around as well.
It’s great to see two strong brands pushing this design direction which, hopefully, will pull other brands to do so as well.
It seem like everyone is making F1 clones this year. Happy days for the consumer I suppose, as a narrow niche drives refinement. Especially those with non-italian feet!
Something important about th fit of these new Salomon boots that the article does not mention is that they have the Customshell HD technology for customization of the shell. Something that is not common in touring boots.
#Lance How does the ankle belt works? it secures well the ankle in it’s position?
Pablo, again, I did not get to “carpet test” the boots, but looking at the Boa path, it seems to really have focused on making the shell conform to your foot and maintain structure around the ankle pivot. The biggest question I have from looking at it is whether there is any ankle impingement in the walk mode – the outer lateral mount point for the Boa wire is a bit above the pivot and I wonder if having the scaffo cinched down would impede forward flex. But, again, I have not been able to carpet test to answer this, much less ski it…
The cuff belt is simple and straightforward. It’s a velcro strap on a buckle and it seemed to be pretty solid. Releasing the ski/walk lever and the cuff buckle in one smooth motion seems like a reasonable expectation – it’s no Hoji lock, but it’s certainly not cumbersome.