Boot Reviews Archives - The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog

Hoji Pro and Free, Not So Identical Twins?

by Lou Dawson October 25, 2019

Free on the left. Visually similar with one glaring exception: Hoji Free has a DIN shaped toe while Hoji Pro boasts the much touted and ever reviled Speed Nose.

Side-by-side comparo of the Hoji Pro and Free

“Twins; God’s way of saying one of you is a rough draft.” I’m not sure the human twins I know would appreciate that little meme, or perhaps it is “twin humor” I don’t quite get? In any case, I thought it applied nicely to gear with similar names and designs, and our constant struggle to parse out the differences. In this case Hoji Pro and Hoji Free ski touring boots. Is there a rough draft in the pair? Read on.

First, if there is any endless issue with ski boots, it’s “last width,” that ethereal non-standard way of explicating a boot’s roominess on your foot. Free is noticeably lower volume, both in width and height. In fact, Free has an entire refrigerator less volume, much less than the numbers would indicate. It’s specified as a 102 mm last (verified by Skialper magazine Buyer Guide 2020), while the Pro is listed as either 103 or 103.5 (depending on your source, and measured as 103.5 by Skialper). Let’s be generous, and say the difference is a Godzilla sized 1.5 millimeters, or the width of 15 sheets of average printer paper (yes Virginia, I measured). Or more practically pictured as a boot fitting project: 4 layers of Gorilla tape.

October 25, 2019 30 comments

La Sportiva Skorpius CR — First Look Review

by Doug Stenclik October 3, 2019

written by Doug Stenclik

New for 2019-20, the La Sportiva Skorpius CR

Skorpius CR: A touring boot with race ambitions

What’s in a name? The new Skorpius CR from La Sportiva gives the impression that putting on these boots will turn me into a transformer in a superhero movie. But, would Skorpius be the hero or the villain? Hero, we should hope though I suppose villains have their place on the podiums of randonee races as well as anyone else.

Potentials of good and evil aside, the claimed 1000 g (though we weighed as 1185 g) Grilamid/carbon constructed boot could in fact transform the average ski tourer into a randonee racing machine. Or just a more efficient ski tourer. That is, after all, part of the boot’s intent. La Sportiva calls the Skorpius CR “a lightweight touring boot for general backcountry skiing” that’s also suitable for the dabbler in randonee races. The boot shares the same shape and geometry as Sportiva’s 2018 Solar (Stellar for women) with the upgrade of carbon reinforced cuff and shell. With a 68 degree range of motion, it’s clearly oriented to efficiency uphill, but gets an upgrade in stiffness (rated 100 vs. 90 for the Solar) to accommodate heavier, more aggressive skiers on the down.

October 3, 2019 20 comments

Ski Touring Boot Buying Guide — Part II

by TheEditors OfWildsnow September 24, 2019

written by TheEditors OfWildsnow

Tech Tuesday is recurring segment sponsored by Dynafit to get you in the right touring gear and make sure you know how to use it.

The external lever walk mode of the two left boots has become the standard, while the La Sportiva Spectre is internalizes the process.

The external lever walk mode of the two left boots has become the standard, while the La Sportiva Spectre internalizes the process.

Tips on materials, features and buying used

Ski touring boots remain the most complicated link in the chain of gear available to get you into the mountains efficiently. In Part I of our boot buying guide, we developed an understanding of the types of touring boots and basic factors to consider when shopping. In Part II, we look at common features of touring boots to give you a deeper understanding. Depending on your intended use, some features are nice to have and some can be avoided. Here, 7 tips to help you choose the right ones, along with advice on buying used.

1. Materials define performance. Know your different types of plastic.
Polyurethane, or PU, is a plastic used in most alpine ski boots and some varieties of alpine touring boots. It’s stiff and has a consistent, familiar flex, and is inexpensive and easy to manufacture. Because it’s common in alpine boots, boot fitters are accustomed to working with it and are able to more effectively fit boots made with PU. Unfortunately PU is the heaviest of the materials used in ski boots as it needs to be thicker to provide necessary stiffness and stability. The plastic is also affected by temperature; the boot will feel noticeably softer on a warm spring day and stiffer on a cold day.

Pebax is another traditional plastic used in ski touring boots. It is light and stiff, but somewhat less forgiving than PU. Most AT boots are made of Pebax. Unfortunately you will be hard-pressed to find a Pebax boot that has the progressive flex of your resort boots. On the positive side, Pebax isn’t affected by temperature as much, so it’s great for spring ski mountaineering.

Grilamid is a relatively new shell material on the ski mountaineering boot scene, commonly seen in higher-end AT boots. It’s a specialized plastic that’s a formulation of nylon. Grilamid has the advantage of being stiff and strong, therefore minimal material can be used, which reduces weight and bulk. Although it’s stiff, some skiers feel Grilamid doesn’t have as nice a flex as polyurethane. It also tends to be expensive to manufacture, and those costs are passed through to the consumer.

Carbon fiber is used to varying degrees in high-end ski touring boots. It is ultralight and ultra stiff, and can dramatically reduce a boot’s weight. Unfortunately, carbon fiber boot parts are expensive and difficult to manufacture. It’s more common to see carbon fiber used as reinforcement while molding plastic. That way you can use lighter thinner plastic, but keep the boot stiff and high performance.

September 24, 2019 7 comments

Ski Touring Boot Buying Guide – Part I – Categories

by Louie Dawson September 17, 2019

written by Louie Dawson

Editor’s note: As part of our Tech Tuesday Tips, we refurbished this classic post with updates for the ’19/20 season. Please note that boot examples are just that, and not intended to be a complete listing of what’s available. Also, the lines between categories are blurring as ski boot innovation continues, so there is some wiggle room between these. Suggestions welcome, and stay tuned for Part II where we delve into materials.

The explosion of ski touring boots as evidenced by this sampling.

New backcountry skiers often ask me for advice, and questions about buying AT (alpine ski touring) boots are by far the most common. Therefore I thought it would be useful to put together a comprehensive yet basic buying guide for AT ski boots. This aims to be an explanation of all the types of ski touring boots and boot features rather than recommending certain brands (though for our example boots we only use those with a good reputation). It’s targeted to those new to ski touring, but hopefully will find some use by everyone.

Fitting your ski touring boots

It’s tempting to buy a boot based on the latest features and hype (from WildSnow.com?), but fit is the most important factor when buying a new ski touring boot. A well fitting “shoe” will be more comfortable, warmer, and will ski better than one bought on the merits of features alone. Pressure points can be painful, or too much wiggle room will make even a stiff boot ski worse than a well-fitting softer boot (a reason “flex ratings” can be lame, which we’ll explore in the next post).

The shell of a boot (as well as the liner) is designed according to a “last.” This is the generic foot form that the boot is molded on. Different companies use different lasts. Because the shape of lasts vary, it’s difficult to buy your first-ever backcountry ski boots online, sight unseen. Instead, we recommend buying from a reputable shop so you can easily evaluate how the last of the boot fits your foot. Once you find a brand/last that works, it can possibly be the brand you pick for many years. (Find our reader-voted best ski shops here.)

If you’re new to the ski touring game, the best way to find the ideal match for your foot is to work with a bootfitter or a shop employee trained in bootfitting. We can’t emphasize this enough. They will evaluate your foot and point you to a boot that can accommodate your foot’s shape and any fit issues you have. Do not base your purchase on what fits your friends, or what a reviewer says “fit off the shelf,” or “felt great.” Those are not your feet.

September 17, 2019 75 comments

BREAKING NEWS — SCARPA Recalls Maestrale RS (Fall 2017 manufacturing run)

by Lou Dawson September 13, 2019

written by Lou Dawson

Maestrale RS and Maestrale. The recall is for the 2017 version of these boots, before you panic, IDENTIFY YOUR BOOTS USING THE SCARPA WEBSITE LINKS BELOW. SCARPA fixed the problem in later manufacturing runs.

SCARPA Maestrale RS. While this boot began its tenure as a fairly reliable workhorse, it is no secret that the fall 2017 manufacturing run of both Maestrale flavors had problems with cracks developing in the toe area of the lower shell (scaffo).

According to my source at SCARPA, they saw the first cracked scaffos beginning January of 2018. At first, I’m told, the return numbers were within the realm of acceptable quality level (AQL) — and the problematic manufacturing run was virtually sold out by January of 2018. The defect was in the long U-shaped opening in the lower shell underneath the tongue. This opening is configured as much to facilitate release from the injection molding machine as it is to function for the user, and it introduced a weak point. For unknown reasons, the SCARPA factory’s cyclic boot durability testing didn’t catch the defect — it was boxed up and shipped for consumers to discover (yes, I like that about as much as you do, dear readers). SCARPA fixed the problem in the next run of Maestrale and Maestrale RS for fall 2018 (and we hope revamped their in-house testing).

The Fall 2017 run was thousands of boots, and the breakage/returns gradually exceeded SCARPA’s threshold for acceptable quality level. As I’ve written about in the past, I’m an advocate of immediately recalling any safety-related product (just about any mountaineering gear) with issues. But things take time in the big ol’ world. It’s now fall of 2019, two years since those first fall 2017 Maestrales hit the retail pipeline — and cracked.

Thus, I’d have liked to see it happen sooner, but I’m glad it is happening. SCARPA now announces a voluntary recall of All fall 2017 manufacturing run Maestrale RS. They will repair the boots by installing a new scaffo.

As always, we applaud any ski touring gear company going all-in on a recall instead of playing games with PR, customer service, tired euphemisms. Nothing is perfect. Our loved ones and friends use this gear. If there’s a problem, I want it zeroed. Seeing SCARPA own up to the imperfections and make it right is key. They’re doing it. They’re a good company who deserves our support. If you’re a Maestrale or Maestrale RS owner, use the info links below to ascertain the need for a return. If so, enjoy your new scaffos. And let us know how your return process proceeds. Official word follows. Comments open!

SCARPA issues voluntary recall for 2017 Maestrale and Maestrale RS ski boots

Only 2017 boots are affected; users are asked to send boots back to SCARPA immediately for repair.

BOULDER, Colo. (DRAFT) – SCARPA North America has elected to voluntarily recall all Fall 2017 Maestrale and Maestrale RS ski boots. It appears that under certain conditions, the boot shell may crack, which may render the boots unusable for skiing.

This recall applies only to the Fall 2017 Maestrale or Maestrale RS models purchased in North America. It does not apply to any other Maestrale or Maestrale RS models. A guide on how to identify affected Fall 2017 models can be found at this link on SCARPA’s North American web site.

SCARPA North America is asking all consumers who have purchased Fall 2017 Maestrale and Maestrale RS ski boots in North America to cease using them immediately and return them to SCARPA North America as soon as possible for repair.

To initiate a recall and receive a shipping label free of charge, consumers may email recall@SCARPA.com. More information is available at http://www.scarpa.com/product-recall. SCARPA is also available via phone toll free at (866) 998- 2895 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. MST Monday through Friday.

Initially, SCARPA is anticipating a two-to-three-week turnaround time once the boots are received to repair and return. During ski season, SCARPA is anticipating a one-week turnaround. Boots will be repaired in the order they are received.

SCARPA North America apologizes for any inconvenience this causes users of its ski boots.

CONTINUE READING FOR SPECIFIC INSTRUCTION ON IDENTIFYING DEFECTIVE BOOTS

September 13, 2019 43 comments

Hoji Free Review–Retail First Look

by Doug Stenclik September 12, 2019

written by Doug Stenclik

The Hoji in their natural habitat.

Long-awaited Hoji Free comes to life

With the then-new Hoji Pro Tour boots on my feet, I climbed up a basin while staring at the Continental Divide that loomed before my ski partner and I. I pointed at the bowl of freshly fallen snow in front of us. “When we ski here we usually just set kick turns right up the gut,” I told my ski partner, “but this new snow has me a little concerned.”

“I am normally pretty conservative with my line choice, especially in a new area,” he replied. “I would feel more comfortable sticking to the ridgeline.”

We shouldered our skis as we pulled onto the rocky ridge, trading efficiency of movement for personal safety. From the less-stressful vantage of the ridgeline, we could divert the conversation from safety concerns to my favorite topic: gear.

My ski partner was incredibly excited about the new Hoji boots, especially as we scrambled over rocks and tested them in true ski touring fashion. That Speed Nose managed a steep boot pack fine, he said, but he worried that the lack of a toe welt would limit the boot’s wide acceptance. He also wished the boot cuff was just a bit higher and the flex just a bit stiffer, but otherwise absolutely loved the boot in every touring application.

We snapped some selfies and it was time to see how these boots really skied. It was a dawn patrol morning and my ski partner was Eric Hjorleifson, the man behind the Hoji. He was visiting Colorado for a few days en route to ISPO to unveil his new boot at the European tradeshow.

September 12, 2019 45 comments

La Sportiva Sytron — Gnar Level .9 and That’s Good

by Dr Alex Lee May 27, 2019

written by Dr Alex Lee

Alex Lee

Shop for Sytron spring deals.

La Sportiva Sytron

Not so long ago, the backcountry boot game involved a simple equation: tally the level gnar of you wanted to ski on a scale from 2 to 4 and correlate each gnar point to the number of buckles on your ski boot. If you wanted to rip spines in Alaska, you bought a 4-buckle boot and added a power strap. If you wanted to do Lycra laps in an up-down race, you bought a 2-buckle boot and removed unnecessary pieces (I am embarrassed to say I once unscrewed the logo on a pair of race boots to save weight. Boot gnar level 1/2!).

There is an obvious problem with this equation — no matter what sort of ski tourer you are, most of your day is spent going uphill and yet you don’t want to ski down in sneakers. This has led boot makers to both try and shed weight from (and add mobility to) the burlier end of their line, and add stiffness and durability to their lighter boots. The La Sportiva Sytron is a prime example of the latter: a ski-mo race style boot with backcountry capabilities.

Last week I had a chance to take the Sytron up and down some PNW volcanoes. They were oh-so-quick on the up and held there own just fine on the down. Here is my initial take after about 30k vert in corn and spring hot-pow.

May 27, 2019 6 comments

Tech Crampon on Hoji — Fits Like the Hendrix Headband

by Lou Dawson May 20, 2019

written by Lou Dawson

Tech Crampons have retailed for a while now. They work on the Dynafit Hoji. We still have the original version — not sure why we never got upgraded. I like the garage-made look of ours, but know the latest ver has that ‘factory finish’ look. They’re for sale at Pro Ski. Our full Tech Crampon Techpon review is here.

May 20, 2019 20 comments

Dynafit Cramp-In Crampons — A for Innovation

by Gary Smith May 6, 2019

written by Gary Smith

Pulling Cramp-Ins in the Elk Mountains, Capitol Peak towering in the distance.

Many have lamented the “Speed Nose” toe Dynafit includes on a number of their boot models. Scroll through the Wildsnow archives and you will find comments such as, “The one drawback in the Hoji Boot’s design is the unfortunate inclusion of the Speed Nose.” That’s from me six months ago. Lou’s concerns are known as well. While it’s common for discussion of the Speed Nose limitations to lament incompatibility with bindings such as the Shift as well as incompatibility with “normal” crampons, my concerns are more about having a strong, effective “real” crampon. Dynafit’s minimalist aluminum Cramp-In solution is innovative, but how “real” is it? How much should I really be concerned — how rad do I really get climbing in my ski boots? How often am I kicking blue ice with serious fall potential?

I have used Dynafit’s Cramp-In with my Hoji Pro Tour boots for about a month now. Dynafit’s party line is these are more upgrade than band-aid for non-technical ski boot crampons — that they’re “real.” My impressions, after 8,000 vertical feet or so of steep snow booting and rocky ridgeline traverses on the Cramp-In’s, are largely positive and align with Dynafit, with a few concerns.

May 6, 2019 21 comments

Hoji Pro Ski Boot — Power Strap Length Mod

by Lou Dawson April 3, 2019

written by Lou Dawson

With due respect to Dynafit for producing an otherwise excellent ski touring boot — The Hoji Pro power strap is lame. The end of the non-buckle side is a thick wad of plastic that’s difficult to insert into and remove from the buckle. You can cut the kludgy end off and taper-melt the webbing so it inserts easier, but the factory-length strap is already too short for an easy grab-and-pull, cutting the tip off makes it even shorter. My solution, demolish and replace.

The short OEM strap, I cut the plastic wad off the end and made it even shorter, time for a mod swap.

The short OEM strap with the wad of plastic cut from the end, that made it worse in terms of length, though easier to insert and remove from the buckle.

April 3, 2019 9 comments

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