Testers and test conditions
The ski boot has been tested since the end of April 2025 in a wide variety of snow conditions - from spring powder and early May slush surfing to early winter powder and icy cold Christmas days on hard slopes. My boot size is 41.5/42, and the size 26.5 shell feels like a good fit. I left the canting at 0° and currently ride the boot with a spoiler. I don't have problem feet - many ski boots fit me out-of-the-box.
For years I've only been freeriding in convertible models from Dalbello. The old yellow Krypton models with Intuition liners were the reference for me in terms of cushioning and fit. When touring, I use the Tecnica Zero G Pro, which for me offers a very good balance between weight and downhill performance.
Skis and bindings that I skied with the boot:
Scott Scrapper 124 + Look Pivot
Dynastar M Free 108 + Look Pivot
Armada Declivity 82 TI + Armada Strive
Practical test
"This is supposed to be a ski boot with a last width of 96 mm?" That was my first thought when I put the boot on for the first time. While the heel and midfoot area fit well, the toe box made me feel more like I was standing in an Airbus A380 than in a "freeride boot with race DNA".
A little skeptical, I took the new boot straight to Engelberg for a typical April powder day: powder stress in the morning, two more laps over the "knife" in the northern flank of the Reissend Nollen at lunchtime and then some slush surfing on the valley descent in the afternoon. It wasn't until I was having a beer in the parking lot that I realized I had a new boot on my feet.
This feeling didn't change over the entire test period. The boot fits exactly as a good ski boot should. The heel is securely fixed and thanks to the anatomical toe box, there is enough freedom in the forefoot area to control the ski precisely. It feels as if you are playing the piano with your feet: Every movement of the toes, no matter how small, is transmitted directly to the ski as a steering impulse. I was not familiar with this sensitivity from my previous ski boots.
The flex of the boot is progressive and feels neither too hard nor too soft. Accordingly, I decided not to fit the second screw on the shaft in order to achieve an even more direct and aggressive ride. For me, the boot is sporty and direct enough. Thanks to the harmonious progressive flex, the soft bootboard and the high-quality liner, the boot has outstanding cushioning properties. This is particularly advantageous when the terrain gets rougher or the slopes tougher: the boot remains calm and absorbs impacts effectively without losing precision. Compared to my Dalbello Krypton Pro, it has slightly less cushioning, but is much more precise and direct.
I tested the boot both on warm spring days and in double-digit sub-zero temperatures. This had virtually no effect on the flex, which is due to the world cup-proven and temperature-stable PU plastic. In addition, the sporty, thin inner boot has a high-quality look, and the lacing in particular helps to fix the heel even better.
What sounds so good must have a catch, right? There is one: you shouldn't be sensitive to the cold. Even on spring days, my feet were rather chilly and in the double-digit sub-zero temperatures of the last few weeks, they were borderline. Overall, the workmanship of the shoe makes a very good impression and there are normal signs of wear. However, the screwed and replaceable Gripwalk sole doesn't look like it was made to last.
