Back in spring there was a first look (link) at the new Lupo T.I., the crossover boot from Dalbello. Since many aspects were already covered there, this article deals with the impression after about 40 days of skiing and the experiences gained during the test period.
Application
The boot was skied a lot in the ski area as an alpine boot, often in the park in spring, but also in powder at Easter, for example. In addition, on around five tours with a frame binding and on one tour with a tech binding. The tester is 189cm tall, weighs approx. 80kg without equipment and skis relatively often and prefers to ski downhill.
Experience
The skiing characteristics still match those described in the First Look. The boot has neither become noticeably softer nor worn out anywhere. The size that was deliberately narrow at the beginning now fits perfectly.
On the ascent:
The fact that this is not a real touring boot has already become clear in the first look. The walking function is practically a lever which, when opened, allows the shaft to rotate backwards. This has no effect on forward rotation as the tongue is in the way. The following unofficial trick can be used to get a little more forward rotation: Place the tongue in front of or outside the black overlap parts of the shaft and thus have significantly less resistance to the front. Although this is not intended, it works wonderfully and makes a noticeable difference. Otherwise, the boot was easy to get on and the lacing on the inner boot ensures a certain amount of support for the foot even when the shell is fully open.
When riding:
The ambient temperature has an influence on the hardness of the boot: on spring days in the park, it is softer than on cold winter days. An effect that probably occurs with most ski boots and which I personally can live with quite well. The flex can also be varied via the top buckle, if you tighten it here, it makes the boot a little harder, conversely you can, for example, not tighten the top buckle quite as much when skiing in the park to have a slightly softer flexing boot. However, if the shoe is too soft for you, you have the option of fitting a harder tongue (orange). I currently get on well with the standard white tongue. In terms of hardness, it is roughly between the 8 and 10 mm tongues compared to fulltilt. I can only estimate what this means in "normal" flex figures, but the boot with the softer tongue probably has a flex of around 100-120. If the boot becomes too soft over time, there is always the option of using the harder tongues to compensate for this. There is a hard (=white) and a slightly softer (=orange) footbed, whereby the latter is not overly soft, but it does at least give a little.
Durability
So far, the shoes have been very durable and do not wear out quickly. With the exception of the liner, which is now better adapted to the foot, the Lupo T.I. rides like it did on the first day or better. The test model still had prototype buckles made of a slightly bending material, which is why you can see normal (slightly heavier) Krypton buckles as a replacement in the photos. However, a different material was used for the production model and no problems have been reported by friends and acquaintances who now also ride the boot.
Compatibility
A clear advantage of the Lupo T.I is that it can be used in any binding imaginable. With the touring sole fitted, the boot fits in all tech and frame bindings, as the soles are also compatible with the WTR standard. With the noticeably thinner alpine sole, the boot fits in all bindings anyway. As one of only very few boots on the market (alongside the K2 Pinnacle (review) which we have already tested here and the models from Roxa (Gear of the Week), it is also compatible with the SI&I system from CAST thanks to the inserts in the boot instead of the sole (for an overview of the different sole standards for ski soles (touring sole, WTR, alpine), see Blister).
Although the boot does not have Dynafit's own and certified Quick-Step inserts, the entry into the pins works well, with the Fritschi Vipec you may have to adjust the width of the pins.
It should also be noted that the Lupo T.I. does not comply with the ISO 5355 standard for alpine soles, even with the alpine sole fitted. This is due to the tech inserts, which are not included in this standard. However, there is no direct contact between the metal inserts and the wings of a binding toe piece (at least on the 18 mm Pivot&FKS models I use). Apart from the inserts, the alpine sole meets all the requirements of the ISO 5355 standard. All ski boot and binding manufacturers agreed on this TÜV-certified standard a long time ago. It would be entirely possible to test and create a new standard with the same framework conditions, including tech inserts. However, it is more likely that most manufacturers will agree on a standard such as the Salomon/Atomic WTR or similar for most ski boots.
Conclusion
Personally, I like the ski boot extremely well, perhaps apart from the somewhat garish color. It skis very precisely and the modern, more upright stance is very comfortable after a short familiarization phase. There are hardly any faults to be found and if there are, they occur with excessive use (e.g. taking the inner boots out every day to dry, opening and closing the buckles on every lift ride) and can be easily rectified if necessary, as replacing buckles, for example, is uncomplicated and quick. Thanks to the modular design, many things can be adapted to personal preferences. Soft or hard footbed, flex of the tongue, touring or alpine sole, booster straps, other spoilers, all no problem. Even if I can mainly make a comparison with Fulltilts, for me it's the best ski boot I've skied in years and I've been quite happy with the Fulltilts so far, apart from the durability and compatibility with tech bindings. It really leaves nothing to be desired. As a pure ski touring boot, however, I would look for a lighter model.
Advantages & disadvantages
+ Very good riding characteristics
+ High-quality Intuition liner
+ Many options for customizing the boot
- Limited shaft rotation in walk mode
- Not very light
Information
RRP:€599.-
- Interchangeable tongues
- Canting adjustable on both sides
- Aluminum buckles with micro-adjustment options
- Screwed buckles for easier replacement
- X-tra Grip soles for best grip
- Low attachment point of the shaft for natural movement of the foot
Hereis the manufacturer's website with more information.
