First impression
As already mentioned, there is now a whole Lupo model range with shoes in different price segments and corresponding features. There are also wider shell variants with the "AX" models. In addition to the KR2 shell shape, which was previously limited to a 98mm last width, Dalbello has positioned itself for the wider masses with a 102mm wide version of the same shell shape.
The AX in the name identifies the wider models. These are available in different flex and weight variants (AX 125 C, AX120, AX 115 and AX 110 W), whereby the AX 115 and AX 110 W unfortunately have a lower shaft rotation (comparable to the first Lupo T.I.). The Lupo 130C and the Lupo Factory, each with a 98mm last width, differ slightly in weight, as well as in the supplied liner and a kind of booster strap, which only the Factory has. As I already had the predecessor of the Factory (Carbon Lupo), I was interested in the 130C - the successor to the original Lupo T.I. and probably the most versatile model.
What is immediately noticeable is that Dalbello now supplies its own liner and no longer includes the usual Intuition liner. The top-of-the-range Lupo Factory model comes with an Intuition Liner, but like all other Lupo models it has a lace-up tongue. The disadvantages of the overlap liner, which is actually used as standard in all Cabrio Design boots, have apparently led to the fitting of tongue liners here. At the same time, they have probably tried to keep the price of the boots a little lower by producing their own liners and to increase the margin by no longer having to buy the (really very good) Intuition liners. At first glance, the new Dalbello liner looks less high-quality and the first time you slip it on, you get a completely different feeling than you are used to from all the very similar predecessor models with Intuition liners. The supplied, very stiff tongue (for the 130 flex) in combination with the new liner leads to a very upright stance, even more upright than the already somewhat steeper Lupos/KR2s.
The shell looks delicate, is prone to scratches due to the soft plastic, but still holds up well a year later. A replaceable element has been integrated into the heels. Apparently, the soft plastic causes deep notches to form in the shell due to bindings that "bite" very hard (e.g. markers). If this happens, you can replace the fersten part. I had a Marker Jester on a test ski, the traces of this are clearly visible above the replaceable part after relatively few days.
The buckles are designed a little differently than on the previous models and can easily become so wedged when you close them to the last step that you can no longer open them easily. However, with a little concentration and good nerves, I have always managed to get them open so far.
Test
My first ride began with a sobering realization: I could hardly ski sensibly with the boot as I got it. Far too steep, hardly any grip, pressure points that I had never had before in the same shell. However, as I had already suspected this during a dry test at home, I took my old Intuition Overlap Liner with me, swapped it and was amazed at how much the performance of the boot had changed for the better. Of course I'm used to the old liner, which tends to give a better feeling than a completely new liner, but this also revealed the clear weaknesses of the Dalbello liner:
Little padding and if so, then in the wrong places, the liner slipping around in the shell, poor power transmission.
With the "normal" Intuition liner, the boot rides like a dream and is the best Lupo model for me so far. Almost as light as the Carbon Lupo, durable even with intensive, multidisciplinary use, lots of shaft rotation in walk mode, no disadvantages compared to a normal alpine boot like the Krypton Pro (apart from the template adjustment, which the Krypton Pro can offer due to the lack of walk mode). Personally, I still have a C tongue from my older Lupo stock in use, which is slightly softer than the one supplied, suits my skiing style better and allows a little more forward lean if necessary. The harder tongue (B) on the Lupos has always been a little too hard for me.
Though the shoe is not the lightest on paper and there are certainly lighter models from other manufacturers in a comparable shoe category, you still don't have any blocks on your legs, on the contrary. Measured against the performance of the shoe, which for me is without compromise that of the comparable alpine shoe, the shoe is very light. The walking mode is very robust and has no negative influence on the forward flex of the boot. At first I thought removing the tongue was an unnecessary gimmick, but now I also take it off for shorter ascents, as you can then close the lower buckles nicely and thus have more lateral support. You can leave the upper buckle open and move forwards and backwards unhindered on the ascent.
