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Short-term Gear Review | Dynafit Tigard

The new top boot from Dynafit

by Lorenzo Rieg 03/16/2023
The Tigard (a mixture of Tiger and Leopard, by the way) is the new top boot from Dynafit. At approx. 1.5kg, the Tigard is a relatively light touring boot. Thanks to the carbon-reinforced Grilamid, overlap construction and the massive Hoji-Lock locking mechanism, it still has a real flex of 130.

First impression

The boot is quite massive. I normally ski in more "ski touring" looking boots and the Tigard looks like a lighter alpine boot with a walking mechanism. This consists of the Hoji-Lock, which also closes and opens the upper buckles and the strap and is very solid. Thanks to the Grip Walk sole, the boot can also be used in many alpine bindings and thus presents itself as a possible one-shoe solution for freeriders who want to use the boot both on ski tours and in the ski resort.

Another striking feature is the massive-looking liner, which is reinforced in several places. It partly contains Primaloft material and should therefore be very warm.

Tester & test conditions

I weigh a good 80kg and am 183cm tall. I ski a lot, especially on ski tours. I put a lot of importance to downhill skiing and therefore usually use rather wide skis and stiff boots. I've tested a lot of boots over the last few years, I usually wear a Scarpa Maestrale RS or a La Sportiva Skorpius.

I used the boot for about a month on ski tours, mainly in powder and frozen, chopped up snow and a little on the piste, despite the poor snow conditions.

I used a Blizzard Zero G 105 ski and an ATK Freeraider 13 EVO. The boot fits me quite well, although the lower part of the shell has a bit too much volume for me. Interestingly, it's not the width but rather the height, which can hardly be reduced with the two buckles. But fit is a very individual thing anyway and a detailed fitting of ski boots is therefore essential.

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Test report

Firstly, the Tigard is remarkably easy to put on. Especially in comparison with my other frequently used ski touring boots, it's really easy. On the ascent, I leave the buckles completely open and only close the strap slightly. The latter does not have a Velcro fastener but a very sturdy clamp fastener. Since the Hoji-Lock locking mechanism also loosens or tightens the two upper buckles and the strap a little, I initially thought it might be possible to leave the buckles on the shaft closed or only hooked in. This also works in principle, but it does restrict freedom of movement quite a bit. I have used the function a few times for short trudges or on the way to the lift, but for real ascents it is worth opening the buckles.

The ascent then goes well, in terms of manoeuvrability and weight the boot is comparable with many other more downhill-oriented boots and doesn't really stand out here. I didn't get cold feet even when standing around for long periods in cold weather. However, I can well imagine that it will quickly get a little warm in the boots in spring.

Switching to downhill mode is also quick, but I have to say that the lever for locking the shaft is really incredibly difficult to get down. It requires a considerable amount of force. Jokingly, I have already claimed that the most strenuous part of a ski tour with boots is switching to downhill mode. On the other hand, the system makes it practically impossible for the mechanism to ice up, which can happen with other boots.

Another advantage becomes apparent on the descent: the mechanism is simply incredibly tight, there is no play and very good power transfer from the shaft to the rest of the boot and therefore to the ski. This is of course very good, and the Tigard is also a really stiff boot. To be honest, the boot was rather too hard for me, especially in combination with the rather soft Blizzard Zero Gs. With my ski touring legs, I can barely flex the Tigard, which in combination with the rather upright shaft makes for an almost too direct power transmission.

But that shouldn't be a whinge, after all, the boot does exactly what it promises on the descent and delivers uncompromising performance that few other ski touring boots can currently match. So it certainly makes sense that it comes with the Grip Walk soles, which I honestly don't appreciate so much when it comes to climbing insoles. Personally, I would also use the boot immediately in the ski area, as it is at least as suitable for downhill skiing as my alpine boots - and I don't think I've written that in any of my numerous boot reviews.

It's really easy to get out of the Tigard after a ski tour, no comparison with the fuss of some other ski touring boots, such as my Maestrales...

Conclusion

A very downhill-orientated ski touring and freeride boot that can also be used well in the ski resort and therefore leaves little to be desired. If the boot fits well, it may even be suitable as a one-shoe solution.

Advantages & disadvantages

+ Really excellent downhill performance

+ Very easy to put on and take off

- Quite expensive at €800

Information

RRP €800,-

  • Hoji Lock

  • Easy Entry

  • Gripwalk sole

  • ISO 9523

  • Overlap construction

  • Primaloft liner

Here is the Dynafit website with further information.

The boot was provided to PowderGuide by the manufacturer free of charge for testing. Find out how we tested them in our test statement.

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This article has been automatically translated by DeepL with subsequent editing. If you notice any spelling or grammatical errors or if the translation has lost its meaning, please write an e-mail to the editors.

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