A lot has happened in recent years when it comes to the downhill performance of touring ski boots. While the development of more stable frame bindings and, most recently, downhill-oriented tech (hybrid) bindings have created a need for boots of this type, top touring boot models with specified flex values of 100-130 have come onto the market, or alpine or overlap designs have been equipped with walking functions and replaceable soles. The Italian ski boot manufacturer Dalbello, which belongs to Marker/Völkl, is now launching a ski touring boot on the market which, as a descendant of the top freeride model KR2 Pro, is a 3-piece or convertible design boot with a walking function, interchangeable soles and tech inserts.
Relatively coinciding with the launch of the Marker Kingpin binding, this boot is attempting to close a gap in the touring boot market where only K2 has been with its Pinnacle model: A ski boot for all types of bindings: be it a normal alpine or racing binding, a classic touring binding with a frame or a tech binding - and without having to change soles. However, the latter is only partially true for our test model; officially, we strongly advise against using it in alpine bindings with the currently available sole, as a secure release cannot be guaranteed despite the hard plastic overlay at the crucial points. From fall 2015, however, interchangeable soles similar to those of the normal Lupo model will be available, so that the boot will really fit into any binding.
Like its counterpart without tech inserts, the Lupo T.I. is based on the shell of the KR2, which is also known and appreciated as the Krypton Pro. Unfortunately, the Krypton Pro was always difficult to get hold of in the past, at least in the German-speaking Alpine region, or hardly any store had one of the models in stock that you could have tried out. However, since the normal Lupo model has been available and has been well received, the boots are appearing more and more frequently in stores. In addition to the tech inserts, the Lupo T.I. differs from the normal Lupo model in that it has slightly lighter buckles with slightly smaller levers, a different (lighter) material for the upper shaft area, a different power strap, hooks to attach open buckles on the ascent and an inner shoe with "lacing". If you want to know more about the KR2 Pro model, you can take a look at the test on Blistergear.
Design
In principle, it is a further development of the convertible design as used in the Raichle and later Fulltilt models. This design was initially very popular with racers, later mainly with mogul skiers and last but not least with many freestylers and freeriders. Comparatively low weight, progressive and interchangeable flex of the tongue, easy to put on and take off and fewer consequences if jumps are not landed cleanly are the advantages over overlap boots or classic 4-buckle boots, which are said to have a more precise fit and therefore more control over the ski. The latter may be true, but this feeling is subjectively different for everyone, much is based on habit and, last but not least, the desired location and skiing style tend to decide which ski boot concept is right for you.
In any case, the KR2 is said to be the most similar to the 4-buckle boots in terms of precision as far as convertible design boots are concerned. In comparison with the Raichle Flexon shell, this is indeed true, the shaft is noticeably stiffer at the sides, which has a more direct feel for the ski. The additional heel hold compared to Flexons is also immediately noticeable when skiing with wide skis in slightly heavier snow. The fact that it is not as easy to slip in and out as with flexons is something you are happy to accept. Whilst the angle of the Krypton Pro can be adjusted, this is not possible on the Lupo models due to the design, as the walking function is engaged or disengaged at this point. The walking function lever makes a solid impression and is easy to operate. The walking function will probably remain the sticking point of the shoe for many: here, a few more degrees of shaft rotation to the rear are taken out, at most the buckles can be opened to the front and attached to the attachment points provided for this purpose. The tongue and the overlap part under the top buckle prevent much forward rotation. In return, however, you have a responsive flex or, if you want, the same flex as the Krypton Pro.
Because Dalbello relies on a more modern, upright stance for the KR2 shell, which is based on current rocker skis and a more central position over the ski, and you don't have the option of adjusting the Lupo more forward lean, you have to deal with the relatively upright position at first; After many years of using flexons with maximum forward lean, this is not an easy undertaking, so a few days of skiing passed with some initial frustration about the new way of standing on the ski until you get to know and appreciate the more upright position. A booster strap instead of the normal power strap also helped to improve the unusually tight flex behavior at the beginning of the forward pressure build-up, which was not so easy to initiate due to the more upright position.
Fit
With its 98 mm last, the boot is "typically Italian", i.e. relatively narrow. If Raichle shells fit you, the Dalbellos should also be fine, but classic Salomon shoe wearers might find the shoe too narrow. The shell is designed for a wider range of feet, so the boot should fit them without much modification. In addition, the Intuition Liner can be built up and a little more volume can be added in key areas (e.g. toe box, ankle). Frequently occurring problem areas such as the 6th toe, ankle, heel, fifth metatarsal bone and navicular bone have been taken into account in the shell design, but if nothing helps, there is nothing to stop the plastic material from deforming in contrast to Flexon/Fulltilt shells, or it is provided for in the corresponding areas by reinforcements in the material. As an indication of the boot size, it should be mentioned that the Lupo or a KR2 in MP 27 or 27.5 and 317 mm sole length is similar to a MP 28 or 28.5 Raichle shell with 318 mm. The decision to take the test boot one MP size smaller than the previous boot has paid off.
While they were quite tight at the beginning (like Fulltilts), the boots fit better and better after about 10 days of breaking them in and baking them on twice, so that you now don't have to open and close the buckles for half a day or a whole day. The long-term gear review will show whether the motto of having boots that are too big after a few days pays off in the beginning.
Interim conclusion
The range of use of the boot is huge and is aimed at almost all activities that can be done on skis and at customers who only want to get used to a single ski boot and want to call up its performance for every skiing activity. The only drawback is the rotation range of the walking function. Obviously, it is not intended for altitude gnawing, multi-day high-altitude tours or ski expeditions, just as it would be too expensive and a shame to use it exclusively in the park. For everything in between and for skiers who are versatile, there are indications that Dalbello has succeeded with the Lupo T.I., which together with a customizable Intuition Liner weighs relatively little, a boot that can satisfy most skiers' demands (e.g. also those of people who are eyeing the CAST system, but have so far failed on the ski boot question).
A second test report on the long-term performance will be published in autumn after the boot has been tested over a meaningful period of time. If our readers have any questions about the boot, please feel free to post them as comments and we will try to address them in the long-term gear review.
