The Spark XV is this year's signature board of multiple Freeride World Tour winner Xavier de le Rue, which Austrian board manufacturer Deeluxe has dedicated to its exceptional rider. It is a further development of the Deeluxe-Spark model, which caused a sensation in the freeride and touring community last year, as Deeluxe finally dared to install a genuine Vibram mountain sole on a snowboard boot. Thanks to its stiffness and profile, it promises better step resistance and, with a rear sole edge, makes the use of semi-automatic crampons possible.
Halfway hard and functional snowboard boots for more demanding freeriding or touring have always been few and far between.
This is not surprising, but the trend towards off-piste skiing has created a gap in the snowboard segment that needs to be filled. Austrian manufacturer Deeluxe is one of the first companies to venture into the requirements of a specialized freeride/touring snowboard boot. The Spark XV, signature boot of Xavier de le Rue, is the result of these efforts.
You can read below whether the boot was able to fulfill its marketing promise "This boot has everything you need for freeriding at a higher level"...
First impression
I was excited about the new Deeluxe Spark, after all, I had a Deeluxe boot a few years ago and was very happy with it. When I opened the package, my first impression was: "It's huge!" And indeed, as the comparison photos with a Salomon Malamute show, the Spark trumps it in all dimensions. After the size shock was digested and I stood in the boat for the first time, my mood improved. "They're definitely comfortable," I thought and set about putting them on.
The quick-lacing system, which is available in similar designs from many manufacturers, worked well, it could be easier to open, but that's not a problem. However, the lacing of the lower shoe is nonsensically connected to the lacing of the upper shoe, as can be seen in the following sketch. This has two disadvantages: firstly, I can't really lace them up independently of each other, as they are connected. And secondly, I have to put on both parts of the shoe at the same time, otherwise I will shorten the cable for the other half enormously. When walking around for the first time, I also noticed that the boot was too small for me, even though I ordered it in my standard size 27.0. The shoes are around one size smaller, which makes the size problem even more problematic, especially for riders with large feet. The workmanship of the outer shoe is, as far as first impressions go, beyond reproach. The inner shoe on the other hand (I have the Performance Flex Liner, PF for short) seemed a bit soft to me, but in combination with the outer shoe it had a good flex behavior. Another important point, especially in terms of ascent performance, is the weight. Here too, the Spark beats the Salomon Malamute by a long way, which is not so good in this case. The Deeluxe weighs in at 1350 grams per boot, while the Salomon is over 200 grams lighter, which is quite a lot of extra weight that needs to be moved with every step.
During the season
In the first few days, as is often the case with new boots, the boot was a little stiff and it took a lot of effort to close it completely. However, as expected, this changed after a few days. The lacing system also works perfectly off-road once you get used to the little peculiarities. The shoe is pleasantly warm and tight, and my feet hurt less than usual on the first few descents, which is a good sign! The improved step resistance is particularly good on ridges or in mixed terrain, you have a much better foothold - thanks to Vibram. I found and still find the flex behavior of the boot good, not too hard but still direct, and even if I had to adjust my binding straps to the maximum to be able to close my binding at all, the boot fits remarkably well in the soft boot binding. The downhill and uphill performance of the Deeluxe Spark XV convinced me. In contrast to some other riders, I didn't have the problem of severe blistering in the heel area, but every foot is different - you only learn from experience...
The build quality seems to confirm the first impression, so far the boot still looks good and is still tight, although it has had to endure a lot, that's how it should be!
Conclusion
Deeluxe has largely kept its marketing promises. The shoe works, is comfortable and does what it is supposed to. However, there is still significant room for improvement, especially in terms of size and weight. In my opinion, the next step for Deeluxe is a step into their own past. Softboot with tech inserts would be my suggestion here...
Advantages & disadvantages
+ genuine Vibram mountain sole with rear sole edge
+ actually waterproof and a very comfortable shoe with good flex
- quite heavy (1350 grams in size 43)
- very bulky/clunky
- lacing system can be improved (maybe this has already happened with this year's version, I haven't had it in my hands yet)
- runs small!
Details
RRP: 379 euros PF, 399 euros TF (Thermofoam liner)
Weight: 1350 grams per shoe in size 43
original Vibram "Icelock" sole
DuPont Surlyn® highback for particularly high rigidity and durability
D-Tex membrane and sandwich construction for durable waterproofness
Powerstrap for maximum support
TPS-Shield to reinforce the tongue for a stiffer flex
