As a boot fitter I agree with everything Niko is saying! It’s all about making the compromise’s that will give you the best experience for what type of skiing you’re doing. One thing I can add to this is that the plastic used in the construction of the boot can place massive limitations on how much room you can add with punching / stretching. A race boot with 6mm thick polyurethane will stretch significantly and give you the ability to grind out plastic, however a touring boot with 3mm thick gorilla mid composite will not-respond well to stretching and doesn’t provide any room to grind. This is generally why touring boots are made in higher volume fits as the plastics used place limitations on how much additional volume you can add. Would also love to hear Nikos thoughts on foot-beds and what he uses for arch support while skiing.
@@Nikolai_Schirmer I think you should try ZipFit liners, they are the best for your low volume problem (imho). They are not so restrictive as world cup foam liners, but they hold foot much better then regular liners or something like Sidas/Intuition etc. Also I think they will be super happy to have you on board for sponsorship, who won't? ps also seems like I need to try tigard with my high insteps :D pps and nooow I finished the video, where you talk about zipfits, my bad
I completely disagree with the manufacturers ethos they are effectively making a ski boot that fits some people well into a ski boot that fits nobody. Trying to justify this by saying its for tourists is very sad. Everyone needs a boot that fits properly.
this is the most transparent and well made ad for something i've ever seen. was shopping for freeride boots end of last season as well and only heard good things about the scarpas, but I couldn't get my giant foot inside of them without my feet dying in the first few seconds. that's why i ended up with the tecnicas. but i personally think, that it speaks for the company itself, that they're willing to listen to your advice with the product and rework it, so that it's perfect for you.
Went to boot fitter, he saw my feet and immediately said to forget about scarpas! Terrible boot! I am in Fischer Transapls pro. Also using Atomic prime XTD 130
@@pezholda5935you got wide feet as well? I thought the transalps would be good for me too, but then i tried a similar model and they weren’t comfortable/wide enough. But yeah maybe the transalp pro liner is much more comfier. What do you think?
@@mountainmoments you can look at it that way, but there is still lots of useful general information in the video useful to people like me who are never going to fit their foot into a low volume boot like the Quattro Pro.
Such a crazy story, I love that scarpa is such a big brand in europe but they've really nailed it. Feels very down to earth and grounded. Super happy you are working with them.
one of the best boot reviews I ever saw, great to get it from a professional skier who know what it is all about and made super funny to watch also, usually I skip to the end to see the bottom line but watch it till the end, great stuff made. I like the scrapa also used to ski with a maestrale rs but skip to a Technica zero g pro cos it fits a bit better and it's a great decender too but great work niko
Advertising aside, great discussion on how to fit boots for performance and the compromise necessary between comfort and a good fit. Aside from shell volume, another thing that makes a huge difference are custom footbeds. They make the transfer of force from the soles of your feet to the ski much more precise. Nice to see a new performance boot from Scarpa. Been on Mobys for the last ten years and was disappointed when they discontinued them, since they were the only touring boot at the time that were stiff enough for me to enjoy on and off the ski hill. Unfortunately they have a limited range of motion. These look good.
Just picked up the tecnica cochise 130! I was looking into these but I do more resort days so the cochise felt like a better fit. Great video! I really appreciate that you go into detail, I honestly would liked to hear your in-depth thoughts on the other boots. Glad you found a great fit!
This video totally reflects my boot buying experience last year where I ended up buying and returning 4 pairs of boots but never actually took them to the snow. It was a very complicated and frustrating experience and I'm still boot shopping...
I ski race boots. They start snug but have a thick shell that can be punched to heck to mold to your foot. More customizable. I don't care about the weight, I can get stronger.
This was an exceptionally well balanced analysis of what’s on the market. At the end of the day you have to find the boot that works for you. I’m exceptionally happy in an Atomic Hawx 130 XTD for the side country and occasional bigger mission I do. Exceptional on the down but the ROM is definitely a bit limited on the up.
Nice vid. It found me right in the middle of a hunt for perfect fit/performance boot. It's a rabbit hole😂. Now giving a try to Zipfit Gft for a better heal lock. Heavy though. Amazing videos and top notch skiing from you👋
im so exited for the new ski season, cant wait for all the trips and video's. I found your channel last year and it has really motivated me to explore skiing more (i currently just ski groomed slopes) and i plan on learning off-piste and Backcountry. Keep it up! Also interesting boot journey.
I’ve use the XT for three seasons now (thanks bode miller) and I agree with every point you’ve said. I also broke the walk mode and they replaced it with the new ones for free. I highly recommend that boot. Light and super versatile. It’s not cheap, not at all but I strongly believe the boot can make all the difference.
Love every part of this video! It's nice to know the story behind your gear choices. I love my Atomic Backland XTD, got them with GripWalk. The Quattro was my second choice, but Backland was easier to get, fitted better in the shop and love the range of motion❤
Love that you are more activ on youtube again, great content and production as always :) Almost ended up with the scarpa myself, but the zero g pro was a better fit for my feet (mid volum, fat feet 285mm and 113mm wide) just waiting for the snow here in Trondheim :)
Hi! Will be the 130+ flex too much? I will line for freeride touring and on piste carving, im 75k but in my old on piste boits feel 120 is more than enough. Thanks
I have a hard time imagining anyone disagreeing with the assertion that freeride touring boots is the most challenging area of ski gear development. Like, assuming you have unlimited time and money to work with a boot fitter on making modifications to shells and liners, you can get a race boot that works almost perfectly for the purpose of high-performance carving since weight is basically a non-factor. The moment you go from a ski race boot or all-mountain boot to a touring boot, you're instantly buying into a product category that fundamentally can't achieve the level of consistency in performance that a thick-walled race boot can, and it becomes a never-ending optimization problem between priorities that are in direct tension with each other.
Sounds like e great 50/50 boot. If you are more into a little heavyer 70/30 boot and it fits your foot. The Cochise is a true racing boot for touring. None of the touring boot skinnyness that i really hate when charging. Spent last season in them and will for many to come.
Very nice breakdown! I'm looking for new boots myself, and while these are likely way too much for someone of my level and goals, the different segments really hit home well on what to look for.
Perfect definition of a "good fit" right there. The only boot that could provide it to me so far is Dalbello Lupo (I've got that rare Factory Carbon beast) with Intuition wrap liner from an (ironically) cheaper Lupo Ti. Cabrio design is brilliant, it's skiable with just the instep buckle engaged. But I'm on a quest for a lighter burly boot for a few years now, betting it on Lange XT3 Tour Pro 2.0 at this point (with liners swapped for Intuition to fill that ANKLE VOID) - will see how that goes... I was questioning my pickiness when it comes to boots, like watching Johnny Collinson skiing Dalbello Quantum FR, which I found unskiable, and thinking well maybe really good skiers don't care that much, and my problem is just that I suck, but hey, good to see you're picky too :)
I used to be in that boot years ago! The white and black one right? That was the reason I tried the blue HD one, but the blue had become a bit of a boat in comparison. Hope the Lange works out for you. If not, the Quattro solved all my ankle void issues.
Lange is a great boot with a liner swap, add a booster strap and I personally think you have the most versatile and capable boot out there! Comes with a price tho 😅
I got the Dalbello Lupo and if you take the tounge out in walkmode the ROM is insane imo. Couldn't really ask for more, probably 3 degrees to the back but not really needed. I also now own the AX Version which is lighter any slightly less stiff but the shell is quite soft so I would probably take the HD again next time. My only actual wish on the boot is a little more forward angled position downhill but they deliver it with wedges to do so. But I think I need to get it fitted to really be happy with those wedges.
Agree with all your points... Funnily enough, I switched from the atomic hawx ultra xtd to the scarpa quattro at the end of last season... I have a low arch and always struggled to get a tight enough fit with the atomic... As you said, very hard to take away space from a shell! So far I've only done one tour with the boot-the walk mode is awesome... And then skied on resort end of season and was impressed at how hard it could carve a ski, a nice flex for a touring boot... Excited to try it for real this year... I do have the older version of the boot... Hopefully the walk mode doesn't break 🤞🤞. Buying boots is the hardest thing to do... How to know what a boot will feel like on snow?? And then if it doesn't, it's like ok cool, just wasted $1000😢😢😢.. Finding the perfect touring boot, that skins well, but skiis downhill well and is also still warm and comfortable... It is like holy grail 🤔😂.
Sounds like you experienced what I did! Hehe I'm so far the only person in my ski community who has broken that, so I think I might just be exceptionally fat. If you do happen to break it they'll replace it for free though.
@@Nikolai_Schirmer I bought Scarpa Quattro XT last season and broke the walk mode excactly as you did when I landed back heavy. I got the spare part from my local shop, because scarpa didn't reply. I am also worried that the ridges for the walk mode on the shell are going to get damaged, if it ever happens again. Can you recommend something, or maybe dierct me where I can buy the walk mode from the Quattro Pro. Thank you
Great video. One quibble: You implied that, because thin-shelled touring boots can't be ground like race boots, that they can can't be made bigger. Sure they can. You just use stretching insteaad of grinding.
@@Nikolai_Schirmer Like I said, this was an excellent video; and I particularly appreciated your refreshing frankness. Plus you're an awesome skier. And I described this as merely a quibble on my part ;). Having said that, while you corrected yourself later (that rec boots can be stretched), I do maintain that you misspoke at 4:00 when you said that, because race boots can have material removed but rec boots can't, manufacturers have no choice except to make thin-shelled boots bigger from the start. As you know yourself, that's not correct. [Unless you're talking specifically about plastics like Grilamid or composites, which are difficult to stretch, but that's because of their composition rather than their thickness.] Here's your quote, taken directly from the transcript. "As you move to the skiing that you're going to do and so to save weight you make these thinner shells that are way thinner and lighter than what you would have in a race boot so there's no material to carve away and so if you want to make a boot that fits every foot fairly comfortably right out of the box you're going to end up with a pretty spacious fit you need that shell to be pretty big to accommodate." But again, just a minor quibble....
I just had to mail back my quattro xt's for developing a crack in the lower. How they respond to this warranty will determine my opinion of scarpa because I also have struggled with finding the right touring boot for a long time and the performance of the xt was awesome, until they also failed me. Maybe scarpa will be nice and offer the pro as an upgrade to those who spent hard earned money on the xt and are having problems with it staying in one piece.
I would be really interested to hear what kind of socks you use and how do you avoid blisters on your feet on long climbs? Do you only use one sock or a liner and a ski sock?
It looks very similar to the Roxa R3 130Ti but with an extra buckle. Did you give those a look Niko? What’s your take? I actually resort ski mine as well as tour with them. Your Crow mate Bernie turned me on to them.
Excellent video Niko you explained everything very well… as someone who is VERY picky myself the only option I see its just modifying the boots. But I’m curious if you looked at salomon? Not a user myself but as I research quite a lot the topic for fun they actually have one of the best liners, overall material quality and a good walkmode as I noticed that put you off in lot’s of the other boots not mentioned here. Any ways keep it up with this type of content!! Very informative for the comunity so thanks for that!
Hey Nikolai, I really appreciate the transparency about the sponsorship. One question, like you I have a small volume foot, and I have tried the zero g, and love it, I love the flex, its progressive like a normal alpine boot. On the other hand I didn't try anything from scarpa after trying the maestrale, and realizing that the flex was non-existent, its solid at the top of the boot but if you put more pressure on the boot it disappeared. Should I try the Quattro pro? is the flex similar to the zero g? More progressive, more like a normal alpine boot? Thanks in advance
in the last years scrapa shells are breaking. for this reason, last season I bought hoji. keep the bill for warranty claims if you go for it. (and fingers crossed if you're in a remote place).
But I'm not so ztoked on the light green.. I'm all for Master Chief but what about a nice sky blue?? Congrats on the awesome opportunity. It kinda makes sense that Scarpa makes a good walk boot with some of their tele background though to me. Also, I'm rocking the Hojis right now and they fit great, so glad to hear there's an alternative to look to when they give up the ghost.
Amazing review thanks! Question: Is the Gripwalk sole not an issue when climbing rocky/mixed sections with that flat rubber section in the front (compared to maestrale rs for example)? Cheers
Instead of making dozens of different models they should make 3 different shells to choose from for different foot types. Normal, a variant for high arch and one for wide feet. I have such wide feet that I never found a boot which gave me control without having pain.
Excellent video! Totally agree performance fit equals some trade offs, but if you want the performance it’s gotta be a tight fit. I have skied the Scarpa Maestrale XT for four years now and bought another pair because I love the fit/performance. Thank you for sharing and looking forward to your movie.
I couldn't catch the model name from your old dynafit. what was it again? and what year. maybe i can find them. I have heard even better things about the new scarpa maestrale rs.
What was your opinion on the Cochise? I was deciding between the Quattro and the Cochise, but Im just getting into touring, so I wanted something that was closer to what im used to.
I love my scarpa’s (maestrale RS) but have also had issues with the little bits and parts breaking. Power strap snapping, screw holding a buckle coming off, walk mode lever breaking. I’ve had to break all on both boots. Scarpa have been very good replacing all this, but it is a bit frustrating. I really hope the newer boots are tougher across the board.
Do you have a high volume foot? I'm a size 29.5 cm. I bought some scarpa's for touring (they were on sale, marked down a lot, at a local ski swap) and they are very roomy compared to my Rossignol race boots that I've used for years for resort skiing. Maybe it was because it was an older model. I would be interested in trying these on because I like this story of them getting into (and improving upon) the specific mistakes they made with the model.
Hi, my doctor and boot fitter says I have a pretty normal foot. There are other boots in the Scarpa range that have more volume for comfort, like the Maestrale, and then the Quattro is the high performance lower volume fit for more precise control
What do you think about the K2 Diverge? It has a removable tongue for walking i dont think there is a more comfortable boot if the tongue is removed and the it has a 120flex. Its the followup from fulltilt's ascendant which i am currently using and i love it.
Does the Quattro Pro have more instep space? I'm usually great in 100mm last boots but the original Quattro has one of the lowest, tightest insteps in any 100 last boot I've ever put on. Absolutely crushed my instep in those, but otherwise the fit and stiffness were great. Also SKI looks incredible I'm hoping there's a theatrical showing near me!
Hi, so the instep is the same as the original Quattro. Maybe ask a bootfitter if it's possible to accommodate for that? Thank you! Organizing the global theatrical distribution now. Will update on here
Any thoughts on the dynafit ridge pro? They sold it as stiffer than the zero g but seems like your saying its more toury. Ive got the skinniest little heels and calves and have zero gs and im snapping the buckles over cranking them. Im thinking of trying to find a beefier liner but dont want to add the weight
Thanks for the info. I have a high volume foot but also very wide and it seems most boots are just too narrow and not much can be done. How does Scarpa handle a very wide EEEE foot?
So you didnt consider Scarpa because you didn't think they made freeride boots, then broke multiple pairs. Having also experienced Scarpa walk modes breaking while skiing, I am glad they seem to have figured it out for one model, but would still be wary of the rest.
Hi! What do you think to share this boots with a camox freebird -pin binding for more off piste and freeride tours and a mirus cor with alpine binding for on piste carving fun resort laps? Thanks for the feedback
Great video as usual :) do you remember in which mondopoint size have you been skiing with the Tecnica Zero g? Even if mondopoint is an universal and standard measurement I’ve like the impression that that boot need 0.5 or 1 mondo point size less if compared with Dynafit or Scarpa
I think there really are some differences between brands, can’t remember exactly what it was.. something like brand A uses the same size shell for 25.5 and 26, just a different insole? And brand B uses the same size shell for 25 and 25.5 instead? I‘m sure someone will correct me or add to this info..
I didn't, but that's a great option if you're a little less downhill focused than I am. My quiver now is the Quattro for sendy is tours and resort, and then the F1 XT for more uphill oriented touring
@ thanks I'm a little more mountianeering focused but I think f1 xt might sacrifice the descent too much so the mastrale rs or g zero tour pro are my leading options
Thanks Nikolai, really great review. Now, I am NOWHERE NEAR your level of skill, and likewise, I'm highly UNLIKELY to ever to enter a Super G event and push my ski gear or my body to that extent. Given this scenario, why don't more people go with more comfortable, touring type boots for the resort? It has always struck me as strange. A good walk mode around an apres ski scene would be a blessing, and as I say, if you have a decent hybrid boot, why isn't there such a thing as a one boot quiver? It sounds like that is kind of what you have, and from what I can see in the video, your boots do perfectly fine carving down a groomer, as they do dropping down into some crazy couloir!
But aren‘t most boots that have a real walk mode incompatible with alpine bindings you would use in resorts?🤔 Still works if you have something like the shift of course..
Many reasons: Cost: Tech inserts alone add a huge amount of cost, let alone adding walk mode as well Binding compatibility Performance Durability Still, plenty of people (like my wife and me) do exactly that, but with a true 50/50 boot with a PU shell, not a grilliamid or Pebax shell touring boot. This saves some money and gives the best flex.
Could another reason, profit motive, be added to that list? After all, why sell one boot that can serve multiple functions when you can many boots serving a single purpose and increase $$ returns @tjb8841
Hey Niko, Can you maybe comment on your experience with cuff lengths? I am a little taller than you and have very long legs, so one of my main issues with ski boots is their cuff being so short that they end just where my calf muscle even begins. Did you see any meaningful variation in that while trying all these boots? Are any of them notably "higher" ? Is that something you take into consideration?
Hi Simon, I'm fairly tall, but not as tall as you perhaps? I did notice some variation, but in most of the boots the cuff got taller with size to accommodate me well, so it wasn't a deciding factor for me.
@@Nikolai_Schirmeras far as I know, boots don’t get taller with each size, usually it’s one cuff for many sizes. @simon.annies if you are looking for a more uphill focused boot, the Head Crux is worth a try. It is 30-40mm taller than my Backland Carbon.
It's GripWalk compatible...!? - Need to check it out in this case! Currently using a K2 Mindbender, but always end up with bruises on the side of my feet and wounds on my shins if i tour or ski a couple days back to back. But only want one boot/ski and spend around 50-60% of my days in the resort.
hey niko did u bye any chance try the new maestrale rs and if so can u give a reason u went with the quattro since the maestrale seams more similar to the hoji ( iam between the maestrale and quattro for a new boot and can't decide )
Looking for a new boot, but after looking online it seems they are too wide for me> I can only find 100mm last Scarpa boots, while my current Lange XT free130 LV is 97. So even though the Scarpa sounds like a small fit, the numbers say it will be much bigger then the Lange. Is there also a low volume boot?
Excellent video as always! Does anyone on here have recommendations for people with wide feet? I wear a US 12 W(EE) shoe/boot and the ball of my feet is wide. I've tried different kinds without much luck even after I've gotten them fitted. The plastic just shrinks in the cold and I end up with incredible discomfort that I don't have in the shop or walking around my house. Then when I try and get them fitted with large socks on I find my heel now moves too much and I get blisters on my heel when I tour. If anyone has any feedback or similar issues please let me know. Thank you.
Hey Nikolai! I'm looking at this draco so many times and still cant decide if i should buy it because its quite heavy in my opinion. Can i just ask you, how many vertical meters are you doing in a normal touring day with the dracos? Have a great day :))
Hi buddy, a normal day for me is around 1500 vert. A big day 2-3k. You do get stability and performance at the edge of your abilities because of the weight, but if you’re skiing more controlled I’m sure you’d be happy on something lighter. I had some great days on the orb freebird last season
@ WOOOWW! Thats crazy work dude, really impressive! That makes sense and i absolutely see your point. Im far off from being as good as you but the orb is still a bit to narrow for deep days! Anyway dude, you're an inspiration! Like literally! Your videos are always soo nice to watch in multiple aspects! I'm really looking forward for new videos :) I wish you a good, injury free winter!! :))
Passar båda dig? Dvs om jag har ett par Cochise - är det rimligt att prova även Quattro Pro - eller är passformen sjukt annorlunda? Tror jag såg dig på Eide matbutik i somras, men var för blyg för att springa upp och vara fanboy - men du gör sjukt bra produktioner, gillar det du gör- keep it up !
I honestly didn't try the lange because of their walkmode, but if it's at all like the burlier dalbello boots I would say the Quattro delivers the same or better downhill performance.
Too heavy for the uphill crowd, poor performance on the downhill, and a narrow fit that many people didn’t like. Add in that it was expensive, and from a brand without a ski boot heritage, and it’s not strange that it tanked.
As a boot fitter I agree with everything Niko is saying! It’s all about making the compromise’s that will give you the best experience for what type of skiing you’re doing. One thing I can add to this is that the plastic used in the construction of the boot can place massive limitations on how much room you can add with punching / stretching. A race boot with 6mm thick polyurethane will stretch significantly and give you the ability to grind out plastic, however a touring boot with 3mm thick gorilla mid composite will not-respond well to stretching and doesn’t provide any room to grind. This is generally why touring boots are made in higher volume fits as the plastics used place limitations on how much additional volume you can add. Would also love to hear Nikos thoughts on foot-beds and what he uses for arch support while skiing.
Good to hear!
I use a sidas custom footbed, with some extra support on the inside
@@Nikolai_Schirmer I think you should try ZipFit liners, they are the best for your low volume problem (imho). They are not so restrictive as world cup foam liners, but they hold foot much better then regular liners or something like Sidas/Intuition etc. Also I think they will be super happy to have you on board for sponsorship, who won't?
ps also seems like I need to try tigard with my high insteps :D
pps and nooow I finished the video, where you talk about zipfits, my bad
I completely disagree with the manufacturers ethos they are effectively making a ski boot that fits some people well into a ski boot that fits nobody. Trying to justify this by saying its for tourists is very sad. Everyone needs a boot that fits properly.
@@Nikolai_Schirmer How do you add the extra support ?
this is the most transparent and well made ad for something i've ever seen. was shopping for freeride boots end of last season as well and only heard good things about the scarpas, but I couldn't get my giant foot inside of them without my feet dying in the first few seconds. that's why i ended up with the tecnicas. but i personally think, that it speaks for the company itself, that they're willing to listen to your advice with the product and rework it, so that it's perfect for you.
like he said touring boots are more difficult in that regard as you cant size down and remould the boots for a perfect fit.
which tecnicas did you get? i have a wide foot
Went to boot fitter, he saw my feet and immediately said to forget about scarpas! Terrible boot! I am in Fischer Transapls pro. Also using Atomic prime XTD 130
@@pezholda5935you got wide feet as well?
I thought the transalps would be good for me too, but then i tried a similar model and they weren’t comfortable/wide enough. But yeah maybe the transalp pro liner is much more comfier. What do you think?
You are the ultimate athlete ambassador. As a ski nerd its always interesting to see this much feedback from the process.
4:53 no clip of trying to ski in Birkenstocks, my disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined
Okay you get 1 point back for the metallica clip
@@tarfeef101 haha
The level of production and information here is really just incredible
This is probably the best ski boot information video I have ever seen. Thanks Nikolai.
was thinking that too, I learned some things about ski boot fitting/making I didn't know after decades of skiing
it is an ad.
@@mountainmoments you can look at it that way, but there is still lots of useful general information in the video useful to people like me who are never going to fit their foot into a low volume boot like the Quattro Pro.
Such a crazy story, I love that scarpa is such a big brand in europe but they've really nailed it. Feels very down to earth and grounded. Super happy you are working with them.
happy to see your videos in my feed again Nikolai
We got Niko feetpics before gta 6😂
one of the best boot reviews I ever saw, great to get it from a professional skier who know what it is all about and made super funny to watch also, usually I skip to the end to see the bottom line but watch it till the end, great stuff made. I like the scrapa also used to ski with a maestrale rs but skip to a Technica zero g pro cos it fits a bit better and it's a great decender too but great work niko
"I got a law degree, if I wanted to get rich I would go work corporate law" Haha, the best! Keep on skiing Niko!
That was a stellar video. All around so good. The boot footing explanation was top notch.
Advertising aside, great discussion on how to fit boots for performance and the compromise necessary between comfort and a good fit. Aside from shell volume, another thing that makes a huge difference are custom footbeds. They make the transfer of force from the soles of your feet to the ski much more precise. Nice to see a new performance boot from Scarpa. Been on Mobys for the last ten years and was disappointed when they discontinued them, since they were the only touring boot at the time that were stiff enough for me to enjoy on and off the ski hill. Unfortunately they have a limited range of motion. These look good.
Just picked up the tecnica cochise 130! I was looking into these but I do more resort days so the cochise felt like a better fit. Great video! I really appreciate that you go into detail, I honestly would liked to hear your in-depth thoughts on the other boots. Glad you found a great fit!
This video totally reflects my boot buying experience last year where I ended up buying and returning 4 pairs of boots but never actually took them to the snow. It was a very complicated and frustrating experience and I'm still boot shopping...
I ski race boots. They start snug but have a thick shell that can be punched to heck to mold to your foot. More customizable. I don't care about the weight, I can get stronger.
I love my Scarpa Maestrale XT, which means the Quattro Pro will fit perfectly too, thanks
This was an exceptionally well balanced analysis of what’s on the market. At the end of the day you have to find the boot that works for you. I’m exceptionally happy in an Atomic Hawx 130 XTD for the side country and occasional bigger mission I do. Exceptional on the down but the ROM is definitely a bit limited on the up.
Nice vid. It found me right in the middle of a hunt for perfect fit/performance boot. It's a rabbit hole😂. Now giving a try to Zipfit Gft for a better heal lock. Heavy though. Amazing videos and top notch skiing from you👋
im so exited for the new ski season, cant wait for all the trips and video's. I found your channel last year and it has really motivated me to explore skiing more (i currently just ski groomed slopes) and i plan on learning off-piste and Backcountry. Keep it up! Also interesting boot journey.
I went to Sykkel&Ski in Tromsø last week to get some new equipment, and they actually refered that shoe as the «schirmer boot» 😂
So glad I found your channel. It’s really good!! Awesome info on the boots!!! You have cleared up everything that most just dance around!!
I’ve use the XT for three seasons now (thanks bode miller) and I agree with every point you’ve said. I also broke the walk mode and they replaced it with the new ones for free. I highly recommend that boot. Light and super versatile. It’s not cheap, not at all but I strongly believe the boot can make all the difference.
Love every part of this video! It's nice to know the story behind your gear choices. I love my Atomic Backland XTD, got them with GripWalk. The Quattro was my second choice, but Backland was easier to get, fitted better in the shop and love the range of motion❤
Love that you are more activ on youtube again, great content and production as always :) Almost ended up with the scarpa myself, but the zero g pro was a better fit for my feet (mid volum, fat feet 285mm and 113mm wide) just waiting for the snow here in Trondheim :)
Could not agree more with Niko. Have done the same: loved the blue 4Quattros, broke one but no problems with the green Pro model! love it even more!
Hi! Will be the 130+ flex too much? I will line for freeride touring and on piste carving, im 75k but in my old on piste boits feel 120 is more than enough.
Thanks
Lange also has an AMAZING free-ride and free-touring line the xt4tour pro is wow
I have a hard time imagining anyone disagreeing with the assertion that freeride touring boots is the most challenging area of ski gear development. Like, assuming you have unlimited time and money to work with a boot fitter on making modifications to shells and liners, you can get a race boot that works almost perfectly for the purpose of high-performance carving since weight is basically a non-factor. The moment you go from a ski race boot or all-mountain boot to a touring boot, you're instantly buying into a product category that fundamentally can't achieve the level of consistency in performance that a thick-walled race boot can, and it becomes a never-ending optimization problem between priorities that are in direct tension with each other.
Awesome line. I grew up in Alaska and love this! Alyeska rocks. Glad you're back!
ooh I love Alyeska. Had a season in Girdwood! The pass too. So much great skiing
Sounds like e great 50/50 boot. If you are more into a little heavyer 70/30 boot and it fits your foot. The Cochise is a true racing boot for touring. None of the touring boot skinnyness that i really hate when charging. Spent last season in them and will for many to come.
+1 for the Cochise, and a true HV version for us bigger foot lads haha
Very nice breakdown!
I'm looking for new boots myself, and while these are likely way too much for someone of my level and goals, the different segments really hit home well on what to look for.
Great video @Nicolai Schirmer! Funny and informative
Now we just need a training video!!!!
Awesome video - great job covering a tricky topic.
Glad you liked it!
Perfect definition of a "good fit" right there. The only boot that could provide it to me so far is Dalbello Lupo (I've got that rare Factory Carbon beast) with Intuition wrap liner from an (ironically) cheaper Lupo Ti. Cabrio design is brilliant, it's skiable with just the instep buckle engaged. But I'm on a quest for a lighter burly boot for a few years now, betting it on Lange XT3 Tour Pro 2.0 at this point (with liners swapped for Intuition to fill that ANKLE VOID) - will see how that goes... I was questioning my pickiness when it comes to boots, like watching Johnny Collinson skiing Dalbello Quantum FR, which I found unskiable, and thinking well maybe really good skiers don't care that much, and my problem is just that I suck, but hey, good to see you're picky too :)
I used to be in that boot years ago! The white and black one right? That was the reason I tried the blue HD one, but the blue had become a bit of a boat in comparison.
Hope the Lange works out for you. If not, the Quattro solved all my ankle void issues.
@@Nikolai_Schirmerwhite and black, that's the one! And I may try that Quattro on regardless, when I get a chance.
Lange is a great boot with a liner swap, add a booster strap and I personally think you have the most versatile and capable boot out there! Comes with a price tho 😅
I got the Dalbello Lupo and if you take the tounge out in walkmode the ROM is insane imo. Couldn't really ask for more, probably 3 degrees to the back but not really needed.
I also now own the AX Version which is lighter any slightly less stiff but the shell is quite soft so I would probably take the HD again next time. My only actual wish on the boot is a little more forward angled position downhill but they deliver it with wedges to do so. But I think I need to get it fitted to really be happy with those wedges.
Agree with all your points... Funnily enough, I switched from the atomic hawx ultra xtd to the scarpa quattro at the end of last season... I have a low arch and always struggled to get a tight enough fit with the atomic... As you said, very hard to take away space from a shell! So far I've only done one tour with the boot-the walk mode is awesome... And then skied on resort end of season and was impressed at how hard it could carve a ski, a nice flex for a touring boot... Excited to try it for real this year... I do have the older version of the boot... Hopefully the walk mode doesn't break 🤞🤞.
Buying boots is the hardest thing to do... How to know what a boot will feel like on snow?? And then if it doesn't, it's like ok cool, just wasted $1000😢😢😢.. Finding the perfect touring boot, that skins well, but skiis downhill well and is also still warm and comfortable... It is like holy grail 🤔😂.
Sounds like you experienced what I did! Hehe I'm so far the only person in my ski community who has broken that, so I think I might just be exceptionally fat. If you do happen to break it they'll replace it for free though.
@@Nikolai_Schirmer I bought Scarpa Quattro XT last season and broke the walk mode excactly as you did when I landed back heavy. I got the spare part from my local shop, because scarpa didn't reply. I am also worried that the ridges for the walk mode on the shell are going to get damaged, if it ever happens again. Can you recommend something, or maybe dierct me where I can buy the walk mode from the Quattro Pro.
Thank you
Great video. One quibble: You implied that, because thin-shelled touring boots can't be ground like race boots, that they can can't be made bigger. Sure they can. You just use stretching insteaad of grinding.
Watch it again :) 07:23
@@Nikolai_Schirmer Like I said, this was an excellent video; and I particularly appreciated your refreshing frankness. Plus you're an awesome skier. And I described this as merely a quibble on my part ;). Having said that, while you corrected yourself later (that rec boots can be stretched), I do maintain that you misspoke at 4:00 when you said that, because race boots can have material removed but rec boots can't, manufacturers have no choice except to make thin-shelled boots bigger from the start. As you know yourself, that's not correct. [Unless you're talking specifically about plastics like Grilamid or composites, which are difficult to stretch, but that's because of their composition rather than their thickness.] Here's your quote, taken directly from the transcript.
"As you move to the skiing that you're going to do and so to save weight you make these thinner shells that are way thinner and lighter than what you would have in a race boot so there's no material to carve away and so if you want to make a boot that fits every foot fairly comfortably right out of the box you're going to end up with a pretty spacious fit you need that shell to be pretty big to accommodate."
But again, just a minor quibble....
This is a really really good video.
Also Ill chime in with liners. Never had a boot fit just quite right until I threw on a set of zipfits.
I just had to mail back my quattro xt's for developing a crack in the lower. How they respond to this warranty will determine my opinion of scarpa because I also have struggled with finding the right touring boot for a long time and the performance of the xt was awesome, until they also failed me. Maybe scarpa will be nice and offer the pro as an upgrade to those who spent hard earned money on the xt and are having problems with it staying in one piece.
the ending got me!
Hey Niko! What maps do you use now that FATMAP is dead ? :(
OpenSnow actually has 3D maps🌍
I would be really interested to hear what kind of socks you use and how do you avoid blisters on your feet on long climbs? Do you only use one sock or a liner and a ski sock?
It looks very similar to the Roxa R3 130Ti but with an extra buckle. Did you give those a look Niko? What’s your take? I actually resort ski mine as well as tour with them. Your Crow mate Bernie turned me on to them.
Excellent video Niko you explained everything very well… as someone who is VERY picky myself the only option I see its just modifying the boots. But I’m curious if you looked at salomon? Not a user myself but as I research quite a lot the topic for fun they actually have one of the best liners, overall material quality and a good walkmode as I noticed that put you off in lot’s of the other boots not mentioned here.
Any ways keep it up with this type of content!! Very informative for the comunity so thanks for that!
dynafit has always had the lightest best backcountry ski boots. the technica 0 g are good tho, stiff and light
Hey Nikolai, I really appreciate the transparency about the sponsorship. One question, like you I have a small volume foot, and I have tried the zero g, and love it, I love the flex, its progressive like a normal alpine boot. On the other hand I didn't try anything from scarpa after trying the maestrale, and realizing that the flex was non-existent, its solid at the top of the boot but if you put more pressure on the boot it disappeared. Should I try the Quattro pro? is the flex similar to the zero g? More progressive, more like a normal alpine boot? Thanks in advance
Could you provide some measurements of your foot. Length, width, instep? what size did you use? What is the shell fit like for your foot in that size?
in the last years scrapa shells are breaking. for this reason, last season I bought hoji. keep the bill for warranty claims if you go for it. (and fingers crossed if you're in a remote place).
But I'm not so ztoked on the light green.. I'm all for Master Chief but what about a nice sky blue?? Congrats on the awesome opportunity. It kinda makes sense that Scarpa makes a good walk boot with some of their tele background though to me. Also, I'm rocking the Hojis right now and they fit great, so glad to hear there's an alternative to look to when they give up the ghost.
Amazing review thanks! Question: Is the Gripwalk sole not an issue when climbing rocky/mixed sections with that flat rubber section in the front (compared to maestrale rs for example)? Cheers
Instead of making dozens of different models they should make 3 different shells to choose from for different foot types. Normal, a variant for high arch and one for wide feet. I have such wide feet that I never found a boot which gave me control without having pain.
Excellent video! Totally agree performance fit equals some trade offs, but if you want the performance it’s gotta be a tight fit. I have skied the Scarpa Maestrale XT for four years now and bought another pair because I love the fit/performance. Thank you for sharing and looking forward to your movie.
Have you tried the atomic backland XTD? It is almost like a hybrid of the hawx and the backland. Can highly recommend to check out. 🙌🏻
I couldn't catch the model name from your old dynafit. what was it again? and what year. maybe i can find them. I have heard even better things about the new scarpa maestrale rs.
Have you tried the quattro sl in your tests too?
Got it for 2 seasons and love it too, but broke the walk mode already too😄
Does anyone know if they changed the volume of Zero G because I’m swimming now and the boots used to fit sooo perfect
What was your opinion on the Cochise? I was deciding between the Quattro and the Cochise, but Im just getting into touring, so I wanted something that was closer to what im used to.
Very well said on the fact that freedom of movement matters more than claimed R.o.M.
I love my scarpa’s (maestrale RS) but have also had issues with the little bits and parts breaking. Power strap snapping, screw holding a buckle coming off, walk mode lever breaking. I’ve had to break all on both boots. Scarpa have been very good replacing all this, but it is a bit frustrating. I really hope the newer boots are tougher across the board.
Are there any other scarpa boots with the same shape to try out the size ? Unfortunately our scarpa dealer has every other model except that one😢
Do you have a high volume foot? I'm a size 29.5 cm. I bought some scarpa's for touring (they were on sale, marked down a lot, at a local ski swap) and they are very roomy compared to my Rossignol race boots that I've used for years for resort skiing. Maybe it was because it was an older model. I would be interested in trying these on because I like this story of them getting into (and improving upon) the specific mistakes they made with the model.
Hi, my doctor and boot fitter says I have a pretty normal foot. There are other boots in the Scarpa range that have more volume for comfort, like the Maestrale, and then the Quattro is the high performance lower volume fit for more precise control
Have you tried the new BOA system from any brand yet? If so could you give a quick feedback on your impressions?
What do you think about the K2 Diverge? It has a removable tongue for walking i dont think there is a more comfortable boot if the tongue is removed and the it has a 120flex.
Its the followup from fulltilt's ascendant which i am currently using and i love it.
The weight put me off that one. But I'm sure it skis great
Tecnica Cochise stays on my foot … sacrificing uphill for downhill performance is just the way to do it …120 flex 😅
Does the Quattro Pro have more instep space? I'm usually great in 100mm last boots but the original Quattro has one of the lowest, tightest insteps in any 100 last boot I've ever put on. Absolutely crushed my instep in those, but otherwise the fit and stiffness were great. Also SKI looks incredible I'm hoping there's a theatrical showing near me!
Hi, so the instep is the same as the original Quattro. Maybe ask a bootfitter if it's possible to accommodate for that?
Thank you! Organizing the global theatrical distribution now. Will update on here
Any thoughts on the dynafit ridge pro? They sold it as stiffer than the zero g but seems like your saying its more toury.
Ive got the skinniest little heels and calves and have zero gs and im snapping the buckles over cranking them. Im thinking of trying to find a beefier liner but dont want to add the weight
Did you try any salomon shift boots? Would be interested to hear what people have to say about them.
Thanks for the info. I have a high volume foot but also very wide and it seems most boots are just too narrow and not much can be done. How does Scarpa handle a very wide EEEE foot?
Oh hard to say just off a comment. If you have the opportunity I would go to the store and try on your foot
When are we getting the sesong starterpack/GEAR?
TIL that the Scarpa Alien exists. lol wow. I'd be terrified to ski down nearly anything in that. 🤣
Did you ever try any of the Lange XT3 Freeride boots?
One day I will find a ski boot that doesn't leave me in agony before 11am... been looking for years and same issue persists
So you didnt consider Scarpa because you didn't think they made freeride boots, then broke multiple pairs. Having also experienced Scarpa walk modes breaking while skiing, I am glad they seem to have figured it out for one model, but would still be wary of the rest.
Why did you not tried La sportiva Vega or vanguard? I ha e the vanguard and with my 90kg even using the on normal slopes they are really good
thank you for sharing
Any thoughts on Dalbello Cabrio?
What is the opinion on the K2 dispatch boots? They fit me well
Hi! What do you think to share this boots with a camox freebird -pin binding for more off piste and freeride tours and a mirus cor with alpine binding for on piste carving fun resort laps?
Thanks for the feedback
That's a great combo!
Great video as usual :) do you remember in which mondopoint size have you been skiing with the Tecnica Zero g? Even if mondopoint is an universal and standard measurement I’ve like the impression that that boot need 0.5 or 1 mondo point size less if compared with Dynafit or Scarpa
I think there really are some differences between brands, can’t remember exactly what it was.. something like brand A uses the same size shell for 25.5 and 26, just a different insole? And brand B uses the same size shell for 25 and 25.5 instead?
I‘m sure someone will correct me or add to this info..
Did you try Vanguard boot?
Did you try the mastrale as that's on my radar with a lot of the rest of these boirs
I didn't, but that's a great option if you're a little less downhill focused than I am. My quiver now is the Quattro for sendy is tours and resort, and then the F1 XT for more uphill oriented touring
@ thanks I'm a little more mountianeering focused but I think f1 xt might sacrifice the descent too much so the mastrale rs or g zero tour pro are my leading options
Thanks Nikolai, really great review. Now, I am NOWHERE NEAR your level of skill, and likewise, I'm highly UNLIKELY to ever to enter a Super G event and push my ski gear or my body to that extent. Given this scenario, why don't more people go with more comfortable, touring type boots for the resort? It has always struck me as strange. A good walk mode around an apres ski scene would be a blessing, and as I say, if you have a decent hybrid boot, why isn't there such a thing as a one boot quiver? It sounds like that is kind of what you have, and from what I can see in the video, your boots do perfectly fine carving down a groomer, as they do dropping down into some crazy couloir!
But aren‘t most boots that have a real walk mode incompatible with alpine bindings you would use in resorts?🤔
Still works if you have something like the shift of course..
@@crimpchimpNot really with any of the modern alpine bindings, they pretty much all support GripWalk/MNC.
Many reasons:
Cost: Tech inserts alone add a huge amount of cost, let alone adding walk mode as well
Binding compatibility
Performance
Durability
Still, plenty of people (like my wife and me) do exactly that, but with a true 50/50 boot with a PU shell, not a grilliamid or Pebax shell touring boot. This saves some money and gives the best flex.
Could another reason, profit motive, be added to that list? After all, why sell one boot that can serve multiple functions when you can many boots serving a single purpose and increase $$ returns @tjb8841
What is your view on the K2 Dispatch Pro you tried?
Hey Niko,
Can you maybe comment on your experience with cuff lengths? I am a little taller than you and have very long legs, so one of my main issues with ski boots is their cuff being so short that they end just where my calf muscle even begins. Did you see any meaningful variation in that while trying all these boots? Are any of them notably "higher" ? Is that something you take into consideration?
Hi Simon,
I'm fairly tall, but not as tall as you perhaps? I did notice some variation, but in most of the boots the cuff got taller with size to accommodate me well, so it wasn't a deciding factor for me.
@@Nikolai_Schirmeras far as I know, boots don’t get taller with each size, usually it’s one cuff for many sizes.
@simon.annies if you are looking for a more uphill focused boot, the Head Crux is worth a try. It is 30-40mm taller than my Backland Carbon.
God video om sko og godt du har funne ein som passar deg! I videoen er det klipp av deg på Mirus Cor, kva lengde har du den i?
It's GripWalk compatible...!? - Need to check it out in this case!
Currently using a K2 Mindbender, but always end up with bruises on the side of my feet and wounds on my shins if i tour or ski a couple days back to back.
But only want one boot/ski and spend around 50-60% of my days in the resort.
It is🤝
hey niko did u bye any chance try the new maestrale rs and if so can u give a reason u went with the quattro since the maestrale seams more similar to the hoji ( iam between the maestrale and quattro for a new boot and can't decide )
Looking for a new boot, but after looking online it seems they are too wide for me> I can only find 100mm last Scarpa boots, while my current Lange XT free130 LV is 97. So even though the Scarpa sounds like a small fit, the numbers say it will be much bigger then the Lange. Is there also a low volume boot?
Does the Quattro XT now also come with a upgraded walkmode/latch-thingy? Or is it Pro-only?
It has the old one, but it can be changed quickly for the new one if you have an issue
Hi, so curious, how did you get this photo of your foot inside the boot in cross-section?
Excellent video as always! Does anyone on here have recommendations for people with wide feet? I wear a US 12 W(EE) shoe/boot and the ball of my feet is wide. I've tried different kinds without much luck even after I've gotten them fitted. The plastic just shrinks in the cold and I end up with incredible discomfort that I don't have in the shop or walking around my house. Then when I try and get them fitted with large socks on I find my heel now moves too much and I get blisters on my heel when I tour. If anyone has any feedback or similar issues please let me know. Thank you.
I'm surprised you didn't try the radical pro during your boot shopping period
It’s a hoji with more volume
Hey Nikolai! I'm looking at this draco so many times and still cant decide if i should buy it because its quite heavy in my opinion.
Can i just ask you, how many vertical meters are you doing in a normal touring day with the dracos?
Have a great day :))
Hi buddy, a normal day for me is around 1500 vert. A big day 2-3k. You do get stability and performance at the edge of your abilities because of the weight, but if you’re skiing more controlled I’m sure you’d be happy on something lighter. I had some great days on the orb freebird last season
@ WOOOWW! Thats crazy work dude, really impressive!
That makes sense and i absolutely see your point. Im far off from being as good as you but the orb is still a bit to narrow for deep days!
Anyway dude, you're an inspiration! Like literally! Your videos are always soo nice to watch in multiple aspects! I'm really looking forward for new videos :)
I wish you a good, injury free winter!! :))
How did you find the others mentioned but not commented on? Eg Cochise vs Quattro Pro ?
The Cochise is great for downhill, but the Quattro is in a league of its own when it comes to downhill and uphill performance I'd say
Passar båda dig? Dvs om jag har ett par Cochise - är det rimligt att prova även Quattro Pro - eller är passformen sjukt annorlunda?
Tror jag såg dig på Eide matbutik i somras, men var för blyg för att springa upp och vara fanboy - men du gör sjukt bra produktioner, gillar det du gör- keep it up !
@@TheFLilk Takk :-) Jeg vil si at Quattro har en ganske normal passform, men at om du har litt større føtter kan det bli tight
So what are the biggest differences to the Hoji free 130 boots?
Lighter, better range of motion and support for the downhill
@ how about the liner. Do think it’s long lasting and working properly or do you still use a custom made one..?
@@luisknoepfle9484 I'm still in the stock liner on the Quattro, but it's a nice Intuition liner so it's basically what you get at a boot fitter
The best ski boot is the one that fits you :)
Are they fine for wider feet ?
How do you think these ski compared to say something like a Lange XT3 120? Stiffness, suspension, control.
I honestly didn't try the lange because of their walkmode, but if it's at all like the burlier dalbello boots I would say the Quattro delivers the same or better downhill performance.
Whatever happened to the Arcteryx Procline ?
Too heavy for the uphill crowd, poor performance on the downhill, and a narrow fit that many people didn’t like. Add in that it was expensive, and from a brand without a ski boot heritage, and it’s not strange that it tanked.