Ski Boots

Video: Blister Summit Panel on Ski Boot Design

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In the Blister Summit panel on ski design, we talk to three key people in the world of ski boots — Thor Verdonk, global brand director of Lange ski boots; Matt Manser, product manager of Atomic ski boots; and Stefano Mantegazza, product manager of the Tecnica Group — about their design philosophies; whether we should get rid of flex ratings; whether a precise-fitting boot can be a warm boot; the most frustrating trend in ski design today; where the biggest innovations are currently taking place; and more.

In the Blister Summit panel on Ski Boot Design, we talk to three key people in the world of ski boots: Thor Verdonk, global brand director of Lange ski boots; Matt Manser, product manager of Atomic ski boots; and Stefano Mantegazza, product manager of the Tecnica Group. We discuss their design philosophies; whether we should get rid of flex ratings; whether a precise-fitting boot can be a warm boot; the most frustrating trend in ski design today; where the biggest innovations are currently taking place; and more.

2021-2022 Tecnica Cochise 130

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Blister reviews the 2021-2022 Tecnica Cochise 130

The Tecnica Cochise was one of the first boots designed to offer alpine-boot downhill performance with uphill capability, and they’re overhauling it for 21/22. Check out our First Look & Flash Review to see what they’ve changed and how the new boot compares to the current market.

2020-2021 Atomic Hawx Prime XTD 130

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Luke Koppa reviews the Atomic Hawx Prime XTD 130 for Blister

This spring and summer, we used the new Atomic Hawx Prime XTD 130 for everything from steep, icy couloirs to pow laps to backcountry booter sessions, and think many people should have this AT boot on their radar. Check out our full review and Deep Dive comparisons.

2020-2021 Dalbello Lupo Pro HD

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Luke Koppa reviews the Dalbello Lupo Pro HD for Blister in Crested Butte, Colorado

We’ve now put more than 60 days in Dalbello’s Lupo Pro HD, and tried it with a variety of tongue & liner combinations. Check out our full review for an in-depth look at the boot, how it compares to a variety of other touring and alpine boots, and who we think would most appreciate it.

2020-2021 K2 Recon Pro

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Drew Kelly reviews the K2 Recon Pro for Blister

We’ve seen a lot of companies making lighter and lighter alpine boots over the past few years, but that category hadn’t extended past the 130-flex realm. That changes for 20/21 with the introduction of the K2 Recon Pro — a lightweight boot with a stated flex of 140 and several unique features. Check out our First Look.

2020-2021 Dynafit Hoji Free

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Paul Forward reviews the Dynafit Hoji Free for Blister

This year we spent time in the Dynafit Hoji Free, the stiffest boot in the Hoji series, and think its blend of uphill mobility and downhill power may be unrivaled. But there’s more to it than that — check out our Full Review & Deep Dive comparisons.

2020-2021 Lange XT3 130

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Jonathan Ellsworth reviews the Lange XT3 130 for Blister

Lange’s XT series of boots have been staples in the “freeride touring” category for many years now, and Lange is overhauling the lineup for 20/21. Check out our First Look & Flash Review of the new XT3 130.

2020-2021 Dynafit TLT Speedfit Boot

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David Steele reviews the Dynafit TLT Speedfit boot for Blister

More people are skinning uphill at ski areas and touring “on-piste,” So Dynafit developed the TLT Speedfit specifically for “on-piste tours.” Check out our full review of the boot (including whether we think you can also get away using it for backcountry touring).

2020-2021 Salomon S/Pro 130

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Luke Koppa reviews the Salomon S/Pro 130 for Blister

The Salomon X Pro line is reportedly the best-selling line of ski boots in the world. For 19/20, they’re replacing the X Pro with the brand-new S/Pro series. Check out our measured specs, fit notes, and initial impressions of the S/Pro 130.

2020-2021 Roxa R3 130 T.I.

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Cy Whitling reviews the Roxa R3 130 T.I. for Blister

The Roxa R3 130 was a pretty good AT boot, but we think the updated 19/20 version is a great one. If you’re looking for a boot that you can use inbounds and in the backcountry, the new R3 130 is worth a look.

2020-2021 Nordica Promachine 115 W

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Kara Williard reviews the Nordica Promachine 115 W for Blister.

This year Nordica released the Promachine 115 W, which is reportedly one of the stiffest women’s-specific boots on the market. Check out our full review to see how it compares to other women’s boots, as well as some of the stiffer unisex boots on the market.

GearDryer Freestanding 12

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Luke Koppa reviews the GearDryer Freestanding 12 for Blister

Wet gear sucks, and dry gear is great. The GearDryer Freestanding 12 lets you dry a whole bunch of stuff all at once, and we’ve become pretty big fans of it. Check out our full review.

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