2016-2017 Lange XT 130 Freetour LV
Size Tested: 27.5
Available Sizes: 24.5-29.5 in 97mm (LV) and 100mm lasts
Stated BSL (27.5): 316 mm
Stated Last: 97 mm
Stated Range of Motion: 43°
Stated Weight (of a size 26.5): 1770 g per boot
Blister’s Measured Weight per Boot (27.5):
• Shells, no liners: 1470 & 1473 grams
• Liners, no footbeds: 350 & 347 grams (with stock insoles)
• Shells + Liners: 1820 & 1820 grams
MSRP: $950
Test Locations: Resort skiing in Alaska; Turnagain Pass backcountry; Heli ski guiding for Chugach
Powder Guides in Girdwood, AK.
Skis Used: 192 cm DPS Lotus 138 Spoon; 189 cm Blizzard Spur; 191 cm Volkl Mantra (10/11); 185 cm Blizzard Bodacious (14/15); 185 cm Blizzard Zero G 108
Bindings Used:
- Salomon STH2 16
- Marker Kingpin 13
Days Tested: ~25
Intro
Prior to the XT 130 Freetour, Lange has never offered a boot with tech fittings, which to me means that they have never made a boot that I would consider for true ski touring, given the vast superiority of tech bindings vs. any frame binding on the market.
We have reviewed several iterations of the Lange XT 130, including the most recent 15/16 version which impressed us with its essentially full alpine performance, so we were excited to see what Lange would produce with their entry into the world of tech-compatible ski boots.
Lange describes the XT 130 Freetour as delivering “all the skiability of piste boots combined with the easy walking of ski-touring boots. Its Low Tech inserts are Dynafit certified and over-injected for enhanced stability and greater control. The Grilamid material makes climbing easier while delivering superlative downhill performance.”
Fit
Lange offers the XT 130 Freetour in the LV fit I tested (97 mm last) as well as a 100mm-lasted version.
I opted to review the Freetour in the same “LV” fit that I had success with in the 15/16 XT 130, and I plugged the ZipFit liners that I’d been using in the XT 130s right into the Freetour shells.
With the ZipFits, I’ve experienced the same excellent heel / ankle retention and overall fit I had with the XTs. And I still haven’t noticed any appreciable difference in the fit of the 15/16 XT 130 LV and the Freetour LV.
Liners
I only spent part of one day in the stock liners (I was skiing inbounds) because I spend a lot of time in my boots, and my ZipFits are hard to beat for comfort on long days of guiding.
My experience with the stock liners was positive; they have quite good heel hold, and a firm, supportive tongue. The tag on the liners states that they are made with Ultralon foam, which is the brand of foam used in Intuition liners but I have not had the chance to cook the liners yet. That said, the foam in the liners does not feel like the Ultralon foam in my Intuition-branded liners, and may be a different variation. Overall, they appear to be a well-designed liner—especially at 350 grams each—which is just 30 grams heavier than the Salomon MTN Lab liner, and about 100 g lighter than the stock liners of the 15/16 XT 130 LV.
Downhill Performance
The new Freetour skis just like the 15/16 XT 130 (which is remarkably stiffer and smoother-flexing than the 14/15 XT 130). So I highly recommend reading my (15/16) XT 130 review.
But while the XT 130 and the Freetour ski the same (which is very high praise for the Freetour), the Freetour weighs 150 g less than the XT 130, despite the addition of tech fittings. I even went as far as putting the 15/16 XT 130 on one foot and the XT 130 Freetour on the other for a day of lift-served skiing, and I couldn’t really tell the difference.
The same progressive flex, power, and support I got from the white XT 130 is still present in the new green Freetour.
I’ve never skied a boot with tech fittings that made no compromise on the descent until using the Freetour.
Even when skiing with my ~30 lb. guide pack and big skis (like the DPS Lotus 138 Spoon), I never felt like I needed more boot for riding big, steep, heavily-sluffing Alaskan terrain, where being able to punch out the bottom of big runs and over bergschrunds is critical.
In short, everything I wrote about the skiing performance of the 15/16 XT 130 LV is true of the XT 130 Freetour LV.
NEXT: Touring, Tech Fittings, Etc.
Hey Paul,
Care to comment on the temperature sensitivity of the plastic? I have 2015 Lange RX130 LV and find the variability of flex between above freezing and below freezing to be extremely annoying – on spring days the boot collapses like crazy and has zero rebound (I can watch the lower shell bulge/bellow while skiing on warm days and it makes my feet really tired/hurt), whereas when it’s in the teens and below it’s extremely stiff to the point of almost needing to remove flex bolts.
By comparison the Griliamid Touring boots I’ve owned don’t seem to retain similar flex pattern regardless of temperature (Vulcans, Mercury) – is the new XT the same in that regard?
Great review as always.
I’m on bd factor mx130.
Had a lot of work to accommodate my 103 sized feet so I’m reluctant to change boots, but I heard good things about the langes.
How do the boots compare as far as skiing?
Fantastic review,
You mentioned the MTN Lab early on in the review, but then didn’t mention it again. Can you do a more in-depth comparison between the two boots? I’m looking at picking up a true AT boot over the summer (currently using the 2013-14 Lange XT 130 LV) and it would be a huge help.
Thanks.
The Grilamid can’t deal with the pressure of a non-pin heel piece. My kingpins have dug into my Grilamid Vulcans to the point where the little friction wheels on the heel piece now “seat” into position. I stepped into a pair of Dukes that were set up too big and now have a pair of permanent scars just like you describe. It’s very soft plastic! Looks like a great boot, I would love to not need to bring those Vulcan tongues everywhere with me.
Blister crew, it would be cool to see an in-depth look at the DIN standard, WTR, and the touring norm. I have seen a ton of commentary from your reviewers about boot interfaces and toe pieces but no technical exploration about why this evolution has happened or how it impacts skiers.
There are technicians and industry experts out there who are qualified to talk about Paul’s concerns. It would be cool to see you work with some engineers instead of delivering passing commentary on the technology.
Very interested in this boot! Bur what about the Salomon qst boots? Any info?
Hey, Jimmy – we’re leaving Tuesday for New Zealand, and taking 2 pairs of QST Pro 130s with us. We’ll be posting flash reviews on the boot while we’re down there, so if you need info ASAP, become a Blister member and you’ll get access to those flash reviews. You’l also be able to email us directly if you’re still trying to decide between the QST and some other boots. Thanks.
How do the lasts compare between the MTN Lab and this? People have told me the Lab feels wider than a 98mm last, and my favourite boot is an RS130 (fits like a glove), with no other truly well-fitting touring boot options – is the freetour the AT equivalent (materials differences aside)?
Paul;
Thanks very helpful review!!!
Hi, thanks for your review.
I wear the lange freetour xt 130 lv boot now for two days.
I used the boot with a marke barron binding.
The fit is pretty well and similar to the lange rs and normal xt. I also love the flex!
But the the quality of the shell material sucks!
I clicked onetime a little bit skewed in the binding and have the same ding in the heel an also a small one on the front.
I think the the shell material on the heel and front is to soft!
I dont think that the boot long works if i have after two days so large dings. I’m to know what happened when i will use the boot on a tour with climbing and rock sections.
I never had the same issue in other lange boots!
I hope lange works on it an make a recall program for the lower shell!
Without this issues the lange xt freetour could be one of the best boot for touring and freeriding.
Hi, another great review.
How does Lange XT 130 Freetour LV compare to Tecnica Zero G Gude? in fit (heel and volume of instep) na flex?
Thanks.
stay tuned Nekaj. I’ll have that Zero G Guide review up shortly.
great! Please elaborate on fit (shell shape) and flex comparison between the two!
Paul,
Following up on Nekaj’s comment- I’m having some severe durability issues in the same areas as Nekaj and you. My toe and heel plastic is practically disintegrating and was wondering if you had any follow up on the durability. I didn’t have any issues with my Look Pivot 14s, but recently hopped on a pair of demo skis using Look 12 Demo bindings and my boots are near retirement after 20 some days. Hopefully Lange responds to my correspondence.
I also might have an early production version and therefore could be the cause. Strange regardless.
As always, great review. Love these boots. Highly recommend.
Hi, Im wondering if you had any news about the answer from lange?
I have been skiing in Nordica Dobermann Pro 130’s for the last ten years. I have never been able to give up the feel of a race boot. The Lange XT freetour give you 95% of the performance while managing to both be comfortable and warm by comparison. If you leave the cuff on the last buckles the range of motion is quite good and doesn’t bother me at all. Even the 100 last is still a performance fit. Very impressive boot.
Hi Paul,
So I’ve red reviews you guys have on Lange lineup and what I come up with is that XT 130 Freetour does not compromise downhill performance compared to regular XT LV, and XT LV is pretty much RS. So I get significant gain in comfort (less weight, walk mode, touring capabilities) for very little if any performance loss across the entire Lange range of boots? Is that correct?
I’m considering Rossignol Hero World Cup SI 130 which I believe is a clone of Lange RS 130. I can have it very cheap, like 150$ brand new 2016 model (not many agresive, powerful skiers where I live). Is it really Lange RS 130 rebranded? Rossi and Lange shell are virtually the same side by side except the color. Only the liners are different from what I can see.
But this new “lightweight” options are now making me reconsider things…
Am I heading into the right direction with this? :D
Cheers!
Interesting comments. For me Lange have come close buuuuut not quite there. Maybe its just me but im a relatively light skier (72KG) but pretty aggressive. I have the Kingpins on a Carbon Katana & these super light Freetours. They are great but 130 flex? not really. i would sacrifice some of the weight gain for stiffening up the boot for when youre really gunning it. My normal alpine kit has been Katanas since they were first introduced and Lange boots ( Banshees etc) and was hoping this would be my everyday set up regardless. Skied them as such this season and concur with other comments that flex changes dramatically with temperature and the new plastic used ( i forget the name) give a progressive flex but too much of it in more testing conditions & terrain. I put a Surefoot custom liner in which helped stiffen a bit. Stiffen it up and maybe fractionally higher boot and it would be the perfect tour boot AND everyday alpine option.
Hello skiing Lange RS 130 for a long time, I wanted the equivalent with inserts for riding strong skis in medium to short tour. I bought the XT 130 freetour lv and am disappointed. The shoe is more straight than my RS130 and my Maestrales RS (1) used at 20°. Besides, the flex is progressive, but too progressive without stop point before my ankle. In compression, the hoof deforms too much near the ankle.
Obviously, the shape of my little thick foot has to be a problem in this shoe, but I am downright disappointed by this shoe, I’m skiing much better my Maestrale RS(1) supposed to be to be less successful. I bought leXT130 freetour for nothing.