Liner
When I first pulled out the liner and tried it on, my first thought was that these things look like a pair of wrestling shoes more than a ski boot liner. They are relatively short in the cuff, and are probably the thinnest ski boot liners I’ve ever used.
Do not expect a lot of padding from these, as the toes and forefoot have little to none. The heel and ankle have just enough heat-moldable foam to make the boot comfortable enough for skiing, but I continued to have several pressure points around the ankle area. After my first day on them, I started to have thoughts about the extra power and comfort I could get by using a pair of my favorite Powerwrap LV liners in these. Unfortunately, so far, these are the only boots I’ve ever used that I simply could not fit even the lowest volume (LV) Powerwrap liner. I think this is partly due to the fact that we kept hanging up on the water resistant fabric on the cuff when trying to get them in, but Gnome Sports’ Allie Kerr and I gave it an honest couple of tries without success. I have some other ideas about liners that might work in these, but, for now, I’ll keep using the thin stock ones.
One other interesting note about the Backland Carbon liner is that they are perforated on the bottom, which is intended to make them breathable. I haven’t used them enough to get a sense if this actually works, but I’m skeptical my feet getting much moisture transfer through my foam or cork insole and then the solid plastic shell underneath.
Fit
First, it’s important to note that the Backland Carbon features Atomics “Memory Fit” system, which means that the entire boot (including the Grilamid shell) can be heat molded for a custom fit. If possible, I will try to have this done later this season, but my comments below are in reference to a stock, uncooked shell.
The shell of the Backland Carbon does feel, overall, lower volume than my Dynafit Vulcans, and provides a very close fit in a size 27.5, which is the size I wear in most boots. Compared to the Dynafit TLT6, which required me to bump up to a 28.5 for comfortable all-day touring (without significant shell modifications), I was able to ski comfortably in the 27.5 Backland Carbon.
I don’t have a size 27.5 TLT6 to compare directly, but based on my recollection of trying to shell fit a pair, I would say that the TLT6 is a little bit shorter (only 1mm shorter on BSL, but feels more than that inside), which I think is what put me into the 28.5—especially for a boot that I bought to use for anything from day trips to month-long missions.
Otherwise, both boots have a similarly low-to-medium volume fit through the ankle and metatarsals. I haven’t decided if I need to create more 6th toe room in the Backland Carbon, and I might get that extra room if I’m able to heat mold the shell.
The heel pocket of the Atomic is contoured enough that I never really noticed any movement, and felt quite secure even when the boots were buckled loosely for the ascent.
As always, we strongly suggest that you go see a good bootfitter before purchasing boots.
Uphill Travel
If you’ve never worn a Dynafit TLT6, a Backland boot, or any rando race boot, the first time you strap a pair of these on and just walk around, you might laugh out loud at how light and easy they are to walk around in (especially with the tongue removed).
Even compared to my Dynafit TLT6’s (which admittedly have Powerwrap liners) the Backland feels more like a hiking boot than a ski boot when strolling around the living room. This translates well to skinning, hiking, and scrambling in the mountains. We’ve all heard the “magic elf shoes” phrase used to describe this type of boot, and it’s really pretty darned cool how light and nimble you feel in these things compared to any other type of ski boot.
I’ve written many times now that I don’t ever feel like a I need much range of motion (ROM) for normal ski touring activities, and I’ll reiterate that here, too. I tend to take short strides and keep my feet more or less under my center of mass when skinning. The only time that I start to appreciate the crazy rearward motion of the Backland Carbon (I’ve never actually flexed them far enough back while wearing them that I maxed out the rearward travel) is when trying to kick and glide across the flats. But even for this, most touring boots would suffice for me.
More important to me than ROM is that short-soled touring boots like these bring the toe pins of the binding closer to my foot, which feels more natural and comfortable to me.
Overall, you ought to be considering a boot like the Dynafit TLT6 or Atomic Backland because you value highly efficient and comfortable ski travel in the mountains. And if you do, you’ll be quite pleased with the Backland Carbon. Even if you’ve been using boots like the Vulcan/Mercury or Scarpa Maestrale series, I would be surprised if you didn’t notice a significant decrease in the amount of energy you burn on the way up, and the general ease of travel that a boot like this provides.
NEXT: Transitions, skiing, Etc.
It’s annoying how you said throughout the article how great they ski, but at the end, finally, “the downhill performance isn’t close to salomon’s boot.
Hi Rod, Thanks for reading and for your reply. We tried to make it clear throughout the review – and especially in the section where we mentioned the MTN Lab – that this is a very lightweight boot that really shouldn’t be compared with boots like the MTN Lab because the design, construction, and intended use of the Backland Carbon is different. The Backland Carbon skis very well for a 1200 gram boot and should be enough boot for many skiers looking for a very light, touring-friendly boot that can still hold up to hard skiing. It is NOT a freeride oriented boot (the MTN Lab IS a freeride oriented boot) and should not really be compared to one.
Nice review. I’ve had these for a week or so now and found that removing the tongue is best achieved pulling up and inward – made quite a difference in my experience.
Curious to hear your experience adding a booster strap, I have considered the same. In the mean time i’ve had luck using the strap above the plastic cuff btwn the cuff and the liner when skiing; it gave the boot the feeling of another inch or so of height. Cheers
Thanks TN! Will be sure to update if I get a booster strap on them.
If you pull straight up on the tongue, it won’t come out easily. You need to twist it and then it pops out just fine. Also when taking the tongue out/in, don’t completely undo the shell cable- keep it attached to the buckle, but undo it from the inside tab. I’ve found that works better than completely undoing everything.
I can confirm. I have been using these boots the last couple weeks. Very good boot on the uphill. Very adequate on the downhill relative to the boot’s weight. Comfortable too!
Thanks Charlie!
I’ve had these boots since January. I use them coupled with a pair of Cochises for resorts, sidecountry, road laps, and other short tours. I’ve used them perhaps 15 days?
You get used to the tongue (or perhaps it wears down). When I first got them, I felt the same way you did. By now, its no more difficult than the TLT5Ps that I used to own. In the mean time, attatch a small bit of perlon cord to the tongue to pull on – way easier.
As an aside, I’ve found that the lower buckle cord hooks are perfectly designed for adding and removing the tongue. I can leave the buckle on the same notch, but simply change which cord hook you use.
You mention not being able to use Intuition liners due to the low volume. You REALLY need to mold the shell. It’s impressive how well it works. I can’t bearably tour for long in TLT5s, so they never got used how they should have, even after huge amounts of shellwork (hours of direct labor). One heatmold and I’m good in the Backlands. I can even fit a MV ProTour liner in them (impossible in my TLT5s – had to use the stock ultrathin liner). I guarantee you can use your preferred liner after heat molding the shell.
Once heat molding the shell and using your preferred liner, it will solve the cuff height issue you noticed (and that I noticed). The boot skis night and day better with my ProTour liner, almost entirely because of the significantly taller cuff height.
As TN mentions, apply the powerstrap to the top of the liner, not the tongue. This engages the full height of your now Intuition liners, and gives you the leverage and support that you’re yearning for.
I have a pretty high volume foot (the Cochises fit me really really well – even the large heel pocket – and was crippled by my TLT5s), but now can fit an Intuition ProTour. I had issues with adding and removing the tongue, but it has worn enough to be super easy now. I had issues with getting the support and leverage I desired due to cuff height, but not after an Intuition liner and proper application of the powerstrap. Basically the major drawbacks you mention have solid solutions. Hope you find the same after more time (and no, I’m not a shill – I paid full retail for my boots).
Finally: “My suspicion is that an increasing number of skiers will realize that boots like the Backland Carbon are a great choice for a large percentage of what many of us do much of the time we’re out ski touring, and that the extra weight of the more freeride-oriented boots will start to make less sense as this class of lightweight touring boots becomes more refined and more affordable.”
I whole heartedly agree. For regular touring and ski objectives, this class of boot really is the right choice, while my Cochise fills the crossover role when I feel like getting rad or when I’m at the resort. Great combination. I’ve skied heavy 115mm skis with the Backland with no qualms. Killer boot when I’m doing any type of normal touring or ski objectives – including skiing fast in funky snow (even stomped a nice 20ish cliff with em no problems). I only reach for my Cochises when huge cliffs or resorts are on the agenda.
Great info, Brian. Thanks. And thanks to everyone who has chimed in. Very useful comments.
Right on Brian! Super helpful. We have the best readers!
I’ll be sure to update here after I get a chance to mold the shell and try on the other liners. I’m excited.
Hello Brian!
Сould you compare the fit and size Backland and Cochise?
I have Cochise Pro light in 27.5 – it fit great for me with molded Palau liners. As I read in the Blister’s review and could confirm myself – Cochise have a lot of volume in shells with small liners. And i couldn’t make right choice – 27.5 or 28.5 Atomic Backland?
Thanks a lot!
It would be great to add lasportiva spitfire into reviews of 1200 ski touring boots with solid downhill performance. Somehow they get notoriously omitted from reviews of available options.
I had a comment typed out on the bus, accidentally deleted it, went to work, came back, saw Brain’s, and now I don’t need to post it. 3 tours in them so far and I wholeheartedly agree with the above. Loving them – they go up like a dream and have plenty on the down- and that’s even without Intuition Pro Tour’s yet…
+1 on the spitfire 2.0 comment. Seem like a very competitive boot for the light/fast touring or citizen skimo racer. I’m interest in any experience anyone has on them, particularly when it comes to how they fit!
Jeremy and Mykhallo, Thanks for the comments and suggestion! I’d be happy to check out the Spitfire 2.0 and will be sure to get up a review if we end up with a pair.
Skinning tip: try dragging your skis rather than lifting them like you are walking.
Ha ha! I’ve been waiting for someone to mention that. Couldn’t agree more Jim. Was trying to make boots visible for a photo. Bad form indeed!
Backland users: Is the stock liner so thin that it poses a concern for cold weather (0ºF) tours? If so, it sounds like fitting the shell for an Intuition may be a viable solution.
Hey Gabe! I haven’t had them in cold temps yet and don’t tend to get cold feet but I’ve wondered the same thing. I think there may be multiple advantages to using an intuition liner in these. Keep in mind that the Carbon Light version does include an ultralon foam liner but we haven’t had our hands on that boot yet.
I had the Backlands out touring yesterday and it was prob around -5 in the morning – no problems with cold feet, and I tend to get pretty cold toes in Alpine boots. I’ve also kept the tongues in for my past 2 long tours as an experiment and they still go uphill very well indeed. I think in the future I’ll probably only bother taking the tongues out if I know we have a long approach to a hut and I’m carrying significant weight, or maybe on traverse days with more flats / ups than downs. For general backcountry skiing and ridge laps, I think the tongues will just stay in – for me it’s not that they’re that hard to deal with, it’s just another thing to worry about and as far as I’m concerned the boots are still fantastic on the up-track with them in.
I completely agree with the review, in each part.
Great boots in terms of comfort and impressive skiing for their weight.
However, I am very disappointed with their quality, which I found poor compared to Dynafit or Scarpa.
The screws on the buckles were not tide. The liners look already old after 2 months of use, and the powerstrap is falling apart.
Customercare does not seem to be very supportive either…
Great post, thank you!
I was looking for a comment on how low this boot feels. then I read this:
“I’m going to take them to Powderhound Ski Shop in Girdwood next week to see if we can figure out a way to make a taller, more supportive liner work in them. I’ll also be adding some sort of elasticized booster strap. If these things make a significant difference, I’ll update this review.”
Did you have any experience on this? I also feel the boot very low, creating strain on my legs that I’m sure would disappear if the power strap made the pressure a little higher on the leg.
Thanks for any comment you can provide!
years past since your review BUT i would like to mention, that it’s quite easy to remove the tongue. just open the straps,… and put it sideways – like atomic discribes it in their manual. it takes me only seconds and no power to get it out or even in. i have no comparison to dynafits system but for me it’s no problem to get it in our out.
Can the lean angle be changed on the Carbons? The forward lean angle prevents me from straightening my leg while climbing. It’s uncomfortable and tiring. I assume this must be done by heating the shell and reforming the boot.
What bindings do you match with the boots ?
Last season I was using fritschi but on some point it made a kind of push hole when my leg slip down…
Due to the problem I don’t recomend to combine to combine this two.
Hello,
I would like to ask to compare atomic backland carbon with dynafit Neo PX ( winter guide CP). Which is better.
Thanks Peter