Head and Tyrolia have released a joint announcement (they’re both part of the Head Group) about a whole bunch of new touring products that they’ll be offering in the 2024-2025 season.
This is particularly noteworthy since neither brand had previously offered that many touring-specific products. Head made lots of pretty lightweight skis and Tyrolia offers two different types of frame-style AT bindings, but this announcement feels like a much bigger commitment to the touring category for both brands.
For starters, Head’s new touring-oriented Crux collection includes skis (4 models), boots (3 models), skins, poles, and a backpack.
2024-2025 Head Crux Pro Skis
The skis span from the Crux 87 Pro to the Crux 93 Pro, Crux 99 Pro, and Crux 105 Pro. All are reportedly made with karuba wood cores and include graphene (as we’ve come to expect from Head’s Kore skis), but the Crux skis add a triaxial carbon laminate for increased torsional rigidity. The Crux skis also ditch a traditional top sheet in favor of a transparent layer with a snow-repellent coating that reportedly makes the ski “more sustainable” and lighter.
With the Crux 105 Pro reportedly coming in at 1440 grams per ski for the 184 cm length, these new skis seem like they’ll be quite light for their respective sizes. We’re working with limited info for the time being, but here’s Head’s copy and specs about all the skis from their press release:
“The CRUX 105 PRO (MSRP $950) is ideal for deep backcountry missions with 105 mm width, and a weight of just 1,440 g in the 184 cm length. The CRUX 99 PRO (MSRP $900) is designed as a versatile touring ski with a 99 mm waist that weighs 1,385 g in the 184 cm. The CRUX 93 PRO (MSRP $850), which weighs in at only 1,280 g in the 177 cm length, is an all-mountain player that adapts to a variety of different snow conditions. The CRUX 87 PRO (MSRP $800) weighs just 1,220 g in the 177 cm, and makes skinning up easy, while offering maximum control and stability on the downhill.”
2024-2025 Tyrolia Almonte Ski-Touring Bindings
To pair with those new Crux skis, Tyrolia is launching their new Almonte 10 PT and Almonte 12 PT bindings, which are the brand’s first “tech” or “pin” bindings and are named after the brand’s first touring binding from 1928.
The Almonte bindings seem targeted at the versatile class of “light but fully featured” AT bindings (anyone got better category name ideas than me?). I.e., the Almonte reportedly weighs 325 grams per binding but offers lots of features, including an automatic brake lock, three climbing settings (0°/ 6.5°/ 12°), and a “Performance Spacer” that reportedly transmits forces from your boot through both the brake platform and the U spring at the heel (this sounds similar in concept to ATK’s “Freeride Spacer”). All of the plastics used on the Almonte bindings are reportedly either bio-based or come from recycled sources. The Almonte 12 PT retails for $575 (USD) with brakes and the Almonte 10 PT retails for $525 with brakes.
2024-2025 Head Crux Ski-Touring Boots, Poles, Skins, & Pack
Next up, we’ve got Head’s new Crux line of ski-touring boots. They say the goal was to make “a no-compromise touring boot, with equal performance on the ascent and descent.” At the top of the line sits the Crux Pro, which features a carbon-reinforced shell, 55° stated range of motion, a stated weight of 1250 g per boot (size 26.5), and a 3-buckle layout with one buckle handling the lower shell via a multi-point “Z” cable. The stated last width for a size 26.5 is 99 mm, it has an external walk mechanism that looks similar to Head’s Kore boots (though more machined and likely a touch lighter?), and a custom full-rubber Vibram Durastep outsole. The Crux boots reportedly feature a 100% organic-based version of Pebax plastic (made from castor beans), and the Crux Pro reportedly uses recycled carbon fibers in its shell.
The Crux line of boots also includes a softer model (just called “Crux”) and a women-specific “Crux W” boot. Details are sparse on those boots for the time being, and Head didn’t list any flex ratings in their press release. The MSRP of the Crux Pro boot will be $950, while the Crux and Crux W boots will retail for $900.
Lastly, Head also announced their new adjustable carbon Crux Poles, Crux Climbing Skins (mohair / nylon mix, pre-cut for Crux skis, look to be manufactured by Kohla), and the rolltop, touring-specific CX30+ backpack.
For reference, here’s the full press release from Head & Tyrolia:
New CRUX Collection from HEAD/Tyrolia Sets the Bar for Ski Touring Performance
January 30, 2024 (Boulder, Colo.) – HEAD/Tyrolia, the world’s largest independently-owned ski, boot, and binding manufacturer, introduces the CRUX Collection, a complete ski touring solution that combines lightweight agility with the brand’s renowned downhill performance. Available in the fall of 2024, CRUX includes four models of skis, two binding options, plus boots, skins, poles and a backcountry pack.
“Our product team took a very intentional, methodical approach to design our first complete collection of ski touring equipment,” said Jon Rucker, President of HEAD/Tyrolia USA Wintersports Division. “We developed a line from the ground up using the latest technology and materials to ensure each piece meets our company’s exacting demands for excellence on both the uphill and the down. CRUX and Almonte are major milestones for HEAD and Tyrolia.”
Each of the four CRUX Pro skis are made with a graphene and karuba wood core with a triaxial carbon crosscut, featuring fibers woven in three angles (triaxial) to provide exceptional torsional rigidity. The skis forgo a traditional topsheet in favor of a transparent layer with a snow repellent coating that makes the ski more sustainable and lighter weight.
The CRUX 105 PRO (MSRP $950) is ideal for deep backcountry missions with 105 mm width, and a weight of just 1,440 g in the 184 cm length. The CRUX 99 PRO (MSRP $900) is designed as a versatile touring ski with a 99 mm waist that weighs 1,385 g in the 184 cm. The CRUX 93 PRO (MSRP $850), which weighs in at only 1,280 g in the 177 cm length, is an all-mountain player that adapts to a variety of different snow conditions. The CRUX 87 PRO (MSRP $800) weighs just 1,220 g in the 177 cm, and makes skinning up easy, while offering maximum control and stability on the downhill.
To complement the HEAD CRUX skis, sister brand Tyrolia developed the new Almonte tech binding, named after the brand’s original touring binding from 1928. Both the Almonte 12 PT (DIN 5-12) and the Almonte 10 PT (DIN 4-10), combine lightweight (325 g) performance with a dependable design. The Almonte is easy to step into and enables quick transitions from climbing to ski mode with an automatic brake lock and an insulated mechanism that prevents icing up. Both bindings have three climbing settings (0°/ 6.5°/ 12°) and a Performance Spacer that transmits forces not only through the U-pin, but also via the brake platform. All of the plastics in the binding are either bio-based or come from recycled sources. The Almonte 12 PT retails for $575 with brakes and the Almonte 10 PT sells for $525 with brakes.
HEAD worked with an international team of mountain guides to develop a no-compromise touring boot, with equal performance on the ascent and descent. The carbon fiber CRUX PRO (MSRP $950) features HEAD’s LYT Dynamic Frame to deliver direct and strong power transmission. Weighing in at just 1,250 g per boot (size 26.5), the CRUX PRO has a 55-degree range of motion with a three-buckle system that allows easy entry and exit and offers a comfortable fit with a 99 mm last. The specially developed and shaped Vibram® Durastep outsole guarantees reliable grip while walking. In terms of sustainability, the new boot design features a 100% organic-based high-performance polymer from Pebax® sourced from the castor bean. The CRUX PRO boot also uses recycled carbon fibers in the shell. Also included in the line is the CRUX boot with a softer flex for intermediate skiers and CRUX W for female skiers. The CRUX PRO retails for $950, while the CRUX and the CRUX W sell for $900. All CRUX boots include the Recco® system.
To complete the ski touring package, HEAD also developed a full line of accessories including poles, skins, and a backcountry pack. The adjustable CRUX poles (MSRP $199) are made of feather-light carbon, have foam handles with an integrated tool for changing the climbing position on the bindings, and pivoting baskets. The CRUX touring skins (MSRP $199) are made with 65% mohair and 35% nylon, and are pre-cut and measured to correspond to each CRUX ski. Finally, the new rolltop CX30+ backpack (MSRP $219) is designed for easy access with expandable volume to 30 litres. A dedicated compartment for avalanche equipment, and a system to easily fasten a helmet, skis or snowboard, enhance the functionality of the backpack, which is available in black or white.
Well, more options are always nice. It will be interesting to see what the shapes of the skis are like.
The boot seems interesting. Any word on whether it has a tongue, overlap or “open throat” layout for the lower shell? Not many boots with 2 cuff buckles and 1 lower foot buckle. Given most people don’t tighten those very much, it seems like it might be a sensible weight saving.
FWIW, I’ve gotten a glimpse at the Crux Pro skis and they all look pretty similar to the Crux Pro 99 pictured above.
As for the Crux boot, I’ll try to confirm. The rendering shown above and Head’s copy do not make it clear what sort of material makes up the area between the two sides of the lower shell.
I think this is a a big improvement, I have a great deal of experience in bounds at Palisades with my Current Light Downhill Setup. It can handle the Slot at Max Out, and for National Chute and Powder days I need a wider, heavier QST with Nordica Boots. I am interesting in trying the setup, likely on sale post season, give a rather average ski year in terms of California conditions. I think if I was going to ski tour, I would want a nice light ski, and practice positions. With my light setup in the trees of Red Dog on the left, it is maxed out, but for right side, I need more power, as I said, a QST, or my favorite, Black Crow Justis, but these are heavier skis than the Head Core 99.
Current Light Downhill Setup
Ski: Head Core 177, 99mm 1753 grams per ski.
Boot: Lange XT3: 1750 grams per boot.
Binding: Marker Binding 815 grams per binding.
Total Weight: 4318 grams
Comparable Touring SetupSki: Head Crux 93: 1280 grams per ski.
Boot: Head Crux Boot: 1250 grams per boot.
Binding: Tyrrola Almonte 325 grams per binding.
Total Weight: 2855 grams grams
Weight difference is real. That’s a ski setup that is 2/3rd the weight of a very light setup to begin with.
Where is the “Performance Spacer“ located? The current atk freeride spacer sits in front of the brakes and has a much wider platform than anything else on the binding, that seems to allow it to support the entire width of the heel sole block from tilting like it would in just pins. I can’t see anything on the crux binding that looks like it would be as supportive, but at that lower price and weight it would definitely be a sweet alternative if the spacer works!
I still haven’t seen a final image of the spacer installed, but I just added a screenshot from Tyrolia’s graphics (3rd pic in the slideshow in the Almonte section) that makes it seem like the spacer surrounds the brake pad, or at least 3 sides of it (the graphic makes it look like the spacer might be flipped the wrong way) to create a taller and wider platform under the boot heel.
Any idea if the 105 is going to come in a 189 length?
Thanks
In a world where every touring boot is getting wider and wider it’s such a relief to see a company making a sub-100mm last option. Maybe now I’ll find something I can actually use instead of my heavy freeride boots.
Well done Head! Hopefully this inspires some competition for narrower alternatives.
Looks like the Crux boot has a soft fabric material on the “throat”, like a Backland XTD or similar.
my comment above got cutoff somehow… this pic on facebook appears to show that soft fabric. Are you guys going to get on that boot anytime soon?
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=846235857404197&set=pcb.846235934070856
looks nice but too heavy yet…. boots like this needs almost 200 grams lighter