Today we got the official announcement about SCARPA’s new line of more alpine-oriented boots that they teased back when they announced Bode Miller was joining their athlete roster. The new boots, dubbed 4-Quattro (which I will definitely keep saying as “Four Four” in my head…), are reportedly the “lightest GripWalk hybrid ski boots on the market.”
The 4-Quattro series is the first GripWalk series of boots from the brand, following in the steps of SCARPA’s old Freedom series of boots, which offered near-alpine-boot performance with decent range of motion, but were significantly heavier and more downhill oriented than SCARPA’s venerable Maestrale series.
However, the new 4-Quattro boots are pretty different from the old Freedom boots, with the 4-Quattro boots being far lighter, having a much broader stated range of motion, and reportedly being made with a lower-volume fit.
Given all this, we’re very curious about several aspects of the 4-Quattro boots. How will they compare to the SCARPA Maestrale series, given the similarities in terms of weight and range of motion? How well will these lightweight GripWalk boots hold up to lots of laps in the resort? And how suitable will they feel for long days in the backcountry. We’re trying to get in the new boots ASAP, so stay tuned for updates.
Here are some of the quick highlights of the 4-Quattro series, according to Scarpa’s press release:
- The key to the Quattro’s performance is a lower-volume, performance-minded fit, an over-injected carbon insert for enhanced precision and torsional rigidity, and a low stand height that improves power transmission to skis.
- A major differentiator in these boots is the first full-coverage GripWalk sole, which improves traction and security for working snow professionals or anyone who spends a good amount of time walking in their ski boots. The design is compatible with GripWalk-certified downhill or ski-touring bindings.
- The Quattro’s Alpine Axial Hybrid construction allows for the precision and energy transmission of a classic overlap ski boot while also adjusting to fit a wide range of foot shapes and allowing easier entry into the boot.
- A friction-free magnesium Speed Lock 4 ski/walk mechanism with 61 degrees range of motion is extremely light yet extremely strong, balancing weight with power.
Stock features include a thermoformable Intuition liner and integrated Recco searchability. - The men’s and women’s 4-Quattro XT is made with plant-based Grilamid Bio and offers a flex index of 130 for men and 115 for women, with weights of 1,500 grams (27) and 1,345 grams (25). The XT versions also come with an integrated Booster Strap.
- The men’s and women’s 4-Quattro SL is made with plant-based Pebax R-new and offers a flex index of 120 for men and 100 for women, with weights of 1,430 grams (27) and 1290 grams (25).
Grilamid Bio and Pebax Rnew are derived from the castor bean plant, which reduces fossil fuel use and emissions in the process of moving from raw to usable material. In addition, castor beans can be grown on arid land where other agriculture typically isn’t possible, so it doesn’t compete with food production and also offers an economic activity in places where other agriculture doesn’t take place.
And here’s the full press release, for reference:
SCARPA unveils 4-Quattro collection, the lightest GripWalk hybrid ski boots on market
New boot program from SCARPA pairs top-tier alpine performance with high functionality for touring, backcountry travel and walking.
BOULDER, Colo. (Jan. 25, 2022) – As skiers demand new levels of do-anything performance in their gear, SCARPA, the Asolo, Italy-based manufacturer that has led the alpine-touring ski boot category for decades, introduces its 4-Quattro family of ski boots, the lightest GripWalk hybrid ski boots on the market.
Combining top-tier alpine performance with high functionality for touring, backcountry travel and walking, the new SCARPA 4-Quattro XT and SL hold appeal for a wide range of people — everyone from expert-level alpine skiers and snow professionals to everyday skiers looking for versatility paired with power, mobility, light weight and security for moving on your feet.
“The 4-Quattro boot is SCARPA’s first line of ski boots fully focused on the alpine-ski world, so we made sure to build a boot that’s performance-oriented, light and technical enough for the best skiers in the world, but one that’s comfortable and versatile for everyday skiers who want a boot that spans a big range of potential uses,” said Massimo Pellizzer, ski boot category manager for SCARPA.
The 4-Quattro boots carry forward the legacy of SCARPA’s Freedom series, which hit the market in 2013 and were the first ski boots in the world to truly meld alpine-level ski performance and construction in an overlap shell with light weight and wide range of cuff motion.
As a category leader in ski boot performance, SCARPA put decades of experience to work in the 4-Quattro series, and also factored in sustainability with a shell and cuff made from renewable, plant-based sources.
- The key to the Quattro’s performance is a lower-volume, performance-minded fit, an over-injected carbon insert for enhanced precision and torsional rigidity, and a low stand height that improves power transmission to skis.
- A major differentiator in these boots is the first full-coverage GripWalk sole, which improves traction and security for working snow professionals or anyone who spends a good amount of time walking in their ski boots. The design is compatible with GripWalk-certified downhill or ski-touring bindings.
- The Quattro’s Alpine Axial Hybrid construction allows for the precision and energy transmission of a classic overlap ski boot while also adjusting to fit a wide range of foot shapes and allowing easier entry into the boot.
- A friction-free magnesium Speed Lock 4 ski/walk mechanism with 61 degrees range of motion is extremely light yet extremely strong, balancing weight with power.
Stock features include a thermoformable Intuition liner and integrated Recco searchability. - The men’s and women’s 4-Quattro XT is made with plant-based Grilamid Bio and offers a flex index of 130 for men and 115 for women, with weights of 1,500 grams (27) and 1,345 grams (25). The XT versions also come with an integrated Booster Strap.
- The men’s and women’s 4-Quattro SL is made with plant-based Pebax R-new and offers a flex index of 120 for men and 100 for women, with weights of 1,430 grams (27) and 1290 grams (25).
SCARPA builds on its use of sustainable materials with plant-derived materials in the 4-Quattro family, which it has previously used in other boot programs, including the top-selling Maestrale and Gea. Grilamid Bio and Pebax Rnew are derived from the castor bean plant, which reduces fossil fuel use and emissions in the process of moving from raw to usable material. In addition, castor beans can be grown on arid land where other agriculture typically isn’t possible, so it doesn’t compete with food production and also offers an economic activity in places where other agriculture doesn’t take place. - The boots retail for $799 for the XT, $699 for the SL.
SCARPA has long been a leader and innovator in the ski-boot industry, from creating the Denali, one of the industry’s first alpine-touring boots in the early 1990s and a benchmark for the sport, to building the first plastic telemark boot, the Terminator, to the innovation of using plant-based plastics in its Maestrale and Gea family, which have been the world’s best-selling alpine-touring boots for many years.
SCARPA will unveil the Quattro boots in Denver on January 25, where it will host a kickoff event with new ski ambassador Bode Miller, longtime ski athlete Chris Davenport and others.
Does lower volume mean that they are unlikely to work with a wider instep? I like my Freedom SLs, but I have a fairly wide forefoot and they are a bit tight.
Seems rather like Quatro Fiddle Factor when i Look @ those shitty buckles…cmon make em stout buckles and invest 50-100grams in less inapprapriate language Used amongst the Crew while transitioning…
Those style buckles have been great on my zero G boots. I just leave them open in my desired setting while touring. Flip 4 buckles, walk mode, and power strap and I’m transitioned.
Even more exciting is the new F1 series, which will compete directly with the Tecnica 1000g boots. Hopefully this means everyone will find a boot of this type that fits well.
Is anyone else finding the language and messaging a little confusing here? It says that his will be their first fully alpine focused boot, but it has a full rubber sole, lightweight buckles, and weighs in under 1500 grams. That’s lighter than the 50/50 boots on the market (as far as I am aware), not too much heavier than a Maestrale, and basically the same weight as the Maestrale XT. So who is this boot for? They look sweet though and I’m stoked they aren’t $900. Hopefully “performance minded fit” doesn’t mean it’s yet another boot for the narrow foot club
The XT is $800 so pretty damn close to $900. Hopefully it is eight benjamins worth of performance and fit.
These look sweet, currently touring on R3 130s and 1500 gr is nothing really. The term 50/50 in my book just means – stable/hard charging backcountry – so that’s what these will most likely be perfect for. Interested to see more on these.
The touring boot market is a world of wonder right now. Technica taking aim at the under 1000g market, and scrapa firing back at the Zero G. Pretty awesome right now.
Plus: Atomic’s Backland Carboner surely gonna be sweet AF in 2023
anyone gonna talk about the last ????
Yeah, curious about the last? 98? 99? At any rate, looks sweet! I love my Zero G’s and this seems to be in the same arena. Hopefully these new boots will get people out of their pure touring boots and pin bindings when skiing the resort!
Great, whatever. Now build a 75mm telemark boot that has 70 degrees range of motion, so they can be walked in. SCARPA used to: the T3s from the 90s. My Maestrales are great, but the fiddle factor of AT bindings really slow you down in rolling terrain. But the newer T-series boots are impossible to walk in. Also, make all your boots in sizes 32 and 33. We’re not all scrawny little guys, you know.