Dalbello Men's PANTERRA 120 GW MS Ski Boots

Product Information

BI-Injection Technology - Softer plastic panels over the instep for easy flex and on/off functionality are surrounded by a hard plastic frame for steering and control The 4-Quattro XT required minimal tweaking over our first few tours, something not common given our temperamental feet. What we did notice was how awkward it is to put on and remove this boot, thanks to its effective yet perhaps over-engineered shell design and layering system. That kept weight manageable without compromising this boot’s power transfer and downhill performance. Atomic enhanced the boot’s lateral stability and skier-to-ski power transfer by adding a carbon spine.

There are a few other design elements that stand out in regards to comfort and creating a more personalized fit. They have relief contours at four specific points along the heel and come with adjustable cuffs that give you the ability to change the inclination to meet your preferences. Such adjustments can be subtle, but they give you hands-on control over how your boots fit. That’s always a nice feature. On-Snow Performance We took this season’s newest ski boots up and down the lifts for hundreds of inbounds runs, and then skinned up and hiked for our turns in more than six mountain ranges, three states, and two countries.We start with a freshly made brew and ask you to complete a questionnaire so we can start to build a picture around your needs and what you are looking to achieve from your boot fitting appointment For instance, the SCARPA F1 LT is an ultralight boot for ski mountaineering that weighs 990 g (2.18 pounds). The SCARPA Alien 1.0, which is a hit among skimo racers, weighs 785 g (1 pound, 11.7 ounces). Dalbello Panterra 130– My biggest gripe with the Panterra 120 is that it doesn’t quite live up to the high-performance standard that I prefer. However, the 130 works to close that gap. You still get plenty of comfort and all of the awesome features that cater to hiking, but they also offer more power transfer as a result of their stiffness. The Panterra range from Dalbello is legendary and the 120 is no exception. The Panterra 120 offers both comfort and performance, design to help take on any conditions. Once again, Dalbello have designed a boot that can fit out of the box, however offers a lot of customisation to give an even more personal fit. One of the many cool features of the Dalbello Panterra is that it’s honestly quite easy to navigate and stay on a forward move with. These ski boots have an accurate flex rating compared to the other boots I have tried combing the trails with.

Another alternative is getting a custom footbed from a bootfitter (which requires getting fit in-person). This is an expensive process but can be worthwhile for those with stubbornly shaped feet or who ski a ton each year. You can call your local ski shop and ask if they make custom footbeds. In addition to our team’s experience, we also considered the most popular, innovative, award-winning, and bestselling ski boots on the market as well as a broad range of price points and a variety of features and applications. Senior Editor Morgan Tilton testing ski boots at Crested Butte Mountain Resort; (photo/Jason Hummel) Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose Ski Boots The Roxa R/Fit I.R. turns the notion that wide boots are clunky and heavy on its head. These lightweight, high-volume beauties use injected Grilamid in key locations of the otherwise PU shell, which cuts weight without diminishing performance. With a wide 102mm last, the boots will need minimal fit modification for most, but can be heat-molded for more volume if needed. With easy entry and GripWalk, the R/Fit I.R. boots hold their own in both the comfort and performance departments. With downhill movement, there wasn’t much strength or effort I needed to exert. Therefore, regardless of their bulkiness, the boots fair well thanks to the gravitational pull. MV stands for mid-volume, so those boots are a medium sole or regular fit. LV stands for low-volume, meaning the boot has a narrower last. Our team tested both and regardless of our foot shape, these boots earned the highest marks.

Ski boot flex is indicated by a number ranging from 50 (very soft) to 140 (very stiff). Lightweight, short and beginner skiers should start with softer flexes, while larger, taller and more aggressive skiers can use stiffer flexes. If in doubt, use a softer flex to prevent pain and practices better technique before using stiffer ski boots. Having well fitted ski boots is essential to get the best from your valuable time on the mountain. Not only do badly fitted rental or owned ski boots cause comfort issues, but they are also potentially dangerous if the fit impacts the control you have when heading down the slopes. We offer a full professional fitting service, so whether you are a beginner or a racer we can accommodate you. The same traits that make these boots good value for skiers who want comfort and decent performance can hinder their appeal for those searching for high-end performance. If you want a boot that’s built to match the needs of an experienced skier who knows what they want out of a boot, I’d keep shopping. What I Like