Man, the AT boot world just continues to grow on both ends of the spectrum for next year. New boots from Scarpa and Garmont hit both the light and stiff category, as well as in the bright colored and drab UPS brown category.

The 2010/11 Scarpa Mobe.

I know some of you out there don’t really like having gear that pops on the color wheel, so you may like the new Mobe, 4-buckle, 110 flex offering from Scarpa next year. The Mobe introduces a new external ski/walk mechanism that is adjustable and has only one downhill setting. Even though I have been known to use both forward lean settings in some ski modes, I think in the end it is better to just have one setting. As a retailer and one who sees a lot of people of all types in the backcountry, beginners have a hard enough time even remembering to switch their boots into ski mode when it’s time to rip, nevermind figuring out if both their boots are set at the same forward lean.

Metal straps hold the lower buckles to the shell.

The Mobe will also have an “active” power-strap (like Booster strap) and also has metal straps that attach the lower buckles to the shell. These are stated to provide a better wrap when clamped down and provide little bit of tension to keep the buckles together when unbuckled for skinning or booting.

Sub 7 pound, 4-buckle, Scarpa Maestrale.

Also from Scarpa, will be a sub 7lb, 4-buckle boot, with a 90-100 flex called the Maestrale. The wild part of this boot has to be what Scarpa calls Alpine Axial Overlap, where the tongue hinges outward to really open up the boot for entry/exit, or removal of the liner. Interesting design, but I wonder if it is even necessary in a tongue style boot. Maybe I’m missing something, but it is pretty trick either way. The Maestral also has a spring loaded latch closer that keeps the top buckle in place when touring.

Alpine Axial Overlap lets the tongue flip out..for entry/exit.
Some of us thought Gullwing Tongue was a better name for it.

Fit wise, the Maestrale seemed lower volume than a Spirit or Skookum over the instep, but still rather wide in the forefoot. And since it also has an external ski/walk mechanism, it allows a lot of the internal plastic inside the boot to be removed, which really helps with maximizing rearward travel.  The Maestrale also has some small cut outs in the back off the upper cuff that reduce weight and I think jokingly have been stated to allow breathability.

Ultralight Garmont LightRider and MasterLight.

And if the bright orange of the Maestrale doesn’t do it for you, maybe the new Garmont LightRider will do the trick. Probably, one of most “interesting” color choices I’ve seen, the LightRider and MasterLight both have two buckles and a lightweight frame for those that want the absolute minimum. I don’t know much about these boots yet, but the MasterLight seemed the lighter of the two, and they look like a mix between an F1 (with it’s lightweight shell construction) and a DyNA (with it’s stiff sole and top buckle design). Hand testing felt like it might not provide as much freedom of movement in walk mode than either, but I didn’t ski this boot, so sort of hard to tell.

Most of the buzz at today’s Outdoor Retailer Demo day definitely seemed to be around the Dynafit and Black Diamond booths, which I’ve been lucky enough to get the inside scoop on already. Day 1 of the show today, so gotta run. Ciao for now!!!

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