UPDATE: I got another pair of TLT6-P here at WildSnow HQ, 27.5, BSL 297. Super interesting how the weight game plays out with my older TLT5-p.
Last year's TLT5-P to left, latest TLT6-P to right. Due to being able to run a shorter shell size than last year, I ended up with the same weight and more performance. What's not to love about that!?
For a real apples to apples weight comparo I grabbed my TLT5-Ps from last season. They’re one shell size larger, which is the only way I could get a fit in the toe area. Thus, this is a real-world comparison of two boots that fit one person. The TLT6-P fits me way better in a 27.5 grabbing me around the ankle like a toothless bear. I knew they’d be a bit tight from when I tried them last winter; nothing a shell punch at the toe and a liner bake won’t take care of.
The numbers
TLT5-P shell, size 28, BSL 307 weighs 32.3 oz, 914 grams (no power strap, no removable tongues)
TLT5 Intuition Pro Tour liner weighs, 10 ounces, 284 grams
Total 1198 grams
TLT6-P shell, size 27.5, BSL 297 weighs 32 ounces, 910 grams (no power strap, no removable tongues)
TLT6-P Custom Ready (beefier) liner weighs 10.3 ounces, 292 grams
Total 1202 grams
(See below for weight and thoughts and weight regarding the CL Custom Light liner option that’s available in Europe.)
So check it out! For virtually the same weight on my feet as last winter (4 grams more) I get a beefy liner and a better skiing shell, more warmth — and a cool green color. Just for grins, I’ll shave 12 grams of rubber off the sole. All this because I can run the slightly wider and flex-from TLT6-P one shell size smaller. Added benefits: the shorter boot will feel better for climbing and walking without skis, and if I run a lightweight liner in the TLT6 I’ll end up with an even lighter setup than last season — the goal every year here at WildSnow.com.
And check this out, the European available CL version liner (Custom Light) appears to be virtually the same thing as last year's stock TLT5 liner. I happen to have a mint pair of this in the WildSnow shop, perfect for experimentation. This pair of 28 fits my 27.5 Six Shooters perfectly after molding, with the small amount of extra length my custom performance fit needs in a liner. Weight is a scanty 6.2 ounces per liner (174 grams). So if I run this liner I'll have a full 4 ounces (113 grams) less per foot. That's a fairly significant difference. Worth the sacrifice in performance? Stay tuned.
Original post follows
Our local glycogen powered ski shop Cripple Creek Backcountry got the TLT6-P backcountry skiing boot. My personal copies are in transit so I ran over to the Creek for a first look review (doors open in about a month, but they’re hard at work, and yes, taking calls from customers.) This pair of size 28 weighs in at 47.2 oz, 1338 gm with the swap tongue installed. Comes with a stiff tongue and soft tongue, or you can run with no tongue (the mode I prefer). Click all images to enlarge.
In the wrapper, a celestial choir broke out in praise as we opened the lid.
Stripping off the clothing, TLT6P by Dynafit, for backcountry skiing full-on. I like the color, sort of a mellow green. Never liked the white.
On the scale, with tongue installed 1338 grams, liner is 290 of those.
Plastic ridge protects outside buckle from damage and inadvertent opening. We'd like to see more effort made with this, but it's a good start.
Overall, the lower buckle is much nicer than last year's version, though we'd still like to see it all relocated to the top of the tongue.
Last is just a few millimeters wider, warmer and easier to fit. If you like narrow boots I don't think the added dimension will be too much to deal with.
Big deal is TLT6 P has NO metatarsal flex at the ball of the foot. This alone will make the boot ski much more powerfully, not to mention being easier to customize.
A boot board of sorts is stuck to the interior bottom of shell. This will add warmth as well as some friction to keep your liner from sliding around and reducing performance.
Another view, showing lack of front flex as well as improved buckle.
Liner (CR version shown) is VASTLY improved over previous years. Noticeably stiffer and denser, with a nice reinforced area in the shin bite region.
Liner has reinforcements all over the place including welded areas where boot rivets bored tragic holes in some liners.
If you know about big travel suspension technology, you know what a limiting strap is. Well, now ski boots get one. Cool idea.
TLT 6 may be available with two different liners, CR ('Custom Ready' on right) and CL ('Custom Light' on left, which may actually be liner that swaps to other Dynafit model shells for a lightweight minimalist option). How retailers will deal with this possible optional liner situation is an open question, but it might be a precursor to our suggestion from years ago that liners be sold separate from shells. Click to zoom
Our only concern: we wish they’d totally eliminated the side buckle. We’re not sure the cuff rivet has any improvements to prevent wear.
Overall, a finished looking shoe that might just be the best backcountry skiing boot ever made by Dynafit — and most certainly one of the best ever overall. Now to ski in them…
Shop for Dynafit TLT 6 P backcountry skiing boot.
WildSnow.com publisher emeritus and founder Lou (Louis Dawson) has a 50+ years career in climbing, backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. He was the first person in history to ski down all 54 Colorado 14,000-foot peaks, has authored numerous books about about backcountry skiing, and has skied from the summit of Denali in Alaska, North America’s highest mountain.
