Shop the Zero G Peak Carbon and the Zero G Peak Carbon – Women’s.
Technica, known for its success with the four-buckle descent-oriented Zero G Pro Tour boot, brings the Zero G Peak Carbon to market in the 1000-g class. Here’s a WildSnow look at the ZG Peak Carbon .
Ben Hoiness, the author and Zero G Peak Carbon fan, enjoys Cooke City’s winter light. Photo: Leslie Hittmeier.
Tecnica makes a big splash in the 1kg class of ski boots with the new Zero G Peak Carbon. This is a lovely looking boot for demanding skiers.
Size tested: 26.5
Stated Weight: 990 Grams. (Actual weight 1,013 demo version)
ROM: 75-degrees
Materials: Carbon cuff, carbon-infused grilamid lower.
Sole: Vibram
Forward Lean: 13-degrees, bumps to 15-degrees by adding a spoiler.
MSRP:$949.95
Read the Zero G Peak Carbon First Look
After spending a big Montana spring skiing this boot, I’m psyched to get this review out into the world. I’ve spent a good amount of time touring, scrambling, climbing ice, and boot packing in the Zero-G Peak; here’s my honest opinion on how this boot suited my mountain travel.
A little background on my daily skiing set-ups and terrain: I primarily ski a Zero G Tour Pro in a 25.5 (4 buckle big boot) and a Scarpa F1LT in a 26 (the 1 kg little boot). I typically ski my big boots on days when I’m more focused on the skiing or if I’m less concerned about speed on the ascent. I ski the Zero G Pro with three different skis, the 4FRNT Renegade122, MSP 107, and MSP99. As for my lighter boots, I tend to ski these on bigger days (8-12k vert) or when speed on the ascent is paramount. I also prefer to ski a little boot in terrain where I am mainly hop turning as I find it easier to maneuver the ski with a lightweight boot. I ski the 4FRNT Hoji112, Raven104, and MSP99 with this boot. I live in Cooke city in the winter and my terrain varies from low-angle tree skiing to steep peak skiing when conditions allow. — From Ben’s first look.
ZERO G Peak Carbon Z-cable Closure
First off, there are some significant differences in the design that I have outlined in a few photos below that I think are a major driving force in the improved skiability of the Zero G Peak Carbon over its competitors. The first is the closure. The closure on the Peak Carbon utilizes what Tecnica calls it a “Wrapping Shell Construction.” This construction is borrowed from more downhill-oriented boots and is employed to lock your foot into place by overlapping the shell with a single lower buckle tightening a Z-cable over the fore and midfoot. In my experience, this closure feels and skis much more secure than the BOA systems utilized on other boots in this class. Other makes using BOA-like closures are the Scarpa F1LT, the Dynafit TLT X, the Salomon S/LAB MTN Summit, and the Fischer Travers CS.
The Scarpa F1LT (left) employs a BOA closure, whereas the Peak Carbon uses a Z-cable system to snug the lower foot and secure the ankle/heel in place. The Peak’s shell also wraps further up on the forefoot.
The lower buckle on the Peak Carbon is recessed nicely and firmly snugs up the Z-cable for a solid fit.
The second noticeable difference in the Peak Carbon is the shell construction, or rather the shape of the shell. The shape of the Peak Carbon’s shell varies from Scarpa’s LT and RS Lambda frame in one seemingly important spot — see photos.
I believe the construction of the Peak Carbon shell allows for more torsional flex and minimizes slop compared to the Lambda. In the photo, the Peak’s shell wraps further up and around the sides of the foot, relative to the Scarpa F1LT. Lastly, the cuff closure of the Peak Carbon is simple, solid, and reliable. It utilizes a single upper buckle (same buckle as the lower) and a power strap with a camming buckle and G hook. This is a big improvement over the velcro cuff closure of its competitors.
In this side profile, we see the outer shell of the F1LT and Peak. The Peak Carbon provides more shell material near the outer ankle to provide excellent lateral stability.
In this side profile, we see the inner shell of the F1LT and Peak Carbon. The Peak Carbon provides more shell material near inner ankle too. This too provides excellent lateral stability.
The last piece of design I want to talk about is the ski/walk lock mechanism; this design element gives me the most pause. The design is similar to the larger, stiffer cousin to the Peak Carbon, the Zero G Pro Tour, but the lockout mechanism significantly slimmed down on the Peak. The mechanism does a fantastic job locking the boot forward and backward; my main concern is its durability. When in walk mode, the spring-loaded throw protrudes more than its competitors and maybe more prominently than on any other touring boot I’ve used. So far, I have been happy to say the mech has held up great, but I will continue to monitor this in the long run.
The Peak Carbon’s walk mechanism protrudes from the boot’s rear when flipped up into walk mode. This might be something to keep your eye on when booting and climbing.
Peak Carbon Downhill Performance
The downhill, this is what it’s all about anyway, right? Most of us agree that boots in the 1,000-gram weight class will walk pretty darn well, and the Peak Carbon is no exception here. I’ll dig into the nuances of walking, but first, let’s hone in on skiing. The biggest difference here compared to other boots is the predictability of the boot in adverse conditions. When skiing a light boot, I find it most challenging when I’m bouncing through chop, skiing a fast out track, or anytime the boot needs to flex through snow that isn’t uniform in density or shape. The Peak has a slightly softer flex than the Scarpa F1LT, but the flex is much more progressive, allowing for more predictability through the turn.
Peak Carbon Conclusions
Most of our time in a 1kg boot is in walk mode, and as I stated above, most boots in this class walk quite well, and the Peak is no exception to that general rule. The Peak Carbon has plenty of ROM for long strides across the flats. It climbs well and feels stable on small edges and steep ice bulges. The boot breathes well for high output ascents and has been warm enough for colder days. I’ve worn the boot in temperatures of 5F-45F, and although I haven’t tested this boot in sub-O-degree F conditions, It has been warmer than the F1LT when compared side by side.
Overall, If you can’t tell, I have been psyched on this boot on everything from the durability to the downhill performance. I’m excited about the first boot in this class from Tecnica and look forward to any incremental improvements.
Ben grew up climbing, skiing, and fly-fishing in the Greater Yellowstone
Ecosystem and has been lucky to continue living in this great place. Ben began
guiding fly-fishing at age 18 while attending college at the University of Montana,
where he studied cartography and resource conservation. At age 23, he began a
career as a mountain guide and began work for Exum mountain guides in
Jackson, Wyoming, where he lived for 5 Years. Recently, Ben has moved back to
the mountains of his childhood and now resides in Red Lodge, MT, with his Wife
Leslie and his Dog Cash. He now splits time managing a family fly-fishing
business, ski guiding in Cooke City, and of course, getting into the mountains as
much as possible.
20 comments
Ben, in your first look you mentioned you were going to swap in an Intution liner. Did you end up doing that? How was that?
Any more comments on the fit vs the ZG Tour Pro?
Does the instep allow for easy flexing to fit those of us (me) with a high instep?
Thanks,
Slim, I did end up doing it for personal use and I think it makes the boot ski even better with very little compromise to the walking. As for fit I would say it has a comparable fit to the ZG Tour Pro and I do think those with a high instep will be able to make this boot work for them.
Well I tried it on myself. I have a high instep. Putting on the ZG Tour Pro was always a chore, and even with a bunch of mods, still not very comfortable at the top of the instep.
ZG Peak is easy to get on and feels great there.
The other improvement in fit for my feet was the big toe area: it has a more squared off corner to the toe box by the big toe. (Big toe can go straight ahead rather than be pushed to the second toe).
I do feel it was a bit shorter in length than the ZG Tour Pro.
Walk mode was very good, but not the best.
Far rearward leg motion led to the back of the clog digging into my Achilles a bit.
Far forward (dorsiflexion) the ‘spine’ inside the boot, for the double latch system, would catch on an edge, making a ‘clicking’ sounds and feeling.
There was also a little bit more resistance to movement than in my Quantum Free’s.
Weight and stiffness are amazing.
Hope this can be of use to people.
Ben—Thanks for your thoughtful and thorough reviews.
Was it the Intuition Tour Wrap that you used? Did other wrap liners not work?
Thanks!
Have you had no problems with the lower buckle opening when bootpacking? Seems to me that putting that buckle up too would improve this boot — that’s the one thing that gives me pause.
Hey Eric, I was worried that I’d break or open that lower buckle but I have yet to do either even in rocky terrain.
Excellent excellent very well done review focusing in on very big specifics of what makes the boot special against others in this class!
Thanks DHACK!
How wide is the last in the forefoot?
I’ve not got the boot in hand, but Tecnica calls this a 99mm last.
So how would you compare the last to the F1 LT?
I sold my atomic backland carbon boots last year looking for something with a taller cuff and have been considering these and the slightly heavier Scarpa F1XT. I would like something lightish on the uphill, but have 1400g skis (with bindings), so I’m not going to worry about going over-light. For charging through humid Euro snow, do you think the Technica’s would be enough? Or would you go for the F11XT?
Im facing the same decision, any one already have experiences with the new f1 xt?
Hi Ben thanks for the review. Can I ask what crampon set up do you use to climb ice with these? Thanks
Sorry if I missed this somewhere, but any word if these will be compatible with Tectons?
Bump!
Cripple Creek told me that they are compatible with Tectons but warned against it. They say that you’re likely to wear the boot out driving a presumably heavier ski with Tectons. (In my case 4frnt Raven). …Ben’s experience seems to be contrary to that opinion.
Which liner from Intuation did you get thanks for the review
Anyone can compare the fit to Atomic Backland Carbon (2020 with Boa)?
MariusZ, It’s been a long time since I tied in the Boa Backland, but the shell is the same on the new version with a Z cable buckle, which I just bought.
I would say, they fit fairly similar, The Peak is perhaps just a touch shorter in the toe box. The ankle cuff is also a bit tighter on the Backland, but that’s so adjustable anyway.
Biggest issue for me was the tall lower clog digging into the back of my foot (Achilles tendon) in walk mode.