Crispi is known in the telemark world (early adopter of the weird NTN system). As many of you know, they’ve also made and sold various AT boots over the years. In what appears to be somewhat of a re-launch, they’ve got a sweet little lineup of 4 new AT boots that’ll begin retailing next fall (as well as several basic F1 knockoffs that were previously available). We’ll attempt to on-snow some of these eventually. For now, first-look.
Crispi backcountry skiing AT boots for 1012 2013, left to right: Enigma, Skr!!m, Skwo:l, Synthesi. No, those funky names are not typos. I guess Crispi decided to beat the other Euros at their own weird naming game. Was thinking that double !! would cause an html interpreter error when used in my photo caption, I guess not, but I'm sure Google will not be pleased as they have a thing about too many exclamation marks in website content.
Two things stand out with this boot line. First, Crispi has devised yet another way (making four or five such solution in the industry, depending on how you count) of providing one-motion cuff buckle and lean lock. This feature is becoming more common, and in my view will eventually become the standard with most AT boots. It is a tough feature to implement, what with navigating around other boot maker’s patents and actually creating something that works. More below on that. The other interest item is with the Enigma model they’re thermo molding most of the lower shoe from a resin/fabric that’s easier to work with than injection molding with liquid plastic. This stuff is strong and stiff, something like carbon fiber mat used to mold the cuffs on high end race boots. Aside from keeping cost down, main idea is added stiffness with less weight penalty. In my view, this method of using thermoplastic woven mat in ski boots is something that’ll need scrutiny, but perhaps is a way to bypass the tyranny of injection molding that’s made ski boots so expensive and difficult to make.
Enigma by Crispi, lightweight ski mountaineering backcountry and skimo race boot. The Pebax lower frame is riveted to the thermoplastic composite mat, word is they're working on adhesive solutions, the rivets are not impressive. Catalog claimed weight of 1150 gr per pair is hard to believe, probably actually single boot weight, still quite good and excellent if street price is right (MSRP $995).
Crispi Scr!!m ski mountaineering boot. One motion closure, Pebax, lower reinforced with rigid thermoplastic insert that appears to add quite a bit of manufacturing complexity so I hope it's worth the cost and effort. Claimed weight 1580 gr per boot is fine if they're stiff.
Crispi one-motion cuff lock system is not as complex as it looks. The latch is spring loaded, so when not under tension from the cable it springs open and disengages the cuff lock.
Skwo:l 4-buckle model features a fur lined inner that harkens to a Vegas honeymoon suit, but is said to be quite nice. Pebax with thermoplastic insert in lower, conventional lean lock.
Price point Synthesi model (MSRP $650) is three buckle, lower shoe and cuff are Pebax, tongue some sort of plastic they call “Polymer” which is probably used to reduce cost.
All liners appear to be thermo moldable, and all boots have tech inserts.
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.
