To right of tried and true F1, Scarpa Alien model 1.0 backcountry skiing boot is amazingly light in weight, appears to perform.

They absorb weight. In a good way. Carbon cuff version, size 27, 680 gr, 1.49 pounds, MSRP $1,700. Plastic cuff “consumer” version, 890g, 1.96 pounds. MSRP about half that at $800.00. Nice to see these totally out in public and apparently ready for prime time. World Cup races have already been won on the carbon model 1.0 version. No surprise. From what I can tell the Boa cable lacing system actually works, despite my habitual denial of alien visitation. Lean lock is a “one move” system of course, that folds up nicely when in walk mode. Inner boot is quite exposed, necessary to use a pant with a good and low integrated gaiter system. Overall a thumbs up. Exciting.

I haven’t skied for a few weeks, I’ll scratch the itch by writing about my ski boots. Lightweight, expensive and incredibly easy touring TLT5 is revolutionary not in any significant one area, but rather in that it integrates all those factors into a super functional package. This boot has been well received by myself and others, with good reason.

My TLTs after some use (with Intuition Pro Tour liner). Other than testing a few times, I never used the add-on tongues. I'm still thinking I'd like to have more forward support but really don't like fiddling with those. I might cut out the faux tongue and rivet in the stiffer one. Click to enlarge

Perhaps the most important technical aspect of TLT5 is that is uses a stiffer and thinner plastic for the lower “shoe.” This “Grilamid” has been available for 30 years, but is more difficult to work with than the usual Pebax or PU so it never become popular in the ski boot industry. That’s changing, as saving weight is more important than ever, and Dynafit has proved that with astute engineering a boot can indeed be made with Grilamid. Other significant features of the TLT5 are an integrated lean-lock and upper buckle that makes transitions super speedy, and touring cuff articulation that equals or surpasses anything else in the industry. But all that is known, and has been chatted, blogged, facebooked and spewed till TLT5 verbiage could pave a road to the moon. Main thing now, how do these shoes hold up?