Fischer’s adds the Transalp Pro to the more downhill segment of the touring market. If the Transalp Pro fits, you may just find yourself in a long-term relationship.

So many variables to consider when thinking of a human foot: Flat feet, stone bruises, Morton’s neuroma, low arches, high arches, bunions, high or low instep. There are also twenty-six bones and thirty joints comprising a human foot. In the backcountry skiing world, where boot comfort, power transfer, and touring prowess reign supreme, considering those bones and joints and ailments, so much can go awry. We’re lucky, though; we are in a time of plenty for backcountry touring boot options.

My boot choices over the last 12 years or so have looked like this: A size 26.5 Black Diamond Quadrant (the lime green and citron version), a drastic pivot to the same size Dynafit PDG (with minimalist skis), then a tortuous TLT6. I then found boot-fit Nirvana out of the box – hello 27.5 Fischer Travers Carbon. The boots fit like a custom slipper.

A 27.5 Transalp Pro (left) sits next to the Travers Carbon (right), also in a 27.5.

Front view of the 27.5 Transalp Pro (left) next to the Travers Carbon (right), also in a 27.5.

I never heat-molded the original Travers liners. I employed the included spoiler and 1mm thick volume reducer under the footbed and eventually came around to use blue-colored Superfeet insoles. Last season, I replaced the stock liners with Palau Tour Lite Pro Evo liners, which have been middle of the road – no real love affair, but no deep disdain. But over four full seasons, the shells have softened slightly. These are not burly boots; they weigh 1140kg with the Tour Lite liners. Last winter, I skied Movement Alp Track 100s or scurried along on deep spring tours skiing Hagan Ultra 82s, all in the same boot. I could not give up the sweet fit, the relatively lightweight, and A+ mobility.

These boots, however, are close to the end of their lifespan. Rather than beat the boots into oblivion, I’m temporarily resting my Travers, except for short tours and uphilling, so they’re in one piece when shocked from hibernation come spring.

Enter The Transalp Pro

Last February, WildSnow published “Light(ish) & Robust — 2021/22 Fischer Transalp First Look,” which I read and re-read. The words “modeled the Transalp after the Travers” set the hook. I had a hunch how I would fill my deep-winter ski boot void.

A side view of the Transalp Pro with the upper power strap, two buckles, and rear lockout ready to provide a relatively stiff boot experience.

I’ve seen the Transalp Pro rated as a 130 flex and also a 120 flex boot. No matter how the numbers play out, the boots ski stiff for me, but more likely in the 120 flex range. However, the Transalp Pro is markedly stiffer than the Travers Carbon, which aligns with what I’m seeking: a beefier boot to drive bigger/wider skis combined with some tourability chops.