Black Diamond

Prime Alpine Touring Boot

There's only so much time before the freshies get hammered, so strap on the Black Diamond Prime Men's Alpine Touring Boot and set the skinner while everyone else is drinking their second cup of coffee. Designed to cover serious ground, the Prime is the lightest boot in Black Diamond's lineup, weighing in at just over 3.5 pounds per boot thanks to its Triax plastic shell and heat-moldable Efficient Fit AT Light liner, which has flex zones for easy movement and fully taped seams to stop heat from escaping. Pair this with the Triax Pivot design, which provides 40° of cuff rotation, and the super-comfortable 103mm V-shaped last, and the Prime will have you on the summit in no time.

It's not as burly as the Quadrant, Black Diamond's top-of-the-line lightweight touring boot, but the Prime can more than hold its own on steep, deep, and technical descents. With four Quickwire buckles (two of which are inverted for better forefoot hold), a fat power strap, and a plastic liner tongue, you can get every ounce of performance out of the Prime's 110 flex. Finish it off with a rockered rubber sole with integrated tech fittings, and all those dawn-patrol laps don't stand a chance.