Scarpa

Defender Alpine Touring Boot - Men's

The lines at the resorts border on eternal, you have completed avalanche safety courses, and you have the Scarpa Men's Defender Alpine Touring Boot ready and waiting to explore untouched powder in the backcountry. Lighter than many touring boots on the market, the Defender is a muted version of the old F3 so you can earn your turns without earning the gawks of boot-lookers everywhere.

Pebax Rnew is a hard-charging thermoplastic elastomer that stands between the world and your boot innards. The shell, cuff, and tongue are all made from this rugged plastic to give your foot some structure and guidance both on the hike up and the ski down. A slightly wide last of 102mm gives your foot some room to maneuver when making your way up a severe incline. While you won't have the toe-tickling fit of a race boot, your foot shouldn't be sloppy inside the Defender either.

Three buckles and a Power Strap work together to provide stability and security so both your ascent and descent are free of foot-slop. An ergonomic bellow turns the trek up the mountain into something less than torture. Vibram Skeleton rounds out this altitude-aspiring boot for stability from top to bottom. Compatible with TLT bindings, the Defender is ready to explore areas of the mountain not serviced by high-speed, heated-seat quad lifts.