Scarpa

Gea GT Alpine Touring Boot - Women's

There's a lot of up to get through before you can shred the down, but the Scarpa Gea GT Women's Alpine Touring Boot handles both of them with aplomb and doesn't empty your bank account along the way. The kid sister of the Gea 1.0, the GT weighs about 10oz more and has a pre-formed Instant-Fit GT Women's liner, but is otherwise virtually identical to its big sis, with a polyurethane shell, stiff Pebax tongue, 100 flex, and comfortable 101mm last that performs well without squeezing your foot to death. Its uphill performance is also comparable to dramatically more expensive boots, thanks to Scarpa's new MiragePro ski/walk mechanism, which offers 39° of cuff motion, and the side-hinging Axial Alpine tongue construction, which provides a smooth, easy flex in the forefoot and ankle for unimpeded walking. The GT also sports Dynafit Quick Step-In tech inserts with the Fitting Indiciator System, which makes it easy to align your boot and binding for easy, hassle-free step-ins, even in deep snow.

A ski boot's not worth much if it makes big sacrifices on the way down, and despite its moderate flex and comfortable fit, the Gea GT doesn't shy away from steep descents and deep powder. The Mirage Pro ski/walk system locks down with two bars for serious stability, and works with the Evo V-Frame cuff to provide fore and aft stiffness for powerful, consistent skiing. In addition to providing smooth touring performance, the Axial Alpine tongue allows for top-shelf buckle efficiency and volume control, so you don't have to deal with sloppy or pinched feet, and the FR Power Strap has a finger hole for easy tightening when you're wearing gloves. The top buckle also features a Tour-Lock clasp, which holds the bale in place even when the buckle's open so you can quickly and simply buckle up before you begin the ride down.