Scarpa

Maestrale GT Alpine Touring Boot

Coming in at the affordable end of Scarpa's AT line, the Maestrale GT Alpine Touring Boot blends touring ability, downhill performance, and value, making it a great first AT boot or all-rounder for skiers who aren't looking to smash the piggy bank. It's virtually identical to its big brother the Maestrale 1.0, but weighs about one pound more and has several different features, most notably a pre-formed Instant-Fit GT liner instead of a moldable Intuition liner and aluminum buckles instead of the 1.0's lighter magnesium offerings. The differences end there, though; the GT has the same design, starting with the polyurethane shell and Pebax tongue that give it a touring-friendly 100 flex, a comfortable 101mm last, and 39° of cuff rotation for smooth, easy uphill performance. It also features Scarpa's new Mirage Pro Ski/Walk mode, which uses two locking pins for powerful, consistent energy transfer, and offers forward lean angles of 16° and 20° so you can customize your stance to fit the conditions and your skiing style. 

Although it only has a 100 flex rating, the GT is plenty tough enough for most descents. Scarpa designed it with an Evo V-Frame cuff for increased rearward stiffness and power transmission, and modified the classic front-hinging Cabrio tongue design to open to the side, letting the boot buckle more efficiently through the forefoot for serious volume control. That means you never have to settle for your feet feeling sloppy or pinched. The top buckle comes with a wiregate Tour-Lock clasp, which flips up to keep the bale settled in the ladder even when it's unbuckled, making it easy to buckle down and go when you're ready to rip, and the Vibram Cayman rubber sole takes the terror out of walking on exposed rock and icy ridges. As a finishing touch, Scarpa included a Fitting Indicator System along with the Dynafit Quick Step-In tech inserts, making it easy to align your boot and binding for quick, pain-free step-ins.