Scarpa TX Comp Telemark Boot - 2009 BCS

Great balance of performance, fit and smooth flex.
Check the video if you dont believe. This is the second day after switching from Crispi Evos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jd0MwPZmjU

First off, before you even think about skiing these, have them baked and put a custom footbed in them. For the first day, they are going to be punishment to ski on. And the first turns of day two are going to be a little iffy, but once you really start to push these boots they shred. I have found that the Comp with blue springs is a stiff as you would really want...and I like stiff. They are equally as stiff if not stiffer than hammerheads in the 5th position. These boots transfer remarkable amounts of energy into the ski and they are extremely torsionally rigid. They hold an excellent edge in anything from blue ice to crud. In the powder they are fantastic, although they do drive you forward, the tips stay up nicely. I recommend these to anybody who is into hard charging on groomers or ripping the gnarly backcountry lines, they are very light and tour exceptionally well even without walk mode. Most solid boot on the market in my opinion.

This is my fourth season on NTN (over 400 days), I have tried most of the boot offerings and have owned the Crispi EVO, Garmont Prophet, and now these TX Comps. By far this is my choice of the three top boots. The comp is slightly less stiff than the EVO, but does not lack in performance, and is significantly lighter and better suited to backcountry travel. Although it is lighter it gives up very little in the way of performance. They provided a good comfortable fit after proper thermo fitting, I did get some slight heel pinching that went away after a few days of skiing.
Next year Scarpa will add the powerblock tour to these boots making them even better. The powerblock tour switch will be available for retrofitting previous years in fall 2011. I have had no issue touring without the walk mode as long as the upper buckles are loosened.
The Garmont Prophet is a good performing boot, but softer and I had severe toe cramming issues with it due to the lack of a heel retention strap (4th buckle.) The heel is wide. As with all ski boots your fit may vary.
The Crispi EVO is the stiffest NTN boot and probably the best for on piste performance, but is heavy, stiff, and has a weak walk mode switch that gets loose with time and is prone to breaking. The shell does a poor job of keeping moisture out and the liner is slow to dry. With that said it was the most comfortable for my foot.
For top level performance and durability the TX comp is my first choice. If you have a more casual skiing style or enjoy meadow skipping you might want to look at softer flexing boots.

Hands down the best NTN boot there is. Considering all factors (bellows flex, lateral/torsional rigidity, bellows stiffness, quality product) this boot is the best offering for NTN. And this is coming after I owned and considerable use on Crispi Shivers, Garmont "False" Prophets, and finally Tx-Comps. I actually wish the bellows were a tad stiffer since there is no black springs for NTN anymore. I really don't notice the lack of a ski/walk mode as an issu; they tour just fine. I can see where it wouldn't be as comfortable if you are skinning in the flats for a long way. Seriously get this boot over any other boot available.

I agree w/Cory S on most of his review, although I'm skiing with red cartridges. The blues just didn't seem quite enough. They drive my Made n AK's, Hellbents, and Hippys with authority. Definitely do the custom beds, etc. I added some shims to the front of the liner to take up a bit of the space in the rear of the shell/heel pocket. After shimming twice, skiing the boot 15 days, I found the shells are just too high-volume, which I've never had come up with any other boot before. Rumor has it there will be a retrofit walk release next year too. This will help somewhat, as NTN is not the greatest for touring at this point. If you're a T-Race skier now, have a high volume foot, especially ankles (cankles?), and want to make the NTN switch, this is your boot. Unfortunately, I had to return mine. Thankfully Backcountry is great with returns!

Great boot, terrible liner.

Who at Scarpa decided to go away from the wrap around Intuitions? Oh wait, I know, the Owner! What was he thinking?

I don't want to drop $700 on a boot and then have to drop another $200 on a decent liner!

Come on guys, what are you thinking????