Scarpa

Typhoon Alpine Touring Boot

The Typhoon comes from the freeride side of Scarpa’s AT line, and it’s the burliest alpine touring boot with a walk mode they will offer in 08/09. With its 110 flex, visible V-frame reinforcing exoskeleton, tongued Intuition Speed Pro liner and four metal buckles, the Typhoon looks and performs like an aggressive alpine boot. Look closer, though, and a rear walk lever and black ISO-DIN-compatible Vibram sole hint at this hard-charger’s alter ego: a tour-friendly boot that won’t cramp your stride, whether you are cruising out the gate at Alta or kicking steps into the side of Denali. At a hefty (for AT) 8 pounds per pair, the Typhoon was clearly not designed to be a peak-bagging machine, but the payback on the down makes hauling them uphill way worth it.