Dynafit

Hoji Pro Tour Alpine Touring Ski Boot - 2021

No Calf-Pow!

Delving into my first dedicated Alpine Touring Boot. Ski Boot Technician recommended getting the same size as what I've been wearing for years in my Alpine Boots. Boot length seemed perfect. However, couldn't get the top buckle to even catch on the first slot. I don't think my calf is abnormally large (although I do Mountain Bike and Peak-Bag a lot in the warmer months). On the plus side, the boots are super light!

My favourite ski touring boots so far

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

Size Bought:

28

Height:

5' 11"

Weight:

190

I've ski toured about 200 days in my Hoji boots so far over the past 2 seasons and have loved them. They walk great, and are stiff enough for most conditions I encounter in the backcountry. This is the first time I've owned a boot for close to this long without breaking anything (buckles or rivets). I have clown feet and have managed to have them punched out with no difficulties. I fully disengage the ankle buckle and cuff buckle (tucked under my powerstrap) to get better walk motion. I often hear people complain that they don't have a toe welt for bootpacking and using with crampons. I haven't noticed a difference bootpacking without the toe welt, and I normally use the petzl Leapord crampons with a toe strap that fit great, and don't have the same problems with them popping off as the clip on versions. I quite liked the stock liner, but when they wore out I couldn't get a replacement so ended up getting an Intuition liner.

Great Ski Boots

Familiarity:

I returned this product before using it

Size Bought:

13m

Height:

6' 1"

Weight:

190

Spoiler warning: I work for Dyanfit so take my review with a grain of salt. The purpose of this review to clarify fit/use/function questions and share my experience with the boot, not to compare to other products. I have skied the Pro Tour now for two seasons and overall feel it is a great boot for touring and ski mountaineering. I also ski them inbounds on occasion and they perform well. The last on these boots is wider than some Dynafit boots and fits my wide foot well. The walk mode is easy to access in the back with the cuff of your pants pulled all the way down, something that other boots I have used struggle with. I often times do have to pull the cuff up to adjust the power strap when transitioning but this is usually the only adjustment I make between walk and ski mode. I think the speed nose on the front of this boot makes walking better, although I recognize that not everyone may feel this way. The purpose of the speed nose is to move the pivot point of the pins inserting into the toe of your boot back to a more ergonomic position. I don't know if this is just feedback bias but I really notice this when I switch from a boot with a lip on the toe back to the Pro Tours, walking 'feels' smoother. I don't have Cramp-In's rigged up on these boots but I have used them on the TLT8's. This system works well for me for snow climbing, the Cramp-In's are very light and pack down extremely small. The attachment is secure. I would not take them on a route that involved any ice or rock as the aluminum Cramp-In's would likely not handle this well. With the Pro Tour's I have just used a Petzl Irvis Hybrid with the standard "rubber toe cap" bail that comes with them, another good option. Hope that helps, overall boots have held up well. They walk well and ski hard, hope you enjoy!