Salomon

S/Lab X-Alp Alpine Touring Ski Boot - 2020

The S/Lab X-Alp Ski Boot is an ultralight alpine touring boot straight out of Salomon's lab of gram-counting ski geeks who found out that a good ski boot doesn't necessarily need a tongue or full cuff to ski well. Salomon achieved this tongue-less design by adding carbon to the cuff and making the spine completely out of carbon. As a result, the X-Alp checks in around two pounds per boot, and this model is the stiffest option available in the X-Alp series, making this boot a great choice for backcountry skiers who want to tour far and still have a decent downhill ride.

Another benefit of the X-Alp's unique design is the impressive walk mode. Unlike most touring boots, the X-Alp rotates laterally for a more natural stride on the skintrack. There are a couple ski boots with similar designs to this boot, and the major difference is that this gaiter doesn't have a zipper to solidify coverage from snow. The gaiter also features a thermo-moldable liner to provide a customized fit after a simple heating process.