Scarpa

Maestrale RS Alpine Touring Boot - Men's

Remember when backcountry touring meant wool sweaters and knickers, skinny skis, leather boots, and low-angle turns while whistling carefree tunes? Neither does the hard-charging Scarpa Maestrale RS Alpine Touring Boot. Wool is great, as are mellow turns, but the Maestrale's more interested in shredding the crap out of steep chutes, ripping big faces, and slaying deep pow. It's 20% stiffer and only 1.5oz heavier than the old Maestrale, with a burly 120 flex, stiff polyamide shell, and stout power strap that provide plenty of juice when the lines get big but still checks in at under 3.5 lbs for most sizes, so you'll be able to make it up the skin track faster than your partner. The cuff also rotates a full 37°, which isn't too far behind many more uphill-oriented AT boots. Scarpa's new Mirage Pro ski/walk mode makes it super easy to switch between uphill and downhill settings, and locks the cuff to the shell with two stiff metal pins for serious power and control without the risk of coming unlocked when you don't want it to. In conjunction with the Evo V-Frame cuff, this gives the Maestrale plenty of fore and aft stiffness, so you'll be able to crush it without feeling like you're wobbling backwards and forwards. 

Perhaps the Maestrale's most distinctive feature is the stiff Axial Alpine Pebax tongue, which hinges at the toe and pivots out away from the boot for super easy entry and exit, as well as a smooth and progressive flex that eliminates stiff and dead spots. It cinches down better than traditional overlap-style shells for uniform volume control through the forefoot, eliminating pinching and slop, and the oversize Zeus buckles and Predator HRS instep strap increase heel hold and power without making the Maestrale heavy and clunky. It comes complete with a heat-moldable Intuition Pro Flex RS liner and Vibram Cayman rubber sole for a customizable fit and serious traction, respectively, and features Dynafit Quick Step-In tech inserts with the Fitting Indicator System for friction-free pivoting and easy alignment with your bindings when you're stepping in, even in deep snow. You're welcome to keep waxing poetic about the golden old days of backcountry skiing, but the Maestrale RS will be too busy ripping to listen.