There are two light ski mountaineering boots talked about these days – La Sportiva Sytron and Scarpa Alien RS – both weighing under 1,000 grams per boot yet promising previously unmatched downhill performance in this category.
In each case, focus during the design and development process was on creating a true light ski mountaineering boot that would descent as their much heavier cousins, and without the price tag of a Ferrari. This has been a goal of all boot manufacturers for many years but it seems that only now they are getting close to reaching such ever elusive target.
One thing to keep in mind is that such light boots perform best with up to mid-fat skis (up to about 90 mm), however, when dry powder is plentiful then two boots can certainly drive a much bigger ski.
Overall, both Sytron and Alien RS are great improvements in the right direction, and we can’t wait to see the boot models that will succeed them in 2-3 years.
Backgrounds
Both of these boots draw heavily from features previously designed for and tested in other models, now creating a mix of the best ones into single pairs of boots.
La Sportiva Sytron combines features of the Syborg boot (image below) which borrowed some from La Sportiva’s top skimo racing platform, the Stratos Hi-Cube and its predecessors.
As the name suggests, Scarpa Alien RS, also leverages race technology coming for the Scarpa Alien platform, and combines it with lessons learned on the F1 boot as well (image below).
La Sportiva Sytron ski mountaineering boot
While the overall look could imply that the Sytron is only slightly improved Syborg boot, actually it is those subtle changes that make the difference – in performance as well as durability.
Feature that arguably improves the Sytron’s dowhill perfomance the most, compared to Syborg’s, is the completely new lower buckle that results in a tighter and much more customized fit around a foot. La Sportiva calls this “Spider Buckle Evo closure system” which combines the buckle with a newly added over-the-foot panel, instead of just a gaiter like on the Syborg.
Specs:
- Weight: 930g (size 27)
- Forward lean in degrees: 14, 16, 18, 20
- Last width (front-foot width): 100.4 mm
- Shell: Grilamid
- Cuff: Carbon reinforced Grilamid
- Sole: La Sportiva Grip Guard
The La Sportiva Sytron comes at a very affordable price:
- for $750 USD at Skimo.co
- for $750 USD at CrippleCreekBC.com
- for $880 CAD at SkiUphill.ca
Scarpa Alien RS ski mountaineering boot
We have been hearing from some reliable source that the Scarpa Alien RS has greatly surpassed their expectations as its downhill performance is very comparable to much more heavier descent-oriented boots. The Alien RS has a couple of unique and innovative features that contribute to its qualities along with some already proven functionalities.
Carbon reinforced Grilamid – carbon fibers strands infused into Grilamid plastic – has been used for cuff manufacturing for a few years now, but the Alien RS utilizes this material in the lower shell as well, instead of pure Grilamid.
The bottom portion of the cuff is further reinforced with a steel arch which reduces cuff’s expansion (widening) when lots of pressure is applied onto the cuff while skiing. Naturally, this solution improves force transmission to the boots which results in better control over skis. Think of it this way – the boot is a piece of gear where most force is lost and direction of this force is affect by the boot’s deformation.
A simple yet effective solution comes in the form of using a cam lock for tightening and loosening cuff’s closure. Simply loosen the cam and pull on a Dyneema cord to quickly adjust cuff’s tightness.
Molding/Punching the shell on Alien RS:
A comment from our reader (see comments section below this article) suggests that “The Scarpa Alien RS comes with a tag that specifically says not to heat mold/punch the shell.”
While most people should fit into a boot with 99 mm last width it really depends on shape of your foot, and sadly many might not fit in at all.
Specs:
- Weight: 910g (size 27)
- Forward lean in degrees: 7, 9, 11, 13
- Last width (front-foot width): 99 mm
- Shell: Carbon Grilamid LFT
- Cuff: Carbon Grilamid LFT
- Sole: Scarpa UFO RS
The Alien RS is about $100 more expensive than the Sytron:
- for $870 USD at Skimo.co
- for $870 USD at CrippleCreekBC.com
What’s next?
We are hopping to ski both boots soon so we can provide you with a more skis-on experience.
Overall, all manufacturers are really pushing for lighter and better skiing boots and we have much more to look forward to in the coming years!
Dave H says
I work with carbon fiber in different applications. It is very resistant to stretching and it will not become more elastic at boot molding temps so it is probably going to frustrate any attempts to stretch the plastic that it is embedded in.
Stano Faban says
Thanks for sharing your experience Anthony! I tried the Alien RS and while it “just” fits width wise it would be nice if it was little wider. At worst, they would sell more 🙂
May hit up Scarpa on social media to let them know we are discussing this issue here.
Good luck with all future boot fitting!
anthony says
I really hope that Scarpa reads this. Please make a lightweight boot like the alien with a larger forefoot like the maestrale!. Good now that that’s out of the way I just wanted to chime in with the fact that I have had my alien RS punched out multiple times with no issue. That being said having personally worked with grilamid before, this carbon infused stuff is a completely different animal. It requires a lot more patience and you can’t get as much of a punch out of it. The normal stuff is very easy to work with. Not sure how the punches will affect durability but so far I have over 30 days with no issues including a fair amount of abuse at the resort. I love the boot but I would love it much more if they made the toe box for normal human beings. They obviously know how to from there other boots. I don’t understand the whole European concept that you can only be fast with narrow feet, or that they only make lighter boots for narrow feet. I have the sportiva cyborg before this. The alien RS is a much better boot but the fit is much worse. If you can fit it then lucky you. If it’s tight then know that you can punch it a little bit but not as much as normal grilamid. And who knows how the punches I’ve done will affect the boots durability.
Jeff S. says
Thanks Michael for the input, I think Scarpa has a new Grilamid with carbon fibers impregnated into the plastic compound which further complicates matters. I’m sure somebody out there has experimented, but so far I’ve not been able to confirm or talk to anyone firsthand to see what actually may occur to the shell. Scarpa in Boulder says don’t do it, but doesn’t say what will happen. Sounds like a project for somebody like Lou at Wildsnow!
Michael Silitch says
I believe the shell is grillamid and I have experience with boot fitters working on my first generation La Sportiva Spectres. A very good boot fitter in Zermatt Switzerland basically trashed them. From what I understand grillamid is really hard to work with. The material is thinner, harder and there is less margin with heat, and with how far you can stretch them without distorted their shape or even putting a hole in them.
That said I have talked to boot fitters who assure me they can work successfully with grillamid. Good luck.
Stano Faban says
Hi Jeff, that’s a great point and not mentioned by Scarpa. Not being able to mold/punch the shell could be a problem for quite a few people. Thankfully, I fit into most 99mm last boots but I have friends that have to have them punched.
Jeff S. says
The Scarpa Alien RS comes with a tag that specifically says not to heat mold/punch the shell. Anyone have any further insight on this?