Last tested
2024
Status:ongoing
2025

Backland XTD Carbon 120

New for season 23-24: it walks like a light-touring boot, offers superior comfort and is great for smooth, gentle descents
  • Buyer’s Guide reviews
  • In words
  • Technical specifications

Buyer’s Guide reviews

Performance by context
Ascent
Skiing
Walking
Climbing
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The charts show our impressions from testing
Product info
Category average
Recommended use
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Recommended level
Technical Level
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
High level
Weight
lightmedianheavy
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In lab
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In words

Intro
This feels more like a Light boot than a classic touring boot. The open-throat hybrid construction and gaiter running from the shell to the cuff ensure waterproof protection. Solamente due ganci più il classico booster strap sul polpaccio, un look estremamente pulito ed essenziale, ma il peso, a conti fatti, è centrato in pieno per il segmento Tour. It was one of the first crossover boots straddling the two categories, now it seems that many other brands have followed suit.
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product
Walking
The cuff rotation is more than enough for the category and there's zero friction between cuff and shell. In walk mode, be it hiking or skinning, it's one of the best in its class. On the other hand, the incredible freedom of movement isn't so easy to deal with as a beginner, with no support from the plastics in ascent. It has Atomic's classic ski/walk mechanism, the only downside being that it sticks out a little too far from the cuff.
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Lab
Entry is so easy it almost catches you off guard, ideal for those with large feet and a high instep. Once on, the volume is extremely generous—it feels wider than the 100 m last advertised—and evenly spread throughout, including around the ankle bones and midfoot. The only downside, which has a knock on effect on the comfort, is that the lower buckle tends to squash the foot rather than close the shell. It has adjustable forward lean and interchangeable screws for easy at-home maintenance.
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Skiing
This is the perfect boot for skiers who prioritize comfort and ease of use above all else. You do need good technique and strong legs as the minimalist construction doesn't offer a lot of support in descent. It's ideal for anyone used to Light boots who wants a little something extra. Due to the high volume and fairly soft plastic, there's not a lot of rebound at the end of a turn. But once you find the right setting for the buckles, it's reasonably precise on the downhill, as long as you keep the speed down. It's not suited to fat, stiff skis, as it's unable to control them. Rearward support is good and helps you to recover the right stance in case of mistakes.
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Technical specifications

LINER MATERIALS
polyamide-reinforced carbon fiber
SHELL MATERIALS
fibra di carbonio caricata PA
INSERT TYPE
Atomic Low Tech Insert
Buckle description
one cuff buckle, one shell buckle with cable + 50 mm strap
Sole description
Skywalk Touring Norm Sole
Liner description
3D Platinum Tour
Thermal value
A
No. of buckles
2
Lean forward
13°/15°/17°
Available sizes
24–30.5 mp
Released in
2023
Made in
Romania
Price
799.99 €
Sustainability
Use of pre- and post-consumer recycled material.
Declared specsMeasured by us
We measured the measure 27.5 to get all the details
1.380 g
Individual weight
XXXXX
N/A
Liner weight
XXXXX
N/A
Shell weight
XXXXX
307 mm
External shell length
XXXXX
N/A
External shell width
XXXXX
N/A
Inner shell width
XXXXX
N/A
Pin distance
XXXXX
N/A
Force to 20° back
XXXXX
N/A
Force to 20° forward
XXXXX
74 °
Cuff ROM
XXXXX
N/A
Maximum cuff height
XXXXX
N/A
Maximum tongue height
XXXXX
N/A
Maximum forefoot width
XXXXX
N/A
Maximum ankle width
XXXXX
N/A
Sole thickness at toe
XXXXX
100 mm
Last
XXXXX
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Top stories
Thoughts
Necessity

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