The semi-carbon offering from La Sportiva, new for 24/25, high-performance and with a very good ski-optimized fit.
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- In words
- Technical specifications
Buyer’s Guide reviews
The charts show our impressions from testing
Product info
Category average
In words
Intro
The Raceborg II has been discontinued, replaced by the hybrid carbon/Grilamid version of the Stratos. It’s an even more race-oriented boot than the Raceborg. Though not identical to the Stratos VI (apart from the obvious differences in the materials), they share many of the same features (ski/walk mech and one-touch system, cuff setup and foam, zippered shell closure) but also many differences (more accommodating shapes, instep buckle, solid heel and sole).
Walking
The foot fits snugly, with a well contoured shape that feels race-like, though leaving a minimum of comfort to aid walking. The cuff ROM is comparable to a full-carbon and completely friction-free, thanks also to the bikini liner having a more structured strap closure and being slightly higher at the rear than the Stratos VI. Skis off, the walking action feels quite flat and clunky, similar to the DNA by Pierre Gignoux, but nothing that compromises or irritates.
Lab
Foot entry is similar to the Stratos VI—not difficult, but laborious... as you’d expect from a thoroughbred race boot. The carbon fiber cuff differs from the Stratos VI with its ribbing and abrupt profile change to the front. Front flap closure is identical to the one-touch system, but the ski/walk lever stop features a horizontal bar in place of the pin inserting into a hole on the lever. The gaiter features a large pull loop to aid foot entry, a zip-pull protector and technopolymer cuff buckle.
Skiing
They’re surprisingly snug, with the forefoot perfectly locked, courtesy of the shape that narrows towards the toe: for the average foot shape it’s one of the best performing fits out there (and the Grilamid shell provides some minimal opportunity for bootfitting), while there’s a little more wiggle room for the toes than the full carbon and its sibling the Stratos VI. Il gancio in tecnopolimero al collo del piede blocca adeguatamente senza dare fastidio e la sensazione in spinta è di piacevole gradualità senza mai spanciare a sorpresa: anche in discesa è un prodotto prestazionale senza quel muro opposto dal carbonio, che bisogna saper gestire. The heel pocket is very roomy and some bootfitting may be necessary for those with skinny heels.
Technical specifications
LINER MATERIALS
fibra di carbonio
SHELL MATERIALS
Grilamid bio based LF Carbon
INSERT TYPE
S4 Insert
Buckle description
Lower ratchet with technopolymer buckle + one-touch Force Lite system
Sole description
FriXion Wave Race
Liner description
Stratos Hybrid
No. of buckles
2
Lean forward
10°/13.5°/17°/19°
Available sizes
23-31.5
Released in
2024
Made in
Italy
Price
1100 €
Declared specsMeasured by us
We measured the measure 26.5 to get all the details
728 gr
Individual weight
XXXXX
N/A
Liner weight
XXXXX
N/A
Shell weight
XXXXX
286 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
85 °
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
101 mm
Min. last width
XXXXX
101 mm
Max. last width
XXXXX
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