TESTED 2023
Minimalism to the nth degree for uncompromising performance: the best in descent
- Buyer’s Guide reviews
- In words
- Technical specifications
Buyer’s Guide reviews
The charts show our impressions from testing
Product info
Category average
In words
Intro
The sixth generation of a minimalist powerhouse, battling it out with the DNA by Pierre Gignoux for the title of lightest boot; it has put on a few grams in weight while retaining its stripped-back ethos, from the empty heel to the narrow width and the liner. The weight gain is due to the layer of soft foam on the exterior of the sole under the forefoot and the longer gaiter. Otherwise, it's the same boot.
Walking
The layer of soft foam on the outside of the forefoot around the sole adds a little extra power to your stride, attenuating slightly that jerking motion underfoot that puts it halfway between the Gignoux and the natural gait of the Alien 4.0. There's nothing to say about the cuff rotation, it is as free in its movement as it is from friction. The heel isn't as locked in as with the Alien 4.0, and it tends to slop around a little when walking (but does accommodate feet that are less slim at the back).
Lab
The fit is more forgiving than the Alien 4.0 and Gignoux. As with any full-carbon boot, you need to play around with it a little to find the best tension in the ski/walk/closure mechanism (there's a clever hook that stops the cable opening during a race). The foam in the cuff is thick and there's also a foam insert that offers extra stability and damping. The heel is minimal in the extreme, take care when attaching crampons so they don't come off if you skid.
Skiing
Best in class thanks to its stiff construction and a cuff setup that provides lightning-fast energy transfer, not just down to the angle of the forward lean, but also the high pivot point positioned towards the back of the boot. The support during high-speed races is enhanced by a long, wide flap that locks in the leg and lets you modulate turns and straight runs, providing the right amount of support when going full throttle. The thick foam around the cuff also adds to the efficiency of this boot, making the difference in terms of progressive flex and damping.
Technical specifications
LINER MATERIALS
carbon fiber
SHELL MATERIALS
carbon fiber
INSERT TYPE
S4 Insert
Buckle description
race-ready ski/walk mechanism with Dyneema cable + speed lace
Sole description
Vibram Literbase
Liner description
Stratos VI
No. of buckles
2
Lean forward
10°/19°
Available sizes
24–29.5 mp, including half sizes
Released in
2023
Made in
Italy
Price
1900 €
Status
Novelty
Declared specsMeasured by us
We measured the measure 27 to get all the details
530 gr
Individual weight
XXXXX
N/A
Liner weight
XXXXX
N/A
Shell weight
XXXXX
N/A
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
80 °
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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