Comfort and innovative features for classic tours and long traverses
- 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 intelligently designed, one-of-a-kind Vanguard project is starting to show its age. Risulta complicato nell'utilizzo pratico e ingombrante nelle forme se paragonato alla nuova tendenza del mondo touring. The frame and shell are molded from eco-conscious Pebax derived from the processing of castor beans, while all the screws can easily be changed in case of problems. Weighing in at 1,450 g (a little over 3 lbs.), it's in line with the competition in this segment.
Walking
Once the Ergal buckle is opened, ankle walking range of motion is good, the only downside being the buckles tend to loosen and rattle about. The Velcro strap and buckle on the cuff are connected, but you need to loosen them both when skinning uphill for good range of motion. Ingombrante se utilizzato su roccia o per escursioni particolamente tecniche, a suo agio su gite classiche. Some caution is needed on hard surfaces as the rounded profile of the sole can tend to slip.
Lab
Designed for a fairly wide foot and those seeking a boot that’s easy to put on regardless of conditions. A well-crafted and comfortable liner that delivers outstanding cushioning when tackling really cut up snow. Care must be taken to ensure the double tongue and cuff flaps are all correctly positioned so they don’t trap the tensioning cables of the buckles. The instep buckle definitely requires practice in the warm at home, rather than in the cold at the trailhead. The cuff is very high for this category of boot.
Skiing
This is a well-structured boot with supportive plastics, a good rebound and a helpfully high cuff, which add up to less tiring skiing. The Vanguard performs well when driven at medium speeds, even on hardpack. But when skied more aggressively, with fatter skis or at higher speeds, the cuff tends to collapse and the shell bulges a bit, which compromises precision. Fit and cuff closure are precise, with a roomier forefoot, where the buckle system struggles to perform, especially on skinnier feet. Skiing-wise, more proficient skiers will find it a bit sluggish and reluctant to deal with changes of rhythm.
Technical specifications
LINER MATERIALS
carbon-loaded Bio-Based Pebax Rnew 1100
SHELL MATERIALS
Bio-Based Pebax Rnew 1100
INSERT TYPE
Tech
Buckle description
micro-adjust buckles + dual elastic TWIN-PWR strap
Sole description
Vibram V-Lugs
Liner description
Vanguard
Thermal value
A
No. of buckles
3
Lean forward
12°/14°
Available sizes
24–31.5 mp
Released in
2021
Made in
Italy
Price
670 €
Sustainability
Use of natural materials.
Declared specsMeasured by us
We measured the measure 27.5 to get all the details
1.490 gr
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
63 °
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
Top stories
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