Why We Like the Scarpa Alien RS Touring Boot
Is it Scarpa's new race boot? Or is it the tool that fast and light ski mountaineers have been asking for for years? It's an alien, so who knows, but we're stoked on this boot for both.
Coming in lighter than the previous non-carbon Aliens, it is certainly a race boot with a one lever transition and fully freepivot cuff. But the skiability sees serious improvement, hence the RS tag. The cord system is still used in order to keep weight down. However, the cord loops around two grabs on the upper cuff, giving you essentially four cords across the shin instead of one. The 3D Lambda Torsion Frame transmits power from the upper cuff to the ski in an incredibly stiff yet progressive way for a boot that walks better than hiking boot. And the cuffs themselves get an infusion of carbon fibers into the Grillamid plastic to improve the torsional rigidity and power without adding weight
We were fortunate enough to grab a prototype pair of these last season and put them through the wringer. We raced Aspen's Power of Four, skied an 18" spring powder day in steep terrain, and pounded out inebriated laps on slush bumps at the local hill's closing day (don't judge...). The Alien RS performed well in all and is capable of driving a relatively big ski in the process.
It's a Scarpa, so you get the full Vibram UFO RS sole and an Intuition liner stock. Intuitions are the gold standard and this rendition keeps up to that bar. The liner has a Velcro strap with attachment points at either side of the upper cuff and where it crosses the tongue to keep everything in place while in walk mode and prevent blisters. Forward lean is adjustable at 7 / 9 / 11 / 13 . The Boa closure system snugs the foot up nicely without the weight penalty of a buckle.
These boots will be on ski mountaineers world-wide this season and we'd be stoked to get you in a pair before they sell out, which is a forgone conclusion.