Scarpa’s marketing team labels the Alien 1.0 as ‘a boot from the future.’ Implied, but not expressly stated, is that the future is now. With all the advances we’re seeing in science, medicine, human connectivity, technology, and a host of other realms, that’s an easy thing to believe. The obvious question is whether a ski boot belongs in the pile with all the other progress to be seen in the world.
The feature set on the Alien clearly distances itself from the past. You can read all the fine print, specifications, features, technology details, a description, and more on Scarpa’s site, they’ve got it listed out concisely. They’ve also presently got the boots listed at $1350, which is a decent markdown from the former 180,000¢ price.
Now, for what works well, and what comes in a bit subpar after using these boots for a solid amount of time in the full range of conditions.
Let’s start with the highlights. They’re pure gold.
Ankle articulation. There is so little applied boot resistance when flexing one’s ankle up or down, that the boots feel largely like a shoe. I usually don’t, but it’s easy to drive the car with them. A car with a clutch. I call it one-finger resistance, because it takes no more than one finger, including a pinky, to move the carbon upper across the full range of flexion. Thank the boot’s lack of material contact between upper and lower shells for this, as well as the liner, which is little more than a padded sock.
I know of no other boot at present that’s this easy to articulate. One finger. Nearly full ankle range; I do max it on a forward stride sometimes. No big deal.
Walking around, booting, and Continue reading ‘Scarpa Alien 1.0 Review’
