Dynafit TLT X Ski Touring Boot Evaluation

The second it grew to become clear was midway up Teton Go’s Taylor Mountain at dawn. I used to be skinning in that quiet blue hour, anticipating the standard ultralight-boot expertise: a cramped toe field, midfoot stress, and the marginally awkward stride I’ve discovered to endure on large climbs. As an alternative, the TLT X moved with me. My stride felt nearly too easy for a touring boot, and my toes stayed heat.

I’ve carried out this climb numerous instances, and this was the primary time I caught myself pondering extra in regards to the sky turning pink overhead than about what was on my toes. All through that tour, I additionally realized how a lot much less time I used to be spending adjusting buckles or preventing with mode switches. The boot merely let me transfer, settle into my rhythm, and keep targeted on the mountains somewhat than the gear.

A couple of days later, on an extended push into Dying Canyon, the advantages grew to become much more apparent. I lined extra vert with much less fatigue, and as a substitute of the standard scorching spots forming beneath my forefoot, my toes felt contemporary by the point I reached the highest. On lengthy approaches, ultralight boots normally expose their compromises; the TLT X as a substitute felt prefer it was quietly eradicating boundaries, letting me spend extra time really adventuring.

In brief: The Dynafit TLT X ($500) is comfy, has a beneficiant match, and a easy glide on the pores and skin observe. It climbs quick, strikes naturally, and its Grilamid shell has sufficient spine for loads of backcountry laps. Transitions help you spend much less time fussing with buckles and extra time having fun with the runs. When you reside for lengthy approaches and that easy uphill rhythm, that is as shut as a ski boot will get to feeling like a mountaineering boot.

Examine the Dynafit TLT X to different touring boots in our information to the Finest Backcountry Ski Boots.

Dynafit TLT X Ski Touring Boot Evaluation

Uphill Efficiency

The uphill efficiency of the TLT X is what units it other than each light-weight boot I’ve used previously decade. On large days within the Tetons and lengthy spring missions in Colorado’s Sawatch Vary, it constantly felt like the simplest boot to climb in. The cuff pivots freely with nearly no resistance, permitting every step to settle right into a pure rhythm that smooths out steep climbs.

In comparison with different light-weight boots, the distinction is instant. The Scarpa F1 LT has good mobility, however it by no means felt as relaxed or fluid on steep kick turns. The Tecnica Zero G Tour Professional is a improbable boot, but it’s a lot stiffer on the uphill and extra restrictive throughout lengthy aspect hills.

What I respect most is how seamless the stroll mode felt. Transitions had been quick and intuitive because of the single-lever system (extra on that beneath). On quick laps on Teton Go or whereas linking peaks in Colorado, that fast mode change added noticeable effectivity.

The TLT X additionally carried out exceptionally effectively whereas boot packing, scrambling over rocks, and climbing in crampons. The minimal resistance and friction-free movement helped the boot really feel safe and agile when the terrain steepened, providing extra confidence on blended ascents than many boots on this weight class.

Downhill Efficiency

Dropping into Taylor Peak after an extended climb, I anticipated the TLT X to really feel mushy and hesitant. But it surely held its personal. The flex of the Grilamid shell was predictable and supportive sufficient for mushy snow and average speeds.

In deep powder, it felt playful and surprisingly secure for its weight. On variable or refrozen surfaces, its limits confirmed up earlier than these of heavier touring boots — a identified tradeoff with fast-and-light designs.

In contrast on to the Scarpa F1 LT, I felt the TLT X skied with extra composure. The F1 LT felt twitchier at velocity and fewer supportive on agency entrances, whereas the TLT X supplied a smoother, extra centered flex that allow me keep balanced with out fixed micro-adjustments. It nonetheless fell in need of heavier boots, such because the Scarpa Maestrale or Maestrale RS, in uneven or heavier snow, however that’s anticipated on this class.

One space the place the TLT X shocked me was in chalky, midwinter situations. I skied a couple of laps on Coal Creek, the place the snow was agency sufficient to show weaknesses in ultralight boots. The TLT X stayed predictable so long as I stayed centered, and it by no means buckled ahead the best way some ultralight boots can after they’re beneath stress.

It rewarded a easy skier and felt greatest after I was guiding the ski somewhat than muscling it. Inside these limits, it felt composed and reliable.

Consolation, Match, and Heat

The match of the TLT X received me over immediately, particularly since I’ve wider toes. The 101 mm final was extra forgiving than most light-weight touring boots I’ve examined. The toe field felt roomy with out being sloppy, and the Twistfit system (a BOA-like dial) wrapped my midfoot evenly, eliminating stress factors. I additionally appreciated with the ability to fine-tune stress with out taking off my gloves.

Though it feels roomy, the TLT X is technically a neutral-last boot, providing broad attraction throughout varied foot shapes. The skinny, minimalist liner nonetheless requires a exact match — a attribute of all ultralight touring boots.

Heat was one other shock. On chilly December mornings within the Tetons, my toes stayed hotter than I anticipated. However throughout a January deep freeze, I missed the insulation of my Maestrales; 1 kg touring boots use skinny liners and light-weight shells, so heat is at all times a compromise.

The TLT X continues to be hotter than many ultralight opponents. But it surely isn’t the boot I’d advocate for deep-winter targets except you run scorching. It sits close to the highest of the heat vary for true ultralight designs, but falls in need of midweight touring boots constructed for colder situations.

Weight

Featherweight effectivity sits on the coronary heart of the TLT X. The boot falls firmly into the one-kilogram class, and I felt that instantly on the pores and skin observe. It’s lighter than most conventional touring boots, and that drop in weight interprets to a smoother stride, much less fatigue, and extra environment friendly motion.

On lengthy missions — linking ridgelines within the Tetons or grinding vert within the Sawatch Vary — the distinction grew to become apparent inside minutes. For skiers who prioritize effectivity, lengthy excursions, and big-mile days, this ski boot delivers an uphill expertise few boots can match.

Ease of Use

Ease of use is likely one of the defining strengths of the TLT X. Its one-motion transition between ski and stroll mode is among the many greatest within the light-weight touring class, and on quick health laps or multi-lap mornings on Teton Go, that fast change gave the boot a noticeable effectivity benefit.

A single lever controls each cuff stress and the ski–stroll lock. Open it, and the cuff swings freely with a large, pure vary of movement for climbing or scrambling. Shut it, and the cuff anchors to the decrease shell in a single easy motion, making a secure descending platform with out the standard fiddling.

As a result of the mechanism is absolutely enclosed, it avoids the uncovered interfaces that may ice up on boots just like the Scarpa Maestrale, making transitions extra dependable in chilly or stormy situations.

The Twistfit system deserves credit score right here, too. It tightened evenly throughout the midfoot with a fast flip, even whereas I used to be carrying gloves, and made micro-adjustments extremely simple on the fly. For day-to-day touring, that simplicity added to the boot’s general effectivity.

One limitation price noting is that cable-and-dial techniques like Twistfit are more durable to field-repair than conventional buckles. I haven’t had failures, however it’s one thing to think about for distant targets the place improvising a repair turns into harder.

Room for Enchancment

The TLT X has its limits. Downhill efficiency is the most important one. For its weight, it skis effectively, however it can not match the facility or stability of heavier touring boots. On agency snow, greater bowls, or wider skis, its limits develop into clear, however in mushy snow on lighter setups, I discovered my groove.

Heat is one other tradeoff. It’s hotter than some opponents, however in the end it’s nonetheless a 1kg boot with a skinny liner. On frigid midwinter days, my toes bought chilly sooner than in midweight boots with Instinct liners.

Who It’s For

The TLT X is right for skiers who worth uphill velocity, all-day consolation, and pure motion. It shines on lengthy spring missions, health laps, multi-peak linkups within the Tetons, and Colorado fourteeners.

Newer backcountry skiers will respect its forgiving match and intuitive closure, however might want one thing stiffer for large descents. Skilled tourers will love the graceful stride, effectivity, and the way the boot disappears beneath them on the climb.

For skiers who prioritize transitions, lengthy approaches, and exact footwork on blended terrain, these touring boots provide one of the streamlined and environment friendly experiences within the ultralight class. When you transition usually, transfer shortly, and worth the climb as a lot because the ski down, the TLT X is likely one of the greatest light-weight touring boots obtainable.