Skimo boots are taking a jump-turn for the better! The La Sportiva Sytron is the epitome of next-generation race-weight boots, capable of much more than previous iterations. The svelte kickers offer improved ski-performance and durability versus the Syborg. This includes a beefed-up gaiter and a ski/walk mechanism that flips up completely to avoid getting snagged when booting. The liner has been upgraded and the lower shell has a burlier and more-effective Spider-buckle to lock your foot in place. The soles remain awesome and there is a scant weight penalty for all the new joys. The Sportiva Sytron is an affordable, ultralight ski boot worthy of racing or taking on bigger objectives.
- CavoBike Lever Pro system emphasizes fast, simple transitions.
- 75° of articulation exceeds the capabilities of the human ankle.
- improved gaiter warmly invites imagination while accessing lines.
- Grip Guard soles ensure embarrassment-free walks to the start line.
- Carbon-reinforced Grilamid cuffs enable maximum power transfer.
- Spider Buckle EVO secures the lower shell around your forefoot.
- Optional power strap increases responsiveness for bigger lines.
- Four forward lean options offer a personalized skiing experience.
- Sytron Liner uses elastic webbing to comfortably wrap your foot.
- S4 toe inserts help guide the boot into a tech toe, but also allow hands free step-in capabilities with the Ski Trab Gara bindings.
- Sportiva heel-pocket ensures a precise fit and blister-free day.
- Includes flexible plugs to prevent snow-entry near the Achilles.
| Specifications | |
|
Weight |
962g [27] 987g [27.5] |
| Weight (pair) | 1924g [27] 1974g [27.5] |
|
|
1 CavoBike Lever Pro, 1 Spider Buckle Evo |
|
Boot Sole |
257mm [23.5/24] 267mm [24.5/25] 277mm [25.5/26] 287mm [26.5/27] 297mm [27.5/28] 307mm [28.5/29] 317mm [29.5/30] |
|
Binding |
Tech |
|
Cuff |
75 [35 Back/40 Front] |
|
Forward |
14, 16, 18, 20 |
| Specs Verified | Yes |
| Design | |
|
|
Grilamid lower, carbon-reinforced Grilamid cuff |
|
|
Palau Liner |
|
|
Sportiva Grip Guard |
| Skimo Co Says | |
| Usage | Racing, speed touring |
| Notes | New S4 inserts make centering the boot super easy |
| Bottom Line | Great race and go-fast touring boot |
| Compare to other Race Boots | |
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Questions & Reviews
I was looking for lightweight boot to replace my TLT6s and these are an improvement in every way. I almost got the Alien RS however I found the Boa system unable to to clamp down enough on my shallow instep. At the same time they have a wider toe box than the TLT6 and RS which I welcome. Compared to the TLT6 these are lighter, stiffer on the decent, have better uphill performance and easier buckle system. One thing to keep in mind is you can't use the rear lever to lock to boot but need to use the designated upper buckle. If you use the rear lever it could break the plastic cog system causing the boot to break loose from ski mode into walk mode.
Comment on this review:
1/19/2022
Does anyone have advice on power straps that work well with Sytrons? I see the claim of "optional power strap" but no straps specific to the boot and its p-cord-size holes in the cuff.
1/20/2022
Thanks for your question, Luke. We don't have a specific strap for the Sytron, however, you should be able to make any of the Dynafit Powerstraps work! Please let us know if you have any other questions!
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2/26/2021
Vladi
(used product regularly)
My rating is not at all unfair. I have bought them 2 years ago and used many times. From the beginning I've got problem with the lock on the backside of both boots. Firstly It happend to me maybe once during downhill, that the lock opened and I had my ankle joint "free" . When it happens once during the ride, it's not safe but you can survive it, but when it happens after every turn, in speed it becomes life threatening. I don't care about blisters, even if they cause them excessively, but I hate those malfunctioning locks. You can never trust them, so you can never enjoy the ride. For uphill I would give 1 star because of multiple blisters, but for downhill I would give none.
3/27/2021
I just recently started to have the same issue with these after a few months of wear and my local shop has never seen it before. Have you found a solution? Were you able to send them back to Sportiva and explain the malfunction?
3/1/2022
This is known to happen when you use the lever on the back of the boot (instead of the designated upper side buckle) to lock the boot. In fact the new boots come with a sticker explicitly telling you not to lock the boots with the rear lever. Using this rear lever will break the plastic cog mechanism and cause the boot to come loose. Here is another report:
The switch mechanism broke when my friend switched the boots using the actual lever vs using the buckle like they are designed while playing with them --> this is EXPLICIT when you get the boots not to do this, I just forgot to tell her not to, so that's on me. and that meant the boots would switch to walk mode when in downhill leading to some fun(gnarly) falls. A ski strap works but it's annoying when transitioning and all would be needed is a small replacement piece as it's just some plastic missing.
The switch mechanism broke when my friend switched the boots using the actual lever vs using the buckle like they are designed while playing with them --> this is EXPLICIT when you get the boots not to do this, I just forgot to tell her not to, so that's on me. and that meant the boots would switch to walk mode when in downhill leading to some fun(gnarly) falls. A ski strap works but it's annoying when transitioning and all would be needed is a small replacement piece as it's just some plastic missing.
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This is an excellent light weight all around ski mountaineering boot.
Pros- Ski *incredibly* well! Super comfortable on the ascent. Easy transitions. Great adjustability even on the fly. Stand up to abuse. I went from using skimo race boots for everything from races to big powder days, committing lines (for me), moderate ice climbs, and 14er descents due to their light weight and all around utility. While these are a tad heavier, the do everything mentioned above while skiing sooo much better. All I changed in my ski setup was the boots and I was skiing way better in tough conditions like high mountain breakable crust. The forefoot buckles two positions are really nice when skiing on cold days allowing warmth and circulation and a quick flip makes them tight for hard skiing. The upper buckle is very customizable for an exact fit. The design easily accommodates crampons of all types. I have taken these out on races, resort days, deep pow days, and skied 12 fourteeners including some long semi technical routes with lots of crampon work utilizing either race skis and some slightly beefier options. The boots have been great for everything. Long hikes to tough descents, these boots are great. They are also easily punched at home. They also stand up to lots of use well - note the treads in the pictures.
Cons- I'm not super impressed with the liners which are thin leading to some sore ankles pretty quickly. Aftermarket replacements are now on hand and seem like something I should have done a while ago. JBO and the awesome folks at skimo.co can get you set up there. The second con is the little cord that secures the upper cuff buckle. It abraded pretty easily and will surprise you when it fails. Keep a lighter on hand so you can melt and re-thread the busted end- you can probably do this 2-3 times before replacing. Have replacements in your kit! Of note, these cord issues are way less of a nuisance than those experienced with the old Aliens.
Fit notes- I wear 11 US men's running shoes and am at home in a Dynafit PDG 28. I had some green plastic Aliens in 28 and they were too tight in the foot. The Sytron 29 is a perfect fit. I think the Sytron is an excellent fit for a medium to low volume foot and lower leg. Wide feet might be a tough fit.
In summary, these boots are awesome. Just deal with the mediocre liners and be prepared for the cord issue. You will be ripping it up and loving every minute with these boots!
Pros- Ski *incredibly* well! Super comfortable on the ascent. Easy transitions. Great adjustability even on the fly. Stand up to abuse. I went from using skimo race boots for everything from races to big powder days, committing lines (for me), moderate ice climbs, and 14er descents due to their light weight and all around utility. While these are a tad heavier, the do everything mentioned above while skiing sooo much better. All I changed in my ski setup was the boots and I was skiing way better in tough conditions like high mountain breakable crust. The forefoot buckles two positions are really nice when skiing on cold days allowing warmth and circulation and a quick flip makes them tight for hard skiing. The upper buckle is very customizable for an exact fit. The design easily accommodates crampons of all types. I have taken these out on races, resort days, deep pow days, and skied 12 fourteeners including some long semi technical routes with lots of crampon work utilizing either race skis and some slightly beefier options. The boots have been great for everything. Long hikes to tough descents, these boots are great. They are also easily punched at home. They also stand up to lots of use well - note the treads in the pictures.
Cons- I'm not super impressed with the liners which are thin leading to some sore ankles pretty quickly. Aftermarket replacements are now on hand and seem like something I should have done a while ago. JBO and the awesome folks at skimo.co can get you set up there. The second con is the little cord that secures the upper cuff buckle. It abraded pretty easily and will surprise you when it fails. Keep a lighter on hand so you can melt and re-thread the busted end- you can probably do this 2-3 times before replacing. Have replacements in your kit! Of note, these cord issues are way less of a nuisance than those experienced with the old Aliens.
Fit notes- I wear 11 US men's running shoes and am at home in a Dynafit PDG 28. I had some green plastic Aliens in 28 and they were too tight in the foot. The Sytron 29 is a perfect fit. I think the Sytron is an excellent fit for a medium to low volume foot and lower leg. Wide feet might be a tough fit.
In summary, these boots are awesome. Just deal with the mediocre liners and be prepared for the cord issue. You will be ripping it up and loving every minute with these boots!
1/18/2023
Hi Jesse, looks like you have a different liner in that boot- Which one did you use, and would you recommend it? My stock liners are getting less comfortable after a couple years
1/31/2023
Luke
I can't remember and is no longer ger in my order history. I bet the folks at the shop should be able to help, especially with the boot picture I posted. FWIW I removed the laces from the new liners. Completely unnecessary.
I can't remember and is no longer ger in my order history. I bet the folks at the shop should be able to help, especially with the boot picture I posted. FWIW I removed the laces from the new liners. Completely unnecessary.
1/31/2023
Hi Luke, that is the Palau Tour Lite Pro liner.
Comment on this review:
9/26/2019
Question from
Dan Durston 
I'm wondering about the warmth of the Sytron boots. Does it have a super thin race liner? My use case is multi-day fast/light ski traverses where I want a really light boot, not too concerned about downhill performance, but I do need it somewhat warm so I'm not freezing my feet off in the Rockies in January. Is the Sytron about normal for the niche? I'm also looking at the Alien RS and anything else that's not too much heavier but maybe warmer.
9/28/2019
Hey Dan, it is often difficult to predict warmth because of variations in fit and physiology! A boot that seems warmer on paper may not be warmer in reality if the fit causes changes in circulation. The Sytron is a race boot and has a race weight liner. The best solutions are to go fast, keep moving, and wear neoprene Boot Gloves.
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5/4/2019
Hi there,
How do the Sytron compare to Alien RS ski wise? La Sportiva states flex of 100 while Aliens RS is 95, suggesting they should be even more solid. Is it the case? I have skied in Aliens RS for about 2 weeks this season on light weight set up (Blizzard Zero G 85 and Kreutzspitze GT) and it completely blew my mind. Amazing on up and down. Enjoyed steep icy, soft pow and everything in-between, even slushy moguls on the piste. The problem is the Aliens are too tight on one of my toes and too my toe nail off. So thinking of replacing them with Sytrons as the Sportiva sizing should be half size up. On the other hand do not want to sacrifice rigidity and performance. Are the Sytron a match for the Aliens Rs?
Pete
How do the Sytron compare to Alien RS ski wise? La Sportiva states flex of 100 while Aliens RS is 95, suggesting they should be even more solid. Is it the case? I have skied in Aliens RS for about 2 weeks this season on light weight set up (Blizzard Zero G 85 and Kreutzspitze GT) and it completely blew my mind. Amazing on up and down. Enjoyed steep icy, soft pow and everything in-between, even slushy moguls on the piste. The problem is the Aliens are too tight on one of my toes and too my toe nail off. So thinking of replacing them with Sytrons as the Sportiva sizing should be half size up. On the other hand do not want to sacrifice rigidity and performance. Are the Sytron a match for the Aliens Rs?
Pete
5/6/2019
Peter, I haven't skied both, but I recently got the Alien RS too and just tried on the Sytron for comparison. As we all know flex numbers are not standardized thing. So mostly for comparison and the comparisons become even less helpful in race boots. The Alien is known for not having a very progressive flex, it feels very stiff before starting to flex. The Sytron is more progressive and on the shop floor seems a good bit less stiff then the RS. The Sytron feels more like a race boot, whereas Scarpa modified the earlier Aliens into the touring machine that is the RS . I am biased...
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2/4/2019
Is the sytron heavier or lighter than the syborg? The sportiva site lists the sytron at 800g in a 27, but skimo has it at 900+?
2/4/2019
Hey Jordan, I just grabbed size 27 and 27.5 Sytron and put them both on the scale, and it seems our specs are accurate for both of those sizes! I don’t have that size Syborg in inventory to compare, but our specs should accurate for the Syborg as well.
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1/24/2019
Question from
MDL
I have tried on the F1 and the Fischer Travers Carbon 26.5, which both fit OK (may need a little work here and there, but should be fine). I have not skied in any of them. How does this boot compare in fit, skiability, and usage? Warmth? Ability to change liners?
For reference, I have a Scott Cosmos II (white) and am looking for a lighter boot for days more tilted to touring over distance than steep or deep.
For reference, I have a Scott Cosmos II (white) and am looking for a lighter boot for days more tilted to touring over distance than steep or deep.
1/24/2019
The Sytron more closely matches the Travers Carbon in weight and performance. They both have a 100 mm last and fit should be pretty comparable. Warmth is pretty subjective. What i can say is the Travers Carbon is a favorite around here and I think would make a nice compliment to your Cosmos.
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12/31/2018
Fit aside, any more ski/walk comparisons between this and the Alien RS now that we're done with 2018? Is the cavo lever more durable than the dyneema cord? Thanks
12/31/2018
Hi MAD. Eh, I wouldn't say it's more or less durable, but I don't think it's necessarily apples to apples either. The cord on the Alien RS is durable, but it's a wear item and should be thought of as such. They're very durable, but over time you have to replace them. Kinda like car tires.
If durability could be quantified by the frequency with which failures happen unexpectedly in the field, the Sytron and Alien RS seem to be very close to one another in that regard. That being said, the Sytron has almost no wear items and the Alien RS does. The wear items on the Alien RS are relatively cheap to replace, they give you an enormous window to replace them, and are pretty transparent with how they're doing in terms of wear and tear. Apples to oranges maybe? Er, Alien RS's to Sytrons I guess?
If durability could be quantified by the frequency with which failures happen unexpectedly in the field, the Sytron and Alien RS seem to be very close to one another in that regard. That being said, the Sytron has almost no wear items and the Alien RS does. The wear items on the Alien RS are relatively cheap to replace, they give you an enormous window to replace them, and are pretty transparent with how they're doing in terms of wear and tear. Apples to oranges maybe? Er, Alien RS's to Sytrons I guess?
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1/25/2018
I'm trying to choose between 26.5 and 27.
I never used AT boots before. And I'm going to use them more in expedition style backcountry skiing, like on Yukon or in Greenland. So, feeling comfortable and warm for multi-day trips is important.
My La Sportiva Barnutze double mountaineering boots are US 8.5 - 41.5
My Alpina Alaska NNN-BC boots are US 8.5 - 42.
So, maybe 27 is a safer bet for Sytron? What do you think?
I never used AT boots before. And I'm going to use them more in expedition style backcountry skiing, like on Yukon or in Greenland. So, feeling comfortable and warm for multi-day trips is important.
My La Sportiva Barnutze double mountaineering boots are US 8.5 - 41.5
My Alpina Alaska NNN-BC boots are US 8.5 - 42.
So, maybe 27 is a safer bet for Sytron? What do you think?
1/25/2018
Hi Vladimir, there is negligible difference between the 26.5 and 27, it is the same plastic shell. You'd likely have a performance ski fit in the 26.0 (a smaller shell), but going a size up might be OK for your usage, especially with a thicker liner.
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12/17/2017
How does the cuff height compare with the Alien RS or first gen Atomic Backland Carbons?
I've had the RS for a few weeks now and I'm not sure I'm digging the slacker forward lean angle. I've bumping them from the stock 9 degrees to their max of 13, which helped but I think its still less than what I'm used to and is taking away from the ability to utilize the higher cuff . Anyone know why Scarpa would put a max forward lean of 13 degrees on the RS when both race boots as well as more performance oriented downhill boots (like their of F1) have max angles in high teens and low 20s?
I've had the RS for a few weeks now and I'm not sure I'm digging the slacker forward lean angle. I've bumping them from the stock 9 degrees to their max of 13, which helped but I think its still less than what I'm used to and is taking away from the ability to utilize the higher cuff . Anyone know why Scarpa would put a max forward lean of 13 degrees on the RS when both race boots as well as more performance oriented downhill boots (like their of F1) have max angles in high teens and low 20s?
12/18/2017
Hey Martin! Cuff height on the Sytron and Backland is a touch shorter in the front and the back than the Alien RS actually (by about 1cm). I have a few theories as to why they made the forward lean the way they did but I definitely can't speak confidently about the design intricacies with any sort of authority. You're definitely not alone in the forward lean discussion on that boot though.
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So far I am really liking these boots, with a few caveats.
Liners: the liners are far better than the Syborg liners. I really like the elastic over the forefoot. With the Syborg boots I used the liner from the Spitfire. The one caveat is that the boots are much more tight to get on, and I doubt the liners I used to use would fit inside easily.
Width: Though these claim to have the same width as the Syborg, they feel wider. I needed to punch my Syborg boots in 3 places, so far with about 5 days on these I feel no such pressure.
Volume: These feel lower volume than the Syborg. They are a bit more difficult to get on, I think due to the new forefoot buckle which is more difficult to move out of the way. Speaking of the forefoot buckle, I am at the loosest it can go and it works, but I would really rather have a little more wiggle room. The wire for the forefoot buckle doesn't appear to be user replaceable so I may just have to live with it. I do like the fact that it is a 2 stage buckle, so you can loosen it up quickly for the up and then tighten half a step for the down. I would likely just leave in the looser position for racing, but for ski mountaineering and touring I would use the functionality.
Mode change: The new metal mode change buckle is far better, as is the fact that the vertebrae flips all the way up. So far it is a very smooth and fast transition. I have not used crampons with the boots yet.
Gaiter: The gaiters seem to be more durable than the plastic used on the forefoot of the Syborg. However since it is permanent with no zipper like on the Syborg it can be difficult to get my foot with high arch in the boot. Also if I put the liner on first(like the alien 1.0) and try to slip my foot+liner into the boot, the gaiter gets pinched in the rear and I feel I'm wearing it prematurely. I do like the idea of a more waterproof ski boot for spring ski mountaineering and long days in deep snow.
Overall I am very happy with these boots. They are a significant improvement over the Syborg in every way I can think of.
Liners: the liners are far better than the Syborg liners. I really like the elastic over the forefoot. With the Syborg boots I used the liner from the Spitfire. The one caveat is that the boots are much more tight to get on, and I doubt the liners I used to use would fit inside easily.
Width: Though these claim to have the same width as the Syborg, they feel wider. I needed to punch my Syborg boots in 3 places, so far with about 5 days on these I feel no such pressure.
Volume: These feel lower volume than the Syborg. They are a bit more difficult to get on, I think due to the new forefoot buckle which is more difficult to move out of the way. Speaking of the forefoot buckle, I am at the loosest it can go and it works, but I would really rather have a little more wiggle room. The wire for the forefoot buckle doesn't appear to be user replaceable so I may just have to live with it. I do like the fact that it is a 2 stage buckle, so you can loosen it up quickly for the up and then tighten half a step for the down. I would likely just leave in the looser position for racing, but for ski mountaineering and touring I would use the functionality.
Mode change: The new metal mode change buckle is far better, as is the fact that the vertebrae flips all the way up. So far it is a very smooth and fast transition. I have not used crampons with the boots yet.
Gaiter: The gaiters seem to be more durable than the plastic used on the forefoot of the Syborg. However since it is permanent with no zipper like on the Syborg it can be difficult to get my foot with high arch in the boot. Also if I put the liner on first(like the alien 1.0) and try to slip my foot+liner into the boot, the gaiter gets pinched in the rear and I feel I'm wearing it prematurely. I do like the idea of a more waterproof ski boot for spring ski mountaineering and long days in deep snow.
Overall I am very happy with these boots. They are a significant improvement over the Syborg in every way I can think of.
Comment on this review:
11/21/2017
Do you guys think it would be possible to remove cable that connects the walk lever to the upper buckle, and still leave the boot capable? Or, barring that, is it possible to have the upper cuff reasonably tight, while still having the ski in walk mode?
11/22/2017
Hey Eric! I think that has a lot of potential to work, however it'll definitely take some refining to take it from a fun science project to a fully functioning ski boot. One less permanent option could be to just wrap a ski strap around the cuff while it's in ski mode. Or just wrap the strings really tight.
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11/7/2017
Anyone know what the last width is?
11/8/2017
Hey Tim. 100.4mm, same as the Syborg, though it does feel a touch narrower than the Syborg.
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10/21/2017
Thanks jbo for the suggestion re length! Can you describe how the sytron's fit for width in the rear/mid/fore foot and for volume? I'm familiar with scarpa (maestrale) and scott (cosmos) fits if you can compare with those...
10/22/2017
Hi Joth, we can do even better! We have an online boot fitter that you can use to help find a shell that matches your foot. Just let us know how the Maestrale and Cosmos fit your foot.
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10/19/2017
Hi, do these fit true to size? e.g. for a performance fit, with a 27cm foot do you recommend size 27 in the sytron?
10/19/2017
Hi Joth, it could work, but it might take some work, if that works. Length is only one part of the equation; I would be ready to try both the 27 and 27.5.
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9/25/2017
Any idea how the overall volume and fit compare to the upcoming Scarpa Alien RS? I need whichever boot is narrower and lower-volume, or as close to what people with normal feet would describe as painfully tight. My current boot is the original La Sportiva Spitfire, which has a low instep and reasonably narrow last. Thanks.
9/27/2017
Hey Jim! The Alien RS fits narrower than the F1 throughout (just in case you have tried that on in the past), has a pointier toe box, and similar volume over the instep. The Sytron is a touch wider in the forefoot but still lower in volume over the instep than the Alien RS. The toe box in the Sytron also feels a bit more squared off than the Alien RS.
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6/27/2017
I know they're not even for sale yet, but it's summer and the snow's mostly kinda gone and therefore time to start pining for new ski gear. Does anyone have any time on these? Super curious how they stack up in stiffness/flex/ski performance to other lightish boots, say the TLT6P or Procline etc, and most particularly the up-and-coming Scarpa Alien RS...
6/28/2017
Hey Mark! Yeah, the snow has been going really quick the past two or three weeks unfortunately. It was a killer season though. The Sytron is designed to be the the Syborg's successor and it skis with the same intention, only revamped a little bit to accommodate where the sport is going. The Syborg is a skimo race boot that skis way harder than its weight would suggest and has been used far more outside of race courses than it has been used in race courses, but it's still just a really well thought out race boot. The Sytron is basically the revamped Syborg and it's redesigned to be a bit stiffer. If the Sytron skis better than the Syborg then I'll take two. I skied the Syborg 100+ days this season and the climbing/skiing performance is unreal, if this is better then it'll blow my mind. I'd place the TLT6 and Procline in a different weight and power category than the Sytron and Alien RS, so it's not entirely a fair comparison as far as uphill/downhill performance.
The RS and Sytron are what I like to call "Race Plus" boots, meaning they're designed on the same platform as a race boot, but it has a few extra features that enable it to be skied REALLY hard. It'll offer slightly more protection from the elements and a bit more warmth, but it still maintains the same lightweight and agile walking capabilities as a full-blown race boot. I haven't skied the Alien RS yet, but a few guys from the shop have and they all rave about it...it's spearheading a new generation of high speed ski touring and mountaineering. The Sytron operates under a similar mantra as the Alien RS (a lightweight race boot, but with some more features that make it more "real world friendly"). I'm eager to get in both of them, they're both key players in the new "Race Plus" category that the ski mountaineering and light 'n fast touring market will be seeing shortly. Stay tuned for more info, we'll be seeing them shortly!
The RS and Sytron are what I like to call "Race Plus" boots, meaning they're designed on the same platform as a race boot, but it has a few extra features that enable it to be skied REALLY hard. It'll offer slightly more protection from the elements and a bit more warmth, but it still maintains the same lightweight and agile walking capabilities as a full-blown race boot. I haven't skied the Alien RS yet, but a few guys from the shop have and they all rave about it...it's spearheading a new generation of high speed ski touring and mountaineering. The Sytron operates under a similar mantra as the Alien RS (a lightweight race boot, but with some more features that make it more "real world friendly"). I'm eager to get in both of them, they're both key players in the new "Race Plus" category that the ski mountaineering and light 'n fast touring market will be seeing shortly. Stay tuned for more info, we'll be seeing them shortly!
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