Atomic Backland Carbon Boot
Atomic keeps refining the Backland series of boots, and the Backland Carbon still sits atop the list. Dropping the BOA system in favor of a Cross Lace instep buckle, the updated version is more reliable and can close tighter on your foot. The Backland Carbon is still one of the best walking boots in this class, with 74 degrees of motion around serviceable Frictionless Pivots. The liner gets an update but still has breathable zones and is washable so you can sweat in this boot all spring and not worry about the stank. An upgraded 40mm power strap adds ski performance when locked into ski mode using the smooth-operating Free/Lock mech. The Atomic Backland Carbon is a well-rounded ski touring boot with an easy fit.
- Frictionless Pivots make for smooth articulation and can be replaced.
- Free/Lock 4.0 ski/walk mechanism is easy to flip and has a reliable lock mode.
- Dry Fit foam in the liner has breathable zones and can be washed.
- Cross Lace 2.0 closure system over the forefoot locks you in.
- Gaiter over the lower keeps snow out and your feet dry.
- Carbon-infused memory shell can be heat molded.
- Three different forward leans to choose from.
Specifications | |
Weight |
1195g [27/27.5] |
Weight (pair) | 2390g [27/27.5] |
|
2 + 40mm Cam Strap |
Boot Sole |
268mm [24/24.5] 278mm [25/25.5] 288mm [26/26.5] 298mm [27/27.5] 308mm [28/28.5] 318mm [29/29.5] 328mm [30/30.5] |
Binding |
Tech only |
Cuff |
74° |
Forward |
13°, 15°, 17° |
Specs Verified | Yes |
Design | |
|
Carbon infused polyamide shell, carbon cuff |
|
3D Platinum Tour |
|
Skywalk |
Skimo Co Says | |
Usage | Classic touring |
Notes | Breathable & washable liner |
Bottom Line | A nice upgrade to the Backland Carbon |
Compare to other Touring Boots |
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Questions & Reviews
I just bought a pair of backland carbon and consider to pair them with either a backland 85 UL or backland 89 SL for long courses (>1500 m) in the Alps. I'm 1.92 m / 92 kg, expert skier, and already have nordica enforcer 104 unlimited for powder touring. Would you rather go for one or the other appart for the width difference?
Can I source a different liner for this boot? What would you recommend? I'd like something more durable and more stiff, but still good for touring (this boot is dedicated for touring). Shell size is 27.5.
Sounds like you are at the end of the stock liner's life! Generally around 80-100 days is about the useful lifetime of a stock liner in a touring boot, depending on how much you sweat and how high quality the stock liner is. The Palau Tour Lite Evo MV would make a great replacement for the stock liner that would function pretty similarly in terms of walk mode, with maybe a bit more substance on the downhill. A more downhill-oriented option would be an Intuition Tour Tongue in the low-volume (9mm) thickness.
Would you expect the Palau Tour Lite Evo MV or the Intuition Tour Tongue to hold up better? Which size should I order for my 27.5 boot? Thanks!
For the best long-term durability, I would go with the Intuition. They will both be better than stock, but Intuition foam is super dense and holds its shape really well. You can order a 27 for your boot. With an Intuition liner, it is important to heat mold it in order to get the best fit - they don't wear in super well from just normal wear, because of how dense the foam is, but they mold exceptionally.
You can get a bit more room out of the calf area with a heat mold, but not as much as the other parts of the boot. I would still heat mold the whole liner, it won't pack it out any more than it naturally will after 5-10 days of skiing, and you will get better contouring of the heel and ankle that way. Just don't buckle it down tight and you won't compress the foam too much. By the same token, buckling the calf more will give you more pack-out there.
Did you have a loose heel in the stock liners as well? I can compare a few different options to see what the volume is like in the heel area, but unfortunately if we go up to a thicker Intuition liner I think it will be too much in the calf area (if the LV is bothering you). One option would be the Patriot liner sleeves, which add some material around the heel to tighten up the fit there.
The Patriot sleeves sound promising. Should I affix those before heat molding?
how do you compare these with Scarpa F1 XT. Iam looking for light (more uphill orientated) touring boots with flex that is progresive and that can handle Backland 95 skis downhill. I tried both of them and the fit is similar (Backland is little bit roomier). I found that walk mode on Backland is really smooth and frictionless. Scarpa is also good but there is some little resistance and some creaky sound of liner (maybe It will disapear after some trips). Also found the scarpa build quality is top noch and is a bit stiffer. What is your opinion? Thank a lot for answer. Have a nice day
My answers pretty much parallel your observations! The fit is a little different, they are both relatively narrow to start off with (the Backland Carbon is heat moldable and can become wider) but the Backland has more volume over the instep and top of the foot. The Scarpa is stiffer in ski mode and will be a bit more powerful. To really reach the potential of the walk mode, the XT must be fully loosened first (cuff buckle and powerstrap). The same is true for the Backland. Once that is done, I would estimate that they will both go uphill quite well. Either would pair well with the Backland 95! I would go with the Scarpa if you have a lower-volume instep and want a stiffer boot.
how do you compare these with Scarpa F1 XT. Iam looking for light (more uphill orientated) touring boots with flex that is progresive and that can handle Backland 95 skis downhill. I tried both of them and the fit is similar (Backland is little bit roomier). I found that walk mode on Backland is really smooth and frictionless. Scarpa is also good but there is some little resistance and some creaky sound of liner (maybe It will disapear after some trips). Also found the scarpa build quality is top noch and is a bit stiffer. What is your opinion? Thank a lot for answer. Have a nice day
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