Hello,
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?
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 | |
Related Products
Questions & Reviews
2/8/2024
2/8/2024
Hi Luke, we prefer the UL construction from Atomic in terms of ski-fun. We skied the 89 SL and decided not to carry it; it's not a very exciting ski, but probably could get you through a traverse.
Answer this question:
1/11/2024
I have the 2021 Backland Carbon. The liner fit great initially, but started to feel sloppy before the year was out (maybe 20-30k feet of climbing) and I put in the factory-supplied shim. By the third year (maybe 140k total), I'm up to THREE shims and the liner is falling apart... Not super impressed with the durability of this liner.
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.
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.
1/11/2024
Hi Leo,
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.
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.
1/11/2024
Agree I've gone past the life expectancy of this liner, but it was feeling sloppy after half a season / 15 days. I'd like my next liner to hold a good fit longer if possible, even if that means a tighter fit initially.
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!
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!
1/12/2024
Hi Leo,
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.
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.
1/17/2024
Got the Intuition liners yesterday. Thanks Carlos! They fit in the boot well. Slight concern about the fit on my foot--it's a little tight in the calf, but not at all tight on the foot. I assume heat molding would fix the calf problem. Would you recommend I heat mold only the calf and leave the foot as is? Anything you would recommend to take up a little volume around the foot (particularly around the heel)?
1/18/2024
Hi Leo,
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.
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.
1/18/2024
Heel fit was notably better in the stock liner. Those liners have some kind of extra padding around the achilles which seems to take up volume. You can see it just looking down into the liner.
The Patriot sleeves sound promising. Should I affix those before heat molding?
The Patriot sleeves sound promising. Should I affix those before heat molding?
Answer this question:
1/7/2024
Hello,
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
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
1/8/2024
Hi Lubo,
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.
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.
Answer this question:
12/5/2023
Do these fit similarly to the Atomic Backland 120 XTDs? I picked up some 120 XTDs and I'm happy with the fit so far. I'm considering a lighter 1000-1200 g boot for spring missions, and these would fit the bill if the fit is similar. Thanks.
12/6/2023
Hi Michael, no the fit is quite different. The Backland XTD is a roomier overall fit. Please fill out our Boot Fitter and we'd be happy to find a boot that'll work for you!
Answer this question:
11/24/2023
Think these would push a Salomon echo in crunky conditions?
11/24/2023
Hi Dave, that might be a bit much to ask of this model. The Backland XTD Carbons would do better with that ski. In this weight class, the Zero G Peaks or F1 LTs have a better chance of holding up.
1/6/2024
Hello,
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
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
Answer this question:
Earn store credit by writing reviews. Learn more.
