Atomic Backland Ultimate Boot
Equally at home rallying a Tuesday night skimo race as it is doing a 12,000-foot day of climbing in the backcountry, the Atomic Backland Ultimate boot is a versatile tool for those looking to cover ground with speed and efficiency. The stiffened lower encourages straight lining to the finish line while the frictionless pivot won’t hold you back when you’re redlining up that climb. Once at the top, the boot is tensioned and placed in ski mode by a single lever making for quick and easy transitions. The narrower-than-average fit works best for those who have a low-volume foot or who desire the control that can only be achieved by a fit akin to a bouldering shoe. In addition, the memory-fit plastic can be thermoformed, meaning that even the most bunioned feet can be accommodated. The Atomic Backland Ultimates are aptly named because they are the ultimate companion for skiers who epitomize the "light and fast" ethos.
- Frictionless pivot keeps the cuff rotation moving smoothly.
- Made with a magical mixture of PA and Carbon Fiber for durability and lightness.
- Prolite Construction eliminates any unnecessary heft.
- Regular cuff lends itself to nice skiability.
- Carbon spine helps keep things stiff without excess weight.
- Free/Lock 3.0 is better than the Free/Lock 2.0.
Update 2023/24: Atomic went with a ninja black paint job, otherwise the same.
| Specifications | |
|
Weight |
802g [27/27.5] |
| Weight (pair) | 1604g [27/27.5] |
|
|
1 w/ Free/Lock 3.0 |
|
Boot Sole |
248mm [23.5] 258mm [24.5] 268mm [25.5] 278mm [26.5] 288mm [27.5] 298mm [28.5] 308mm [29.5] 318mm [30.5] |
|
Binding |
Tech only |
|
Cuff |
80° |
|
Forward |
13°, 15° |
| Specs Verified | Yes |
| Design | |
|
|
Grilamid shell, carbon fiber cuff |
|
|
Platinum Speed |
|
|
Skywalk full rubber |
| Skimo Co Says | |
| Usage | Racing, touring speedily |
| Notes | Heat moldable shell |
| Bottom Line | Versatile race boot |
| Compare to other Race Boots | |
Questions & Reviews
Typical of my luck, just a couple of weeks after posting the 5 star review here my boots developed some major issues. I just noticed a +/- 1" long crack in my lower right boot shell and the close inspection of the left one showed a crack just starting in the same spot as well. This sucks really bad because these are still my best fitting race boots (at least partially I attribute this to the softer no-carbon lower boot material and the strap with a buckle vs. some sort of BOA system). Very disappointing, however, this site's fit advice was still spot on and I am open to suggestions what other boots to replace them with.
4/23/2023
Hi Karl, sorry to hear that! That looks like something that would be covered under warranty so you could try reaching out to the dealer you bought it from to have that replaced (we facilitate such things for purchases here).
4/23/2023
Thanks jbo. I already have and I am waiting for their response. Just a note: It looks like both my reviews have been moved to Atomic Backland Ultimate Boot - 2020/21. However, my boots are the last year model, just a different color scheme than what you sell on your site. The lowers of mine are black, no other difference. The non-carbon part of the upper is still red and booties are black.
4/25/2023
Just an update: My warranty claim has been accepted. Unfortunately only store credit has been offered. Yes, their warranty policy that I did not take time to read before the purchase clearly states that. Still sucks though! Anyway, online shoppers in Canada be forewarned! One of the few (2) major outdoor online retailers in Canada. Do your homework before flashing your card!
4/25/2023
Hi Karl, in trying to pin down that color scheme, the review was moved back. Not sure about Canada, but it's pretty rare in the US to receive a warranty refund. It's typically a repair, replacement, or credit.
6/4/2024
Update #2: Against my better judgment I got another pair of these boots. I liked their fit (after modifications) too much I guess and wanted to believe the first pair was just a lemon. This is the picture of the right one after less than 10 days of use. Funny enough, I've developed a spur on my left inner ankle since and had to have the left shell punched close to the area where these cracks occur. No breakage on that boot but, as I said, I didn't use them much over the bad last winter.
That's enough of Atomic for me. Back on the market looking for a boot that would fit my flippers.
That's enough of Atomic for me. Back on the market looking for a boot that would fit my flippers.
Comment on this review:
This is as much a 5 star review of these boots as well as of the skimo.co boot fitting advice service. I have a pair of hard to fit flippers (skinny ankles, moderately high, low volume arch/instep, relatively (to the rest of the foot) wide forefoot). These boots were recommended to me by skimo.co with insoles to reduce their volume in the vertical dimension. Well, that recommendation was spot on! These are the best fitting boots in my quiver. I use them with Movement race Pro 66 and 77 skis in every possible condition you can imagine skiing those skis, ice to powder and everything in between. Are they soft? Certainly NOT if you are old enough that you had the pleasure to ski any of the first 4 generations of the TLT's. Compared to any carbon race boot? Sure, but when did we forget that ski boots are actually supposed to flex when leaning into the tongues? Full disclosure: I did not get my pair from skimo.co after all. I'm in BC and shipping across the border (and possibly back) was problematic in 2020-21. I got lucky though to find them on sale in Canada (what are the chances?!) and pulled the trigger on them based on the skimo.co advice. Mine actually came with black lower boot. The red plastic of the upper is sort of dull and looks cheap. Gets covered by pants, of course, so the result with a race suit/pants on looks menacing as a racing outfit is supposed to.
Comment on this review:
1/11/2023
How does the fit of these compare to the Women’s backland pro from 2020? I find those fit me perfectly, but I’ve just about destroyed them and am looking for a replacement.
1/11/2023
Hey Katherine, the fit of these will be different compared to the Backland Pro. Because they are a race boot, they will be downsized and feel tighter than the Pro, especially if you use a footbed/orthotic. For a more personalized recommendation, please fill out our boot finder!
Answer this question:
11/28/2022
These backland ultimates look good for me from the perspective of having narrow low volume feet, but I’m worried about how soft people say they are. I am 160 lbs and don’t have a racing background. I generally ski a softer/medium touring boot (technica zero g scout, dynafit one) but am looking for a boot for recreational skimp racing to pair with maybe a 78 or 80mm-waisted light touring ski. What do you think of this boot or what other super light touring (or recreational racing) boots would you advise for a narrow heal and low volume foot? Thanks!
11/29/2022
Jimbo,
There are plenty of options in the race and what we call "race plus" boot category for you to consider. I would suggest filling out our Boot Fitter so that we can help dial in the best boot for your foot!
There are plenty of options in the race and what we call "race plus" boot category for you to consider. I would suggest filling out our Boot Fitter so that we can help dial in the best boot for your foot!
Answer this question:
11/27/2022
I currently have a pair of atomic backlands from about 4 years ago, they have been an excellent boot for me but I’m looking for something lighter. I’ve heard that I might want to size down going to the ultimates since the liner is so minimal? My current boots are 27.5. What are your thoughts.
Thanks
Jeff
Thanks
Jeff
11/27/2022
Hi Jeff, no need to size down with the Ultimate...Atomic did that for you. These are one shell size smaller than the Backlands in the same size.
Answer this question:
The bad: this is a really, really, ridiculously soft boot.
I weigh 135lbs and generally like what most people would call softer boots, though they don't feel soft to me. I ski the La Sportiva Solar b/c I can't flex the Skorpius at all. Also ski an Atomic Hawx Ultra 100 b/c I can't flex the 120 at all.
In the Backland Ultimate if I lean forward at all, the top of the cuff blows through about an inch of travel with basically zero resistance. It eventually does find a wall and prevent more forward motion but by then my knee is way in front of my toes.
The carbon backbone is plenty stiff but the plastic that makes up the front of the cuff and the instep area is very soft and deforms a ton to allow the backbone to just hinge forward.
The good: if you have a narrow, low volume foot I don't think there is a better fitting race boot. The closure and ski / walk mode system is easy to use and works well. The full liner does a good job of keeping feet dry even if you aren't wearing a race suit.
I weigh 135lbs and generally like what most people would call softer boots, though they don't feel soft to me. I ski the La Sportiva Solar b/c I can't flex the Skorpius at all. Also ski an Atomic Hawx Ultra 100 b/c I can't flex the 120 at all.
In the Backland Ultimate if I lean forward at all, the top of the cuff blows through about an inch of travel with basically zero resistance. It eventually does find a wall and prevent more forward motion but by then my knee is way in front of my toes.
The carbon backbone is plenty stiff but the plastic that makes up the front of the cuff and the instep area is very soft and deforms a ton to allow the backbone to just hinge forward.
The good: if you have a narrow, low volume foot I don't think there is a better fitting race boot. The closure and ski / walk mode system is easy to use and works well. The full liner does a good job of keeping feet dry even if you aren't wearing a race suit.
Comment on this review:
12/24/2021
I’m curious if you have thoughts on pairing this boot with something like the 178 length Voile Objective, which is 84mm underfoot. Is that too much ski? I don’t currently own either, just dreaming up some future pairings. Thanks!
12/24/2021
Hey Dennis,
Of the race boots, the Atomic Backland Ultimate is one of the softer ones that also has a slightly shorter cuff. These features make it ideal for shorter and/or smaller folks, but slightly less ideal for pairing with a bigger ski. I'd personally think the Dynafit Mezzalama Boot or the Scarpa Alien 1.1 Boot might pair a little better with that Voile Objective.
Of the race boots, the Atomic Backland Ultimate is one of the softer ones that also has a slightly shorter cuff. These features make it ideal for shorter and/or smaller folks, but slightly less ideal for pairing with a bigger ski. I'd personally think the Dynafit Mezzalama Boot or the Scarpa Alien 1.1 Boot might pair a little better with that Voile Objective.
12/24/2021
Good to know! Appreciate the suggestions.
Answer this question:
10/31/2021
This looks like the same boot as the 20/21 model. Will it fit bindings mounted for the previous model? I assume it would but just want to be sure?
11/1/2021
Hey Andrew,
Thanks for reaching out! The updated model has the same BSL measurements as the old boot so it should work out well.
Thanks for reaching out! The updated model has the same BSL measurements as the old boot so it should work out well.
Answer this question:
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