hey guys
my TLT5s are actually 297 mm BSL not 287. So as far as i know they are size 27s. It looks like the BSL i want for PDG would be 299. Is that a 27.5/28 shell?
it looks like a 27 in the PDG would be one size smaller. What size PDG do you recommend?
PDG is short for Patrouille des Glaciers, a famous ski mountaineering race hosted by the Swiss Army. Designed for such races, the Dynafit PDG alpine touring boot could be the perfect blend of weight, price, and skiability. At just 125 grams (4.4oz) more than the Dy.N.A. EVO race boot, the PDG weighs in at only half the price. It features the same one-motion Ultra-Lock ski-walk buckle system that the Dynafit made popular on its race boots and recently on more general touring boots. Quick transitions are joined by fast descents, as you can actually ski with confidence on these lightweight boots. Changes for 2014/15 include a new liner, sole, and color.
- New Custom Light liner shaves a few grams while wrapping your foot more evenly.
- New blue EVO 2.0 sole blends expanded polyurethane and rubber into lightweight grip.
- Fiberglass cuff offers surprisingly stiff support so you can drive your skis through turns.
- A full 62 degrees of rotation in walk mode lets you take a more natural stride.
- Ultra-Lock buckle system uses the buckle for changing modes, speeding transitions.
- Patented Quick-Step binding inserts help your toes get locked in more easily.
- Optional power straps add some muscle to the downhill (32g/1.1oz with screws).
Update 2016/17: The PDG gets a modest makeover with brighter colors and a beefier instep buckle. Dynafit also inserted Titantex fiber in the cuff to add a bit of stiffness and updated the liner. Net weight change is +20 grams (0.7oz) versus the amount listed.
| Specifications | |
|
Weight |
829g [27.0] 870g [27.5] |
| Weight (pair) | 1658g [27.0] 1740g [27.5] |
|
|
2 w/ Ultra-Lock |
|
Boot Sole |
259mm [23.5/24] 269mm [24.5/25] 279mm [25.5/26] 289mm [26.5/27] 299mm [27.5/28] 309mm [28.5/29] 319mm [29.5/30] |
|
Binding |
Tech only |
|
Cuff |
62° |
|
Forward |
15°, 18° |
| Specs Verified | Yes |
| Design | |
|
|
Grilamid shell, Grilamid & fiberglass cuff |
|
|
EVO race |
|
|
EVO race |
| Skimo Co Says | |
| Usage | Rando racing, speed touring |
| Notes | Pared to only the essentials, exposed liner above cuff skirt, great price for weight |
| Bottom Line | Optimal blend of price and weight |
| Compare to other Race Boots | |
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Questions & Reviews
11/20/2016
11/20/2016
Hi Spindogg, aligning BSL isn't a great way to size a boot as it doesn't correlate well with internal length across models these days. Yes a 297 would be a 27 shell. It's possible you could get a performance fit in a 27 PDG since they are a bit wider. It might be short though, in which case you'd need a 27.5 and hope it isn't too sloppy. I'd give us a ring to walk through a shell fit on length with your current boots handy. 801-942-9084.
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10/31/2016
hey guys
i've been in the Dynafit TLT 5 and it's a 287 boot sole length. The boot fits perfectly. What size in the new PDG would that be?
i've been in the Dynafit TLT 5 and it's a 287 boot sole length. The boot fits perfectly. What size in the new PDG would that be?
10/31/2016
Hi Spindogg, the 26.5 should work well for you.
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10/27/2016
Will a 26.5 PdG have the same sole length as a 26.5 TLT6? Or will I have to remount bindings?
Thanks,
Andy
Thanks,
Andy
10/27/2016
Hi Andy, the PDG soles are 289mm whereas the TLTs are 287. Close but not quite!
11/12/2016
Is the price/model year right for the 26.5?
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10/6/2016
Hi, i'm looking to buy a light weight boot the old boots i'm skiing in are garmont mega-rides size 27.5, I wear a 10.5 in most shoes can you recommend a size in the dynafit pdg or the la sportiva syborg?
10/6/2016
Hi Kevin, that is easy, I'm also a 10.5 and fit the Mega-Ride 27.5. You want the 27.5 PDG or 28.0 Syborg.
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9/30/2016
Hey Skimo,
Looking at these as a new training boot.
I am a perfect fit in La Sportiva Specter 25.5. My old boots for this purpose were Garmont Masterlites also a 25.5.
I'd like room for a medium/ heavy sock for colder days (fit in my Specters but not the Masterlites).
What do ya think? 25.5 or 26?
Looking at these as a new training boot.
I am a perfect fit in La Sportiva Specter 25.5. My old boots for this purpose were Garmont Masterlites also a 25.5.
I'd like room for a medium/ heavy sock for colder days (fit in my Specters but not the Masterlites).
What do ya think? 25.5 or 26?
9/30/2016
Hi Jason, ahh Masterlites! You should be good in the size 25.5 PDG.
10/17/2016
Hi Jason,
did you purchase the boots? in witch size?
My girlfriend had TLT5s before and apparently there were 25.5 (in her Memory but she doesn't have them anymore), but we measured and her foot is 24cm long.
She would like to buy the PDG but now she doesn't know what size to order now.
What is your foot size?
did you purchase the boots? in witch size?
My girlfriend had TLT5s before and apparently there were 25.5 (in her Memory but she doesn't have them anymore), but we measured and her foot is 24cm long.
She would like to buy the PDG but now she doesn't know what size to order now.
What is your foot size?
Answer this question:
9/29/2016
the price is for one boot ?
9/29/2016
Hi Michael, the price is just for the left boot but we throw in the right one for free :P
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9/23/2016
Hello Skimo,
I have always wanted to try this boot but this is the first year with a size 30. How does the fit compare to the old tlt5 mountains in a 30?
I have always wanted to try this boot but this is the first year with a size 30. How does the fit compare to the old tlt5 mountains in a 30?
9/23/2016
Hi Carl, the PDG 30s are a few mm wider and a few mm shorter than the TLT5 30s.
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3/15/2016
I'm so out of date on boots and no one around here uses skimo boots. How does ski performance compare between these and the Scarpa F3s I am currently skiing? At the time the F3s were my best option for weight and performance, but I'm guessing that modern PDGs likely best the F3s in weight, hiking and downhill performance.
I'm contemplating these as my go to ski touring boot biased towards light and long. I grew up parallel turning on leather boots and cable tele bindings so I assume these are a massive step up.
I'm contemplating these as my go to ski touring boot biased towards light and long. I grew up parallel turning on leather boots and cable tele bindings so I assume these are a massive step up.
3/16/2016
Hi Aaron, weight and hiking is no question improved. Downhill performance might be tossup. What you lose from all the buckles and thicker liner is gained by lack of bellows and relatively stiff fiberglass cuff. Obviously a step up from leather :)
Answer this question:
Never skiing a traditional alpine boot again. Although I may get a beefier non-race ski mo model, the low weight, incredible range of motion in walk mode, super slick one lever transition to ski mode, and just as rigid (as I've ever skied) as an alpine boot, and I see no reason to use a "normal" boot even for resorts.
Prior to buying these I used a pair of Scarpa Matrix and Scarpa F1's for skinning. Both gave me either hot spots on the shin or near the ankle. Neither had great motion but it was what I knew so I really didn't know.
Specific to skinning up and the little ski mo racing I recently did, they continue to amaze. The flexibility makes the one choice post on the dynafit low tech bindings I chose (PDG skis also) completely adequate in all but the steepest pitches. Paired with a pair of stirrup pants with cut outs, they feel just as comfortable and secure in uphill mode as my Nordic skate boots and not all that much heavier.
They are a bit narrow as I have a somewhat wide toe box. I was already having some nerve pain in my toe prior with my bike shoes in summer and they aggravate it a bit, but nothing that a boot fitter, a metatarsal pad, and a bump out can't fix. They didn't cause it. Just reminded me that solid non-flexing soles aggravate what I already had. However, this was after skiing them in a ski mo race in the AM and then all day after skiing with my wife. Foot likely a bit swollen from a long day in them. They are surprisingly comfortable for such a minimal boot though.
As for downhill, they lock seamlessly and are super solid. As an avid Nordic racer, my bar for support is low, so please take that caveat. I'm used to opening it up with a lot less. So this boot with a locked in heel makes me feel unstoppable on fast groomers. On anything else, it's user error. My skills in hard snow black moguls, trees, and chutes is mediocre at best.
In a nut shell, I ski as well in these as I DID (seriously I'm NOT going back!) in my traditional alpine boots.
Buy them!!
Thanks also to the staff whom I called when I got these. They felt tight so he walked me through it all on the phone. They've "packed out" as promised and are quite comfortable.
Prior to buying these I used a pair of Scarpa Matrix and Scarpa F1's for skinning. Both gave me either hot spots on the shin or near the ankle. Neither had great motion but it was what I knew so I really didn't know.
Specific to skinning up and the little ski mo racing I recently did, they continue to amaze. The flexibility makes the one choice post on the dynafit low tech bindings I chose (PDG skis also) completely adequate in all but the steepest pitches. Paired with a pair of stirrup pants with cut outs, they feel just as comfortable and secure in uphill mode as my Nordic skate boots and not all that much heavier.
They are a bit narrow as I have a somewhat wide toe box. I was already having some nerve pain in my toe prior with my bike shoes in summer and they aggravate it a bit, but nothing that a boot fitter, a metatarsal pad, and a bump out can't fix. They didn't cause it. Just reminded me that solid non-flexing soles aggravate what I already had. However, this was after skiing them in a ski mo race in the AM and then all day after skiing with my wife. Foot likely a bit swollen from a long day in them. They are surprisingly comfortable for such a minimal boot though.
As for downhill, they lock seamlessly and are super solid. As an avid Nordic racer, my bar for support is low, so please take that caveat. I'm used to opening it up with a lot less. So this boot with a locked in heel makes me feel unstoppable on fast groomers. On anything else, it's user error. My skills in hard snow black moguls, trees, and chutes is mediocre at best.
In a nut shell, I ski as well in these as I DID (seriously I'm NOT going back!) in my traditional alpine boots.
Buy them!!
Thanks also to the staff whom I called when I got these. They felt tight so he walked me through it all on the phone. They've "packed out" as promised and are quite comfortable.
Comment on this review:
1/31/2016
Any updates on Dynafit making a size 30? Seems like it's listed everywhere I look but I have yet to actually find one
1/31/2016
Hi Ryan, size 30s will be available in the US starting in the 2016/17 season. In the meantime, look for Syborgs and Aliens.
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1/15/2016
I am just getting into the lightweight scene, I currently wear a 26.5 Rossignol AllTrack Pro 100 (2014) what size would you recommend for the PDGs? Thanks!
1/15/2016
I wear a size 10 US shoe as well. Thanks
1/15/2016
Hi Tyler, lengthwise it's likely you could get a performance fit in a 27.0. If you'd like a more accurate analysis, visit our boot fitter.
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12/2/2015
Do you think this book can drive 75mm underfoot on a 170-175cm ski? 85mm underfoot?
12/3/2015
Hi Scooter, a ski like that is within the range of this boot. You may not be able to "drive" it as much as with beefier boots, but you can certainly ski it.
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11/14/2015
Do these have more instep room than tlt5's? I have a narrow bony foot with a high instep. Any recommendations for a boot in this class that fits slim with a high instep?
Thanks
Thanks
11/14/2015
Hi Ted, yes these are more roomy that TLT5s. With the thinner liner, they even feel a bit bigger internally than TLT6s. None of these boots have a ton of plastic on top of the instep so are fairly accommodating there. PDG seems good there, Syborg might be the highest and the Alien has a BOA that can adapt to various heights.
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I chose these as my first dedicated racing/training boot because of the good price point as well as decent feedback.
Since early december I've put about 20,000 meters on these guys and skied 18 days.
I come from a downhill/slalom skiing background, am about 5'9'', and weight about 150 pounds.... so just keep that in mind for my review.
Uphill: These boots are fantastic for the up. Great range of motion, strong and durable sole for climbing and walking on crud, and a solid overall comfort. At first I did notice some pain in my arches, but with some fiddling with the buckles and a new insole all of that was fixed.
Downhill: The downhill is ok... The boots are not very stiff and feel a bit like a floppy noodle at high speed. Mind you, I'm used to the stiffness of Slalom boots.. so take my opinion with a grain of salt. The maneuverability is fantastic though, very responsive.
Transition: The locking mechanism is great. I cant compare it to a vertical system because I have never used it, but I have no issues with quick transitions and locking out successfully. The quick step in system works as advertised as well, preventing ice building and reducing the general stress of fiddling with tiny bindings!
Overall: Solid entry level racing boot. Very durable with almost no wear and tear. Smooth on the up and nimble on the down. If you come from a a ski race background you will have to get used to the higher flex, but after a while its not an issue.
Since early december I've put about 20,000 meters on these guys and skied 18 days.
I come from a downhill/slalom skiing background, am about 5'9'', and weight about 150 pounds.... so just keep that in mind for my review.
Uphill: These boots are fantastic for the up. Great range of motion, strong and durable sole for climbing and walking on crud, and a solid overall comfort. At first I did notice some pain in my arches, but with some fiddling with the buckles and a new insole all of that was fixed.
Downhill: The downhill is ok... The boots are not very stiff and feel a bit like a floppy noodle at high speed. Mind you, I'm used to the stiffness of Slalom boots.. so take my opinion with a grain of salt. The maneuverability is fantastic though, very responsive.
Transition: The locking mechanism is great. I cant compare it to a vertical system because I have never used it, but I have no issues with quick transitions and locking out successfully. The quick step in system works as advertised as well, preventing ice building and reducing the general stress of fiddling with tiny bindings!
Overall: Solid entry level racing boot. Very durable with almost no wear and tear. Smooth on the up and nimble on the down. If you come from a a ski race background you will have to get used to the higher flex, but after a while its not an issue.
Comment on this review:
1/7/2015
Can anyone comment/verify if the new "Evo 2.0 sole" on both the 2014/15 PDG and EVO boots is more durable than prior year(s)?
link to TGR discussion on the issue - http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php/267374-Dynafit-DY-N-A-PDG-Boots
Am looking at these boots versus Alien and Alien 1.0 (with relatively burly Vibram soles) but would be using them more so for lightweight ski mountaineering than purely racing so sole durability on rocks, dirt, etc. is important to me.
Thanks.
link to TGR discussion on the issue - http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php/267374-Dynafit-DY-N-A-PDG-Boots
Am looking at these boots versus Alien and Alien 1.0 (with relatively burly Vibram soles) but would be using them more so for lightweight ski mountaineering than purely racing so sole durability on rocks, dirt, etc. is important to me.
Thanks.
1/7/2015
I say we send a pair to Jonathan and make him repeat the test! I didn't have much of a problem with my PDGs after a season of racing and mountaineering. Not much more wear than my TLTs. Note he was using Dy.N.A.s and not PDGs. This might just end up as a great mystery in skimo history.
7/18/2015
See my review of the 2014-15 DyNA for details. But overall the new Dynafit race soles seem to be okay now. Definitely nothing like previously. Although the Alien sole still wins for stunningly impressive durability.
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I just got these at Christmas and have loved them for the first 3-4 ski days! They are my first lightweight boot and I think I am in love. Very comfortable and lots of ankle articulation on the way up. Then surprisingly stiff on the way down. I've mainly been on groomers and ideal conditions and they work great for that. I hope to try in some powder (once we get some) soon to see if I need gators. They were comfortable out of the box. Once Thermo molded they are like slippers. I look forward to racing and adventuring on these boots. So far they are amazing for the money spent! Thanks wifey for the great gift!
Comment on this review:
This is my only review for a product I don't own, so take my impressions accordingly...
The Dynafit PDG boot is by far my favorite of the many skimo boots I spent considerable time trying on. I tried both these and the more expensive carbon-fiber cuff model, in a few different sizes over an hour or two. First off, the weight is very impressive. Light weight in these boots is likely a function of thin liners with spandex-like ankle flex sections, and low shell volume (look at BSL vs mondo size). That said, I felt like I could get away with at least a half size smaller than my nominal size. They felt solid, thoughtfully designed, and lighter than similar stripped-down, non-exotic-materials rando race boots.
Eventually I got the LaSportiva Sideral at a price I couldn't refuse, but they are worse in every way than the Dynafit PDG; heavier, less durable, more flex, and worse fit. Still totally usable, but I was surprised at the difference between the two products -- especially considering their similarities of purpose and price.
The Dynafit PDG boot is by far my favorite of the many skimo boots I spent considerable time trying on. I tried both these and the more expensive carbon-fiber cuff model, in a few different sizes over an hour or two. First off, the weight is very impressive. Light weight in these boots is likely a function of thin liners with spandex-like ankle flex sections, and low shell volume (look at BSL vs mondo size). That said, I felt like I could get away with at least a half size smaller than my nominal size. They felt solid, thoughtfully designed, and lighter than similar stripped-down, non-exotic-materials rando race boots.
Eventually I got the LaSportiva Sideral at a price I couldn't refuse, but they are worse in every way than the Dynafit PDG; heavier, less durable, more flex, and worse fit. Still totally usable, but I was surprised at the difference between the two products -- especially considering their similarities of purpose and price.
Comment on this review:
I have had these boots for a little over one season and used them at least weekly for training, a few races, downhill days at the ski hill, a 45 mile day and skiing a 14er which included booting the entire approach.
PROS:
-The boots are very comfortable and I have had no issues with cold feet even though I can be prone to them in certain conditions. I have a low volume foot and with shims and a thick insole, these boots fit well. I wear a euro 44 to 45 running shoe and the mondo 28 was a perfect fit. This included a 45 mile day in them with no hot spots or other complaints.
-The range of motion on uphills and stiffness on downhills is wonderful.
-The boots are fast to transition from up to down modes and vice versa.
-These boots certainly don't hold me back even on technical up or down hill endeavors. They also perform well in powder, bumps, crust etc.
-Durability seems really good for such a light boot. I have plenty of scratches and some small chunks off the rubber sole but all lugs are there, no play in the rivets, etc. I had to add some Shoe Goo to the little bit of waterproof fabric that runs under the lower buckle since I place my ski tail there to apply skins and it got worn. NBD.
CONS:
-The lower buckle routinely pops open when postholing.
-The exposed liners accumulate snow unless you have your fancy spandex suit with stirrups on (not sure how much of a con this is or just fact of life/justification for more lycra?)
-The side swinging top buckle is somewhat less "ergonomic" to flip compared to vertically oriented buckles and also catches on rocks when doing things like the Guide's Ridge portion of the Crested Butte skimo course or picking your way through tall boulders. While I was pretty mindful of this, I could see where it could mangle the buckle hinge pretty bad. This type of stuff is not usually encountered by me so on 95% of all terrain I encounter there are no issues.
OVERALL:
Well designed but not perfect. A great boot for racing, logging miles and driving small to medium (88 under foot??) skis. I like them best with a skimo suit so no snow gets in but the snow, even on powder days is not really a bother. I will likely continue to use these as my only ski boot until they fail and that is probably gonna be a while.
PROS:
-The boots are very comfortable and I have had no issues with cold feet even though I can be prone to them in certain conditions. I have a low volume foot and with shims and a thick insole, these boots fit well. I wear a euro 44 to 45 running shoe and the mondo 28 was a perfect fit. This included a 45 mile day in them with no hot spots or other complaints.
-The range of motion on uphills and stiffness on downhills is wonderful.
-The boots are fast to transition from up to down modes and vice versa.
-These boots certainly don't hold me back even on technical up or down hill endeavors. They also perform well in powder, bumps, crust etc.
-Durability seems really good for such a light boot. I have plenty of scratches and some small chunks off the rubber sole but all lugs are there, no play in the rivets, etc. I had to add some Shoe Goo to the little bit of waterproof fabric that runs under the lower buckle since I place my ski tail there to apply skins and it got worn. NBD.
CONS:
-The lower buckle routinely pops open when postholing.
-The exposed liners accumulate snow unless you have your fancy spandex suit with stirrups on (not sure how much of a con this is or just fact of life/justification for more lycra?)
-The side swinging top buckle is somewhat less "ergonomic" to flip compared to vertically oriented buckles and also catches on rocks when doing things like the Guide's Ridge portion of the Crested Butte skimo course or picking your way through tall boulders. While I was pretty mindful of this, I could see where it could mangle the buckle hinge pretty bad. This type of stuff is not usually encountered by me so on 95% of all terrain I encounter there are no issues.
OVERALL:
Well designed but not perfect. A great boot for racing, logging miles and driving small to medium (88 under foot??) skis. I like them best with a skimo suit so no snow gets in but the snow, even on powder days is not really a bother. I will likely continue to use these as my only ski boot until they fail and that is probably gonna be a while.
Comment on this review:
11/2/2014
Hi,
I was wondering if you will be carrying these in a 30.0 or 29.5 (I'm in a 30 in the tlt5)
Thanks,
Dave
I was wondering if you will be carrying these in a 30.0 or 29.5 (I'm in a 30 in the tlt5)
Thanks,
Dave
11/2/2014
Hi Dave, unfortunately Dynafit only makes these up to 29.0. Too bad because you'd probably be spot on for a 29.5. I'd check out the Sportiva Syborg which appears to have the same sizing as the Dynafit (but goes to 30), or a SCARPA Alien size 30.
11/1/2015
I know I'm only answering 1 year later but as I saw on the Dynafit webpage the Evo and PDG are available up to size 30 (from 2015 models)
Answer this question:
7/19/2014
I wear a size 29.5 in a TLT 6. Would be able to squeeze into the PDG 29.0?
7/19/2014
Hey Rob, it's possible if you aren't squeezed into the TLT (i.e. you didn't need to mold the toe for extra room). The PDG shell is about half a centimeter shorter on the interior than the TLT, but with the thinner liner its almost a wash. For reference, I had to size up in the TLT but wear my normal size in the PDG, so I have a half size difference as well (TLT 28 vs PDG 27.5).
9/28/2014
I had a similar situation buying the PDG's EVO sibling sight unseen, after having used the TLT6's TLT5 predecessor.
In the TLT5, I had the 26.0/26.5 (same shell and liner, just thicker throwaway footbed in the "smaller" half size).
In the EVO, I bought the 25.5/26.0 (ditto on the fictional half size).
Two of my buddies who did the same thing couldn't sense any difference in interior length despite the 8mm shorter bsl.
But given that I was close to maxing out the interior length on the TLT5, I could definitely sense the shorter interior length -- although as JBO notes, it's more like only ~5mm shorter inside, not the full 8mm shorter bsl.
Fortunately in my vintage of the EVO, the liner had an excessive amount (relatively speaking) of foam at the top of the toebox, so my boot guy was able to carve out (literally) some extra space for my big toes.
In the TLT5, I had the 26.0/26.5 (same shell and liner, just thicker throwaway footbed in the "smaller" half size).
In the EVO, I bought the 25.5/26.0 (ditto on the fictional half size).
Two of my buddies who did the same thing couldn't sense any difference in interior length despite the 8mm shorter bsl.
But given that I was close to maxing out the interior length on the TLT5, I could definitely sense the shorter interior length -- although as JBO notes, it's more like only ~5mm shorter inside, not the full 8mm shorter bsl.
Fortunately in my vintage of the EVO, the liner had an excessive amount (relatively speaking) of foam at the top of the toebox, so my boot guy was able to carve out (literally) some extra space for my big toes.
Answer this question:
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