Lots of positive reviews on the PDG all over the web and I totally agree. This boot is amazingly stiff, super light, with incredible articulation, and a fair price. I'm skiing them with Hagen ascents and the systems ski great! I've skied powder, chunder/crud, refroze- chunder,upside down slop, ice, and on some groomers and this setup rules. I'm very impressed!
Ordering boots online is definitely sub-optimal, but skimo was great. They sent Scarpa Alien and these in a 26, I found the PDG a better fit for my foot. FYI-My foot measures a 26 on a Salmon bannock device, and is said to be medium volume with a medium arch.
Quick disclaimer: I'm newly converted and I don't have any other "light gear" to compare.
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
Comment on this review:
These boots are incredibly light and ski surprisingly well for their weight. I have used them with the Movement Goldfish-X in conditions from 10F-40F, rolling backcountry terrain to steep (~40 degree) slopes. I love the articulation, even better than my TLT5P, and the cuff gets pretty stiff when skiing down, comparable to my TLT5P without the tongue.
My one gripe is that the liner is not quite enough to keep my feet warm under 20F even while moving quickly, but I think my feet get cold easier than many. I've experimented with the swapping of liners from my TLT5P and red superfeet with slightly warmer success.
I wear a softshell pant with these boots that has an internal gaiter which I slide underneath the bottom buckle to prevent snow from sneaking in between the boot and liner. This system has worked great for touring, even in powder, and I have yet to get any snow inside the boot.
My one gripe is that the liner is not quite enough to keep my feet warm under 20F even while moving quickly, but I think my feet get cold easier than many. I've experimented with the swapping of liners from my TLT5P and red superfeet with slightly warmer success.
I wear a softshell pant with these boots that has an internal gaiter which I slide underneath the bottom buckle to prevent snow from sneaking in between the boot and liner. This system has worked great for touring, even in powder, and I have yet to get any snow inside the boot.
Comment on this review:
These are my first true race boot and i have loved them.
Not quite as warm and comfy as my TLT5P (cant believe i wrote that) but a great all around lightweight performer. They ski similarly to the TLT5 without the tongue stiffners. The ankle articulation is amazing and the transition from skinning to skiing is super simple.
I have also really enjoyed them for long days in the mountains paired with a smaller touring ski.
Not quite as warm and comfy as my TLT5P (cant believe i wrote that) but a great all around lightweight performer. They ski similarly to the TLT5 without the tongue stiffners. The ankle articulation is amazing and the transition from skinning to skiing is super simple.
I have also really enjoyed them for long days in the mountains paired with a smaller touring ski.
Comment on this review:
1/3/2014
I'm curious what (or if) people use for a gaiter on these. Interested using these more for a long day (or even multi-day) touring boot with a little skimo racing thrown in (more for training, though). Just have some concerns about moisture getting in, or maybe I should look to some TLTs or Spitfires? Thanks!
1/3/2014
Hi Christian, not many people use gaiters on these. There can be some snow accumulation on the liners, but they tend to be thick enough to prevent a lot of snow from melting and soaking the liner. I use them for long tours in the Wasatch without much of a problem. That said, technically these are a race boot and Dynafit recommends the TLT6 for more general ski mountaineering. The Spitfires are also full coverage like the TLT6, and the Scarpa Alien has a new sheathing this year to prevent snow buildup on the liner (and also has an optional gaiter), so yes, those would also be good options.
Answer this question:
The PDG is a great boot. I've used them with 163 Atomic Ultimates, Dynafit Broad Peak 167s, and 181 Voile Chargers (only on a real powder day though). Anything <80mm waisted skis, the PDG will drive well. For the price, you really can't beat this for a race/lightweight touring boot.
My likes:
-The walk mode is incredible! I have the TLT 5 Mountain, and the PDG blows it away. Forward flex for skinning is really good. It is pretty resistance free both fore and aft. At least as far as my ankles can move comfortably. The Aliens are probably even better, but the PDG is pretty adequate as well.
-They are really light. I could tell a noticeable difference in the weight. Listed weight is 790 grams or about a full pound lighter than my TLT 5s. I don't have a gram scale though so I can't say what the actual weight is.
-They are pretty comfortable right out of the box. I had to do NOTHING for the PDGs to feel comfy.
-They are STIFF! I saw someone on the interwebs say they heard the PDG to be "in the same realm of stiffness as the old F1s." No way--these babies are a little stiffer than my Mountains (without tongue). That surprised me.
-I like the color.
My likes:
-The walk mode is incredible! I have the TLT 5 Mountain, and the PDG blows it away. Forward flex for skinning is really good. It is pretty resistance free both fore and aft. At least as far as my ankles can move comfortably. The Aliens are probably even better, but the PDG is pretty adequate as well.
-They are really light. I could tell a noticeable difference in the weight. Listed weight is 790 grams or about a full pound lighter than my TLT 5s. I don't have a gram scale though so I can't say what the actual weight is.
-They are pretty comfortable right out of the box. I had to do NOTHING for the PDGs to feel comfy.
-They are STIFF! I saw someone on the interwebs say they heard the PDG to be "in the same realm of stiffness as the old F1s." No way--these babies are a little stiffer than my Mountains (without tongue). That surprised me.
-I like the color.
Comment on this review:
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