Dynafit Radical Pro Boot
If Dynafit made a Venn diagram of its (non-race) ski boot lineup, one circle would feature the beloved TLT8 Expedition boot, known for being lightweight, efficient, and capable of big days in the mountains. The other circle would be the Hoji Free 130 boot. These aggressive, huck-your-meat, stiff-as-a-2x4 boots have proven to be a delight for the freeriders who earn their turns (and drops.) But what about the skiers who want a little A and a little B? What would be the overlap of this Venn diagram? Introducing the Dynafit Radical Pro boot. This factory-made Frankenstein keeps the best traits of the Hoji Free but goes on a diet for a faster up. Don’t worry, the ingenious Hoji Lock System isn’t going anywhere. With one simple movement, you can switch your boots from a rock-solid stiff alpine boot with a 120 flex to a comfy, nimble 60 degrees of cuff rotation. The Master Step insert makes clicking in even easier. The cuff is Grilamid loaded with glass fibers for weight savings and increased durability. Speaking of up, the Radical Pro features heel and toe welts capable of accommodating step-in crampons. Once you’ve breezed to the top, just hit that same lever again to reverse course, and charge the mountain. The Dynafit Radical Pro allows you to bask in the glory of a great performance on the up and the down.
- Ingenious Hoji Lock system transitions from climb to descend with the flip of a single lever.
- Dynafit Ultralon liner walks incredibly well when combined with 60 degrees ROM.
- Master Step insert makes clicking into your toe piece a breeze.
- 120 Flex makes this a hard charging, confidence inspiring piece of footwear.
- Pomoca outsole provides great grip to keep you upright on that ice-covered ridgeline.
Update 2023/24: Dynafit has introduced a new color palette but the boot is otherwise unchanged.
Specifications | |
Weight |
1525g [27.5] |
Weight (pair) | 3050g [27.5] |
|
3+ Power Strap |
Boot Sole |
287mm [25/25.5] 297mm [26/26.5] 307mm [27/27.5] 317mm [28/28.5] 327mm [29/29.5] 337mm [30/30.5] 347mm [31/31.5] |
Binding |
Tech, Hybrid, ISO 9523 |
Cuff |
60° |
Forward |
15°, 11° with spoiler removed |
Specs Verified | Yes |
Design | |
|
Grilamid with glass fibers |
|
Dynafit with Ultralon foam |
|
Pomoca |
Skimo Co Says | |
Usage | Free touring |
Notes | Hoji Lock system has virtually no play |
Bottom Line | Freeride boots just found a new gold standard |
Compare to other Freeride Boots |
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Questions & Reviews
There are two removable T20 torx screws with t-nuts on the back of each boot that attach the spoiler. One of the screws also holds the power strap on, so you may want to flatten the t-nut spikes on that side when you reinstall it to avoid piercing the strap at the attachment point.
Any changes to the 2022/23 model?
Thank you
Compared to the Hoji Pro Tour, I have to cinch the middle buckle pretty tight to keep the foot securely locked down. So definitely some added volume in the Radical Pros. Fortunately, the middle buckle placement/instep design seems to work well for me as I can go very tight without any resemblance of pain/pressure points. In the Hoji Pro Tours I experienced instep pain/pressure after a couple of hours of touring. So far I haven't experienced this in the Radical Pros.
For me, the heel hold is better in the Hoji Pro Tours, although the shells seem to be identical in the heel. I'd chalk this up to the beefier stock liners in the Hoji Pro Tours, with what seems to be added foam above the heel compared to the stock liners in the Radical Pros. The stock Radical Pro liners seem to me very similar to the TLT 8 CR-liners. I would also guess this is (at least somewhat) where the extra 5 degrees of added ROM in the Radical Pros compared to Hoji Pro Tour is coming from as well.
I haven't experienced the Hoji Lock-system "eating" into the liners as some reviews have mentioned, even though I have been riding lift based and changing from walk-mode to downhill-mode probably 20 times per day if not more. The liners have molded some space for the Hoji Lock. Also worth mentioning is that the stock Hoji Pro Tour liners have plastic coverage over these spots, to prevent damage to the liners I guess. In the Hoji Pro Tours I couldn't tour with buckles and power strap set to downhill-tightness, this is from my so far limited touring testing possible for me in the Radical Pros. Somewhat easier to change to downhill-mode in the Radical Pros due to the thinner liner, but I still have to do a "rocking" motion to gain enough momentum. In steep terrain I find this a bit challenging, but this is probably more due to my own poor technique.
All in all, very happy, but for me the stock liners need some foam around the heel and maybe instep to fill volume, or swap to Hoji Pro Tour liners/Intuitions. FWIW, MP28 in TLT8/Hoji Pro Tour/Radical Pro. Haven't tried the Hoji Frees as I suspect they would maybe be too stiff for my taste. Verifyt shows I have a 27.8 cm foot, 11.4 cm width, 7.0 cm heel width and 8.3 cm instep height.
I am looking at these boots, but not certain that the heel fit would be right for my wide in the front and narrowish in the back feet.
What is the mm distance from pintoe-bootcenter in 26.0?
I am wondering also because I have the Kingpin 13, but there is no official information from Dynafit that the Radical pro are compliant with ISO 9523. Whereas the webpage of the Hoji Free show the norm 9523 in its specification.
So are you sure that the Radical pro are compatible with bindings like the MNC Shift ad Kingpin 13 ?
heard about 11° or 15° with spoiler....
This isn't parts bin engineering, it's a new boot and it rocks. It walks like a 1kilo boot, seriously, and goes down like an Alpine boot. That simple. The strange ankle fit of the original hoji is gone, the liner is beefier than the original, I still think the toe buckle is absolutely useless but that's the only thing I don't like. The original also required you to drill the boot to remove the optional spoiler, this one however can be swapped in and out with screws to tweak your forward lean. How the tongue attaches is also different from the original hoji.
I thought the initial hatred of the original hoji was laughable, regarding the toe welt, because I've been climbing ice in semi automatics for awhile with zero problems often actually getting a more secure fit. nonetheless the radical has a toe welt for those that can't embrace change. It also increases the amount of bindings it can be used with.
It is relatively high volume and wide, finally the industry is starting to understand that most people don't have narrow euro elvish feet (take note scarpa).
All in all a excellent boot, I don't care what it weighs because it truly feels like a 1kilo boot on the foot when moving. Sure you'll notice the grams on back to back days, but on single big days I doubt most folks would. If your using this your probably using bigger skis anyway so the concern isn't about uphill speed, but rather downhill. I do think the color is boring, but that's what paint is for.
Some fellow Lycra glad brethren have tried mine and immediately bought some. Perhaps the best name for this boot is the Lycra convertor, cause they may just inspire you to become a freeride bro after a quick fit.
I may be selling my skorpius because it actually feels like it walks better, and it absolutely skis better. It may actually get down to a two boot quiver with this as the daily and Pierre gignoux mountains for weight weenie stuff and geriatric millennial racing.
-thanks
David
Weight came in 1450g per boot in 26.5 WITHOUT footbeds, which is 38 grams heavier than my Scarpa Maestrale RS. However, the walk mode is better/easier to use, articulates more freely, especially rearward, and the Hoji-lock system delivers in its claim to lock the cuff in downhill mode with no play, allowing for a truly progressive flex. This is the most "alpine like" feel in a dedicated touring boot I've ever felt.
I have a wide-ish forefoot (100mm+), a high instep, and a (maybe) narrowish heel. The footbox is roomy like many Dynafit boots including the Hoji Free, but the instep volume is VASTLY improved. Heel hold with a good liner mold is great. My biggest challenge in ski boots is usually avoiding the clamping pain on top of my foot. A simple foam padding on my instep before molding and I had no issues. I didn't have to pad the sixth toe area at all.
I was skeptical about the "set and forget" Hoji-lock system as every boot I've used in the past that claims something similar inevitably requires some fiddling on the transitions. I'm now a believer and will put Eric Hjorleifson and Fritz Barthel on the top of my list for Nobel prize winners and "People who have changed my life forever". I put the boot on at 7am, buckled it up like I was going to ski downhill, and all I did for the next 6-7 hours is lift the lever up, and down. Didn't even touch the power-strap. I'm still a little blown away. It's ironic that my fastest transitions are now on my heavy gear.
So bottom line this will probably replace my Maestrale RS as my touring "beef" boot. For reference, the other boots I ski are a F1 LT (light) and the standard F1 (everyday touring). My main goal in replacing the Maestrale RS was to find something that had a better walk mode, skied as strong or better, and be the same or lighter weight. The Radical Pro checks two of those boxes with aplomb, and is so much better at walking and skiing, that I find myself happily giving up the 38g per foot. Thinking about my day out on them, they didn't "feel" any heavier than my Maestrales, and I firmly believe that the improved articulation saves a lot more energy than simply shedding a little weight.
I have similar issues with top foot. How does adding a pad foam padding (adding compression) mitigate the pressure up top?
Thank you!!
Mine
Thanks again for your feedback. Helpful.
Objective comparison DPS Pagoda 112 Vs Voile Hyper V8 IYO? Seems like both brands have their cult like followers.
If I could re-direct the conversation back to Maestrale RS vs Dynafit Radical Pro. How was heel hold/ lower shin fit? Was there too much space/play relative to Maestrales? Did you swap for an Intuition Liner? Any other thoughts / comments?
As for the DPS Pagoda 112 vs Hyper V8, the pagoda construction while still light for it’s performance, is noticeable heavier than its previous tour 1 construction and also heavier than Voile’s hyper construction so for me the Pagoda 112 is no longer a contender for a “light” powder tourer. Also, the Wailer 112 shape has such a tight side cut and is so rockered and easy skiing and playful (a big reason people love them) I have to ski it AT LEAST in a 184 or it just feels too squirrelly. So that adds even more weight and makes touring/kick turns that much harder. The V8 seems to be playful enough but not quite as “radical” a shape. And the hyper construction weight is hard to beat. That’s my .02
Thanks
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