SCARPA Alien 3.0 Boot
A third Alien has landed! And this one is not cheap like the 1.0. That’s because SCARPA used 100% carbon fiber in both the upper and lower shell, shedding hundreds of grams in the process. The result is a skimo racing machine, built for serious competitors. And also folks like us who enjoy touring in carbon boots for the amazing walk mode and stiff downhills. In that respect this is the best carbon boot yet, since the integrated gaiter keeps out the snow when you’re breaking trail, obviating the need for gaiter accessories or fancy pants (admittedly we’ll still wear fancy pants).
SCARPA integrated the BOA system from other Alien boots, providing the most snug forefoot fit in category. They also kept the amazing Vibram UFO soles that have proven durable across so many miles of the Wasatch and beyond. Also notably, the Alien 3.0 is the first all-carbon boot to use Dynafit Quick Step inserts, speeding up those step-in transitions. This is the new boot to lust after or buy and enjoy.
- Water-resistant gaiter is integrated into the shell to keep snow off your liner and toes.
- UFO 3.0 sole offers 360° of traction with extra sensitivity in the toe for rock moves.
- Race 2.0 liner from Intuition incorporates three different thermos-moldable foams.
- BOA closure system fits snugly around your foot and stays locked all day long.
- Carbon Cuff technology contours to your leg and has removable EVA foam calves.
- Pebax® tongue protects the toe from impact, absorbs vibration, and keeps out snow.
- A-Light ski/walk mode lever is a quick release system that integrates with the cuff.
- Spectra locking cord is finely adjustable for calf-hold and forward flex resistance.
- Metal hooks for the locking cord evenly distribute forces while being friction free.
* Please note sizes are Euro.
Update 2019/20: SCARPA swapped out the carbon shin piece in favor of the grilamid version from the 1.1. They also changed cord material, moving away from Amsteel.
Specifications | |
Weight |
622g [43] |
Weight (pair) | 1244g [43] |
Buckles
|
Rope plus BOA, single throw latch |
Boot Sole Length
|
242mm [37] 251mm [38] 260mm [39] 268mm [40] 276mm [41] 284mm [42] 292mm [43] 301mm [44] |
Binding Compatibility
|
Tech only |
Cuff Rotation
|
71° |
Forward Lean(s)
|
14°, 18° |
Specs Verified | Yes |
Design | |
Materials
|
Carbon shell and cuff, pebax tongue |
Liner
|
Intuition Race 3.0 |
Sole
|
Vibram UFO 3.0 |
Skimo Co Says | |
Usage | Racing and winning |
Notes | Dynafit Quick Step inserts |
Bottom Line | Top-of-the-podium racer, top-of-the-fun tourer |
Compare to other Race Boots |
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Questions & Reviews
The downhill performance of this boot is SO uber, that I'm not quite ready to let them go. Anyone out there have similar issue with the heel cup? Any rec's? Thanks!
Thanks!
I have a size 27 Alien 1.0, 26 wasn't a good fit for me, so I'd likely be like a 26,5.
What size Scarpa Alien 3.0 should I choose on? A 41 or 42?
Atomic Backland Ultimate boots fit well in a 26.5 also!
Thank you.
Unfortunately this boot caps out at a 44 (similar to a 28 Mondo) Have you considered the Alien 1.1, which goes up to 30?
Sarah
Matt
THX for your quick answer
Cant seem to find the BSL measurements for 3.0 anywhere
what is the BSL for SZ 44 PLS
THX!!
I am considering to upgrade from by 2016 Dynafit PDG to Alien 3.0. The question is sizing. I have used Scarpa teli boots and I am 28.5 to be comfy. My PDG from 2016 are 28. If I was to do 6-8 hour day on my current PDGs now I would have to be 28.8, my feat freeze after 4 hours of Vert. However 2HR Skimo Race the current PDG is fine. I need to replace the PDG with Pure race boot and 3.0 seems like the most popular. What size would you recommend? If I was to go PDG2.0 this year I would go with 27.5 for race and 28.5 for touring,(given Dynafit changes their sizing from 2016). Should I be looking at 43 or 44 for the 3.o's THX!!
M
I agree that PG race have a flimsy fit or feel. My sizing with a thin sock is between mondo 26 - 26.5 (measured in store). My alien rs are 27 which is somewhat too large for me. I would like a good fit but not a tight fit with a thick pair of wool socks. Do you think size 42 would work for me?
Any idea how many degrees of ankle flex? My PG’s have a superb flex but the alien rs’ flex could be better.
Thanks, Geir
I've done some double checking and as far as I can tell, our images and inventory reflect the most up to date gaiter that Scarpa is shipping with these boots.
If you are dead set on the F1 liner a 44 is probably your best choice. If you want to safeguard against not being able to get the F1 liner in the boot, I'd suggest getting the 43 as it likely will fit you well with the stock liner.
The aliens are the most "finished" boot. Smooth actuation of the ski/walk lever, the boa cord provides excellent heel hold, the flexible carbon/kevlar wraparound portion of the cuff is a nice touch not shared by other boots. The short zippered gaiter of the newest version is nicely thought out, great for racing, though sometimes I wish it was full length for mountaineering objectives
Fit is different from other Scarpa boots. Much lower volume top to bottom, but holds the same classic wide Scarpa fit. I fit perfectly in a 27 Alien rs, the 3.0 in a 43 was too large, I believe a 42 would be a good all around fit. Perhaps even the 41 with some liner mods.
And for sure a boot this pricey had better merit five stars, although fortunately I had a medical reason so it’s tax-deductible. Okay, maybe I should consult with an accountant first about such legal matters, but that really is why I bought this boot: on both my Dynafit-rebranded Pierre Gignoux boots and my Alien 1.0 I’d had to shave down all the liner foam in the toe box to squeeze into a 26, and when combined with my toes maybe becoming a mm or so longer over time, plus the crazy Arctic blast we had in New England in December and January this season, I wouldn’t regain sensation in my toes until over an hour after skiing, and I’d go to bed at night still in pain.
Fortunately though these boots are so awesome that I’m almost glad that I went through all that! First, just one caveat regarding a claim in the Skimo Co description: “[…] the integrated gaiter keeps out the snow when you’re breaking trail, obviating the need for gaiter accessories or fancy pants (admittedly we’ll still wear fancy pants).” Even despite how boots this fancy deserve fancy pants – the craftsmanship of the carbon fiber is truly stunning – the 3.0 has been available in two different versions. I’m not sure which version is the “3.1” but my version (unlike the pictured version here) has a relatively low zippered gaiter (which seems quite substantial, in contrast to some other brands that are prone to failure) that definitely does not keep out deep powder while trail breaking though fortunately my tattered 1.0 gaiters work perfectly.
Sizing is confusing given the Euro system, plus I suspect Scarpa translation’s is a bit generous: my 42 Alien 3.0 is listed as the equivalent of a 27, but that would be a really tight 27 compared to any other boot from Scarpa, Dynafit, or PG. The interior length is fine for my 26+ foot and the forefoot is surprisingly slim. To tighten up the instep height up a bit and also modify the fit, I added some padding underneath the lightly padded external tongue on the lower shell, but only on the lateral side. Heel fit has been perfect (and very much unlike how I had to modify my size 26 Alien 1.0 shell in the heel cup). The inner bootie is relatively thick for a race boot, so some potential for additional fit adjustments via molding (although didn’t seem to do much of anything for my fairly slim foot).
Before use, you have to place the foam on the inside of the upper cuff, which has a bit of a grade school arts & crafts feel (and unfortunately my grade school daughter wasn’t available to assist). Three different foam thicknesses are provided, but I highly advise using the thickest of the three. Once you have affixed the foam to the upper cuff, you’ll be amazed at how the upper cuff not only goes very far past vertical yet even approaches horizontal! This can be a bit of a drawback as the long mode switch lever might get embedded in yak dung during your month-long expedition to Whereveristan (or more prosaically in ski resort parking lot mud). Speaking of that lever, Scarpa reverted to the excellent 1.0 design after the failed Tronic experiment on the briefly lived 2.0 predecessor.
Before my first outing, I set the cord far looser than I do on my Alien 1.0 boots, and not even as tight as on my Dynafit RC1 carbon boots. At the top I flicked down the lever and …what?!? I was almost locked into place with nearly zero ankle flexion. I then set the cord even more loosely so I have a bit of give before everything is engaged. Yet even with that much give, the 3.0 still skis so well that an old soft 2012 race ski now absolutely rails on firm groomers like its alpine racing cousins. At the other end of the spectrum, the 3.0 isn’t even remotely challenged while driving my 97mm 168cm Dynafit Denali. During one training session, the cord seemed to have loosed up too much on my first descent. Inside the lodge, I pulled up my race suit gaiter and … actually, the large loop on my figure-eight-on-a-bit had slipped off the hook entirely. Yes, that’s right, the 3.0 still skied okay with the forward closure provided only by my lycra race suit!
The downside is that those awkward backcountry maneuvers while still in ski mode for herringboning, sidestepping, etc., are even more awkward in such a stiff boot. And don’t even consider this boot if you’re picky about having a “progressive” flex pattern.
Durability is mainly speculative at this point with only ~118,000’ vertical, but the identical walk/ski mechanism on my 1.0 is still perfectly fine after nearly 1.1’ million vertical. And the 3.0 sole rubber seems just as substantial on the 1.0, which is still almost pristine despite lots of travel over various non-snow surfaces.
Also, forgot to mention that for those who are not familiar with them, the Dynafit-supplied "Quick Step-in" toe sockets do provide a bit of an advantage compared to the French and Italian competition for all-carbon boots. I have this style socket on my Alien 1.0 boots but not on my PG boots, and it does make entry a bit easier, as well as reduce the frequency of botched entries with unsteady legs after long race descents.
The shin piece on one boot became completely detached, although is still skied okay even floating about. But I then made it through the remainder of the season by laminating it back on with sheets of plastic, G/Flex epoxy, and -- of course -- duct tape.
The warranty retrofit with the Grilamid shin piece arrived back from Scarpa this past Tuesday. Then yesterday I thoroughly tested the repair by skiing over 10,000 vertical in over a foot of snow (which is just as rare as you would think for New England on October 17). Happy to report that the Grilamid shin piece is as stiff as with the original fiber-reinforced shin piece! (Perhaps b/c the cord wraps around more thoroughly than with the fiber-reinforced shin piece?)
Otherwise, closing in on nearly 900,000 vertical, only wear issues are that the gaiter zipper on one boot has failed (but it doesn't seem to make any difference in keeping out snow, as the plastic tongue with the Boa presses down so securely on the gaiter), the gaiters have developed some small tears (which of course is merely another excuse for more duct tape fun), some wear on the rubber sole near the toes (Plasti Dip to the rescue!), and a wee bit of play seems to have developed in the cuff rivets although imperceptible when skiing (but a contrast with my PG boots at almost 1.4 million vertical.
The Alien 3.0 has a similar heel and volume over the instep, but widens out slightly at the toe box (like the Syborg). I just tried a Syborg on again for reference and I'm of the opinion that the fit is similar to my Alien 3.0.
The Alien 1.0 has a much narrower shape throughout the foot. If your toes are tight in width in the Syborg, you'll likely be even tighter in the Alien 1.0.
For the sake of discussion, I also tried on the La Sportiva Stratos Hi-Cube for comparison and got the opinion of Eric, one of the other bootfitters here. Both of us came to the same conclusion that if you are happy with the fit if the Syborg, that the Alien 3.0 is the most similar of the carbon boots in terms of fit.
If you receive it and find that the fit just isn't quite there, we can set up a return for you (provided it is kept in new condition and not skied.)
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