SCARPA Alien Boot
The zombie Alien apocalypse we really wanted has arrived, and it's looking to be a good time. Updated and back from the dead, the SCARPA Alien ski boot got some renovations that improve upon the previous model. Still the prime choice for the skier who sits on the fence between skimo racing and steep and deep backcountry touring, this Alien is frighteningly light and nauseatingly powerful. With the ski/walk lever positioned in walk mode, this boot has a wider range of motion than your ankle does. While in ski mode you'll have the confidence of a much younger, more limber version of yourself. A simplified closure system lost the velcro powerband, cutting a couple of precious grams so you can fly uphill, moving so fast you'll likely be confused for (you know I'm gonna say it) an Alien.
- Weighing in at well under a kilo per boot, the updated Alien can easily be considered a competitively weighted race boot, while also being a reliable backcountry boot. Bonkers.
- A Boa closure system serves the bottom shell of the boot, eliminating pressure points that buckles sometimes cause in favor of the Boa's smooth and even compression.
- Intuition Cross Fit Tour Lite liner (whata mouthful) is comfy cozy right out of the box, but can be heat molded to your foot with a prescription from the boot doctor.
- A slightly narrower last (99mm) makes this a great choice for the narrower foot, or perhaps just a more performance oriented fit.
- Keeping with the extraterrestrial theme, a Vibram UFO sole adorns the lower extremities of this fine piece of Italian engineering.
- As mentioned in the description above, this boot has a wider range of motion that your ankle probably does-- 72 degrees.
- Adjustable settings of 9 and 13 degrees of forward lean offer customization for the tinkerer and performance skier alike.
- Browse the whole SCARPA Alien line here.
Update 2021/22 - New colors give the Alien a long awaited update, finally incorporating some "SCARPA Blue."
| Specifications | |
|
Weight |
885g [27] 922g [28] |
| Weight (pair) | 1770g [27] 1844g [28] |
|
|
Cord and Boa |
|
Boot Sole |
262mm [24] 271mm [25] 279mm [26] 287mm [27] 296mm [28] 305mm [29] 313mm [30] |
|
Binding |
Tech only |
|
Cuff |
72° |
|
Forward |
9°, 13° |
| Specs Verified | Yes |
| Design | |
|
|
Carbon infused Grilamid lower and Grilamid FG LFT cuff |
|
|
Intuition Cross Fit Tour Lite |
|
|
Vibram UFO |
| Skimo Co Says | |
| Usage | Rando racing, speed touring |
| Notes | Guts of the Alien 1.0 in a more affordable package |
| Bottom Line | Best priced race-worthy boot on the market |
| Compare to other Race Boots | |
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Questions & Reviews
2/15/2020
Just wondering if the 1.0 and new alien shares the same bottom shell, only difference being the upper cuff Carbon vs Grilamid? Another words the alien 290 fits best would 1.0 be 290 as well
2/15/2020
Milan, The Alien 1.0 (or 1.1 as we call it) have the same shell. They also have a full liner.
1/31/2024
The shell is not the same. There is carbon reinforcements in the 1.0 shell which makes it a little bit narrower. For me it put a pressure on the wrong spot of the foot making it less comfortable.
1/31/2024
Hi Emil, you must be referring to the original 1.0 which has those carbon reinforcements. I believe Milan was asking about the current 1.0 (1.1) which uses the same carbon-infused grilamid as this plain "Alien".
2/1/2024
Hi jbo, I was trying both new alien and new alien 1.0 ("1.1") and the 1.1 shell was definitely narrower in one spot. Store stuff explained there are carbon reinforcements in the shell of 1.1. Anyway, durability of the new aliens gaiters are for one season. For me big no no.
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1/30/2020
If I'm normally a 27.5, and have a foot that's on the narrower side, should I go with a 27 or 28? Thanks!
1/31/2020
Hey Shaun, I'd love to get a few more details before we dive in! Head over to our Boot Fitting Form and we'll continue brainstorming!
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Just getting into Skimo training and these are my favorite Ski Boots I have worn! I do a lot of running in the mountains on my Salomon S/Lab shoes (Size 9) and the Aliens (Size 27) fit my narrow feet in a similar way. I have not tested them too much on a boot pack section but feel they would perform greatly. I like the flexibility in walk mode and quick flip of the buckle into ski mode. I have tried both forward lean angles (9 and 13) and feel like I can be somewhat aggressive on the downhill with such. Lastly, the Boa and Cord system make this a simple yet effective boot to wear while touring or racing. The boots pair nicely with my Voile WSP's.
Comment on this review:
12/19/2019
Because of the larger liner does this boot have much more ankle friction than the Scarpa Alien 1.1? I know the mobility is listed as a few degrees less (72 vs 75) but I'm more concerned about the ease of rotation.
12/19/2019
Hi Dave, yes, the 1.1 has a backless liner (it's just a tongue above the ankle) so there is no resistance to backwards articulation. With this Alien, you have to flex the liner which, while flexible, is not quite as easy to bend as essentially no liner. On the flip side, this boot will have more of a back seat!
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12/14/2019
Follow up question on my "review" above, which I mistakenly didn't submit as a question...
Looking at my f1s, it looks like Scarpa just used a "picture hanger" d-ring and attached via the hex bolt on the boot. I have some of these d-rings and it looks like a simple mod. question about removing that bolt, tho... is it riveted? do you think I'd need a longer bolt to make it work? asking before I start twisting things, in case you have the info. :)
Thanks.
Looking at my f1s, it looks like Scarpa just used a "picture hanger" d-ring and attached via the hex bolt on the boot. I have some of these d-rings and it looks like a simple mod. question about removing that bolt, tho... is it riveted? do you think I'd need a longer bolt to make it work? asking before I start twisting things, in case you have the info. :)
Thanks.
12/14/2019
MKG, that will work. It is a hex bolt into a threaded T nut. As long as the connector on your D ring is very thin, it should be no problem.
12/14/2019
yessssss. it works! additional words unnecessary. thanks! #superfancy
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love these. question: for the occasional resort day or race requiring them, what do you recommend for attachment point? i can make the cord work, but it’s awkward. my f1s have a d-ring. anything like that available aftermarket? i could also attach some kind of extender to a ring off the boa button, but i don’t love that idea in a fall. i guess i could extend a cord... off the cord. i’m using atk leashes. thanks!
Comment on this review:
9/18/2019
Teddy, you are about same body and shoe size as me, what size Alien fits you? Also, is this liner moldable?
9/18/2019
Erik, Both Teddy and myself wear a size 8.5/9 shoe and have a size 26 Alien RS. The whole liner is heat moldable.
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7/18/2019
How do these compare to the Alien RS?
7/18/2019
Hey Chris, compared to the Alien RS, this boot will have a shorter cuff height, shorter BSL, and softer flex. It will have the Alien 1.1 lower and a plastic cuff. More of an entry level race boot, whereas the Alien RS has slightly more beef for “race plus” lightweight touring.
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