Every so often a company will debut a category-shattering display of engineering that seems to break all kinds of rules, defy stereotypes, and spearhead a different generation of skiing. This ain't your grandpa's ski-day! Behold: the Alien RS. Holding true to the da Vinci mantra that "simplicity is the ultimate sophistication," the Alien RS is a delightfully simple boot. A stiff carbon-infused Grilamid cuff is mated to a stiff carbon-infused Grilamid lower by way of an unbelievably dexterous pivot that again, defies stereotypes. A Boa closure on the lower shell wraps around your foot to create a secure and precise fit. Racers, say hello to your everyday boot light enough to sneak in 40,000ft of dawn patrols per week; freeriders, mountaineers, and steep skiers, say hello to your beefy race boot capable of taking you further than ever before.
- Carbon Grilamid LFT Shell and Cuff blend industry-leading power-to-weight ratio with industry-leading price.
- Lower Shell is built around a 3D Lambda Torsion Frame to increase lateral stability and power transfer.
- Speed Cam Lock ski/walk mechanism is reliable, durable, and precise.
- A waterproof, zippered gaiter tempts snow to even try to get into this boot.
- Offset toe lugs promote a more natural walking motion to increase touring efficiency.
| Specifications | |
|
Weight |
920g [27] 983g [28] |
| Weight (pair) | 1840g [27] 1966g [28] |
|
|
1 + BOA, Single Throw Speed Cam Lock |
|
Boot Sole |
270mm [24] 278mm [25] 286mm [26] 294mm [27] 302mm [28] 310mm [29] 318mm [30] 327mm [31] |
|
Binding |
Tech only |
|
Cuff |
72° |
|
Forward |
7°, 9°, 11°, 13° |
| Specs Verified | Yes |
| Design | |
|
|
Carbon Grilamid LFT |
|
|
Intuition Cross Fit Tour |
|
|
Vibram UFO RS |
| Skimo Co Says | |
| Usage | Speed touring, high performance ski mountaineering, exceeding expectations |
| Notes | Grilamid infused with long strands of carbon fiber increase torsional stability and precision. A zippered, waterproof gaiter invites you to use your imagination when accessing lines |
| Bottom Line | If the Holy Grail was a ski boot |
| Compare to other Race Boots | |
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Questions & Reviews
1/16/2020
Do you think this boot would be able to reasonably drive something like the hyper V8? That seems like a big ski, but I just realized it's a pretty similar weight to the standard v6, which does seem like something more in the wheelhouse of this boot.
1/20/2020
Hey Nick, thanks for reaching out! The Hyper V8 is definitely designed for a slightly beefier boot than the Alien RS, but if you're mostly aiming to spoon low-angle powder turns, it's not a totally outlandish combination. The Alien RS is impressively stiff in the lateral direction so you'll be more than capable of getting onto your edges and turning the ski from a balanced stance -- more hip wiggle and less knee drive, if you will. You may want to mount a little forward of boot center to compensate for the more upright stance of the Alien RS, and of course be aware that you void the warranty of the boot by skiing it on anything over 85cm at the waist.
Answer this question:
1/4/2020
Greg
(used product a few times)
Just got a pair of these in a 30. Have put 2 days in then and am very disappointed in how sloppy they fit. I probably should have sized down, but then I’d have to punch the toe to make them long enough (2 separate bootfitters agreed). I have a pretty low volume foot and these things just have tons of heel lift, side to side, and up to down play in them. I’m literally swimming even with the Boa maxes. I’m going to try high volume footbeds and foam padding but short of that I’m afraid this boot just won’t work for me.
1/5/2020
Hi Greg, sorry these boots aren't working for you. We don't recommend them for very low-volume feet. Next time you're in the market, please consider visiting our boot fitter and purchasing from us!
Comment on this review:
12/16/2019
Colby
(downright abused product)
When it's working this boot is working right, doing what it is designed to do, it does it really well. It is stiff and can ski big, heavy skis fairly well. It's light and has great articulation. The lever/tightening mechanism works well and I have not had a problem with the cord.
However, it's also not super reliable in the field. I have broken the boa system a couple times, and while this isn't a deal breaker, it can be annoying to ski and hike with a loose lower, and it is a big pain to put a new cable in. The bolt that goes through the lever is a bit too short and the nylon on the lock nut doesn't quite engage the threads. I've lost the bolt while touring and almost lost it a couple other times when I realized the nut was going. Skiing out without being able to lock the upper boot can be quite grim. Finally, I've had the gaiter start separating near the cuff after only one season. I'm not sure how I'm going to fix that.
As others have mentioned: these boots are narrow and punching them would void the warranty. They are also a bit small and I would size up.
However, it's also not super reliable in the field. I have broken the boa system a couple times, and while this isn't a deal breaker, it can be annoying to ski and hike with a loose lower, and it is a big pain to put a new cable in. The bolt that goes through the lever is a bit too short and the nylon on the lock nut doesn't quite engage the threads. I've lost the bolt while touring and almost lost it a couple other times when I realized the nut was going. Skiing out without being able to lock the upper boot can be quite grim. Finally, I've had the gaiter start separating near the cuff after only one season. I'm not sure how I'm going to fix that.
As others have mentioned: these boots are narrow and punching them would void the warranty. They are also a bit small and I would size up.
Comment on this review:
Hands down the best skiing boot I have ever used in this weight category. I use them with Voile Objectives and Helio 95's and they drive both skis very well. So light! And so easy to use. I think they're total game changers. Over the past 2 seasons I have put approximately 80 days on my Alien RS's and they are holding up surprisingly well. I have yet to have anything break or really fail. I do carry replacement / backup Dyneema cord but am still going strong on the originals. I also keep an eye on the walk/ski mode bolt and put some blue loctite on it for piece of mind. I expect to get another season or two out of them for sure!
Comment on this review:
10/21/2019
Hi, I wanted to know if this boot is compatible with Salomon/Atomic Shift bindings?
10/21/2019
Hey Keith!! No they would not. The toe is not a full DIN toe to work with a Shift binding. Pretty much only the 'Beef' boots at the bottom of our page of boots will work.
Answer this question:
9/26/2019
Is there a woman version of the Scarpa Alien RS Boot?
9/26/2019
Hi Beat! No, this is a unisex boot. They have a narrow last and a bit taller cuff. So if you have a low/large calf, maybe not a good fit.
Answer this question:
3/15/2019
I skimmed through and saw lots of comparisons to other boots, but not to Alien 1.0. . . maybe I missed it.
So questions:
1. Does this boot ski as stiff as 1.0? If not as stiff, is that in a good way (like smoother flex closer to TLT6 vs the stiff brick wall of the 1.0?) or is it just flimsy like the original plastic alien?
2. The 1.0 has a fixed cord that you adjust by re-tying the knot and this boot looks like it has a cam to adjust more easily. When I have climbed vert ice with my 1.0, it seemed to work really well unbuckled but I wonder if the on-the-fly cuff adjustability of this boot would be a benefit climbing ice to get a little more cuff support and decrease calf fatigue?
3. Since this boot seems to have a more conventional liner, do people feel like it walks as well as the 1.0 or does the liner inhibit range of motion somewhat?
4. Lots of comments about durability. . any comment from Scarpa about changes or improvements next season?
So questions:
1. Does this boot ski as stiff as 1.0? If not as stiff, is that in a good way (like smoother flex closer to TLT6 vs the stiff brick wall of the 1.0?) or is it just flimsy like the original plastic alien?
2. The 1.0 has a fixed cord that you adjust by re-tying the knot and this boot looks like it has a cam to adjust more easily. When I have climbed vert ice with my 1.0, it seemed to work really well unbuckled but I wonder if the on-the-fly cuff adjustability of this boot would be a benefit climbing ice to get a little more cuff support and decrease calf fatigue?
3. Since this boot seems to have a more conventional liner, do people feel like it walks as well as the 1.0 or does the liner inhibit range of motion somewhat?
4. Lots of comments about durability. . any comment from Scarpa about changes or improvements next season?
3/16/2019
Dave, lets go through point by point:
1. Scarpa rates them 95 RS and 100 for the 1.0. But they are very different boots, the 1.0 is a Race boot with a stiff carbon cuff. The RS has been much refined from the original Alien to a race light touring boot. Forward flex is not flimsy and is considered by many to have the best downhill performance for a boot this light.
2. The cam is a nice touch, but still recommend tying a knot.
3. Range of motion is still excellent in the RS. New liner does not seem to restrict.
4. No announced changes next year, just adding a size 31.
1. Scarpa rates them 95 RS and 100 for the 1.0. But they are very different boots, the 1.0 is a Race boot with a stiff carbon cuff. The RS has been much refined from the original Alien to a race light touring boot. Forward flex is not flimsy and is considered by many to have the best downhill performance for a boot this light.
2. The cam is a nice touch, but still recommend tying a knot.
3. Range of motion is still excellent in the RS. New liner does not seem to restrict.
4. No announced changes next year, just adding a size 31.
Answer this question:
3/6/2019
Hi Skimo folks,
The lean lock/locking lever screw keeps falling out. I lost one touring and one simply on the approach (hiking with the boots on my pack). I know this is a well documented problem but didn't see a solution mentioned after a quick scan through all the comments. I've about had it--and Scarpa customer service hasn't helped out by sending new screws despite several emails to them. I imagine you guys have a good work-around? Do you just recommend a screw from the hardware store with a locking nut? Any better suggestions? I almost thought I'd just put a ten-penny nail through it and bend it over but there has to be a better-engineered solution. Thanks.
The lean lock/locking lever screw keeps falling out. I lost one touring and one simply on the approach (hiking with the boots on my pack). I know this is a well documented problem but didn't see a solution mentioned after a quick scan through all the comments. I've about had it--and Scarpa customer service hasn't helped out by sending new screws despite several emails to them. I imagine you guys have a good work-around? Do you just recommend a screw from the hardware store with a locking nut? Any better suggestions? I almost thought I'd just put a ten-penny nail through it and bend it over but there has to be a better-engineered solution. Thanks.
3/7/2019
Hey Josh, I’m sorry that Scarpa hasn’t been getting back to you! Thankfully, a standard stainless steel bolt and locking nut from the hardware store are a sufficient fix here.
Answer this question:
After a year of using these boots on a variety of trips from multi-day tours to quick uphill training skins at resorts, I have some observations. Overall, this boot is a good option for race training and lightweight shorter trips if you have a narrow-ish foot, and it skis extremely well for how light it is, but I can't recommend it as a daily driver or for longer tours in rugged terrain. It's simply not reliable enough. These are the failures I've experienced so far:
- Boa cable broke. Replaced with a free kit from Boa under warranty, but doing that job is a major PITA. Not something that could likely be done out in the field.
- Ski/Walk lever attachment screw fell out while on a tour. I cobbled together a fix with bits from my repair kit to get home, and then replaced the bolt with the closest approximation from a hardware store once home, but Scarpa used a weird diameter bolt for this, and the replacement is slightly more narrow which leaves a fair amount of slop in the lever pivot.
- Cuff cord broke clean through on a long tour yesterday, rendering the ski/walk mechanism and cuff closure useless. I made an emergency fix with a Voile strap to hold the cuff closed and permit me to ski downhill (sloppily), but now I have to figure out how to replace that darn cord. This also revealed another weakness in the ski/walk lever's design: there is nothing that actually locks the lever into ski mode; there's just a groove in the lever that a metal tab on the boot heel slots into. The two are held together solely by friction from the pivot/attachment bolt. But, if the ski/walk lever is worn around the bolt where it pivots, or that bolt had to be replaced with a slightly sloppier fitting one as in my case, the lever has little friction to hold it in place and can simply fall out of lock mode, which it did about 100 times to me yesterday.
A few notes about fit:
- It is a narrow and low-volume last, unlike other Scarpa boots such as the Maestrale, which is great for me since my feet are shaped liked toothpicks, but people who have normal feet might need some modifications to fit comfortably.
- Sizing runs small. I'm a 27.5 in alpine boots, 28.5 in all other touring boots, and a 29.5 in the Alien RS, which is borderline too small. If I keep these I will get a punch in the toe box to make more room.
- As others have noted, the toe box is oddly shaped and aggressively rounded off. This causes even narrow feet like mine to feel jammed into the sides of the toe box.
- Forward lean is minimal and forces a more upright stance.
If it was more reliable it would be a great option for me, but for now I'm shopping for something that won't break as often, even if it ends up being heavier.
- Boa cable broke. Replaced with a free kit from Boa under warranty, but doing that job is a major PITA. Not something that could likely be done out in the field.
- Ski/Walk lever attachment screw fell out while on a tour. I cobbled together a fix with bits from my repair kit to get home, and then replaced the bolt with the closest approximation from a hardware store once home, but Scarpa used a weird diameter bolt for this, and the replacement is slightly more narrow which leaves a fair amount of slop in the lever pivot.
- Cuff cord broke clean through on a long tour yesterday, rendering the ski/walk mechanism and cuff closure useless. I made an emergency fix with a Voile strap to hold the cuff closed and permit me to ski downhill (sloppily), but now I have to figure out how to replace that darn cord. This also revealed another weakness in the ski/walk lever's design: there is nothing that actually locks the lever into ski mode; there's just a groove in the lever that a metal tab on the boot heel slots into. The two are held together solely by friction from the pivot/attachment bolt. But, if the ski/walk lever is worn around the bolt where it pivots, or that bolt had to be replaced with a slightly sloppier fitting one as in my case, the lever has little friction to hold it in place and can simply fall out of lock mode, which it did about 100 times to me yesterday.
A few notes about fit:
- It is a narrow and low-volume last, unlike other Scarpa boots such as the Maestrale, which is great for me since my feet are shaped liked toothpicks, but people who have normal feet might need some modifications to fit comfortably.
- Sizing runs small. I'm a 27.5 in alpine boots, 28.5 in all other touring boots, and a 29.5 in the Alien RS, which is borderline too small. If I keep these I will get a punch in the toe box to make more room.
- As others have noted, the toe box is oddly shaped and aggressively rounded off. This causes even narrow feet like mine to feel jammed into the sides of the toe box.
- Forward lean is minimal and forces a more upright stance.
If it was more reliable it would be a great option for me, but for now I'm shopping for something that won't break as often, even if it ends up being heavier.
Comment on this review:
3/2/2019
Adam Pohl
(downright abused product)
The finest lightweight touring boot of all time. I have probably 200 days and 700,000+ vert on mine and they're still holding strong! I've skied tlt5s, 6s, backlands, f1s and several others, and really nothing comes close to the worry-free efficiency of the RS. The one caveat is that you really have to know how to ski for them to work. With a solid technical foundation and an understanding of the limitations of 1 kilo boots, they will take you anywhere. I ski them on 80mm mountaineering skis, all the way up to 110mm powder skis, and they've never complained once. They're the warmest, most comfortable boot i've ever had and when they die (they're close), i'll get another pair.
Comment on this review:
2/12/2019
Silas Miller
(used product a few times)
BROKE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY,
NO WARRANTY!
I had the pleasure of using this boot for three days before the cuff broke right above the ankle pivot on the outside of the left boot. The boots were amazing, but broke just from flexing forward skiing normal conditions. I attempted to warranty them and Scarpa denied the claim saying I “Overflexed” the boot. Total BS. I continued to baby them in SkiMo races and just found out the other boot broke in the same place. Such BS.
I don’t understand how people can ride these things and not break them. I’m only 150lbs and I broke both boots just by skiing groomers. (Probably because I’m so freakin fast!). Super pissed at Scarpa for not warrantying them. Can’t say I would recommend them to people.
NO WARRANTY!
I had the pleasure of using this boot for three days before the cuff broke right above the ankle pivot on the outside of the left boot. The boots were amazing, but broke just from flexing forward skiing normal conditions. I attempted to warranty them and Scarpa denied the claim saying I “Overflexed” the boot. Total BS. I continued to baby them in SkiMo races and just found out the other boot broke in the same place. Such BS.
I don’t understand how people can ride these things and not break them. I’m only 150lbs and I broke both boots just by skiing groomers. (Probably because I’m so freakin fast!). Super pissed at Scarpa for not warrantying them. Can’t say I would recommend them to people.
2/12/2019
Hi Silas, I would take these back to your dealer and have them process a warranty for you. It should be no problem, at least here in the U.S.. For what it's worth, we haven't seen any crack like this.
2/16/2020
Just a note. This happened to me last year and Scarpa warrantied it no problem. They turned the boot around quick as well. I don't know why your experience was different. I thought that they were great actually.
Comment on this review:
1/15/2019
Hey my Boa cable just broke as I was on the uphill. I’ve had maybe 10-12 outings on them. I’ve loved them till now. Aargh. Has this been an issue? Fixable, I am hoping? (Alien RS)
1/15/2019
Just had the same thing happen! Also hoping I can repair this myself...
1/29/2019
Hi,
I have this boot for almost two seasons. Both my Boa cables broke at the end of last season. The first one i got replaced for free by Scarpa, and the second I did myself with a replacement kit... fairly easy. The wire they put in the stock RS is surrounded by a black plastic, and probably a bit thinner... so it is fragile compared to the typical Boa cable (So they told me at the Boulder Scarpa Repair Facility). By replacing it with a Boa cable without the outer plastic, the Boa tends to break less. I haven't had any problems this season, and I think Scarpa hasn't had people complaining about the new wires they replace the stock one with.
I will add that a Boa mechanism is relatively complex compared to other tightening options out there, hence you can expect something more fragile. But it is easy to replace with a simple kit, and the comfort of the adjustable tightness is amazing. In my opinion, this boot is worth it.
Hope that helps.
I have this boot for almost two seasons. Both my Boa cables broke at the end of last season. The first one i got replaced for free by Scarpa, and the second I did myself with a replacement kit... fairly easy. The wire they put in the stock RS is surrounded by a black plastic, and probably a bit thinner... so it is fragile compared to the typical Boa cable (So they told me at the Boulder Scarpa Repair Facility). By replacing it with a Boa cable without the outer plastic, the Boa tends to break less. I haven't had any problems this season, and I think Scarpa hasn't had people complaining about the new wires they replace the stock one with.
I will add that a Boa mechanism is relatively complex compared to other tightening options out there, hence you can expect something more fragile. But it is easy to replace with a simple kit, and the comfort of the adjustable tightness is amazing. In my opinion, this boot is worth it.
Hope that helps.
1/30/2019
FYI: If you want to replace the Alien's RS original black plastic-coated cable then it is the "EX735 single lace" from Boa. But as Kevin stated above, Scarpa is now using the regular braided wire which is not coated. (Model #?) This is what they told me below:
"We have updated the boa to a metal cable instead of the plastic coated as it is much more durable. The repair we do requires a rivet press, as we replace all of the clips as well. I can send you the parts, but the better fix is to send it in to us. On a rush repair we can have it done in a few days once we receive it."
I am not sure why Scarpa feels the need to replace the clips. Maybe the clips have a tighter radius of curvature and would kink less?....just guessing. I'll see how the repair holds and maybe send boots in at the end of the season for clip replacement, if it still seems appropriate.
"We have updated the boa to a metal cable instead of the plastic coated as it is much more durable. The repair we do requires a rivet press, as we replace all of the clips as well. I can send you the parts, but the better fix is to send it in to us. On a rush repair we can have it done in a few days once we receive it."
I am not sure why Scarpa feels the need to replace the clips. Maybe the clips have a tighter radius of curvature and would kink less?....just guessing. I'll see how the repair holds and maybe send boots in at the end of the season for clip replacement, if it still seems appropriate.
2/6/2019
I recently tried to replace the boa myself, however have run into issues remounting the plastic bottom half of the boa back onto the boot - section that connects the boa cabling system to the outer boa dial. It seems that no matter what orientation I seem to use, it wont click back into place. Has anyone else run into the same issue?
2/6/2019
Yes, I think I know what you are talking about. That little plastic tongue seems too stiff to snap into place. I filed a tiny bit of plastic away and then applied chapstick to the plastic and then placed it tongue first and then pushed the superior piece down and it did snap into place finally. Awkward for sure.
Answer this question:
My favorite touring boot to date! My boot journey has been a bit like Goldilocks...but I'm so glad I found these. I started skiing the Dynafit Px One which is a pretty heavy touring boot. From there, I swung back to the Salomon Slab boots which I found overly complicated and frustrating to use. Finally, I landed on these and I LOVE them.
Awesome points:
Fastest transitions ever. While I'm still not racing material by any means, these boots are so quick and easy to transition. All you have is the single ski/walk throw on the back of the boot. If you needed, you can quickly tweak your forefoot pressure using the boa but generally you can set it and forget it.
Excellent booting tread + expansive walk mode. These are so comfortable to hike/walk/scramble in! I think this is mostly due to the wide walk mode. I almost feel like I can walk normally and this has come in handy when doing multi-mile dirt approaches with skis. The boot part fits snugly, more shoe like, and this means fewer blisters as well. The foot fit is also amazing enough that I have ice climbed in this boot with fantastic results. I felt super confident and didn't have any toe or shin bang. Plus they are basically as light as a beefy mountaineering boot!
Awesome gaiter - the gaiter on this boot is so much better than the Salomon gaiter. It fits super snugly around the liner and doesn't move unless you really want it to. Seals out snow, I've never had damp feet.
Love it and hoping to ski it for many seasons to come!
Awesome points:
Fastest transitions ever. While I'm still not racing material by any means, these boots are so quick and easy to transition. All you have is the single ski/walk throw on the back of the boot. If you needed, you can quickly tweak your forefoot pressure using the boa but generally you can set it and forget it.
Excellent booting tread + expansive walk mode. These are so comfortable to hike/walk/scramble in! I think this is mostly due to the wide walk mode. I almost feel like I can walk normally and this has come in handy when doing multi-mile dirt approaches with skis. The boot part fits snugly, more shoe like, and this means fewer blisters as well. The foot fit is also amazing enough that I have ice climbed in this boot with fantastic results. I felt super confident and didn't have any toe or shin bang. Plus they are basically as light as a beefy mountaineering boot!
Awesome gaiter - the gaiter on this boot is so much better than the Salomon gaiter. It fits super snugly around the liner and doesn't move unless you really want it to. Seals out snow, I've never had damp feet.
Love it and hoping to ski it for many seasons to come!
Comment on this review:
12/16/2018
Nodin
(used product a few times)
I just purchased this boot after skiing the original LS Spitfire for sixish seasons. I have skied the boot twice and like it so far. I do think it is a little on the chilly side (at least for Rocky Mountain National Park), but the skinning/climbing performance is great. It is also quite stiff and almost skis as well as my Spitfires.
The question I have concerns the forward lean. I know others have asked similar questions, and I actually just emailed Skimo.co directly, but I thought I would post here as well. I am very used to the 16 degree lean that the Spitfires have, and has very surprised that Scarpa decided to only go to 13 degrees (especially when the LS Sytron goes to 22 degrees!!). I put a shim in the back but am still feeling a bit off-balance when I try to drive turns or do techy jump-turns.
I am thinking that the answer might lie in the walk/ski mode heel lever. Looking at photos, it appears that the Alien 1.0 has a slightly different lever, and I am wondering if anyone knows if it happens to be longer than the Alien RS one--I think a few millimeters would make all the difference regarding lean. Any other ideas regarding ways to increase lean are welcome. I am otherwise pretty smitten with the boot.
The question I have concerns the forward lean. I know others have asked similar questions, and I actually just emailed Skimo.co directly, but I thought I would post here as well. I am very used to the 16 degree lean that the Spitfires have, and has very surprised that Scarpa decided to only go to 13 degrees (especially when the LS Sytron goes to 22 degrees!!). I put a shim in the back but am still feeling a bit off-balance when I try to drive turns or do techy jump-turns.
I am thinking that the answer might lie in the walk/ski mode heel lever. Looking at photos, it appears that the Alien 1.0 has a slightly different lever, and I am wondering if anyone knows if it happens to be longer than the Alien RS one--I think a few millimeters would make all the difference regarding lean. Any other ideas regarding ways to increase lean are welcome. I am otherwise pretty smitten with the boot.
12/16/2018
Hi Nodin, assuming you've found the forward lean adjustment in the boot itself, it's good to note that forward lean in the boot is just one part of the equation for finding that sweet spot. Playing with the ramp of your bindings and/or the mounting position on the ski could also help.
Comment on this review:
12/5/2018
Hi SkimoCo,
I measure a 26 in length and was fit into a 27 boot. After about 6 days the boots have become quite sloppy in fit. What liner would you reccomend to take up more space than the stock?
Thanks!
I measure a 26 in length and was fit into a 27 boot. After about 6 days the boots have become quite sloppy in fit. What liner would you reccomend to take up more space than the stock?
Thanks!
12/6/2018
Hey Steve, sorry you're having to deal with a sloppy fit there! While it isn't an ideal solution to take up volume with a thicker liner, I might recommend the Palau Powertrack 10 for going that route. It won't walk quite as well as the stock liner and has a somewhat beefy cuff, but it should help fill the voids and offer a more secure fit!
12/13/2018
Steve...I have a brand new pair of 26s if you want to swap. 26 is too small on me.
Answer this question:
11/28/2018
fit relative to the older all yellow Alien? I was sort of between a 26 and 27 in those boots. big foot measures 272mm. low volume and a true D width.
11/28/2018
Hi Kurt, the RS is a bit longer in the same size. But, like the original, the boot is on the narrow side compared to a D width so it might feel small in the correct length. Based on your foot measurement, I would think the 26 is too small.
12/3/2018
hmm ok. I tried a 27 in the original Alien, went to a 26. My toes were scrunched on those but the rest of the boot felt good. Looking at BSL between the 2, the RS seems a bit longer, no?
12/3/2018
Hi Kurt, yes it's a bit longer internally (which is not necessarily indicated by BSL). The Mondo scale is essentially your foot length in cm, so seeing as you measure over 27cm, 26 seems small on paper. Measurements aren't the most accurate fit approach though as there can be variables with footbeds, sitting vs standing, etc.
Answer this question:
11/1/2018
Hi!
I've been using TLT6 first edition in size 27.0. My big toes gets pretty damn hurted on long days because of the boot lenght which is too small so i would fit better with 27.5 tlt6. They still works great while strictly ascending.
Which size do you think would fit best for me? 27.0 or 28.0? I ski a lot of long days on flat mark before reaching the mountains, so i hate when my toes hit the front wall of boots.
Eric
I've been using TLT6 first edition in size 27.0. My big toes gets pretty damn hurted on long days because of the boot lenght which is too small so i would fit better with 27.5 tlt6. They still works great while strictly ascending.
Which size do you think would fit best for me? 27.0 or 28.0? I ski a lot of long days on flat mark before reaching the mountains, so i hate when my toes hit the front wall of boots.
Eric
11/1/2018
Hey Eric! There are a ton of metrics that will make or break a proper fit, but based on what you said I am thinking you'd be a far better candidate for a 28 than a 27. Fill out our boot fitter if you'd like a more in-depth analysis of the fit and if this would be a good boot for you!
Answer this question:
Just wanted to add a few observations regarding the fit of these boots. Enough was said about ski performance and I'm not a ski expert to add much on this subject.
It was an emotion-driven purchase. My beloved LS Syborgs all of a sudden turned into torture device when some kind of bony protrusion grew on my foot and it gotten really painful after only a few hours of touring, especially when in a ski mode. I went to the ski shop to try to do something about, saw Alien RS, put them on and pulled out my cc!
It's been a little tight at the forefoot first few outings but then it went away and now the boots are really comfy! I had the liners molded but frankly I think the fit improved just from usage. Anyway: my feet are old, medium width, pretty wide at the toes but these boots fit great! I probably went with 1/2 to 1 size too large so the fit is not "performance fit" but they ski great for me and very comfortable. No hot spots, no blisters, nothing! Maybe I should try a foot-bed to take up some of the slop but maybe it's like trying to fix what's not broken?
A few other things: crampon fit with my crampons that I assembled for Syborgs from several different parts is awesome! BOA adjustment is fantastic, super easy to tighten and you just pull the knob and it loosens. The gaitors have no zippers to break. Liners seem thicker and way warmer compared to Syborgs. It's really easy to put the boots on which is kind of nice when you are on a multi-day tour! I'm in love with these boots but let me point to a few negatives:
Ski/walk mechanism is way harder to work compared to Syborgs. You need to bend back to reach the lever and it may take a little fiddling. Really no big deal and I'll probably learn to do it quicker with time.
As others pointed out, the cord for tightening gets frayed pretty early and the cord slips through the locking fitting when tightened hard. A knot on a cord would probably solve the slippage problem.
I'll add other negatives if I could think of anything else.
It was an emotion-driven purchase. My beloved LS Syborgs all of a sudden turned into torture device when some kind of bony protrusion grew on my foot and it gotten really painful after only a few hours of touring, especially when in a ski mode. I went to the ski shop to try to do something about, saw Alien RS, put them on and pulled out my cc!
It's been a little tight at the forefoot first few outings but then it went away and now the boots are really comfy! I had the liners molded but frankly I think the fit improved just from usage. Anyway: my feet are old, medium width, pretty wide at the toes but these boots fit great! I probably went with 1/2 to 1 size too large so the fit is not "performance fit" but they ski great for me and very comfortable. No hot spots, no blisters, nothing! Maybe I should try a foot-bed to take up some of the slop but maybe it's like trying to fix what's not broken?
A few other things: crampon fit with my crampons that I assembled for Syborgs from several different parts is awesome! BOA adjustment is fantastic, super easy to tighten and you just pull the knob and it loosens. The gaitors have no zippers to break. Liners seem thicker and way warmer compared to Syborgs. It's really easy to put the boots on which is kind of nice when you are on a multi-day tour! I'm in love with these boots but let me point to a few negatives:
Ski/walk mechanism is way harder to work compared to Syborgs. You need to bend back to reach the lever and it may take a little fiddling. Really no big deal and I'll probably learn to do it quicker with time.
As others pointed out, the cord for tightening gets frayed pretty early and the cord slips through the locking fitting when tightened hard. A knot on a cord would probably solve the slippage problem.
I'll add other negatives if I could think of anything else.
Comment on this review:
Pros: Light-very stiff for weight. walk range is great, similar to other race style boots. Boa is great for easy adjustments. Love the simplistic single throw for switching to ski mode. Tread is very durable. I have only skied race style boots, I've never skied an alpine boot, but comparatively this is the stiffest boot i've used. I have no problem on 100mm waist skis with this. Wouldnt hesitate to use on 105s, but I am a balance skier, I dont drive from the cuff.
Cons: Durability of gaiter pulls-ripped off pretty early while sliding a liner in. Cord that also serves to put the boot in ski mode also visibly is frayed after about 50 days and also slips through the cam lock. Like others I have just tied a knot so that it will not slip through. I have also found the single throw latch to loosen over time, requiring occasional tightening. I am also concerned about the stress on the small cam lock from the added knot, though I havent noticed any issues yet. I also do not like that the sole is very flat. Comparatively to some other brands, there is almost no rocker, so even though ankle ROM is huge, the "naturalness" of the walk is impeded by the flatness of the sole (though that may be preference). I also question the use of the carbon infused grilamid throughout the entire shell, I will explain in the fit notes.
Fit notes: very narrow toe, not anatomical shape. symmetrical rounded pointy ish toe (never seen anyone who has feet or toes that look like the toe box on this) Fairly low volume. My foot measures a 27 but I have to do a 28 in this and its still too tight for my width. The heel and midfoot are wider. I personally have a wide forefoot and narrow heel. This boot is too tight in the toes and too sloppy in the heels for me. I had to add a lot of foam in order to get good heel hold on this, I also had to add a foam shim to the shin area to held with heel hold. Because of the very specific fit of the boot, it is even more limited because of the carbon fiber infused grilamid. This material is stiff, but is extremely difficult to punch. And Scarpa doesnt approve of punching it (voids warranty I believe). I have had mine punched but compared to normal grilamid I was much more limited in how much I could punch it. So if your normal practice is to downsize shell and punch it out, or have a suboptimal fit and modify it, the potential for modification is very small. Even after punching I didnt have enough space in the big toe area so I used a razor to cut out a couple mm from the inside of the liner by my big toe. This boot should work for you if you have a narrow forefoot and in general low volume feet. Talk to the guys on this site, they will steer you in the right direction as far as fit. If you have average, wider "american" feet, my guess is these will be a tough fit out of the box and may not work.
Notes to Scarpa: You know what most people's feet look like, as evidenced by the Maestrale, and other mountain boots, like the Mt. Blanc or the new Ribelle or various other boots. Why do you change the last for "race" boots? Not all people who like to race suddenly morph the shape of their feet. Also, if you are going to make a very specific type of fit that doesnt work for a lot of people, at least make the lower part of the shell out of an easily modifiable material like normal grilamid so that those of us that dont have small elvish pointy toes can have a solution for fit.
Ultimately I will keep the boot, unless someone wants it, but I cannot bare it for multi-day or very heavy mileage days. But if I want high performance skiing or dont plan on a super long day I may take them, but usually comfort wins out for me, so these may be collecting dust for me now. Still an excellent option if it fits you, definitely try in store before purchase.
Cons: Durability of gaiter pulls-ripped off pretty early while sliding a liner in. Cord that also serves to put the boot in ski mode also visibly is frayed after about 50 days and also slips through the cam lock. Like others I have just tied a knot so that it will not slip through. I have also found the single throw latch to loosen over time, requiring occasional tightening. I am also concerned about the stress on the small cam lock from the added knot, though I havent noticed any issues yet. I also do not like that the sole is very flat. Comparatively to some other brands, there is almost no rocker, so even though ankle ROM is huge, the "naturalness" of the walk is impeded by the flatness of the sole (though that may be preference). I also question the use of the carbon infused grilamid throughout the entire shell, I will explain in the fit notes.
Fit notes: very narrow toe, not anatomical shape. symmetrical rounded pointy ish toe (never seen anyone who has feet or toes that look like the toe box on this) Fairly low volume. My foot measures a 27 but I have to do a 28 in this and its still too tight for my width. The heel and midfoot are wider. I personally have a wide forefoot and narrow heel. This boot is too tight in the toes and too sloppy in the heels for me. I had to add a lot of foam in order to get good heel hold on this, I also had to add a foam shim to the shin area to held with heel hold. Because of the very specific fit of the boot, it is even more limited because of the carbon fiber infused grilamid. This material is stiff, but is extremely difficult to punch. And Scarpa doesnt approve of punching it (voids warranty I believe). I have had mine punched but compared to normal grilamid I was much more limited in how much I could punch it. So if your normal practice is to downsize shell and punch it out, or have a suboptimal fit and modify it, the potential for modification is very small. Even after punching I didnt have enough space in the big toe area so I used a razor to cut out a couple mm from the inside of the liner by my big toe. This boot should work for you if you have a narrow forefoot and in general low volume feet. Talk to the guys on this site, they will steer you in the right direction as far as fit. If you have average, wider "american" feet, my guess is these will be a tough fit out of the box and may not work.
Notes to Scarpa: You know what most people's feet look like, as evidenced by the Maestrale, and other mountain boots, like the Mt. Blanc or the new Ribelle or various other boots. Why do you change the last for "race" boots? Not all people who like to race suddenly morph the shape of their feet. Also, if you are going to make a very specific type of fit that doesnt work for a lot of people, at least make the lower part of the shell out of an easily modifiable material like normal grilamid so that those of us that dont have small elvish pointy toes can have a solution for fit.
Ultimately I will keep the boot, unless someone wants it, but I cannot bare it for multi-day or very heavy mileage days. But if I want high performance skiing or dont plan on a super long day I may take them, but usually comfort wins out for me, so these may be collecting dust for me now. Still an excellent option if it fits you, definitely try in store before purchase.
Comment on this review:
4/30/2018
Is there a cuff cant on this boot? Thinking no, but somewhere I thought I read a review that mentioned a cuff cant.
4/30/2018
Hey Bruce! Nope, no cant cuff! They went light and burly with this one!
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