2024 Alpina Pioneer TECH XP Backcountry/Telemark ski boot review XPLORE

[DPO777]

Interesting comparison and comment on the snug 44. What is your foot size? 10.5 US ?

Of the 3 shown and the transnordic which boot do you feel fits truer to your foot size.

There seems to be a lot of variation in the charts between manufactures and EU converted to US on the charts so

it is golden information to hear from people who actually have worn the boots.

[DPO777]

@Theme
Very crappy.
Looking at the construction and stitching of that boot-
they don't inspire quality and durability to me...
I don't think that boot would stand up to rough and abrasive conditions in my local forest ski touring...
......
On another note- I have been thinking about the pros and cons of Rottefella-specific outsoles-
while there are many, many benefits-
mating the outsole to the boot might be challenging with varying boot designs...

Of the 5 XP models we have- the Alfa Skaget XP seems to have the best outsole to boot matching.
All of the other boots have required me to apply cement/adhesive to seal up seams/cracks between the outsole and the boot...

From what I know of your skiing environment you would kill those boots very quickly and then we would have to see and hear a very disappointing and very detailed rant about you blowing off steam on your purchase. I do enjoy your detail of "why I don't like these boots" but feel bad about your money not well spent and your fustration ... LOL

Your views on the Alfa Skaget XP seems very noteworthy.

[DPO777]

So I bit the bullet and ordered from Demers Bicycle. Shipping was insanely fast, just took a few days.

So, onto the boot. I ordered a size 44 (my usual size). It’s definitely not a loose fit (my Fischers are roomier). I’ll be skiing a thin sock with these, if there’s any need for something warmer I’ll swap out (or completely lose) the insole. Alpina insole is about 4mm thick at the toe, there’s thinner to be found.

I’ve been enjoying the Fischers in colder temperatures but when it warmed up my feet got way to warm. It’s my hope that I’ll find a good balance having the Alpinas to choose from.

I wore them around the house for a couple of hours, they are indeed a lightweight boot and my feet remained comfortable. The fit is good, my feet felt cupped, and I felt a sense of awareness/placement walking around the house/yard/stairs. Using truck analogies, the Transnordic feels like an F-250, the Pioneer is a Raptor.

Seriously need some snow to try these out, might have to go for a drive next week to find some.

The Pioneers- size 44
IMG_7817.jpeg

Comparing size 44 Fischer BCX Transnordic to Pioneer

IMG_7818.jpegIMG_7819.jpeg

There’s a 300 gram/.66 pound difference in weight per boot.

Humored by your F250 to Raptor comparison and it says a lot for clarity of the difference in a nutshell.

So what is your take on the fit to your foot size on the Tech XP. You say 44 is your size. What is your foot US size and or actual length. I suspect between 10-11 US and just under 11" long and between 27- 28 CMs.

Curious as I am a 10.5 US just under 11" and find the 10.5 half size is caught in a bit of a blur with manufactures 43.5/44/44.5 range.

So in the end are you saying given your 44 size that you would go up half size or 1 full size if wearing an extra sock with the Tech boots?

Thanks

[DPO777]

Yess, my Pioneer Tech arrived!

Size is 42. Weight 676g per boot. That is 10g less per boot comparwd to my size 42 Pioneer Pros!

There is slightly more volume for the toes, height wise. I can feel significantly more support for the ankle, however not as much as I hoped for. Not as stiff as Alfa Free or Crispi Futura Pro. Still very stiff. Sole is soft, and I feel as reported before, they feel softer than Alasko or Pioneer. However I think this is due to the fabric upper.

There is some pinching at the toes. But not significant, it will soften up. I could get away with size 41 on these boots. I have gone +1 size on Alpinas to accommodate warmer socks and vapor barriers. If only there was a size 41,5.

I had no trouble getting my foot in these. Same size opening as Alaska and Pi Pro.

Heel again is something between Pi Pro and Alaska XP. Slightly more space than in Pi Pro, whereas Alaska has a very spacious heel cup.

I do get a bit of pinching around my shin as the shaft is high. I expect this to not be a problem when I wear the boots in. With Alaskas I also had this but a bit worse so they did not fit me. Pi Pro in the other hand was most comfortable of the three for me, if only there was as much toe volume as on the Tech.

I presume I will be bringing the Pi Tech on my Norge på Langs attempt this winter, and have the Pi Pro as backup. Heck, I might end up trying both. Still need to do testing before I choose.

So with your your mileage on these Tech XPs would you say they are true to your foot size, snug fit and go up half size or full size if planning on extra socks ? Are you wearing extra socks with the 42s ? Yes I agree the half size fits a void for that a bit to tight and a bit too loose but assume better to have a bit of room to fill rather that too tight.

[DPO777]

I’m liking these boots more n’ more. They’re a “snug” size 44 compared to the Alpha Guard and Fischer Transnordic but removal of the insole gives them much more noticeable wiggle room. I’d damn near call this boot supple yet it’s got support to it as well. I’ve used them with my MR48 skins on sparse/more groomed conditions and with the Natos in somewhat deeper/loose conditions, they’ve been great in both. It’s very flexible and easy to keep the forefoot planted executing turns. I can comfortably get into an extremely low (and completely useless powerwise) squat with my forefoot firmly planted (meaning I’m not up on my toes OR down on my heels). My longest day so far is only 4 hours, I don’t foresee longer days being an issue.

There is a lot of us that seem to fall into that 44 size range. What is your US size equivalent and actual foot length in centimeters or inches?

Just trying to get a comparison between others wearing the same boot for fit to their foot size.

You say you found more comfort taking the insole out. Is your foot normal height or higher arch or width?

What I am gathering by yourself and others is that in general the Tech XP is a snug fit to foot size when compared to others as you have noted. I am assuming that overall the Alpha Guard maybe a bit more comfortable and versatile boot and the Fischer Transnordic would be the warmest of the three.

[Theme]

Wow, that sole connection and upper stitching seems to be very shabby at best.

It is one thing to lighten a boot and try to make some high tech features withing that light boot technology but another thing to have such durability issues.

It kinda forces you to keep spending piles of money to try new tech and that purchase is also justified by your last new boots falling apart too soon.

It looks like high tech meets today's pay more for less quality syndrome.

Too bad we don't get high tech and old school durability in the same package.

Regardless of these issues, these were the best XCD boots I've skied. Perfect for k&g and very capable downhill. Will try them again after a while.

[DPO777]

Wow, that sole connection and upper stitching seems to be very shabby at best.

It is one thing to lighten a boot and try to make some high tech features withing that light boot technology but another thing to have such durability issues.

It kinda forces you to keep spending piles of money to try new tech and that purchase is also justified by your last new boots falling apart too soon.

It looks like high tech meets today's pay more for less quality syndrome.

Too bad we don't get high tech and old school durability in the same package.

Regardless of these issues, these were the best XCD boots I've skied. Perfect for k&g and very capable downhill. Will try them again after a while.

Yes you should run them into the ground and get your moneys worth. Just keep giving them the Goop. It took over 30 years for my Alico leathers to separate at the toes but a generous helping of goop and I think they may be good for awhile yet.

You have run them for 400kms so guess relative to that use they get some brownie points for the sole not completely separating.

[DPO777]

Thanks for the update Theme and sorry to hear of your problems. It is a pity that the Alpina Pioneer boots did not hold up, especially on a long tour with many days. The Tech looked very interesting, but it's fabric seems weak and better suited for mellow tours in soft snow on flatter terrain. That is a too narrow use case for me. On the Pioneer Pro, was it the outer rubber sole that came off, or the whole including the middle sole like in this case on Alaska XP?


I assume the outer rubber sole is glued at Rottefella's factory, but it could also be at Alpina, while I am pretty confident that the whole sole is glued at Alpina's factory. I think Alaska XP would hold up better with the (seemingly) solid rubber rand for such a a tour, but fit is paramount and the above makes me skeptical of Alpina. Hopefully it is just Alpina that have such problems and they get it fixed soon. The stiffer Xplore sole is bound to increase forces on the boot and sole interface, but I have luckily not seen boots with similar problems from Alfa or Crispi so far.

I wonder which boots would be best suited for such a tour. Either of the Lundhags Abisku boots looks nice if they are durable, but Alfa Vista and Crispi XP also looks good with (seemingly) solid and smooth leather, membrane and proper rubber rand. Alfa Outback in an Xplore version might also be a good option. A boot with solid fabric and thinner liner that absorbs less water sounds like a very good option for a tour such as yours, but Pioneer Tech unfortunately does not seem to be it. I wonder if there are other boots on NNN-BC or regular NNN that might be a better option?

Congratulations on completing your tour!

Those are some happy looking toes. Better feed them some Goop. Wonder if it was glue composition failure or uniform glue application failure.

[DPO777]

@telerat I think the fabric on the Tech was great and no issues with it. Just the sideguard print was flaking off a bit, and the Rotte sole coming off (glued at Alpina factory). Seemed to be caused by flexing the sole (too soft of an upper?). First pair took 300km to show cracks, second pair 10km.



What comes to Abisku XP, a friend of mine did a 1300km tour simulatenously and had a kind of a crease form that dug into her foot, clearing a hole in the leather. She got a replacement pair. I think I want to try the Futura XP next, BUT I got confirmation through a dealer that they will have the Alfa Outback in XP for next season... Bingo for cold ass tours!

Yes definitely looks like too soft and flexible an upper and too thin of a Xplorer sole to upper bond surface on the Tech boots. I think they need to re-engineer the sole to upper surface area for adequate glue hold. They may have cranked up the dial a bit to much to try to make the boot very light and flexible.

[Inspiredcapers]

Opted to start a new thread to generate some discussion and sharing of info regarding peoples different foot sizes and physiology. Hopefully people will contribute some information to aid in boot acquisition.

As far as the Techs go, I keep my eyes open for a sale to purchase another pair.