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

[Inspiredcapers]

To date I haven’t had any issues with these boots. I figure I’ve got about 80 hours in them so far this season. They’ve loosened up a bit to the point I can use the insole with a thin sock if I want- I still prefer a thin (or no insole) with a thicker sock, it feels more comfortable for me that way. I suspect some of the roominess I’m experiencing is due to driving the Metsäs with them.

[Theme]

Forgot to make an update. I went through three different pairs of boots on my Norway end-to-end tour. Two pioneer tech had the outsole come off from the middle. Also a pair of pioneer pro had outsoles come off at the tip and middle. And the pi pro did not hold out any water.

This was the crappiest part of my tour, I must say. Had to re-glue with shoegoo like 15 times as it was not an easy job to get replacement boots... which all broke. Staying away from Alpina until they fix their glue. My replacement pi tech broke the first day back out.

Wasted about 10 days for the logistics (83days total including all that)

[telerat]

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!

[Theme]

@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!

[telerat]

Thanks. In your previous picture it looked like the fabric was coming apart a little, but as long as you are happy with it from your testing I belit should be fine. I would still prefer a somewhat more solid rubber rand on it. All is moot if it does not stay attached to the sole.

Lundhags does not seem like a good solution for skiing crust and that crease does not looks comfortable. It might be size specific, but it is something to be aware of for potential buyers so thanks again. It reminds me a bit of the smaller crease on the Alfa Free that I barely can tolerate.

Nice that Alfa Outback will come on Xplore. It has the same insulation rating as the Vista, while Alfa Polar is the warmer version. It should be warm enough for almost any trip though, and I know many are very fond of the BC version. I have read that someone also recommends it for warmer conditions with the gaiter open.

[peterindc]

Think the Alpina Pioneer Tech would be able to drive the Voile Hyper V6 BC, 131-99-111 (in the 178 cm length)? Assuming that the Xplore or TTS bindings I’d use wouldn’t pull out of those.

Or would Voile’s newer tele-certified Endeavor BC, 117-84-102 (178 cm) or 115-82-99 (171 cm) be all that much better?

And do any of you who’ve tried the Pioneer Tech have wide feet?

Explanation is I already own the Hyoer V6 for AT and was thinking of remounting them to try out the Alpina Pioneer Tech XP this winter as my first foray into the Xplore/TTS world. Or getting the Endeavor instead.

I have hobbit-wide EE feet so comfort is important in the boots.

Otherwise my most xcD capable tele setup is Scott Excursions and Switchback X2s on the lovely Asnes Tindan 86s that several of you recommended a few years back. Still love those too, just curious and like experimenting. 5’10” 175 lbs experienced telemarker here, White Grass is my home area and I go north and west.

[aclyon]

I have hobbit-wide EE feet so comfort is important in the boots.

i, too, choose to describe my feet as hobbit-wide.
personally, i've never tried on an alpina boot that even remotely fit. they are as narrow as it gets. i am a 46, tried on a 48, and it was not enough. tried on alaskas and the pioneers, as i recall they both had a very similar fit.
they fit my girlfriend perfectly, she has little narrow feet, good for her lol.
i would recommend alfa or fischer boots, they have a much wider fit.

cant speak on your ski/boot choice though i know i personally wouldnt wanna drive a ski like the voile with a soft boot but that's just me. endeavors seem more designed for the task, perhaps. objectives have been known to be driveable with a soft boot but you will void the warranty putting a tele binding in there. but i haven't done it myself, so take my opinion as an MSM news article.

[telerat]

This Voile video shows a pretty good skier on Endeavor with 75mm and Xplore:

Both boots seems at the limit and would require good conditions and skier for them to work.

@Tom M has skied Hyper Vector on Xplore and Alfa Free:

They also seems to require good conditions for the setup to work. If you want float in soft snow and slow turns the combination seems fine, but I would prefer a stiffer boot, steeper terrain and higher speed in such conditions. You have to decide on your preferences.

Your Excursions, Switchback and Tindan 86 sounds well matched and nice for varying conditions.