March 26
Key Stats
- Weight: ~1545g (per boot | 27.5 size)
- Model Year: 2023
- Range of Motion: 60°
- Flex: 120
- Last: 103mm
Summary Takeaways
Recommendation: After spending 25+ days touring in the Radical Pro, this is a solid contender for someone looking for the elusive one-quiver boot that prioritizes downhill performance while minimizing weight for the uphill. Depending on your priorities and fit, I would cross-shop this boot with options like the Scarpa Maestrale RS or even the Technica Zero G Tour Pro if you prioritize weight
Fit: The Radical Pro is a high-volume boot that accommodates tall insteps. Narrower or average feet might swim in these boots, but as always, go to a boot fitter and try on a variety of boots to find what fits your feet
Uphill Performance: At 1545 grams (27.5 size), these boots generally fall in the “midweight” category for dedicated touring boots. I have no issues taking these boots on 3-4k vertical days but might consider something lighter for longer days
Downhill Performance: The downhill is where these boots shine. The 120 flex will support all your freeride desires, and the flex feels very similar to that of a downhill boot
Ease of Transition: The “Hoji Lock” system, which combines the cuff closure, top buckle, and walk mode lever, has the potential to make transitions quick, but I often find myself still fiddling with the buckles to get the fit just right
Uphill Performance
The more days I spend touring in the Radical Pro, the more I enjoy how it walks. The boot feels like a lot of the range of motion is forward, while compromising a bit on rearward mobility. While some folks might consider this a knock, I’ve found the forward mobility helpful, particularly on steep skin tracks or when bootpacking. Range of motion is great for comparing online boots and making your backcountry partner jealous, but once you start getting in the 60-degree range of motion arena, it becomes a game of diminishing returns quickly. If you’re going for huge vertical day after day, there are lighter boots with a better range of motion, but if you’re only logging ~3k vertical days, these boots are a great option to enjoy the up and down.
Downhill Performance
The 120 flex of the Radical Pro hits a sweet spot for aggressive backcountry skiers who are driving larger skis or want the confidence of a traditional downhill boot. The flex is progressive, meaning you get a smooth ramp-up in resistance as you drive into the boot — ideal for variable snow conditions or when you need to smear, pivot, or power through crud. For many of the weekend warriors out there who can’t always be chasing soft, fresh snow, I’ve found the Radical Pro to be more than capable of driving 105mm skis through nasty crusts, windboard, and everything in between.
Ease of Transition
The Hoji Lock allows you to flip one lever and release the cuff and upper buckle simultaneously. If I’m only doing one lap with minimal transitions, the Hoji Lock system is simply a nice-to-have feature. When you start introducing multiple transitions throughout the day, that’s when the Hoji Lock system starts to shine. Fiddling with buckles and straps countless times over the day starts to make you appreciate the ingenuity of the system. With that in mind, while it’s a nice feature, my backcountry crew is the type to have a snack, drink, and take some pictures once we reach the top of the skin track. Optimizing my transitions to eliminate the ~30 seconds you might save from fiddling with buckles doesn’t make a significant difference to me. All things being equal, it’s a great feature to have, but not a driving reason to need this boot.