2020 WINNERS – WOMEN’S BOOTS OF THE YEAR
Resort rippers, big air-senders or backcountry badasses… whatever you need on your feet, here are our experts’ picks for the upcoming winter.
ALPINE BOOT OF THE YEAR – HEAD EDGE LYT 100 W
If you’re wider of hoof and seeking an intermediate-to-advanced, technical, lightweight alpine boot the Edge LYT 100 W is a cracking option. Brand new for this season, it uses wonder material graphene in the shell to achieve its feathery feel, providing a lightweight stiffer narrow-shelled boot with super-dynamic rebound.
The easy-entry design means you can wave goodbye to painful, slow and frustrating moments in the boot room and the nifty double power spine flex buckles halve the effort needed for tightening the boot while still maintaining power when you’re ready to rip. Once they’re on your feet you’re guaranteed a comfortable and precise fit around the heel and ankle thanks to Head’s primo Liquid Fit liner while the super macro tooth plate (a what now?) means you can adjust the fit around the calf, making this a genuinely women’s specific boot.
PRICE: £380 – SIZES: 22-27.5 – WALK MODE: N – VOLUME: H – LAST: 98-102 – FLEX: 100/90
ALL MOUNTAIN BOOT OF THE YEAR – DALBELLO PANTERRA 95 W GW
The Panterra has been completely redesigned for this season and transformed into a mega all-mountain adjustable weapon with heaps of potential for customisation. Aimed at experienced skiers regularly charging between piste and powder, this new model packs a powerful punch when you’re pushing hard on the hill.
With an adjustable last, adaptable collar, lightweight Powercage construction and variable ramp angle and canting system, the Panterra 95 W GW is ready and willing to work to your specific demands. Its Gripwalk sole compatibility and 50 degree ROM walk mode make it ideal if you’re partial to a quick hike, short tour or just looking for that extra flexibility required to bust out your best moves at après. It comes in a range of flexes to suit different abilities and motivations, but if you’re looking for a boot that can rip the resort and shred in the sidecountry fluff, we believe the Panterra 95 W GW hits the sweetest of snow spots.
PRICE: £350 – SIZES: 22.5-27.5 – WALK MODE: Y – VOLUME: M – LAST: 99-101 – FLEX: 95
FREERIDE BOOT OF THE YEAR – K2 MINDBENDER ALLIANCE 110
All new for 2020, K2‘s freeride-specific Mindbender series includes a range of new boots destined to appeal to hard-charging females looking to hike, rip and ride the whole mountain. The stiffest in the women’s range, the Mindbender Alliance 110, features 50 degrees ROM, an ultra-durable and fully heat-mouldable shell and adjustable forward lean. It is compatible with both alpine and tech bindings. There’s a rip cord powercinch strap for a super-secure fit and a Gripwalk sole for navigating snowy ridgelines or simply staying upright at après whilst you celebrate another truly epic day in the mountains.
If you’re looking to venture beyond the ropes and into a whole new powdery dimension, the stiff yet lightweight Mindbender Alliance 110 will take you there in style.
PRICE: £495 – SIZES: 22.5-27.5 – WALK MODE: Y – VOLUME: M – LAST: 98 – FLEX: 110
TOURING BOOT OF THE YEAR – DYNAFIT TLT8 EXPEDITION CL
The eighth edition of this legendary boot packs a whole lot of performance into an extremely lightweight package. Weighing in at just 2040g per pair, the TLT Expedition 8 is an awesome retro-looking blue and pink boot built to boss the ascent with floaty ease. Everything about it has been designed for speed and efficiency on the mountain with Master Step technology for easy entry into pin bindings, a two-buckle design and easily adjustable and precise buckles.
Dynafit’s controversial flat Speed Nose is all about reducing weight and replacing it with a more natural stride and while it does work, it may leave you needing to add a new pair of crampons into the mix to make sure everything’s compatible. When it comes to the descent, the TLT Expedition 8 really impressed for such a lightweight boot, offering more than enough support for experienced backcountry skiers. Also available with the slightly heavier but warmer CR liner.
PRICE: £540 – SIZES: 23-27.5 – WALK MODE: Y – VOLUME: M+ – LAST: 103 – FLEX: 110
TO READ MORE ABOUT THESE BOOTS AND ALL THE OTHER NEW GEAR FOR 2020, GET YOUR COPY OF OUR 2020 GEAR GUIDE – OUT NOW!
WOMEN’S ALL ROUND TOURING SKI OF THE YEAR – DYNAFIT BEAST 98W