LANGE XT3 TOUR

Lange put just about every piece of ski boot technology it has in this boot. It started with Dual Core, hard and soft plastic mixed and layered throughout the boot to tune vibration absorption and energy transfer. Then Lange added a new EVA heat-mouldable liner, Vibram touring sole and rockered boot board. The latter improves comfort on the skin track and is warmer than other boot boards. Like in the Cochise, the ski-walk mode is metal on metal to ensure no flex in the spine. Throughout, Lange managed to cut weight, bringing the boot down to 1.5 kg. It feels even lighter on the ups with a 55-degree range of motion and super-smooth hinging. Overall, we found it retains that classic Lange downhill boot feel, but in a weight that compares with many dedicated touring boots. $850; lange-boots.com

Choose it: If you put in lots of vertical, both inbounds and out, and only want one boot.