Gear 360: Lange XT3 Pro Tour
Lange took the award-winning XT3 concept and made it even more backcountry-friendly, but didn't sacrifice an ounce of downhill performance in the process.
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Lange XT3 Pro Tour Pro, MSRP: $750 [[BUY NOW ON SALE]]
SKI Gear 360 Review
Building on the success of the 2020 SKI Magazine Gear of the Year XT3 all-mountain adventure boot, Lange’s new XT3 Pro Tour features many of the same great elements but put them in a much lighter package. And the new features of the XT3 Tour should make any backcountry skier drool.
To lighten up the boot, Lange incorporates Grilamid into the brand’s signature Dual Core shell. Grilamid is a lighter material than polyurethane, and it performs great in soft snow conditions. Lange also put the EVA liner on a diet for the XT3 Tour, cutting out any excess materials but still making sure it’s heat-moldable and properly regulates temperature.
From there, it’s the little things that count for making this a backcountry-specific ski boot. The full Vibram rubber sole with tech inserts, a rockered boot board for easy uphill strides, and optional elastic and lace reinforcements in the liner to keep things snug and responsive round out the features of this ski boot.
Similar elements to the heavier XT3 include Lange’s active power V-Lock ski/walk mode switch. While most boots with a walk mode use a narrow metal bar to connect the cuff with the shell, the V-Lock uses a wide PU plate that delivers consistent progressive forward flex when in ski-mode. This provides a better feel during descents while still allowing for a 53-degree range of motion when in walk-mode.
The Lange XT3 Tour can drive some hefty all-mountain wide skis very effectively at speed and in difficult conditions. Part of this comes from the boot’s aggressive forward angle in the cuff, a welcome element for skiers who prefer a forward stance as opposed to the more upright angles that most backcountry ski boots provide. The boot’s low volume and narrow last also helped drive bigger skis with more control.
In hard-snow conditions that made my skis chatter and would normally rattle anyone’s molars, the Dual Core shell effectively minimized any vibrations in my lower legs, keeping me stable and in control. This is one of the greatest features of modern Lange boots, and to have it in a backcountry-specific boot is pretty fantastic.
While testing the boot in Colorado’s Indian Peaks, I did notice that it’s a little softer than one might expect for a backcountry-specific 130 flex. But I am a pretty big guy at 200 pounds and I was training with a very heavy, 60-pound backpack. There is no level of Velcro strap reinforcement that can really make up for the somewhat softer feel of Grilamid, but Lange does get credit for trying.
Overall, this boot is a welcome addition to the world of backcountry ski boots, especially for skiers who bemoan wide, sloppy boots with very upright cuff angles. Serious skiers who want a performance-oriented boot—and those that love Langes—will certainly be smitten with this new blue boot.
Buy the Lange XT3 Tour Pro: evo
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