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La Sportiva Stratos

Innovative Ski Mountaineering and Skimo Racing Gear for 2016/2017

December 12, 2016 By Stano Faban 3 Comments

innovative-skimo-gear
Every year, manufacturers release fancy new gear to tantalize us. This is a selection of gear we think is innovative and probably worth having a look at for this season (as well as being actually available).
We’ve got a mix of things for skimo racing, and true ski mountaineering. Have a look as the holidays are getting closer and let us know if we missed anything groundbreaking!
» Besides the below, also check out our new skis introductions from the Outdoor Retailer show last January.

Petzl Leopard LLF Crampon – 330g / pair

» Product link
T01A-LLF-LEOPARD-LLF_LowResThe Petzl Leopard line of crampons shows promise as a new ultra-light option (CAMP RACE 290 is 376g) that still functions well.
Aluminum crampons are a great for skimo races and winter ski mountaineering where one does not expect to encounter ice. CAMP innovated several years before with a dyneema strap linking the front and rear crampon parts but the design had significant play, especially in the toe, making the crampon inadequate on technical terrain and prone to failure.
The Leopard’s cable linking system eliminates play and allows for quick and simple micro-adjustment. The LLF crampon is a traditional step-in for use on boots with a welt while the FL crampon can be used on footwear without welts. We’re excited about the possibilities of using these both for racing, as well as ski mountaineering.

Grivel Skimatic Race Crampon – 408g / pair

» Product link
The Grivel Race Crampon mixes things up with a new step-in system. While it still has a metal linking bar, making it a bit heavier and not fold-able, it uses a rear bail wire with a spring system at the boot toe for retention. This is especially promising for use on boots with a vertical heel throw lever like the Scarpa Alien or Gignoux Race 400.
Probably not as secure for alpine climbing and ski mountaineering adventures but time will tell.

Ultimate Direction Skimo 8 vest – 200g

» Product link
skimo-8-packUltimate Direction is well known for their running hydration vests. In 2015, they decided to try out building a skimo pack that would not only do everything required but also fit well. The 8 Litre World Cup pack is the smallest and designed for individual, vertical and sprint races.
Our SkinTrack team worked extensively with the R&D team at UD on the Skimo 8 and Skimo 18 packs. Having participated in the design process, we can safely say the Skimo 8 is extremely effective, comfortable, and very light! Watch for a more thorough review coming soon.

La Sportiva Stratos Hi-Cube – 900g / pair (size 27)

» Product link
la-sportiva-hi-cube-skimo-bootsIntroduced last year and available for purchase this season. A big of departure from their previous carbon boot line and appearing more similar to the Gignoux models, they are as light as they come and have already accumulated extensive palmares on the feet of Michelle Boscacci and Damiano Lenzi in multiple World Cups and Championships.
You can read more about them in our article from January.

Pomoca Race Pro 2.0 Skins

» Product link at Skimo.co or CrippleCreekBC.com
Although looking almost identical, the 2.0 model has similar traction while climbing but significantly faster gliding. We will definitely try these out as the reports coming from the World Cup are that it’s not just hype.

Fischer Verticalp Ski – 1230g / pair

» Product link
verticalp-skiComing from a nordic ski background where skis are selected and fitted specifically to the athlete based on weight and flex pattern, I’ve always wondered when more specialized flexed skis will come to skimo.
The Fischer Verticalp is a step in this direction with a ski designed specifically for vertical races. It features a straight side-cut, a higher camber for better kick and glide, and is incredibly light.
An adjustable weight system allows you to decide where the balance of the ski is located. Paired with a lightweight binding like the Gignoux, you will be guaranteed to need to tape a few weights to the top sheet in order to meet the ISMF minimum race ski weight requirements! (That is 750g/ski for men and 700g for women, including the binding.)

Aski Race Ski – 1470g / pair

» Product link
A relatively new race ski from Europe, now available in North America, the Aski Stealth is a lightweight option and less stiff than more traditional options.
Maybe not the best option for hard packed on-piste events but we’re looking forward to giving these a try this season to see how they perform in the variable conditions often found in races. They get the nod from Skimo.co owner Jason Borro who has tried out more race skis than anyone in North America!

Black Diamond Ultralight Camalot

» Product link
262164_to_262174_Camalot_Ultralight_Fan_webMaybe not hugely innovative but certainly impactful. It’s rare that a piece of gear sees such a dramatic drop in weight but the new Ultralight Camalot from BD weighs 25% lighter than the last generation Camalot, mainly by using a dyneema core in place of metal. We would expect a hit in durability that accompanies any dramatic loss of weight but these are holding up well alongside the rest of my rack so far.

Pieps Micro – 110g

» Product link
This is an interesting one but worth putting on the list for the absolutely weight obsessed.
Prior to 2016, the majority of athletes raced with the Pieps Freeride beacon – weighing in at 110g and about the size of a flip-cellphone, it featured a single antenna and very simple operation. It served more as a transmitting safety device than being designed for great search functionality.
For the 2016/17 season, new ISMF rules require a 3-antenna beacon (which most of us have for everyday backcountry use). Pieps has responded to this rule change with a 150g beacon called the Micro.
We suspect that most racers won’t pay the $400 price for the Micro and they will stick with their normal beacon (the full function DSP Pro weighs in at 200g) but for the truly weight obsessed, this is the lightest option.

Petzl Altitude Harness – 160g

» Product link
C19A-ALTITUDE_LowResIt’s not the absolute lightest harness in the world but it is close. It is also the most featured race style harness available and only slightly heavier than the CAMP ALP. This looks to be the best option for ski mountaineering where a harness must be worn for glacier travel and even a bit of easy climbing but where weight is top priority. We like the easy access (without having to remove boots/crampons) and the flat webbing design that prevents rubbing under a pack. Put it on and forget about it while you wear it all day.

Filed Under: Gear, Tech & Food Tagged With: Fischer, La Sportiva Stratos, Pieps Micro, Ultimate Direction

450 grams: New La Sportiva Stratos Hi-Cube Skimo Racing Boots

January 21, 2016 By Stano Faban 1 Comment

“How much lighter can they get? How much longer to 300 grams?” That’s what I keep asking myself every year now since new superbly light skimo boots are born almost as often as I change oil in my car. What do you think? How long will it take?
la-sportiva-stratos-hi-cube-1
Now, a fourth generation of Stratos, the Hi-Cube must be one the best (if not the best) looking skimo racing boots ever produced! I don’t say that because I skied it, I say it because those are my impressions from the very first moment I saw them.
For reference, here is our coverage of the lightest boots evolution:

  • The lightest skimo boots in 2009
  • First look at the La Sportiva Stratos in Dec 2009
  • Preview of the much striped down Stratos Cube in 2012
  • And our recent comparison of all lightest skimo racing boots

Many things become quickly apparent when you look at the Hi-Cube above and compare it to the previous three generations below:la-sportiva-stratos-evolution
As you can see, La Sportiva changed their design path somewhat, towards a more “open” boot, as the only way to make the Stratos lighter was to shed material. Also, the new boot comes only with a bikini liner for the foot  while for the cuff they opted to use foam padding that is glued in place. The open shell is something Pierre Gignoux (PG) and Scarpa were doing already, with PG also applying the hybrid liner solution. However, the new Stratos doesn’t look anything like the other boots.

Plenty of new and interesting solutions to observe.
Plenty of new and interesting solutions to observe.
According to La Sportiva, the new Stratos should weigh mere 450 grams per boot in size 27! It’s not clear whether this includes the bikini liner or not, but if yes then it will top the Race 400 from Pierre Gignoux that weighs 500 grams for size 26, thus, becoming the lightest skimo boot in the world. I suspect that Stratos’ weight will slightly increase with the actual production model, however, it shouldn’t be more than 20-40 grams.
Apart from incredibly low weight, the new shell is more tapered and should fit more snugly. Both the shell and cuff are fully carbon and feature reinforcement ribs for better power transmission and prevention against cracking.
Another novelty is a use of vibration “dampeners” that should absorb some of the big impact forces travelling upwards while skiing. These are commonly with carbon skimo boots and cause too much stress on the boots as well as on our joints.
With shedding material and creating a low volume shell, La Sportiva got rid off the heel step/ledge for crampons attachment and replaced it with a small hard plastic insert keeping the boots compatible with a variety of crampons.
La Sportiva's ski position locking mechanism is unique to the brand.
La Sportiva’s ski position locking mechanism is unique to the brand.
For all of us that like to experiment with different forward leans for skiing the Stratos Hi-Cube offers three positions to play with, ranging from 10 to 19 degrees.
As for the cuff ski position locking mechanism, I don’t thing much has changed from the previous version. The horizontal closing system looks updated and should be somewhat lighter but function the same way as before.
The Hi-Cubes should be available for retail in the fall of 2016 and their likely price will be around $2500 USD, which should be cheaper than new Scarpa 3.0 but more than PG Race 400 or Dynafit DNA (the word is Dynafit won’t even bring these to North America going forward).
Without much further information, I believe that ISMF technical commission is already thinking about rewriting a couple of the rules on skimo gear weights this summer. The current minimum weight limit for men is 500g per boot with a dry liner, and 450g for women. Size is not specified which means that a “race legal” boot has different implications depending on the size you wear.

Filed Under: Gear, Tech & Food Tagged With: La Sportiva, La Sportiva Stratos, skimo boots

Luke Nelson interview: father of two, mountain runner, and the 2012 US ski mountaineering champion

November 12, 2012 By Stano Faban Leave a Comment

A father of two, Luke Nelson is the reigning US ski mountaineering champion. On top of that (or before that) he is an accomplished mountain runner. Luke lives in Pocatello, Idaho and tries to pay the bills by working as a Physician Assistant.
Let’s find out what’s beyond the “stats” for this great endurance athlete.
» Make sure to also check out Luke’s blog
Q: In August, you came 32nd at the 168km long and prestigious Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc. How was it?

Luke Nelson after UTMB.
Luke at the finish of the 2012 UTMB race.
Well the race was shortened to 110k due to snow, rain and very cold temps.  I was a little disappointed that I didn’t get to run the whole course, but was completely amazed with the mountains, terrain and the support for ultra-mountain racing.
I will definitely be going back, I need to run the whole course!
Q: What is your main competition sport – skimo or mountain running? Do you favour one over the other?
I would say that both skimo and mountain running are equally important to me. They both require a significant amount of training and dedication, but they complement each other nicely.
I find that switching sports in the fall and spring brings a new found motivation and excitement for the change in pace.  In the winter I feel like my body gets a break from the impact of running trails all summer, without losing the fitness that I work so hard at maintaining.
Q: Do you need to specialize a lot once a specific season starts?
I tend to do longer races during the running season so there are some subtle changes to the training program that help switch the pacing gears a little.
I do spend a fair bit of time practicing transitions early in the skimo training cycle, but that would be the only thing that is very different between the two.
Q: When have you started and what made you try ski mountaineering racing?
I started skimo racing 6 years ago.  I joke that I didn’t find skimo racing, but rather it found me.  It is kind of a long story how I evolved from a semi-pro snowboarder, to ski guide.
The winter I was working as a guide I spent a lot of time touring and the more I toured with other folks I found that I was moving at a different pace.  One day some friends mentioned that there was a “rando-race” coming up and that I should go to see how I measure up against the “mutants”.  I didn’t think twice before signing up.  The race was the US Skimo Champs in Jackson Hole, I think I placed 14th on pretty heavy touring gear.  I was completely hooked after that one race.
Luke Nelson start of 2012 US skimo champs Jackson Hole.
Luke with a happy finish smile after winning the 2012 US ski mountaineering champs in Jackson Hole.
Q: What is your sporting background? And what other activities do you like?
I grew up in a very outdoorsy house.  I started climbing and hiking when I was really little, I actually climbed competitively for several years, mostly at indoor gym comps.  I played soccer from when I was about 8 until just after my 15th birthday.
Luke Nelson running.Mountain sports took the priority from there on and I spent the next several years climbing, kayaking, and snowboarding. On a whim I ran cross-country my senior year of high school, mostly because the coach, my biology teacher, invited me to try out.  I ran OK, but didn’t have the depth I needed to be very competitive.
After high school I had a stint as a semi-pro snowboarder, during which I spent a lot of time also climbing and kayaking.  I graduated with a degree in Outdoor Education and transitioned into guiding.
During my first season working as a guide the company I was working with asked if I could guide on skis instead of a snowboard.  So I spent the next couple of weeks learning how to ski when I wasn’t guiding.  I finished off the season guiding on two boards instead of one.  That was the same season I tried skimo for the first time.
Ironically, I decided to train for skimo racing that following summer by trail running.  It turned out that I was a pretty solid runner and by the end of that summer I won the first 50k ultra race that I entered.  Since then I have continued to run and race skimo, both of which I now do at a very competitive level.
I still enjoy climbing, and snowboarding.  I don’t kayak much anymore because of too many close calls.
Nowadays I spend more time hiking with my two daughters, as well as taking them climbing and skiing.
Q: How do you manage being a father, husband, athlete and work?
Sometimes I ask myself the same question.  I think the most important part is how supportive my amazing wife is.  Tanae really helps me find the time I need to train and puts up with a lot.
I think that managing time is really important and making the most of training time.  Cut the junk and train at a quality level whenever you are out.  Sometimes training becomes a family activity.  Both of my daughters have spent countless hours being pulled or pushed in our Chariot.  I have ran, skied, roller skied, biked, and hiked with them.  They seem to enjoy the adventure as much as I enjoy the added challenge to the workout.
Luke rolling with his daughter.
Laughing aids recovery.
Q: Do you have a coach?
I now have a couple of folks involved in developing my training programs to make sure I am getting the most bang for the buck.  Adam St. Pierre from Boulder Performance Medicine is working with me to plan out my skimo and ultra-training and I am supplementing that with an awesome strength training program from Rob Shaul at Mountain Athlete in Jackson Hole.
Adding Adam and Rob into the equation was difficult at first because I had done all of my own training up until the summer, but I am already seeing the benefits of their additional focus.
Q: Do you have any sponsors to help with the expenses?
I am very fortunate to have a handful of outstanding sponsors. For trail running I represent Patagonia, First Endurance and Ultraspire.  I am a Ski Ambassador for La Sportiva in the winter.
I do receive help with travel, and lots of help with product needs.  I am very thankful for their support.
I think it is interesting that in a 9th grade high school career planning class we were asked to write what we wanted to do when we “grew-up” and I wrote that I wanted to be a climber for Patagonia and travel the world climbing so I could have my picture in the catalogue. Funny how it turns out that I am doing what I dreamt of. 🙂
Q: In 2011, you went to skimo World Champs in Italy. What was the experience like for you?
Intimidating.
I had been training super hard and I knew that I would finish mid-pack at best.  It was so amazing to be lining up at the same start of the guys who I really look up to in the sport; Kilian, Manfred, Stephane, and many others. I spent as much time as I could learning about the sport from them, mostly by watching.
I was lucky enough to be adopted by a few of the Canadian Team members early on, which also gave me the opportunity to learn quite a lot from them.
Q: Are you going to race in Europe this year? And what are your goals?
Luke Nelson skimo racing.My biggest goal of the season is to qualify for the US team so I can go to race at the World Championships in France.
I would love to defend the US national title, but there are so many strong racers in the US right now, that is going to be very difficult. I am also planning on racing the North American Champs at Kicking Horse Resort (Golden, BC), as well as heading to the three day Powder Keg event in the Wasatch.
The more I compete in skimo and mountain running the more I enjoy the training for the events.  So apart for doing well in races I would say a very big goal for me is to enjoy the journey towards the big events.
Q: If you are racing World Champs, which discipline is your favourite and why?
I think that is a tie between the teams race and the individual event.  I like that both of them are longer races and tend to be more technical.
I really enjoyed the Teams race in Italy, when I got the privilege of being paired with Pete Swenson.  So much of ski mountaineering (outside skimo) is being with a partner, having a partner in the teams race makes it more real to me.
Q: According to you, who are five US guys to watch for this skimo season?
Jason and Andy Dorais, Marshall Thomson, Scott Simmons, and either one of the Graston brothers from Aspen are all going to be very strong.  There are a handful more that will also be in the mix.  It will be the most competitive season I have seen here in the US.
Q: A curiosity question: As someone working in the field of medicine you have great knowledge of human body. Can you describe from a physiology perspective what is going on in an athlete’s body when they hit the wall (by pushing hard)?
I haven’t studied a ton on the physiology of the “wall” but I think there are multiple variables that come into play.  I think there is a lot of credibility to the Central Governor Theory presented by Tim Noakes, which in a nutshell describes that the brain creates a barrier that is designed to protect you from yourself.
My addition to that would be that the harder and more consistently one trains, that barrier can be moved allowing the athlete to break barriers and go faster and further than before.
Certainly there are many biochemical reactions that come into play including the clearance of lactic acid and muscle breakdown, but those can also be trained and made to be more efficient.
Q: Do you do any specific skimo racing session? What do you think prepares one best for demands of skimo racing?
I generally make a transition from run training to skimo around the end of September.  This year I took a couple of weeks off after UTMB and then spent a few weeks just strength training.
Now I am working on a skimo specific training plan that includes trail running, roller-skiing and a few other top-secret activities. As with any sport skimo racing is the best prep for skimo racing, but since we all can’t race all the time like the Euros, you have to train like you would race!
Luke Nelson with his dog.
With his faithful training partner Pedro.
Q: What is your nutrition like? Do you follow any diet?
I try to eat pretty healthy and have recently been dabbling some with the Paleo eating philosophies. I try not to get too caught up in any one thing.  I realized this summer that what I eat is what fuels me, and it does make a big difference if you are eating well.  That being said, I still have a weakness for the occasional Wendy’s Hamburger.
Q: What skimo racing gear will you be on this season?
I will be head to toe in La Sportiva. They are introducing some new clothing and a new race suit.
For boots I have been racing in the Stratos boot for two seasons now and I am very excited to be in the latest version of that boot.  I will be on the RSR skis and RSR bindings with the Sportiva Race skin.
I have been working on a new skimo race pack with the folks at UltraSpire so that will be what I will use to carry the rest of my kit around this season.
Q: I asked this while interviewing Janelle Smiley, now wonder about men’s perspective: How does it feel to be surrounded by a sea of men in tight, full-body spandex suits at the start of skimo races?
It makes me very nervous! Mostly because if a racer is serious and bold enough to be rocking the spandex suit it means that they have been training hard and it will be a battle to beat them.
Plus who wouldn’t be nervous being surrounded by a bunch of “mutants” in skin tight unitards?
» Make sure to also check out Luke’s blog

Filed Under: People (Interviews), Skimo Racing Tagged With: La Sportiva Stratos, Luke Nelson

Janelle Smiley: Interview with the 2012 North American Ski Mountaineering Champion

November 3, 2012 By Stano Faban Leave a Comment

Janelle Smiley is someone I wanted to interview for a long time now.
She can’t be simply described as a skimo racer despite the fact she is the 2011 US Ski Mountaineering Champion and 2012 North American Ski Mountaineering Champion. She has a bit more going on than that.
Janelle SmileyI don’t think we ever officially introduced but I first met her at the 2011 Skimo World Championships in Claut, Italy:
First, someone told me she was a mountain runner. That made sense as she was very fast.
Then someone else said she was a climber. Well, that didn’t make sense since I saw her transition at the end of a via-ferrata section during individuals’ race earlier that day. She was super slow but her style of climbing is absent of a via-ferrata.
» Janelle’s website – Smiley’s Project.
Q: You emerged onto the North American (and World) skimo racing scene in full force in the 2010/11 season. Was that your first season racing skimo?
The COSMIC series had just started in Colorado in 2007 I think, and there was a telemark division. The only pair of skis I owned at the time were telemark skis, so I went for it. I really enjoyed the races and I think I did all 5 that year.
I do remember being totally smoked after the first race, but the people with the lightweight AT gear were finishing the race and then going back up the lifts for more skiing! I thought those people were freaks of nature and never thought I would ever be racing at their level.
After two years of recreational racing I got my first pair of comparably lightweight gear. I didn’t do too many races that year because I was always missing some piece of equipment.
The following year I had a full setup, still 5+ lbs heavier than the freaks, but I was excited to have a complete setup. Someone said I should go do the race in Jackson, WY and since my brother just moved there I went. Honestly, to my great surprise, I gave it my all and won the 2011 National Championship. At the finish line I couldn’t believe it.
Soon after, I met Jonathan the President of La Sportiva and that was the start of my racing.
Janelle Smiley climbing on skis.
Q: You grew up in Colorado, so playing outdoors must have been your routine since a little girl?
My parents always  encouraged us to play outside and go on adventures. I started skiing when I was 3 and it was always a part of my life, except during those rebellious years in high school when I snowboarded… Oh, and those trendy years in college telemarking. But now I am back skiing for good.
Q: Where do you live now?
A:  Depends on the week… currently in my van.
Q: What is your sporting background? And do you have any other racing going on besides skimo?
In college, I rowed crew then transferred colleges where I dabbled in Nordic racing. I was never very good. Probably because that was the first time I put on Nordic gear by my own choosing, opposed to being forced by my Mom. I have been know to jump into a running or Nordic race every once in a while.
Q: You are also a climber, or are you a climber first? Do you define yourself by any one of your activities?
Well, I skied first, then started climbing, then started ski racing, so I guess that makes me a “ski” – “mountaineering” – “racer”.  Yeah, that’s my favourite, but it can also be broken up into individual words and they are also my favourite. Depends on what season it is.
Q: You have a big on-going project in the works – together with your husband, you are climbing the 50 classic climbs (based on a book Fifty Classic Climbs Of North America). How that idea did come about?
My Husband Mark is crazy and doesn’t want our marriage to get boring. He had a friend who did 20 of them in 20 days and thought it would be fun to do all 50. When we started we didn’t realize what was involved to climb all these peaks. He just thought it would be a fun adventure.

Janelle Smiley with husband Mark.
Janelle with her husband Mark who is a mountain guide.
Q: When did you start? How many have you done now?
The project started in April of 2010.
We just spent our 6th anniversary 2500 feet up El Capitan in Yosemite, climbing the Salathé Route. That was #40 and we are really excited to be this far in the project after just 3 summers.
Q: Which ones so far were the most challenging? Any scary moments?
They all have their challenges, Mt Robson seemed to be the hardest one to get past the approach – it took us four tries to summit. The Petit Grepon is the hardest one to find (climbed the wrong tower), Mt Waddington was the most expensive so far and it was the scariest one too, many large loose blocks that wanted to take us out.

Mt Robson’s Wishbone Arête from Mark Smiley on Vimeo.
Q: Do you know any good climbing jokes?
How can you tell Santa is a climbing bum? He’s got a beard, always wears the same clothes, and only works one day a year.
Stano: That is a good one, and I never heard it before. Thanks. 🙂
Q: Back to ski mountaineering. In 2011, you went to skimo World Champs in Italy and have done quite well for a novice at that level. What was your experience?
The competition was great, made me work hard for it, but it gives me something to aspire to. Really looking forward to going back this year.
Q: What are your racing plans for this winter? Do you have any specific goals?
Some here in the States, then off to Europe to compete with the top-dogs. I do have big goals, but the biggest is to embrace the experience and enjoy the adventure.
Q: If you are racing World Champs, which discipline is your favourite and why?
I like the teams race, its fun to push it with a friend, I really like that dynamic and I have had great experiences with them in the past. The individual race is always fun too, but for different reasons. All you have to do is go as fast as you can and not eat it.
Q: How stressed or relaxed are you for races?
I race because it gives me life and pure joy, when it stops doing that I’ll move on. It’s too stressful to get too serious.
Q: Do you do any specific skimo racing training? Or you subscribe more to a formula “training through adventure”?
Well, funny you ask, it has always been “training through adventure” and I really resisted formal training until this year. I now have a coach and work with Mountain Athlete. I do what he tells me to, and its working well. It makes it easier to know what to do each day. We will have to wait and see the results to see if it worked.
Janelle Smiley skiing - training through adventure
Q: What is your nutrition like? Do you follow any diet?
I love donuts, not just any donut but the donuts they make in Crested Butte. Cake with cinnamon, hmmm so good. But my stomach has been rebelling so now I go without dairy and wheat. Good thing I won’t be in CB this winter cause I would splurge for a donut.
I also really like Garden of Life products, they make me feel healthy.
Q: Any nutrition racing tips for others from your experience?
The key to success is to stay fueled and hydrated while racing. I put a gel in my water bottle that way I do both at the same time. I don’t have a dialed system, it is always evolving.
Q: How about gear. What will you ski on this season?
La Sportiva. Does anyone else make gear? Kidding, there are lots of great gear companies.
I use the La Sportiva Stratos boot, RSR binding, and RSR ski. It’s one sweet set up!
» Janelle might be one of the lucky athletes to test the new La Sportiva Stratos 3 Cube boot.
Q: Do you have any sponsors to support your adventurous life?
My entrepreneurial husband, La Sportiva, Gore-Tex, Nemo, Kaenon, Sterling Rope, Suunto, Garden of Life, Honey Stinger, Goal Zero, Rab, Family, and Feathered Friends.
Q: How would you motivate/inspire/engage more women to try skimo racing? Why the hell should one bother?
It is truly the best sport in the world, enough said. When this is all over, and I stop living in my van, I would like to start a junior team. I would love to see this sport grow. I think it is an empowering sport that builds discipline, strength and character.
Q: How does it feel to be surrounded by a sea of men in tight, full-body spandex suits at the start of races?
Like being in a can of sardines! 🙂
» For more info visit Janelle’s and Mark’s website – Smiley’s Project.

Filed Under: People (Interviews), Skimo Racing Tagged With: Janelle Smiley, La Sportiva Stratos, Smiley's Project

La Sportiva Stratos Cube – lightest skimo boot in the world!

November 2, 2012 By Stano Faban 1 Comment

A post about new La Sportiva Stratos³ Cube appeared here on Skintrack couple of weeks ago but had to be taken down on request from La Sportiva due to patent filing process. However, the info is back and much more detailed!
la-sportiva-stratos-cube-2
La Sportiva’s carbon lab is almost ready to reveal the Stratos³ Cube and here are some specs that should leave any light gear freak impressed.

La Sportiva Stratos³ Cube details and specs:

  • Weight: 470g / boot  at size 27 (without liner)
  • There might be two liners available and the lighter one will weigh only 80g – Bikini Cube Liner
  • Shell and Cuff material: 100% Carbon Kevlar
  • Outsole: Vibram
  • Range of motion: 76° (+53°, -23°)
  • Forward lean: 5 positions from 5° to 19°

Combined – boot and liner – the weight comes to 550g per boot! This likely makes the Stratos³ Cube the lightest ski mountaineering boot in the world, surpasing Pierre Gignoux XP444 by few grams.
This 3rd generation of the Stratos boot will be ready for retail for Winter 2013/14, but there should be some top skimo racers testing it this season already.
» See this page for a full comparison of the current lightest ski mountaineering boots.
» And here is a video when the first Stratos boot was announced – New carbon ski boot: La Sportiva Stratos

La Sportiva Strato Cube photos

New Stratos Cube in action:
La Sportiva Stratos Cube photo
 
Stratos Cube Vibram sole:
La Sportiva Stratos Cube Vibram sole

Filed Under: Gear, Tech & Food, Skimo Racing Tagged With: La Sportiva Stratos, La Sportiva Stratos Cube

Introducing the lightest ski mountaineering boots

October 26, 2009 By Stano Faban 17 Comments

Trend towards lighter gear in any mountain and outdoor sport is obvious. It was, is, and will be going on at every stage of gear development.
Light gear in many sports starts its development inside racing environment where every second counts. This is how it is happening in ski mountaineering world too.
pigSkimo (rando) racing is the ultimate force behind the evolution of the lightest equipment where skis, bindings and boots are dropping not grams but pounds almost every two years or so…and there are string$ attached.
Light gear has clear advantages for going uphill but what about going down?
While there is a compromise in quality of skiing it is not as much as you would think. This is mostly due to materials such as carbon that is very light yet very stiff, and due to clever designs and engineering solutions.
Today, we are going to take a look at ski mountaineering boots that are used almost exclusively for skimo racing, however, they are slowly finding their way into everyday use for vertical junkies and speed obsessed crazies.
Also, we will briefly introduce/compare another four models that are very light yet they are more affordable and durable for everyday touring.

Lightest ski mountaineering boots

For the 2010 season there are four manufacturers that can offer sub-kilo (sub 1kg) models:

  • Scarpa and Dynafit are well established brands on the market.
  • LaSportiva is also a well-known brand but not for ski mountaineering boots, they are famous for their mountaineering and climbing shoes.
  • Then there is the ultimate craftsman Pierre Gignoux from France.

It seems that big brands have their hands somewhat tide with their already established images of quality that prevents them to go for more aggressive approach. And since they are designing for a wider range of users their products are not as impressive light-wise as from the smaller companies.

Pierre-Gignoux-XP-444 La-Sportiva-Stratos
Pierre Gignoux XP 444 La Sportiva Stratos
weight: 590g / boot (size 27.5)
price: 1300€ (about $2055)
more info: Pierre Gignoux
weight: 640g / boot (size 26)
price: unknown
more info: La Sportiva
Scarpa-F1-Carbon Dynafit-DyNA-TF
Scarpa F1 Carbon Dynafit Dy.N.A. TF
weight: 840g / boot (size 27)
price: about $1400-1600
more info: Scarpa
weight: 920g / boot (size 27.5)
price: about $1400-1600
more info: Dynafit

The differences between the boot models  in terms of weight are quite astounding considering all of them are very light already. The price tags are impressive as well 😉
The XP 444 is a newer version of XP 500 which was Pierre’s first widely sold model. The XP 500 was used by the fastest skimo racers on the world cup circuit past 2-3 seasons and XP 444 is likely to follow suit.
Weight differences make also difference in durability as it was reported numerous times that the rivets and some other parts needed replacement after few races on the XP 500. This didn’t seem to be the case with Scarpa’s and Dynafit’s older racing models. But weight is king and light is everything, so XP 444 will do well.
To read about personal experiences with the above boots and opinions about their advantages/disadvantages go to the comments section of an article about Vertical climbing speed where conversation was hijacked towards this light weight boots topic.

More affordable light skimo boots

The second tier of the lightest boots are more affordable. Yes they are heavier than the above, never the less, they make for very fast skinning too.
The most popular model between a wide range of skimo racers and weight conscious backcountry skiers is Scarpa F1 Race model. This boot was preceeded by Scarpa F1 and the two mainly differ in two ways: F1 Race doesn’t have a tongue and is “missing” the middle part of the vibram sole. These adjustments make it much lighter.
Dynafit’s Zzero 3 and Scarpa’s F3 models are very close with their weight and their price tags match the ones of more regular touring boots.

Scarpa-F1-Race Scarpa-F1 Scarpa-F3 Dynafit-Zzero3-C-TF
Scarpa F1 Race Scarpa F1 Scarpa F3 Dynafit Zzero 3
weight: 1120g / boot
(size 27)
price: about $800
Essentially F1 boot but without a tongue and mid-sole. Improved and lighter locking system.
Reviews and more infos here.
weight: 1350g / boot
(size 27)
price: about $700
Boot that started the F1 series and took over skimo racing scene by storm couple of years ago.
Reviews and more infos here.
weight: 1470g / boot
(size 27)
price: about $650
Hybrid boot between F1 and Laser models. Uses F1-like bellows but it’s taller with a Laser-like cuff.
Reviews and more infos here.
weight: 1450g / boot
(size 27.5)
price: about $550
Very light weight for a boot that has 3 solid buckles. Features a stiff sole unlike the Scarpa models.
Reviews and more infos here.

Choosing a light ski mountaineering boot

The good thing about this light weight boot revolution is that it provides us with more variety to choose from. The “bad” thing are the price tags that come with it but don’t worry – more competition should bring the prices down a bit.
For pure racing
If you are shooting to place at podiums at skimo racing events then you should be considering investing in the very lightest boots possible. However in North America it is much easier to get your hands on Scarpa F1 Carbon and Dynafit DyNA boots than on XP444 or LaSportiva Stratos. Ask Scarpa and Dynafit reps for ordering these models if you won’t find a store that sells them.
For everyday use
To get the best weight-to-price ratio you should consider the more affordable models.
Scarpa F1 is a proven everyday rando boot, and it’s lighter F1 Race version is very solid too. It doesn’t like fat skis though as the bending bellows somewhat “give in” under certain conditions.
The Dynafit DyNA seems to be suited for more than just racing, however, the price is a bit too high for everyday use for many. So the lightest Dynafit alternative would be the Zzero 3 model that is a very solid downhill performer.

Your boots

Share your reasons and opinion in the comments section below. Here are some questions:

  • Do you currently own a pair of light boots?
  • Which model?
  • Do you like them?
  • Which boot would like to have and why?

Any questions on this topic? Again, you can ask in the comments window below.

Filed Under: Gear, Tech & Food, Skimo Racing Tagged With: Dynafit DyNA, Dynafit Zzero 3, La Sportiva Stratos, Pierre Gignoux, Scarpa F1, Scarpa F1 Carbon, Scarpa F1 Race, Scarpa F3, XP 444, XP 500

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