Salomon MTN Explore Boot

To keep the MTN Explore boots light yet powerful, Salomon made the shell from a lightweight Grilamid, the cuff from a flexible touring polypropylene, and kept shell walls as thin as possible. These two pieces are then joined together with an oversized pivot that provides a super stable connection, able to drive a wider ski without any unnecessary flex. This all combines to offer a flex rating of 110; which is neither soft nor super stiff. If incredible range of motion is your thing, then Salomon’s ‘Motion Flex technology’ provides 63 degrees of rotation; allowing you to boot pack like a king, or climb a skin track like an animal. A single flick of your hand opens not only the ski/walk mechanism but also the top buckle, thanks to some innovative design and ingenious thinking. Flick the ski/walk mode mechanism to the right, and you’re back in ski mode and engaging the carbon fibre spine; designed to transfer maximum energy to your skis.

On the exterior of the shell, non-switchable tech inserts allow for the use of tech bindings for the climb up and ski down. If you need to scramble a peak, then the grippy ‘Contagrip’ soles provide the traction you’ll want. The rockered sole makes walking on flat surfaces around the lodge, or the hike from the car to the trail head, easy on the joints.

A thermo-formable, ultralight CF 3D liner provides protection, warmth and comfort inside the MTN Explore boots. They have built-in laces for a secure fit, and a flex zone built into the liner around the ankle and Achilles, facilitating a smooth walking stride.

Lets take a 360° look.

- Motion Flex Technology offers 63-degrees of motion.
- SensiFit shell: thinner shell walls with strategic reinforcement make the boots lighter, enabling better foot wrapping for superior downhill performance.
- Ultralight full thermo CF 3D liner with 2 loops is pre-shaped and has biovent ventilation.
- Surelock ski/walk mechanism has metal on metal locking system for reliable support.
- Grilamid lower shell with a touring specific polymer cuff.
- Touring Polypropionate cuff.
- Carbon fiber TR spine
- Velcro strap.

- 24mm riveted oversized pivot reduces play for precision and direct power transmission.

- Textile cover on lower tongue saves weight and adds comfort in walk mode.

- Easy to use buckle with catch mechanism for tour mode.

- Contagrip sole provides grip and the rockered sole allows a natural walking motion.

CustomFit 3D Full Thermo Liner
This ultralight liner is a pre-shaped 3D liner which is also fully thermo-formable. The built in biofit ventilation releases vapour from inside the liner while the stiff plastic tongue reinforcement ensures comfort and protection.

Sensifit Shell Technology
Sensifit Shell Technology uses an alpine pebax cuff which is lightweight and offers a progressive flex in a wider variety of temperatures. The EcoPaxx lower shell is made from 70% renewable materials and is 100% carbon neutral. Thinner sidewalls with strategic reinforcement bands make the MTN Explore boots lighter, while also providing a more secure foot wrap.

I have a few simple requirements for any successful alpine touring ski boot: I want them to be super light, but I also want them to ski like a much heavier boot; One that can drive a big ski in deep, challenging snow. Not some barely there, mere essence of a ski boot that will have me suffering with every turn on the way down, only ever making me smile on the up track. True, we do spend 90% of the time climbing, but that other 10% is so sweet, I’m not willing to give up any of the joy on the down for a quicker climb up the mountain.

With this in mind, I tested the Salomon MNN Explore Boots both in the Whitewater backcountry as well as at the resort. I wanted to be sure that this light-weight AT boot could still drive a big ski in technical terrain. At the resort, I used them with my 109 Volkl BMT’s touring, and also my heavier 112mm underfoot Volkl Vwerk Katana skis. I was so impressed with the MNT Explore’s ability to drive a big ski on groomers, in crud and variable conditions, that I really didn’t miss my resort boots. The MTN Explore Boots held my foot firm, provided support, and allowed for incredible energy transfer to the skis. This was not your average light weight AT boot; considering how well it actually skied as a resort boot.

On the Skin track in the backcountry there was no question that the MTN Explore would excel; given its light weight and ample cuff rotation. Not only did the MTN Explore feel comfortable and secure climbing, transitions were a snap; as I simply left the boot fully buckled and flipped the ski/walk mode lever. Even without unbuckling a single thing, the MTN Explore provided more than enough forward and back flex to climb the steepest of skin tracks. The innovative horizontal orientation of the walk mode lever took a few (thinking) tries before it became natural. But once it did it was simple and fluid to use. The idea behind the non-traditional orientation is this: the flipping of the walk mode lever is combined with the opening of the top buckle, saving you time on every transition, which means more time for skinning and skiing.

Salomon offers an additional light-weight AT boot in their MTN series: the MTN Lab. This version is blue instead of white and has a 120 flex rating, so it’s just a little stiffer than the MTN Explore. The cuff height is also slightly higher, and the range of motion about 16° less than the MTN Explore. The MTN Lab is also about 170g heavier than the MTN Explore, so you could consider this the more technical boot of the two, designed for steeper lines and even more skiing fun. (For the ideal companion ski to the Salomon MTN Explore AT Boots consider our review of the Salomon MTN Explore 95 Skis.)

Surelock Mechanism
The Surelock walk/ski locking mechanism offers a metal on metal design that locks into the boots carbon spine to provide powerful rear support. You can easily activate and disengage the boots 63° range of movement with a single right to left hand swipe that can also open/close the top buckle at the same time, if needed.