Scarpa F1 XT Alpine Touring Boots

As mentioned above, the design of the new F1 XT Boots is a combination of the F1 LT and F1 GT Boots. They fill a void for skiers who want a more secure fit over the forefoot of the Wave Lite Closure System instead of the BAO system found on the F1 LT. The F1 XT has been designed to provide the best ski performance of the three F1 Boots and while it is a little less heavy than the F1 GT it is also a little stiffer. While the F1 XT is not the lightest of the three options it does provide the best foothold relative to its weight. The F1 XT is quite similar in design and has the same features as the F1 GT whereas the F1 LT is obviously different with the BOA system over the forefoot. To better understand these differences and similarities be sure to read the reviews of the F1 LT and F1 GT Boots first as they will go into far more detail and save me from repeating everything here.

All of the F1 boots were able to shed an impressive amount of weight thanks in part to the removal of the boot’s tongue, they instead rely on the Grilamid LFT polymer shell and cuff for the boot’s rigidity and flex. Unlike the F1 GT Boots which use a Grilimaid FG LTF Cuff and shell, the new F1 XT Boots use a Grilimaid FG LTF shell in combination with a lighter Carbon Grilimaid LTF Cuff which is where the weight savings of 20g per boot is found. The shell design uses a full-length Lambda Frame design for comfort, progressive flex, and torsional rigidity.

To ensure an optimal fit Scapra has integrated a Power Strap Lite Velcro Strap Closure just above the top buckle to provide additional wrapping around the tibial area, without adding a lot of weight. An adjustable clasp allows for quick entry and exit as well as micro-adjustment of the Power Strap when needed unlike the power strap found on both the F1 GT and F1 LT which are made completely of velcro and less easily adjusted.

In place of the boot’s tongue, you’ll find an Overlap Shield Tech Gaiter which is made from Lycra and has soft over-injected plastic reinforcements. The gaiter provides greater thermal insulation and is easily adjustable thanks to the elasticized bands and velcro.

Over the forefoot on the lower shell of the F1 XT Boots, you find the same Wave Lite Closure system as on the F1 GT Boots. Unlike the BOA system on the F1 LTs, this buckle system can apply a considerable amount of force for a secure and customized fit over your inset without any pressure points, no matter how tight you like it. The sheathed steel cable is secured to the shell at three points and thanks to the micrometric lever adjustment and integrated 4-tooth rack, it can be adjusted to fit any type of foot.

On the spine of the F1 XT Boots, the Speed Lock LT ski/walk mechanism (which was derived from their Alien race series of boots) provides an impressive 72° of friction-free cuff rotation (47° backwards, 25° forwards). This has to be experienced to truly appreciate how natural and flowing this amount of cuff rotation can be. This simple yet effective hook and lever design firmly locks the cuff and shell together to provide the boot with its 95-flex rating. It is also possible to adjust the position of the Speed Lock to 3 different forward lean positions.

Inside the F1 XT Boots, you’ll find a pair of Tour LT2 liners which are completely thermoformable thanks to the use of Foam Intuition technology which helps them fit snugly and adapt to any type of foot shape. The Tour LT2 liners use a foam with a closed-cell structure which has a high thermal insulation-to-weight ratio. Built into the back and tongue of the liners there are flex panels to provide better flexibility when walking.

The F1 XT is the ultimate combination of the F1 GT and F1 LT Boots to provide the best touring efficiency and impressive downhill performance in an ultralight package.

Liner: Intuition Tour L T2
Outsole: Vibram UFO LT
Cuff: Carbon Grilamid
Tongue: Soft Tongue

• Overlap Shield Tech gaiter
• Grilimaid FG LTF (Long Fibre Technology) Shell is made with reinforced with long carbon fibres that greatly enhance resistance and rigidity.
• Carbon Grilimaid LTF (Long Fibre Technology) Cuff is reinforced with long carbon fibres that greatly enhance resistance and rigidity.
• 3D Lambda Frame increases stiffness and torsion resistance while reducing the thickness of the shell for a minimum weight.
• Speed Lock LT Ski/Walk Mechanism
• Friction-free Cuff Rotation
• Power Strap Lite Velcro strap closure
• Wave Lite Closure system
• Grid Frame Tech Cuff stiffens the rear part of the boot
• Tour LT2 liners are thermoformable
• Ortholite footbeds made from recycled material

I have been skiing the F1 LTs for two years now since looking for a lighter more efficient boot than the Dynafit Hoji Pro Tour Boots which I was sking in previously. I was willing to give up some performance to save a heap of weight and I found the perfect mix in the F1 LT Boots. While you do have to apply more power and concentration in technical terrain or with fatter skis I found the F1 LT Boots to be ideal for my skiing style. My only gripe about the boots was the BOA system, while I grew to love it over time I secretly wished for something that could offer a more secure hold over my forefoot. When things get spicy you need to be able to dial it up to 11 and the BOA just could not deliver on this front. Thankfully Scarpa read all our minds and came out with the F1 GT Boots. Sadly, they were heavier and not as stiff as my beloved F1 LTs so I stayed the course and did not switch to the F1 GT boots. Last winter I saw a guest at the lodge where I work wearing an F1 in a unique colour combination and it turned out to be the F1 XT, a boot that was first offered in Europe and only made it to this side of the pond this season. I was happy to see this new version of the F1 GT Boots with a Carbon Grilimaid LTF Cuff which made them lighter and stiffer. The perfect touring boot had arrived.

Here’s the breakdown of each F1 model:
           Weight    Flex Rating
F1 XT   1,145g          95
F1 GT   1,165g          90
F1 LT     990g           100

Keep in mind that all of the F1 Boots are very, very light so they are not made for those who like to huck, drive big fat boards or ski super challenging conditions. They are made for going fast and far with ease—just the kind of touring day I enjoy most. Without a tongue, the F1 XT Boots are extremely smooth when walking and their 72° of cuff rotations allow for big effortless steps. With 47°of backwards rotation and 25° to the front, you’ll embrace the freedom and won’t hit the limit of their flexibility. The best part is that you don’t even need to undo the power strap or buckles to realize their full potential on the skin track. Flip the ski/walk mode into walk mode and you’re ready to climb. Not many boots can say that.

In ski mode, I found the carbon-reinforced shell allowed the F1 XT Boots to transmit a welcome amount of power directly to the skis and with the Wave Lite Closure system ratcheted up my foot was snug and I had great control and power on the down. Given that Scarpa rates these as a 95 Flex I was expecting them to be softer than the F1 LT Boots and harder to control in variable snow but overall I found their flex to be more progressive and forgiving through the turn. The combination of the F1 XT’s improved power strap, carbon cuff and forefoot buckle transmitted power more effectively to the ski in a more progressive fashion and one that I preferred over the LT version.

Scarpa has continued to refine the FT line, offering more options for more types of skiers—which means everyone wins. If you are looking for a lightweight touring boot that provides the ideal combination of lightweight, efficient walk mode, great fit and impressive downhill performance then you should give the F1 Boots a try and more specifically the XT version.

If you are wondering what boots would be in the same niche as the F1 line of boots they would be the Tecnica Zero G Peak Carbon Boots, Atomic Backland Carbon Boots, Dalbello Quantum Free 110 Boots and the  Dynafit TLT X Boots.