![]() The good news is that this growing category has seen some impressive advancements in recent years, with a plethora of models that excel both on the climb and descent. MSRP $759Ĭheck prices and availability on the La Sportiva Synchro or the Spectre 2.0.There's a strong argument that the most important part of your ski touring kit is a pair of quality boots that fit well. But few AT boots offer the balance of both like the La Sportiva Synchro boot. And you can find a lighter, easier walking AT ski boot. Sure, you can find a stouter AT ski boot. The La Sportiva Synchro delivers a remarkable balance between downhill power and walk-friendly design. While there is no definitive answer to the Synchro versus Spectre AT ski boot question for every skier, it’s safe to generalize that bigger skiers and those in search of stout AT ski boots, while still maintaining a good tour-friendly feel will find the Synchro to be the answer. Which boot is for you – Spectre 2.0 or Synchro? ![]() It would be interesting to experiment with swapping tongues between the Spectre and the Synchro to see how it impacts stiffness and walk mode. The synchro is on par with other boots in its class of downhill performance for walk mode range. The uphill performance is also effected by the tongue as it limits the forward range of the boot in walk mode when compared to the Spectre walk mode. A lot of the difference really feels like it comes from the added rigidity that the tongue provides. The added stiffness of the Synchro over the Spectre is noticeable while skiing. Heavier skiers and those with an affinity for the power of stiffer alpine boots will welcome the stouter flex of the Synchro – and La Sportiva offers the extra power with very little weight penalty and only modest differences in walk-mode range. But I am lightweight relative to many skiers. I have been on the Spectre for multiple seasons and it rarely (if ever) leaves me wanting for more power. In other words, progressive flex is good – especially for ski touring and powder skiing. ![]() The opposite would be a boot that only flexes under extreme pressure. Such progressive flex feels natural and responds well to the dynamic demands of skiing. One of the remarkable qualities of the Spectre AT ski boot is its progressive flex – this refers to how the flex modulates as you push against the boot. Now, before I go singing the praises of stiffer = better, it should be said that stiffer is not necessarily better. And Sportiva achieved the stiffer flex without adding significant weight Our demo Synchro weighs in at 1320 g (size 25) – a mere 40 grams more than the same size Spectre. It might not sound like much, but it feels different for sure. If simply used to compare within the the two boots (presumably Sportiva used the same measurement standards for both), the flex numbers show that the Synchro is 8% stiffer than the Spectre. For what it’s worth, La Sportiva gives the new Synchro AT ski boot a 125 flex rating, while the Spectre 2.0 measures in with a 115 flex rating. These small changes add up to a decent increase in stiffness. Both boots feature a mix of Grilamid (shell), Pebax (cuff) and carbon reinforcement, but upon closer inspection, the Synchro is engineered with added material in a few key places and features a new two-piece tongue. The shell mold is identical from a fit perspective – both are spec’d at 102.5 mm last width. However, with one model on each foot, the new Synchro AT ski boot is noticeably stiffer in ski mode than the Spectre. And from a fit and volume perspective, they are. The Synchro tongue features a stiffener (black) adding to the boots increased stiffness.Īt first look, the Spectre and Synchro boots appear to be quite similar. The Synchro is based on the same design as the popular Spectre AT boot but adds a new level of stiffness thanks to a new two-piece tongue, an overlap liner and engineered changes to help stiffen the boot shell. The result is the La Sportiva Synchro AT Ski Boot. Well, in an effort to take the downhill performance to a higher level, La Sportiva looked at the Spectre and how it holds up under the pressures of skiing. The Spectre – and now Spectre 2.0 – offer remarkable uphill/walking comfort and solid downhill performance – all in the sub 3kg/pair (weight varies by size) category. La Sportiva hit a sweet spot a few seasons back with their Spectre AT Ski Boots. As a result, our boots need to walk the line between being lightweight and uphill-friendly while maintaining the ability to deliver performance when called upon to ski down. Nonetheless, downhill performance remains high on the AT ski boot requirement list for most backcountry skiers. It’s no secret that we spend more time climbing uphill than we do skiing down when backcountry skiing.
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