Dynafit

Vulcan MS Alpine Touring Boot

For years, there was a common perception that a boot built to tour uphill couldn't possibly ski well going down. Well, the Vulcan MS Alpine Touring Boot from Dynafit is here to shatter that perception. There are a number of features to love about the Vulcan when in the skintrack, starting with the weight—these bad boys come in at just about 3.5 pounds per boot which is extremely lightweight for a boot this stiff. The 103mm last has plenty of room for your toes on the way up, which is especially nice to help maintain good circulation on colder days, and the 60-degree cuff rotation should be plenty for even the most ardent yoga enthusiasts.

The beauty of the Vulcan is that the fun doesn't stop when you get to the top of your run. Simply plug in the removable downhill booster tongue and your boot becomes a stiff, freeriding machine. The boot is plenty skiable without the cuff, so lighter riders, or folks that prefer a softer feel from their boots may just forgo the use of the booster tongue. The Vulcan sports three metal buckles, one of them being an innovative, new centrally located buckle directly on the shell pivot points. When engaged, it helps to keep the cuff and shell compressed, adding to increased stiffness throughout the entire boot. The Dynafit Pro Freeride sole features three different rubber compounds for use on both the uphill and the downhill. There is a soft rubber that offers excellent grip on slipper rock ridges, a hard substance designed to work with modern step-in binding systems, and a medium rubber that is a good compromise for areas that need grip but are subject to high amounts of abrasion as well.