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Lange XT 130
- Lange XT 130
- Lange XT 130 rear view
- Lange XT 130 Liner
- Lange XT 130 Sole
- Lange XT 130 mode switch
What It Is
The Lange XT 130 is a four-buckle freeride boot with a walk mode
Retail Price: $800
86
- 95-100 Extremely high recommendation.
- 90-94 Enthusiastically recommended. Exceptional.
- 80-89 Highly recommended - few reservations.
- 70-79 Recommended. Standard performance.
- 60-69 Fair. Recommended for certain uses.
- 50-59 Poor. Not recommended in general.
The Good |
The Bad |
The Verdict |
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The Lange XT 130 is a performance-driven option that can drive any ski around the resorts in true alpine fashion, but will have no problem bootpacking or skinning just outside the gates. The flex might not be quite 130, but it’s the consistency that shines more than the stiffness. Long tours? Not it’s forte. |
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Like a lot of skiers, I’d been waiting for a boot like this: four buckles, stout powerstrap, walk mode, walking sole—all part of an Alpine-styled design with a backcountry spin. The overlap shell is all Lange, and the fact that it comes in two lasts (97mm, 100mm wide) gave me confidence I could get a primo fit.
Nevertheless, the liners were a little tough to warm up to, and my toes got a little cramped. The heel pocket was very cozy and locked my ankle into position on the downhill. Lange claims the flex index is 130, but I thought that was a little generous. That said, the XT 130 is plenty stiff, and I wouldn’t have wanted a true 130 flex.
The build of the boot is such that it absorbs the terrain and doesn’t beat up your feet like some other AT-turned-Freeride boots are notorious for. Skiing between groomers and broken snow was enjoyable, and I felt the boot insulated me from the rigors of resort charging. I did think the forward lean was a little upright for my taste, but the side-to-side edge responsiveness was immediate and precise.
When the walk mode was engaged, the lower cuff hinged at the ankle to allow articulation for hiking and touring. Locking it down, the “Power V lock” resumed its position to fully transmit power from the boot to the ski. And the toggle was easy to manipulate with a gloved hand.
The totally rubberized sole pattern was great for scrambling over rocks, climbing stairs, but still retained that AFD standard; and it will be the envy of on-mountain personnel like ski patrol, lift mechanics, and lifties.
How We Tested It
I spent four days skiing at the Backcountry/Outside ski test at Powder Mountain, Utah last March. We had deep snow, groomers, broken pow, crud and, yes, breakable crust. I was able to get out on these boots over a few days, experiencing all the above conditions on a wide variety of different skis, ranging from 88mm underfoot to 112mm.
The products featured in this test have been loaned to the Gear Institute. For more on our policies regarding editorial objectivity and sample returns, see here.
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Ratings
Fit/Comfort
8
10
Weight
7
10
Power
9
10
Walkability
7
10
Versatility
7
10
Value
8
10
Gear Institute Rating (Total Score)
86
100
Weight
9 lbs , 9 oz
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