With three buckles and a powerstrap, the Lupo Ti is a muscular freeride boot that features tech fittings, Vibram® sole and modest walkability. Dalbello has long been a proponent of the heel retention buckle placement and that kept ankles deep in the heel pocket, which in turn forced shins into the sweet spot of the upper cuff, keeping testers centered over the boots. (Read: they drive any ski with authority). The material mass of the boot is generous too, and that helped absorb the refrozen conditions endured for the days testing the boot. 

Dalbello threw in two tongues (white and orange). The white ones were plenty stiff but the orange are even a bit stiffer. Overlap Intuition liners are great and they come stock in the Lupo Ti. While not as efficient as a tongue liner for ergonomics, they rule for power, comfort and warmth, which is better for resort-based skiing anyway; it also reduces shin bang.

Versatility
The Lupo isn’t appropriate for long tours, but it’s ideal for patrollers, guides and aggressive chargers who spend long hours in and around their local ski area, put in the occasional skin track, or stand comfortably in the snowpit, tram line or bar for extended periods of time. Intuition liners customarily shed unnecessary weight—one of their many virtues—but the Lupo Ti did come across as a little heavier than others in the category.