A single ski boot that can backcountry tour as well as ski laps at the resort is a rare combination. The Tecnica Zero G Guide Pro Boots are light enough with adequate flex to climb while still being stiff enough to tackle any terrain and snow conditions.

Fit/Comfort
With four buckles the Zero G Guide Pro Boots provide great foot hold and offer a multitude of fit options. Because there is no single buckle directly over the arch, seating the ankle in the back of the boot’s spine can require ratcheting the buckles tighter than one would like. The heat mouldable Palau liners cushion your shins and the minimal seams provide optimal foot comfort and customization without hot spots. Traditional alpine touring liners are typically thinner in order to save weight, which also makes them colder, however the Palau liners are very warm even on colder days. The 99mm last on the Zero G Pro’s provide a snug fit for an average foot but the toe box can be cramped.

Lightweight
The Tecnica Zero G Guide Pro Boots utilize a “Power Light Design” which uses a 30% thinner shell and a polyester frame material which is 2.5 times stiffer than other alpine touring boots. This allows the Zero G Guide Pro’s to weigh only 3.36 pounds for size 26.5. While this won’t break any records, it’s within the realm of the ‘lightweight’ category in the touring boot world.

Power
The traditional alpine overlap design of the Zero G Guide Pro Boots and its additional weight (compared to lighter weight alpine touring boots), provide enough power to drive fatter skis such as the 184cm Volkl V-Werks Katanas that were worn during testing. They’re also beefy enough to take on burly backcountry lines and variable snow conditions.

Walk-ability
With 44° of cuff rotation, the Zero G Guide Pro Boots don’t provide enough flex to be a super star on the up track. While it’s adequate for an all day tour, it’s not enough to qualify as a dedicated ski touring boot for multi-day tours and traverses. The ski/walk mechanism, located on the spine of the boot, is easy to use however the attached cord is not nearly large enough to grasp with gloves.

Versatility
The Zero G Guide Pro Boots are a do-it-all kind of alpine touring boot. They can shred pow in the backcountry and also ski the resort, but don’t expect them to perform as well as a dedicated boot designed specifically for their respective fields.