Scarpa’s new Maestrale XT – built on the same design as their Maestrale and Maestrale RS AT boots – offer an increased flex rating with minimal additional weight. The XT sports an improved external Speedlock XT Ski/Walk mechanism that, combined with the greater flex and modest weight, makes the boot ideal for hard-charging skiers who want increased power transmissions for skiing big backcountry lines and who demand the most from their gear.
Scarpa, in building the new XT, started with their best-selling Maestrale AT Boots. In addition to making them stiffer with minimal weight gain, the boot designers added a new Speedlock XT Ski/Walk mechanism which provides 56° of cuff rotation, a new non-velcro Powerstrap with a built-in Recco reflector, and Carbon Grilamid LFT construction. What hasn’t changed is the use of the Wave closure system on the forefront that turns two buckles into one, Dynafit certified tech inserts on the toes and Vibram soles on the bottom. Scarpa also kept the weight consistent between the RS and XT versions (more or less) with only an 80-gram increase per boot. Essentially Scarpa has taken the Maestrale RS and beefed them up to the status of a true alpine/freeride touring boot—allowing the new Maestrale XT to do it all.
Read the full Gear Institute review here.