Arguably the strongest recent trend in backcountry skiing equipment has been to make everything lighter while maintaing performance. Even though the Garmont Masterlite may not be the boot for every backcountry skier, if you’re looking for the lightest boot on the up that can give  you something worthy on the down this might be just what you’re looking for.

 

Although most comments directed toward these boots have revolved around their unique appearance, I’ll argue the biggest thing with this boot is their weight. 2.4 lbs. (size 28) Yup, you read that right, 2.4 lbs. They feel and almost look like slippers to me, and even though I’m normally a person demanding the tightest fit and stiffest boot I can find, the turns I’ve had thus far have been better than I initially thought.

 

While I cannot say I’ve yet to test these boots in demanding steep ski conditions often found in the High Sierra, for days where the goal is to be light, fast, and efficient I’ve never used anything that compares. When added to a system that includes Dynafit bindings and backcountry oriented skis you might feel like skunning (a mixture of skinning and running) more than just plain old skinning. 

 

The difference on the up is like nothing I’ve ever experienced. On the down, if you’re used to beefier four buckle setups you’ll definitely notice the difference, however, with acceptance of a compromise you’ll find they ski pretty well. I’ll still choose my Radium’s over the Masterlite’s when the conditions and terrain dictate more of a beefier boot, but my intrigue with taking these boots deep and far is at a peak. 

 

One of the first things you’ll notice is the flex of the top cuff in ski mode. Adjust your stance and the pressure you put into each turn and you’ll notice the response. Basically if you’re lazy and in the backseat you’ll feel it., but if you stay on top and aggressive you’ll have much greater control. For most backcountry skiers, myself included, these are the most minimal boots I’ve ever used. That goes for weight, beef, and overall size. They ski remarkably well for how minimal they are, but that said you’ll still need to treat them as the unique boot they are. I’m not sure these are going to be my go-to for ski touring certain terrain in the Sierra or Chugach Ranges, but I’m fully stoked to give them the green light when the right objective presents itself. 

 

The Masterite’s have what Garmont calls a Double Action Cuff Buckle. This buckle never has to be undone to go from ski to tour mode.  The cuff itself has wild movement, which is part of why it makes the up to smooth allowing a much bigger stride ny the skinner. The cuff also opens at both ends of the buckle, which looks and feels a little weird to those who’ve yet to see or use a boot like this, but works phenomenally in the way it allows the cuff to move compared to a regular AT boot.  You unlatch the buckle like you would a regular AT boot to tour, but based on the setup you almost twice as much range of motion. This makes a world of difference! 

 

To go from walk to ski mode all you need to do is release the lock on the top buckle, set the buckle in the desired slot, latch it down, and snap down buckle number two. The latch on the back of the boot flips up for ski mode, and down for walk mode. Make sure when you’re going into ski mode you flex the top and hear an obvious click and a restriction of the top cuff. Otherwise you will certainly notice the squirly factor of this boot in walk mode on the down-something notice people still have an issue with from time to time in the backcountry.  

 

Of note to the potential user is the Masterlite’s won a 2011 Red Dot Design Award for product design and innovation. The featured high overlap shell design with the truly unique rockered footprint is part of why this award was bestowed on Garmont.  

 

 

 

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