Dynafit Neo PX Ski Boots
This is the everyman’s Dynafit: It’s both warmer and more affordable than the company’s 2011 Editors’ Choice Award-winning TLT.
Brand: Dynafit
Model: Neo PX
Fit Wide-footed testers were surprised to enjoy an accommodating fit (the Neo uses a 103 mm last, compared to 101 mm in the TLT). Despite the relatively thin liner, the roomy toe box makes the Neo warm enough for 5°F temperatures by allowing unobstructed blood flow. “The instep buckle did a great job of locking my heel down and creating a nice, tight feel during descents,” reports one tester.
Walk mode No stride is too long for the cuff’s 60-degree range of motion, which tricked testers into thinking they were wearing hiking boots—especially while scrambling in Colorado’s Zirkel Range. “The unusually short sole length [304 mm for 27.5] feels really nimble on and off the ski,” says a tester. The Pebax shell and cuff keep the weight low enough for long tours.
Downhill performance “They delivered far more downhill control than I expected, given how light they are,” our tester reports. Even in heavy, mashed-potato snow on Colorado’s Diamond Peak, the tongue provided enough stiffness for strong turns. “Pushing long, wide skis was a little out of their comfort zone, but they got ‘er done.” Still, they’re not for super-fat boards: The Neo is happiest with touring planks (like the K2 Wayback, page 76) on moderate terrain.
$650; 6 lbs. 12 oz. (27.5); dynafit.com