Scarpa F1 Ski Boots Review

I decided to check out the new Scarpa F1 Boot and pare down the weight for those upcoming sufferfests. Would this weight reduction come at a price? Would I sacrifice control to save some grams? If this boot handled like its last version, then I had nothing to worry about.

Moldable Liner

Starting with tourability the Scarpa F1 Boot shines. Slip it on and you can go for hours or even days. The comfort needed for this is provided by the model-specific Intuition liner. Personally, my feet are jacked so I use custom footbeds, but on my last pair of the F1s, I went straight out of the box.

The included, model-specific, Intuition moldable liner on the Scarpa F1 Ski Boots handles any comfort issue you may have with ease, and the stock footbeds work great too. It’s important to cook the liners so they mold to your feet and lower legs. Be sure to have a boot fitter take care of this for you. It will make your boots feel like slippers.

When boots fit properly, they don’t need to be tight; but the buckling system works great. I was skeptical of the BOA system at first but the more I use it the more I like it. You just have such a great range of adjustment with the BOA. The top strap is numbered so you can remember where to close it for the consistent performance you expect.

The range of motion is astounding. The stated range of motion for the boots is 62 degrees. This makes walking beyond easy. The less effort, the farther you can go, less fatigue.

Scarpa Performance

This Scarpa ski boot also shines in the vertical realm, performing equally well on snow climbs, mixed climbing, bouldering, and ice climbing. You never know what the route will entail and the F1 is ready for it all; I even wear them on bike approaches. The boots readily accept a step-in crampon and ice climb better than my mountaineering boots. The Vibram® UFO Evo soles eat up rocky ridge ascents with ease.

The main reason I go uphill is to ski back down. I do it for the skiing and an alpine touring boot has got to ski well.

They have a lateral stiffness that transmits right to the edges. The softer tongue that flexes evenly and transmits your thoughts to the tips in an almost telepathic manner. I have complete trust in these boots in the scariest of places. From tight trees to cliffed out couloirs, I know that these boots will respond to how I want them to.

Durability is not an issue. I’ve been skiing the 2019 version of the F1 for a few months now. They have logged many thousands of vertical feet in mixed terrain, over rock and trail and have held up nicely. My previous pair logged close to 200 days and still ski great, at least that’s what my kids say.

Another nice feature of these ski boots is the inclusion of RECCO tech. Many ski patrols use RECCO location should a user get lost or buried in an avalanche. This is by no means a replacement for an avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe, and competent partner. Be sure to get avalanche education before venturing into the uncontrolled backcountry. Know Before You Go – click for avalanche awareness from CAIC and UTAC.

Scarpa F1 Ski Boots Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Moldable liner for customized comfort
• Excellent range of motion for easy walking
• High performance in various climbing activities

Cons:

• May sacrifice control for weight reduction
• BOA system may take time to adjust to
• Boot choice is a very personal decision

Overall Impression

The Scarpa F1 makes me say, “ahhhh new boots!” You will not be disappointed with these boots. Be sure to check the Last and see if the Scarpa F1 Ski Boot ($748.99) is right for you.

Boot choice is a very personal decision.

Related Ski Boots

1. Scarpa Maestrale AT Boot
2. Dynafit Hoji Pro Boot
3. Fischer RC4 Pro MV BOA Boot