Atomic is going all-in with regards to backcountry skiing. New Backland skis, packs and skins came out this year. So the big story next season will be the new Backland touring boots. Everyone is abuzz about the Backland boots, which were on display at Outdoor Retailer 2015 Winter Market. There will be four versions: the Backland Carbon Light, Backland Carbon, and Backland in men’s and women’s versions.
The Backland Carbon Light is a super light boot that looks only appropriate for long-distance touring and skimo racing. The randonnee crowd will love that it weighs only 987g when the tongue, power strap and instep protector are removed.
The Backland Carbon is a heavier carbon version that the company says is the best downhill-performing boot in the series. It weighs 1161g with the tongue and power strap. It also features a pre-preg carbon version of the Carbon Spine, and the lower shell utilizes a carbon fiber-loaded Grilamid which they say delivers a more powerful flex and energy transmission.
The Backland are made for backcountry skiers looking for an affordable boot that still gives top performance on the downhill. They have less carbon, but still come in super light. The men’s are 1141g (in a 27.5) and the women’s are 1000g (in a 25.5).
Looking at the numbers, the range of motion is a crazy 74-degrees with the tongue removed for uphill travel. That’s more than the human ankle can flex when naked! The removable tongue is a concept I haven’t seen yet, especially in this version where there is nothing beneath the tongue except for a bit of fabric over the liner. I wonder if this concept is a bit of a fad, or will have serious effect on future AT boots. Regardless, that range of motion is insane.
The Backland boots have tech inserts, but they can only be used with TLT-style tech bindings with pins in the heels and toes. They will not be compatible with frame-style touring bindings. Also of note is the ski/walk mode is a super burly system that’s on the outside of the boot, which I really like. The liners have a reinforced tongue with optional lacing. The last comes in at 98mm.
Expect to see the Atomic Backland boots in the backcountry next season. In the meantime, we get to test out a pair of the Backland Carbon, so check back soon for our “first look” review.