Dynafit Dynamite
Pros: Very strong downhill performance for an AT boot
Cons: Rubber sole wears quickly, doesn't fit everyone
This is Dynafit's (and one of the AT boot business') best effort at making a touring boot that performs going downhill at a level very close to an alpine boot. It's still not at the level of a high end alpine boot, but for off piste skiing, it does everything it needs to do. It tours well. My old AT boots were first generation Garmont Adrenalins, and the Dynafit tops that in spades for downhill and is a bit better on the touring side. I've skied in a lot of touring boots since my first pair of Koflach Vallugas in 1982 and I'm very pleased to see the evolution of the product. Coming from the alpine side, I've never quite understood why it took so long to build something that skied like an alpine boot and not like a hiking boot.
I did have them stretch the shell at the 6th toe when I got the liners baked. They are not a perfect fit for me (a little narrow in the forefoot), but they are comfortable and warm all day. I tossed the laces from the liners and cut out the elastic that goes over the tongue. This makes the on/off drill a lot easier. The rubber sole shows a lot of wear for not an excessive amount of use. I also don't understand why they are so pricey, hence the low marks for value. I guess it's still a low sales volume product and they have to amortize the mold costs over fewer boots.
I really like the forward flex on the Titans. They have come up with a very creative way of delivering a progressive flex from a very mechanical ski mode latch. By putting a radius on the stops that interface between the lower shell and the cuff, you don't get the abrupt halt to the flex that you get on the Garmont Adrenalins. Plus the overlap shell makes for a closer fitting boot vs. the traditional open throat touring boot design. Lateral flex is firm enough. Lateral and rearward flex are not at the same level as a top alpine boot, but you really don't want that if you are gong to be touring for any length of time. With the PU shell, they are not as light as Pebax touring boots, but PU is a far superior material for a downhill ski boot. So, you do give up the light weight advantages of Pebax on the uphill, but the downhill performance gain is worth it, to me anyway.
You could use these as your one and only pair of ski boots. They come with alpine boot sole blocks that you can swap out with the rubber lugged ones. That way you can step into any alpine binding. I've yet to try the alpine soles. The Titans work great in my Fritschis and of course you can use them in the Dynafit/Tech style AT bindings.
Kudos to Dynafit for pushing ahead with innovative products.
