Best AT Boot For Climbing and Skiing

Keatan wrote:
Grivel has also come out with a new crampon attachment system specifically for ski boots which might be worth looking at. 

Yeah crampon fit can be the crux. The issue is the external walk mechanism switches on a lot of the latest AT boots interfering with rear bails. 

Has anyone cannibalized a Grivel skimatic front bail and put it on a better climbing crampon? Did it work well for you?

The best solution I found is the low profile CAMP SkiMo rear bails. I put them on a pair of Petzl Lynx and they work well on my Maestrales. For whatever reason in my size (31.5) the Blade Runners fancy linking bar didn't fit well with the ski boots' heels (they work fine on my Scarpa climbing boots). 

Bogdan P wrote: On the topic of general skimo gear, the Arva Plume shovel is sweet. Carbon fiber shaft, full sized aluminum blade, <14oz, competitively priced.

I have one that I bring on climbs/camping occasionally just to dig out tent platforms, it's fine for that and the weight is nice. I'm not sure it's what I'd want to rely on to dig my buddy out, but I'm a wimp. 

Kyle Tarrywrote: I've climbed fairly steep terrain (up to WI3 and M3/4, roughly) in my Arc'teryx Proclines and Scarpa Maestrales.  One of my partners uses the MTN Lab on the same terrain.  I also know of people doing well with the TLT family of boots.  I think any of the other modern AT boots ought to be fine if they fit your feet well.

I have found AT boots to work fairly well on this type of a climb, but not as well as mountaineering boots when it gets really steep and sustained.  I get a little bit of heel lift, because you don't have a snug fit around your upper ankle, which is how a mountaineering boot locks your heel down into place.  I have come to the conclusion that I can climb about 1 grade down from my leading limit in ski boots, but prefer my mountain boots for harder climbing (e.g. I lead WI4 in mountain boots so I prefer to keep it to WI3 and below in my ski boots).

Edit: I have switched to the Atomic Backland due to heel lift issues in the Arcteryx boots.  With the soft removable tongue in place, they keep my feet locked in much better (still not as good as an ice boot, but better).  I will not be going back to the Arcteryx boots.  I think there are lots of other good options out there besides the Backlands (Travers, TLT, F1, etc.).

Thanks for sharing. Which model of Backland did you switch to? How have they held up over the years?

Matt Inouewrote: Backland and backland carbons are my preferred skimo/light AT boot but are pretty damn cold.  

Frank Awrote:

All skimo boots are going to be cold. They're designed for aerobics, not belaying. Upgrade the liner. Intuition Pro Tour adds ankle support on the down too without restricting your ability to climb in any noticeable way.

The Scarpa F1s climb great, as well as many light weight boots.. Ski great too, as long as you're not hucking off cliffs. But, I have learned that although these modern AT boots climb great, climbing and scrambling around in them significantly increases wear and tear...

Reflective tape inside the shell can also add some warmth.