New Scarpa Phantom Tech Ice Boots?

Has anyone had a chance to get some time out with these puppies? My Phantom guides are about 3 seasons old...maybe more and are showing their age. I've been very happy with them and their performance on all ice and Alpine terrain. Just curious if the new design is a hit or miss?

Grammy

Chris Graham wrote:Has anyone had a chance to get some time out with these puppies? My Phantom guides are about 3 seasons old...maybe more and are showing their age. I've been very happy with them and their performance on all ice and Alpine terrain. Just curious if the new design is a hit or miss? Grammy

Will Gadd's Instagram post yesterday suggested that he was really impressed with them.

Gavin W wrote: Will Gadd's Instagram post yesterday suggested that he was really impressed with them.

can`t really take the opinion of a sponsored athlete, they are paid to say their product are good... just saying ...

Theriault wrote: can`t really take the opinion of a sponsored athlete, they are paid to say their product are good... just saying ...

haha, good point. I'm a Scarpa athlete, got these for free, but am not paid cash beyond that. With that caveat, I can report that they're lighter and warmer than the Phantom guides. The new zipper design, a spiral around your ankle instead of a zip straight up the front, works well and should ensure good durability. Definitely use the included silicone lubricant to keep the zip running smoothly.

One of the big weight savings comes from the use of lower density rubber on the sole. They kept the standard rubber on the outsides of the sole, which is still black, but in the middle used a lower density orange rubber. The idea is that you'll mostly be using crampons anyway, so the sole doesn't need to be super burly.

If you primarily use your boots for hiking on rocks, this might not be a great trade-off. If you mostly climb icy and snowy mountains, it makes total sense.

-Scott

the Phantom techs

Thanks Scott, I just pulled the trigger on a pair of these babies I'll be curious to see how they feel

Same, in the mail now. CAN'T wait to get these on my feet as my F guides are almost trashed.

Seems we're all getting new shoes this week :)

Curious to see how they stack up to the older Phantom Ultra that was never imported to NA. Awesome boot. Sure am impressed with the discontinued in NA, Rebel Ultra. Warmer? Lighter? Suspect the newest Phantom Tech will be another home run.

Feb. in the wind and shade of the Midi.

can't wait to see them head to head with the new sportive trango ice cubes

Theriault wrote:can't wait to see them head to head with the new sportive trango ice cubes

I could be mistaken, but not a good comparison as the boots are not in the same category IMO. New Cube is more comparable to the older Rebel Ultra I'd think. Rebel Ultra is/was well proven. Nice category of boot for sure but not a "super gaiter" style boot for warmth or protection.

The older Trango Silver boot or older yet, Trango Ice, at least a couple of versions of that boot just weren't in the same ball game as even the older Phantom Ultra. Phantom Guide and Batura 2.0 was a good F2F comparison.

Some amazing technology in both brands of boots but even on that comparison the lighter Phantom Ultra was a better boot than either IMO...by a good bit.

The Arcteryx Acrux AR GTX Boot is similarly priced at $750. Slightly heavier at 1000g per boot vs. 815g for the Phantom Tech, but you get a full double boot in a pretty slim, low volume package.

Got mine and started a bit of a review. More to follow and Chris and I get them on some ice.

coldthistle.blogspot.com/20…

Arcteryx? 1000 per boot in a 43? When the Phantom Tech is 815g in that size. That is 6.5oz heavier per boot. 13oz per pair in a size 43. Not the same ball game IMO. In a size 45 the Arcteryx will be bumping a full pound per pair heavier. I've got no dog in the fight either way but the new and obviously well proven Scarpa line up and the Phantom 6000 is where my money went for a double boot.

Have 3 days in so far on mine. Two words, Fucking Awesome, or Fucking Amazing. Your choice on those two words.

More deets you ask;
Incredibly light. Just as warm at the guides I believe(but not warmer) Easier to get into, zip is more flexible, stiff and climb like a dream. You actually can't feel the boot on your foot, and remind be of a better ice climbing rebel ice.

Full disclosure, I got a deal. More disclosure, although it would be hard to pony up, I would (almost) pay retail for them ;)

Hoping to get mine out mid week :)

Way, way stiffer boot...both in ankle articulation and sole flex. Warmer than the Ultra for sure every bit equal to the Batura 2.0 (likely the Phantom Guide as well) for my feet. "Definitely use the included silicone lubricant to keep the zip running smoothly." Agreed it is needed. Sadly mine didn't come with any lube. I'll call in the morning.

No lube in my box as well...

But I saved some from the old boots

Hey you guys like the New Phantoms so much you would leave your Rebels in the gear room on border line cold days?

Anyone tried both the Phantom Techs and the Asolo Eigers for a little comparison action?

I would Bill, up to M8-9 (attempts) for me at least on the cold days.

Unrelated to the Phantom Techs, but to you guys who have experience with the Rebels - What temps do you find to be too cold for the Rebels? I know that this will vary, but I'm looking for a ballpark. Especially in the alpine.

I have only worn them at the craig, and down to 15-20F. When that cold, I change out after the route and put my big boots back on and hand warmers in the toes of the rebels. Colder than 15, I am not strong enough to hang on in thin gloves anyways. Just go ice climbing then I guess.

I've worn them when it's 10 outside. We were moving though not TRing. I'm a bit on the warm side as I used to wear the Jorasses GTX days when it was -10!

My feet get cold, easily. I wear the 6Ks at -10!