Telemark Talk / Telemark Tips Forum

I don't know why, but I was under the impression that the new Pioneer XP boots from Alpina were a softer, Wyoming-like type of boots. Well, I was wrong, it's the opposite! I was told that it's Alpina's top of the range backcountry boot. Higher AND stiffer. They look quite promising. My first impression just looking at this new picture is that they look... Humm... Like... Huh...Well, yes, STIFF!!!

Sometimes referred as the Pioneer Pro, the Pioneer XP, the Pioneer Vital or even the Discoverer Pro, it seems like it unfortunately won't be available until next season. Unfortunately for the market, for Alpina, and for the hundreds of customers ready to pull the trigger and drop lots of C-Notes on XPLORE boots... But I guess it also means that the boot will be perfectly tuned and optimized for the XP system when it will finally come out...

(Only a few days to go until the new Amazing Alaska XP hits the stores!)

UPDATE: READ THE FULL PIONEER PRO REVIEW HERE:
viewtopic.php?f=19&t=4875

Interesting. I also assumed it was softer, but on the picture the boot looks a bit higher than Alaska XP. I'd like another eyelet on the upper and the lacing from Alpina Alaska Heat or Alfa Skaget. It is nice that Alpina also launches a higher and stiffer boot when the Alaska XP went the other way, but I'm not convinced on the Pioneer Pro from the picture. We'll see.

I'm curious on how high and stiff a boot can be and still work good with the Xplore binding/system.

Nice preview of the Pioneer PRO and the Pioneer Discoverer VITAL right here:
https://www.delo.si/polet/svoboda-na-sm ... le-zelis/

Thank you @giovanotti for the link!

That boot looks quite nice, with full leather construction, excellent looking workmanship and also 3 eyelets on the shaft as I wanted. It is quite different, and I think better, from the picture in the catalogue.

With Alpina Pioneer, Alfa Free, Fischer Transnordic and perhaps an Xplore Crispi Svartisen there is hopefully a boot with good stability/turning prowess for any foot next year. This model could have been a good alternative to my Alfa Skaget with even more stability. It will be interesting to see what models turns up and how they are.

They look nice on those pictures, they would be perfect match to my Alpina XP for more demanding downhills. Fisher Transnordic XP from @telerat posts looks very promising as well. I might get one of this two boots next season but I will wait for reviews to find out which one of them is stiffer and more supportive, for now Alaskas XP are just wonderful for touring!