The Scarpa F1 Alpine Touring Boot for women is a versatile, lightweight, and stable option for those looking to hit the sweet spot between minimal uphill weight and sufficient downhill power. Despite some reports of the liner being not rigid enough and lacking in support, the proficient uphill and downhill performance, heat-moldable liner, and easy transitions make this a great option for backcountry skiers.
The Scarpa F1 Alpine Touring Boot strikes a magical balance between downhill performance and lightweight uphill mobility. This, of course, means that it isn’t the best downhill boot, nor is it the best uphill boot, but it will make the majority of backcountry skiers exceedingly happy due to its sportive responsiveness on the down and its lightweight comfort on the up. While the boot is a bit more fiddly than some other options, its strengths far outweigh any weaknesses.
The La Sportiva Sparkle 2.0 Alpine Touring Boot for women is an adjustable and high-performance boot that performs well in both uphill and downhill mode. Despite having too much flex for some aggressive skiers’ needs, if you want a boot that is easy to use and adjust, provides a great range of motion, and keeps your foot secure during use, then this is a great choice.
The G3 Expedition Climbing Skin is a high-grip, long-lasting, and functional skin. The overall reliability and consistent grip make this a good choice for those ski tourers looking for a nylon skin.
The Salomon Guardian MNC 13 Alpine Touring Binding is a technically-simple, versatile, and reliable option that is well-suited for beginners or intermediate backcountry skiers who want a clean and simple binding that is easy to operate. The durability, quick transitions, and sleek look all provide a solid binding. With that said, there is a severe weight penalty to these bindings compared to tech bindings, but for those looking to get into ski touring, this is a great starter option.
The Scarpa Maestrale RS Alpine Touring Boot offers a relatively lightweight feel going uphill with a sturdy ride going downhill, making them an admired boot for many backcountry skiers looking for reliability both in and out of bounds and in all types of snow. This boot offers an impressive range of motion and customizable fit, with well-loved liners that offer warmth and comfort throughout the day, and a sturdy sole that bootpacks as well as it skis. Although some durability issues have been raised on the shell and the walk-mode function, Scarpa has set out to address these issues, and many users have stayed loyal throughout, still preferring the ease and sturdiness of the Maestrale RS.
The Atomic Hawx Ultra Xtd 130 Alpine Touring Boot is a stiff and durable touring boot. This is not the lightest or most flexible touring boot, but it provides terrific support for the downhill while still providing ease and comfort on the uphill.
The Backcountry Access Magic Carpet Skins are reliable skins for all conditions, with a smooth glide and a good grip. The glue is very sticky–almost too sticky, in fact– which means you should prepare to use some muscle when separating them, especially when the skins are new. The skins are durable, even in rocky terrain, but the weak point is the back clip, which can be awkward to use, although it will fit most ski styles.
The Backcountry G3 Alpinist Universal Climbing Skins know how to do their job. The full nylon design coupled with sticky glue make them a grippy workhorse. However, this comes with a weight penalty that less burly skins don’t impose. Nonetheless, the skins’ versatility and ease-of-use make them a trustworthy option.
The G3 Alpinist Climbing Skin is a versatile do-it-all skin that has great flexibility to fit all skis and much-loved tip and tail fasteners. With good gripping power and a great glide, especially for an all-nylon skin, these skins are easy to use and last for a long time. The major complaint with these skins is the glue, which has a habit of sticking to skis and globbing up, making them less than ideal, although they still are a good product for a reasonable price.