SCARPA Maestrale XT Ski Boot Exceeds Expectations

SCARPA Maestrale XT Ski Boot Exceeds Expectations

Luke Richards is a ski patroller and avid ski tourer. He loves his Maestrale XT ski boots from SCARPA. Here’s why.

I stumbled upon the Scarpa Maestrale XT in autumn 2024 while searching for a ski touring boot that could go uphill efficiently and drive a ski hard on the descent. Sounds like the holy grail, right? Unfortunately, that boot probably doesn’t exist, and maybe never will. That said, the Maestrale XT came surprisingly close.

At the time, I wanted something lighter and more comfortable on the skin track than my previous do-it-all boots. But I didn’t want to give up too much performance on the downhill. The XT caught my eye with its stealthy grey-and-blue colourway, the fit was right, and I pulled the trigger. I haven’t regretted it once, having worn them 150 days during 3 back-to-back NZ and Canadian ski patrolling seasons.

At first glance, the Maestrale XT looks like a mid-weight touring boot, similar to its siblings, the Maestrale and Maestrale RS. But when you look further into the specs sheet, you realise that it has quite a bit more to offer.

The Maestrale XT sits at the top of the Maestrale lineup. It boasts a 130 flex rating, Intuition liner, elasticated power strap, Recco integration, carbon-fibre infused shell and Grilamid cuff. All of these features come together to create a decidedly downhill-focused, dare I say, freeride-oriented touring boot that easily keeps up with my skiing capabilities. And it always feels like it has more to give.

Heel of a Scarpa Maestrale XT Ski Boot locked in a binding on a ski in the snow
Scarpa Maestrale XT Ski Boot locked in a binding

Fit

The Maestrale XT has a 101mm last and a spacious forefoot. The heel pocket isn’t super snug, but it locks my heel down well. This seems to be a nice balance that should work for average to higher-volume and wide feet.

While the spacious specs make it sound like a very large fitting boot, the relatively stiff and thick Intuition liner does a great job of soaking up that space and creating a comfortable fit for a wide range of feet.

The stock footbeds that come in the box provide little support, and I swapped them out for custom footbeds almost immediately. I assume SCARPA anticipates that most people are going to do this and therefore put little effort into the stock footbed.

Image of skier walking uphill on snow in the Dolomites in Itlay
Walking uphill in the Maestrale XT

Uphill performance

The XT has a stated 56° range of motion. As many of us know, ROM rarely tells the whole story. A big number doesn’t guarantee smooth, natural movement, especially if the cuff articulation feels sticky or the boot pinches and flexes oddly.

Gladly, I can say the XT walks well. The cuff articulation is smooth and natural for a boot this stiff. There is some friction between the tongue and the cuff/buckles, but that’s a fair trade-off for the downhill performance the boot delivers.

The rockered Vibram sole grips well, which is especially helpful for the inevitable bootpacking and scrambling on New Zealand missions.

At 1505g per boot (size 27), the Maestrale XT doesn’t lead the weight game, but it also doesn’t feel heavy. This being said, the weight of the XT feels just right for its downhill performance. Herein also lies the XT’s versatility. I have paired this boot with both a lightweight pin binding setup and a heavy resort setup. It does not feel out of place with either.

 Downhill performance

This is where the Maestrale XT truly shines. Sure, it’s rated at a 130 flex, but as many of us have figured out, much like ROM, flex numbers can also vary significantly between brands and designs. What matters more is the feel of the flex and that you match that flex with your weight and ability.

I weigh around 95kg, and I’ve found the XT’s flex to be stiff, progressive, and confidence-inspiring. Unlike some boots that are stiff but suddenly fold when fully flexed, the XT holds up under pressure. This is thanks to the Grilamid tongue, Intuition liner, and elasticated power strap.

The cuff height is slightly lower than some boots in this class like the Dynafit Radical or Atomic Hawx range. This improves walking comfort but can be a little less supportive if you find yourself hanging way out in the back seat. That said, I’ve never had shin-bang in these boots, and they support strong forward pressure well.

Scarpa’s three-buckle system works great here. Notably, the XT omits the ratcheting instep strap found on other Maestrale and F1 models. Some of my friends swear by that strap for heel hold. In my opinion, the exclusion of this strap does not create any noticeable heel lift, and omits a known failure point on Maestrale and F1 model boots. The “Z” buckle over the forefoot requires minimal tension to feel secure, and the cuff buckles accommodate my larger calves without needing adjustment. For people with smaller/higher calves, the buckles can be moved across about a half-inch for a tighter fit.

 

Image of two ski tourers stopping to admire the view on the way to Wendy Thompson Hut near Pemberton, BC, Canada.
Ski touring near Pemberton, BC, Canada @robwcouper

Durability

After more than 150 days of skiing, including long tours, bootpacks, and extreme cold weather, the Maestrale XT has held up impressively well. The walk mechanism remains solid, the buckles haven’t loosened or broken, and the liners still offer good support, though they’re beginning to pack out slightly. I’d expect to get another solid season out of them before considering a liner replacement.

Bottom Line

The Scarpa Maestrale XT exceeded my expectations. I bought it as a dedicated touring boot but ended up using it as my everyday boot, on and off piste, resort and backcountry, for three seasons straight. Every time I take out one of my other pairs of boots, I find myself wishing I’d just taken the XTs.

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