ashenWe introduced the Dalbello ski boots not long ago and in this post we will be talking about an equally popular rival. Lange is a renowned company in the ski industry, specializing in the design and manufacture of high-performance ski boots. Lange was founded by Bob Lange in 1948. The company is credited with creating the first plastic ski boots, which revolutionized the ski boot industry by offering better fit, control, and performance compared to the traditional leather boots. In this post, we will introduce and review some of their most popular ski boots.
A Brief History of Lange
The company was experimenting with plastic reinforced ski boots for quite some time and as a result employee Dave Luensmann manufactured the first prototype. However, it was the follow up model released in 1965 that hit off. By 1970, Lange became a dominant player in the industry entering into hockey as well. It was never an easy journey for them as they had to test with many chemicals to obtain the desired ski boot. They first tested with Royalite which came up with issues in cold temperatures.
Next they went ahead with Adiprene which is cold resistive but not vacuum-molding, slowing down the production process. Nonetheless they stuck to it and in 1965 Lange added Henke-like buckles as well. They even built a new molding machine known as “Mickey Mouse” that could inject the Adiprene to speed production. Ever since then Lange established a strong presence in the world of alpine ski racing. Many professional athletes and Olympic skiers use Lange boots, which speaks to their high performance and reliability.
Lange XT3 Tour Pro Alpine Touring Ski Boots
- Active Power V-Lock
- 1.4 Kilograms
- Last : 99
- Flex index : 130
- Shell – Material : Grilamid Dual Core
- Liner : Touring EVA fully Customizable liner
- Soles – Properties : VIBRAM ISO 9523 Touring soles
This boot is best for skiers who spend a lot of time touring but still want high performance on the descent. The Dual Core method allows Lange to double inject a hard and soft blend of plastics to give the XT3 Tour Pro a responsive and progressive flex in each turn you make. The thermo-moldable liner provides a customized fit. This ensures better comfort and support tailored to the skier’s foot shape. The Active Power V-Lock mechanism ensures efficient energy transfer during descents. The XT3 Tour Pro also performs well in uphill touring thanks to its lightweight construction and the improvements in the heel-toe motion during ascents. The Vibram full touring sole provides excellent traction on varied terrain.
Overall user feedback is that the flex stiffness is more than enough and the comfort for the foot is optimal. Users with narrow to medium-width feet generally find the 99 mm last to be comfortable. Some stated that the boots fit true to size and offer a snug, performance-oriented fit while others had a few minor fit issues. Some users also noted that the boots could feel tight initially and might require some break-in time. The other feature that everybody praises is the boots’ downhill capabilities. We mentioned that this boot is built for aggressive backcountry riding. They also liked the Vibram full touring sole for its traction on various terrains and the buckles and strap providing a secure fit. However, note that the stiff flex rating might be too aggressive for less experienced skiers.
Lange 2023 LX 90 HV Ski Boots
- Polyurethane shell
- ISO 5355 Alpine Sole
- 90 Flex rating
- Dual 3D Sport Liner
- Approximately 1980 grams per boot for size 26.5
- Replaceable GripWalk-compatible soles sold separately
- 102 mm last width
Ideal for advanced and above users looking for a wider fit. Note that the flex rating is lower than the previous, so it provides a medium stiffness. Well balanced between comfort and performance. The Dual 3D Sport Liner further enhances the fit and comfort. It is thermo-moldable, just like the Tour pro Alpine meaning it will provide a custom fit. Similarly, this boot also features four micro-adjustable aluminum buckles. The buckle design helps in uniformly distributing pressure across the foot. The GripWalk soles improve walking comfort and traction when not clipped into bindings.
The user feedback for this one almost surpasses that of the previous. The users compliment everything about this boot from the wide fit, supportive liner, the 90 flex rating to the sole and the straps. Many reported that the boots fit true to size and accommodated wider feet well. Another important fact is that many reported that the boots keep the feet warm even in colder conditions, making them suitable for all-day skiing. The 40 mm power strap also contributed to a secure and supportive fit around the calf. Users also mentioned that walking is easy because of the replaceable GripWalk-compatible soles. However, it turns out that the same pro can be a con as a few others stated that the boots are too wide for them with narrower feet, leading to less precise control.
Lange Junior RSJ 60 Beginner
- Built for kids and those with smaller feet
- Polyolefin shell and dual core tech
- 60 Flex rating
- Aluminum buckles and replaceable Monomaterial Toe
- Junior Gripwalk soles (sold separately)
We just downgraded from advanced to beginner. The RSJ 60 offers the perfect blend of comfort and performance for skiers ages 10 and for the overall junior all-mountain skiers. Notice that the flex rating is even lower meaning it is soft which is ideal for young skiers who are just starting or are at an intermediate level. It provides enough support for learning proper technique without being too stiff. This boot also features four micro-adjustable buckles and is even friendly for users with smaller hands. The liner and shell construction help maintain warmth, and the fit is tailored to prevent discomfort.
The overall qualities are more or less the same as the advanced ones, just a little downgraded. Lightweight, all-mountain terrain adaptability, breathable, warm and comfortable. So here’s what the kids are saying (and the little adults). Snug and comfortable fit for smaller feet, true to size, soft padding and good insulation and easy to put on and take off. Parents especially highlight the fact that the boots provide enough support to learn proper technique while being flexible enough to prevent discomfort plus the robust build quality making it last for multiple ski seasons. Of course the cons include that the flex isn’t enough for novices and the boot can be a bit tight for wider legs. These are just no brainers because you know the size of what you are buying.
Lange Women’s Shadow 85 MV
- 85 Flex rating
- Dual Pivot and Suspension Blade technology
- Pre-mounted GripWalk soles
- Polyurethane shell and cuff
- Dual 3D Performance Liner
- 35 mm power straps and 4 buckles
Note the Women’s version flex rating dropping below 90 resulting in medium stiffness, ideal for intermediate skiers. With a 100 mm last, medium size can fit in to enjoy optimized comfort without downgrading performance. The rest of the specs are exactly the same as the ones we introduced before. As for the user feedback, many users highlighted the boots’ excellent responsiveness and control. The boots were noted to perform well on various terrains, including groomed runs and some off-piste conditions. Same as the previous versions and models, users praise the comfy fit, warmth, good balance of support and flexibility. Similarly, the only downsides are the sizing for those with relatively wider or narrower feet and the flex rating for advanced skiers.
