Going into the 18/19 season I really wanted to switch up my boots. The last 3 boots I’ve owned were Scarpa Maestrale RS and although the model served me well for many years, I was very disapointed by the 17/18 version (black/white/lime). I looked at a bunch of the stiffer boots that were coming out but I wanted to think outside the box. I also was looking for a boot that I could walk in for several continuous days to access more remote zones. After looking at and getting good feedback about the Fischer Travers Carbon I thought I’d give it a go. I talked to Joel at SkiUphill (https://skiuphill.ca/) and he offered me a pair to see just how far I could push the limits of the boot.
I have used the Fischer Travers Carbon boots on about 60 days this season and I can confidently say that not only are they the most comportable, easy to walk in boot I’ve used but they also ski very well for their weight and category. They are absolutly the best all around backcountry boot I have ever had the pleasure of wearing.
Light Weight
When you pick this boot up off the shelf you can’t help to mention how light they are. A size 26.5 comes in at 980g. I put in a Intuition Pro-Tour liner and a custom footbed and my 27.5 came in at 1200g. This is about 350g lighter than my previous boot so I can really feel the difference while touring. Remember, every gram you have on your foot is the same as putting 5 grams in your pack, so saving a total of 700g on a pair of boots is like taking 3,500g (almost 8 pounds) out of my pack! That is huge for longer multi day trips.
Only one move needed to open or close the buckle which brings a fast change from uphill to downhill mode. Additionally the buckle can be locked in open position.
These Boots Are Made for Walkin’
The first thing I noticed when trying on these boots was how well I could walk in them. I have alpine climbing boots that walk worse! They walk so well that at this point I don’t bother taking shoes to change into at the end of my ski day – I put these on at home, go out skiing and take them off when I get back. Touring in these boots is magical. I know, it sounds like I’m over selling how good they are but if you’ve walked in them then you know I’m not actually doing them justice. The foot rotation has over 80 degrees in walk mode, I’m not sure my ankle is even that flexible. This season I was forced to walk down a 500 vertical meter boulder field when our snow ran out on a 1000m ski line, although the route was unpleasant it was less so thanks to the walk mode on these boots.
Comfort
After a few days of skiing in these boots I never wanted to go back to my old boots. Now at 60 days in them I know I can’t go back. They are hands down the most comfortable ski boots I have ever worn. The Boa Closure System basically “hugs” my foot as tight or as loose as I wish while applying even pressure throughout. The upper strap is super easy to micro adjust. When walking the foot rotation feels completely natural adding to the comport level as there is no push back from the boot. I’ve already had a couple of 11 hour days in these boots and a 3 day traverse, when I took them off I was expecting the “big relief” feeling of having my foot out of my ski boot but that feeling never came because my feet were feeling great (other parts of me not so much!).
The Boa Closure System enables uncomplicated, fast and millimetre-precise setting and adjustment of the boot. Easy to use with just one hand for quick boot entry and exit.
Downhill Skiing
I know what you are probably thinking right now and trust me I was thinking the same thing before I started testing the downhill limits of this boot. Sure they are light, walk like hiking boots and are super comfortable but the downhill preformance suffers due to all that, right? The answer here is… well, not really.
Would I take these boots to drop cliffs or straightline big pillow lines? No.
Would I take these boots out to shred frozen resort chop and avalanche debris? No.
But for everything else the answer is yes for me now.
I’ve skied these boots in everything from prefect powder conditions to thin downhill bush skiing (at speed) and skiing as fast as I could through barely covered up frozen tracks. I’ve aired off big rolls while doing super G style turns and even skied some short pillow lines where I felt just as good as in any boot. I’ve even taken them up to the ski resort and did some groomer laps after coming out of the sidecountry.
The point here is that these are touring/backcountry boots and generally speaking when we ski in the backcountry we are going a bit slower than our limits and looking for good snow – with this in mind these boots can ski as well as any I’ve used. I think a lot of us like to think we ski like pro skiers but really we’re just out there looking to put in as many turns as we can in untouched powder, usually on moderate angles. Why do you need a stiff, heavy boot for that? You don’t, no one really does unless you have a wide ski (I’ve been told above 100mm underfoot the boot performance goes down) or you turn using your shins/weight.
The one thing I have noticed is that I have to ski with a bit more pressure in my mid foot or flat footed when compared to a more aggressive boot which I’m usually applying more pressure to the ball of my foot. This took a few days to adjust to but now I don’t notice it.
The carbon/Aramid plate used in the sole section ensures maximum torsional stiffness and direct power transfer to the ski.
The Boot For You?
Boots are probably the most personal ski item, no one boot will work for everyone. This boot works for me, really well – insanely well. The comfort and walk mode are amazing. The downhill preformance is better than I excepted for the type of skiing I need them for. I really hope Fischer comes out with a slightly beefer model for skis in the 100-120 underfoot range because I wouldn’t think twice about getting them.
For more information about the Fischer Travers Carbon please visit https://www.fischersports.com/ca_en/travers-carbon-677
To check the boot out in person head on down to SkiUphill in Canmore https://skiuphill.ca/collections/backcountry-skiing-boots/products/fischer-travers-carbon-boots-backcountry-ski-touring-skiuphill-canmore
Have you seen anyone rocking these on a split? Do you think they could be modified to work on one?
I do not know anyone using these for splitboarding but I’m sure someone will give it a try soon. I wonder when companies will start making split versions of their ski boots? Only a matter of time I’d think.
What skis do you use with these?
I’ve been using a 174cm K2 Wayback 88 with a Plum Oazo binding.
What size shoe do you wear? I’m a 10.5 and looking at 28.5 in these boots
I usually where a 10 or 10.5 in shoes and my Travers is a 28.5. Best to head into a store to get fitted though, as there is more than just size to be concerned about for ski boots.
What is the size of the intuition pro tour liner you put in the 27,5 shell?
On the tongue they say “M 8/9 Flex” but my shell in a 28.5 – best to have a boot fitter have a look.
I have a pair of these I’m 26.5 and they are awesome, such a huge improvement in touring over my crossover boots. But they are ridiculously narrow, by far the narrowest I’ve ever had. Definitely needs some punching out.
Strangely I didn’t have to do any punching and all my footwear are wide models, maybe my foot is just the correct shape for the ski boot?
Are they boots for very good skiers or can they be used by someone with intermediate level (downhill skiing)?
The boots aren’t as stiff as some so it could be argued that they would be more difficult for an intermediate skier in general. But to put this in a larger context these boots are still stiffer than most touring boots from 10 years ago and everyone back then thought the boots were just fine. If you are out skiing intermediate style runs then I would think an intermediate skier would be good with this boot. If you are an intermediate skier looking to ski more difficult runs then maybe a stiffer boot would help you progress. You would probably find variable snow conditions difficult as an intermediate skier as well. Boots are so personal that it’s hard to know if it will work for you but I hope my answers have given some insight.
Hello, thanks for the review. Looking to buy Fischer Travers CS Size 27.5 – What was your Scarpa Maestrale size? Mine was 27.0 (the orange one, 2014 and 2019 models) . Thanks !
I’ve always had 27.5/28 for Maestrales in the past.