This commentary is a repost of last season’s report, the associated FIND buttons connect to 2017 starting inventory.
Last season marked the debut of the first, built-from-scratch XT, with its own mold and a new V-Lock Hike-Ski system that boosts the hike mode ROM to 20o. The XT’s off-piste chops can be readily raised by switching to the extra tread of WTR rocker soles, which Lange thoughtfully includes. Like XT 1.0, the current XT comes in both the regular, medium width and a low volume (LV) version for narrow feet.
While the new XT’s make more concessions to the requirements of uphill self-propulsion, Lange would rather commit corporate seppuku than build a boot that violates their basic principles. The XT retains all the essential elements that make a Lange ski, well, like a Lange. Already one of the most powerful hike mode (HM) boots on the market, the 2016 XT uses a metal-to-metal locking mechanism on the spine so rear support is even more secure.