Lupos are Kryptons with a rock-solid hike mode (HM) integrated into the back of the boot. Because the Krypton cuff blocks rearward travel by sitting on a shelf on the lower shell, the addition of a hinged block at its base that can swing out of the way does little to change the flex behavior of the boot in the ski position, a function that remains controlled by the external tongue.
The 2018 Krypton contingent is led by the Lupo Factory, a serious hiking shoe made from Grilamid and carbon with a minimalist ID liner. While its mostly Grilamid shell isn’t quite as light, nor is its liner quite as slick, the Lupo 130 C is still a 98mm last, 130-flex boot with serious hiking chops.