The Dalbello Quantum touring boots, comprised of three models for winter 20/21, is exceptional. They’ve utilised a new shell construction technology, whereby the shell around the foot is created in two halves and bonded together.
Two-part clog, bonded together
This two-part construction of the clog allows much stiffer materials to be used, with a really thin wall to keep weight to a minimum. To get a boot this light (950g in the 26.5MP Quantum Asolo Factory boot) with the support and rebound you get is impressive.
This all-new method also allows Dalbello to shape the inside of the boot in ways not possible before. This is really important as this is not a heat-mouldable shell. Dalbello therefore wanted to create a shell that’d allow them to create quite detailed internal shaping, to offer the best fit they could around the intricacies of the human foot.
We were able to get out hands on a pair of Quantum Asolo Factory boots in the Scottish highlands. In this video you can see our report on this boot and the full Dalbello Quantum touring boots range. There’s a lot more info in the video, so it’s worth a look.
TESTED: Dalbello Quantum Touring Boots
Dual Pivot
The Quantum boots have a dual pivot on each side of the cuff. The larger, lower pivot is the main rotation point at the ankle, and is where the boot pivots when skiing and touring. When you switch into tour mode, this releases the upper, front portion of the cuff, allowing the smaller, higher pivot to come into play. As a result, you get a 65° range of motion (ROM) in the cuff when skinning. This is more than the majority of touring boots.
If ROM is key for you, there are other boots with equally large ROM figures, as well as some with more. 65° is more than enough for most people though. For perspective, in our experience, most people don’t have enough flexibility and/or strength to use 60°, let alone more.
Tightening
The Quantum ski touring boots do-away with standard boot buckles.
There’s a Dyneema SK78 and Technora rope around the cuff (think aramid or Kevlar; pretty tough stuff). This only needs to be set once then you don’t need to adjust it during your day, or week, of skiing. Easier than having to constantly adjust buckles between you skinning and skiing sessions.
To open the boot you raise the spring loaded lever at the back. It’s a similar lever to many touring boots, except it takes care of more than just locking the boot spine into position for ski mode or raising it to tour.
Lifting this does release the cuff to move in tour mode, but it also releases tension in the cord around the top of the cuff. This allows the cuff to open, permitting a really long stride. To go back to ski, simply push the lever back down and the boot is locked in ski mode with the cuff’s cord tightened around the leg.
To take care of tension around the foot, Dalbello uses their own Quick Lace System (QLS). Many call it BOA but it’s not. You can micro adjust the tension, in and out. The thin, strong tensioning cord runs across the top of the foot, visible outside the waterproof gaiter.
The top of this then runs over the foot, hidden away inside the gaiter of the boot, between the liner and shell. It provides excellent ankle hold to keep you in the heel pocket. This doesn’t need to be loosened for tour mode.
Liner
A thermoformable Ultralon liner allows for good levels of fit customisation in the Quantum Asolo Factory boot. The ID Touring Sport liner of the Quantum Asolo and Quantum boots is still thermoformable in 4 minutes but it isn’t an Ultralon branded material.
A full-length insulating boot board helps to keep your feet warmer on those mid-winter blower days.
Sole
The Quantum boots have a Vibram sole, meeting the ISO 9523 Alpine Touring norm, to take care of traction when you’re not skiing. Harder inserts in the toe and heel area help enhance skiing performance
With pin inserts you can use this boot in pure pin bindings; perfect for lightweight ascents.
As the Quantum boots meets ISO 9523 you can also use them with bindings such as Marker Kingpin, Fritschi Tecton, Atomic/Salomon/Armada Shift, multi-norm cert. bindings and the new Marker Duke PT.
The importance of having a sole
The fact that the Quantum’s have ISO 9523 soles is, in our opinion, really important. A lot of pin touring boots don’t have soles that are ISO 9523 certified, which really limits you on binding selection.
Whichever boots you choose, always check that the boots and bindings you’ll be using are designed to work together. If in doubt, check with your local ski shop, or get in touch and we’ll see what we can do to help you.
Gimme More
To find out even more about the Dalbello Quantum range of boots, and to see just what we at SkiKitInfo think of them, check out the video (above).
Want to see more kit tests and reviews then subscribe to the SkiKitInfo.com YouTube channel for industry leading gear test videos, or check out What’s New for 2021? for more gear reviews from SkiKitInfo.com.
Want to see more of what Dalbello’s got to offer, you can visit their site at Dalbello.it.
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All of the info, reviews and testing by SkiKitInfo.com is independent and unbiased, to give you a full and honest appraisal of the products. Brands don’t pay us to review their kit or have any say in how the review turns out. We’re all passionate ski experts and want to provide you with the best information available.
Always ensure you do adequate research when buying ski equipment to ensure you’re getting the best service and advice from the retailer, combined with a price that works for your budget. Don’t always assume that cheaper means better value.
Image credit
* Images courtesy of Dalbello
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