REASONS TO BUY
Skis very well
"one move" transition (of sorts)
Wide fit
REASONS TO AVOID
"One move" transition doesn't fully open up
Wide fit
Dynafit Radical Pro Review
High volume ski boots optimized for downhill use with some convenience aspects included
Credit: Dynafit
RELATED: Best Backcountry Ski Boots of 2024
Our Verdict
The Radical Pro is Dynafit's latest “flagship” downhill oriented touring ski boot. We really wanted to love this boot. And some of us did. If your feet are high volume (and you don't want to do extensive modifications to narrower boots) the Radical will likely fit you just right. Otherwise, narrow and average feet will swim around in them in a way that isn't really resolvable. If they fit, the performance is good enough. They go downhill very well and tour adequately. The clever “Hoji Lock” mechanism comes to the Radical from previous Dynafit boots. We have commented extensively on the Hoji Lock and will say the same things about it here. It does what it is made to do, but it isn't made to do quite enough to be awesome.
Editor's Note: We tested the Radical Pro through the entirety of the 2021-22 ski season on a variety of terrain, surfaces, and skis. Our test team used them over a span of four months and about 20 big days of ski touring.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Dynafit Radical Pro | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Lightweight Backcountry Ski Boot | Best All-Around Backcountry Ski Boot |  Best Bang for the Buck | ||
| Price | $479.97 at Amazon Compare at 4 sellers | $949.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $899.95 at REI Compare at 4 sellers | $949.00 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $699 List $699.00 at Backcountry |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Downhill-oriented touring boots with a clever, half-baked transition system and a wide fit | For all-around skiing with a light and fast preference, this is a great choice | This is an excellent ski boot that quietly entered the market and crushes the competition | Well-balanced AT ski boot performance at a reasonable price point and with a fit that favors comfort and accommodates average to high volume feet | This is a contender for our highest award. It is slightly edged out in the scoring, but should definitely be on the short list with the flagship boots from the other more prominent manufacturers |
| Rating Categories | Dynafit Radical Pro | Scarpa F1 LT | Tecnica Zero G Tour... | Scarpa Maestrale RS | La Sportiva Vega |
| Downhill Performance (35%) | |||||
| Uphill Performance (20%) | |||||
| Weight (20%) | |||||
| Comfort and Fit (10%) | |||||
| Warmth (10%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (5%) | |||||
| Specs | Dynafit Radical Pro | Scarpa F1 LT | Tecnica Zero G Tour... | Scarpa Maestrale RS | La Sportiva Vega |
| Weight per Pair (Size 26.5) | 6 lbs 13 oz | 4 lbs 7 oz | 5 lbs 13 oz | 6 lbs 5 oz | 6 lbs 8 oz |
| Weight of One Boot Shell | 1253 g | 0809 g | 1119 g | 1180 g | 1220 g |
| Weight of One Stock Liner, No Footbed | 292 g | 214 g | 204 g | 252 g | 253 g |
| Weight of One Complete Boot, No Insole | 1545 g | 1023 g | 1323 g | 1432 g | 1473 g |
| Range of Motion (degrees) | 60° | 72° | 55° | 60° | 60° |
| Binding Compatibility? | Tech, MNC | Tech only | Tech and DIN AT | Tech and DIN AT | Tech and DIN AT |
| Stated Flex Index | 120 | 95 | 130 | 125 | 115 |
| Manufacturer Stated Last Width | 103.5mm | 102 mm | 99 mm | 101 mm | 102.5mm |
| Liner Design | Tongue | Tongue | Wrap | Tongue | Tongue |
| Shell material | Grilamid | Grilamid, Carbon core | Grilamid | Carbon Grilamid | Grilamid |
Show full specification details ▼Hide full specification details ▲
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Dynafit Radical Pro is a high volume touring boot that leans in the downhill direction and features the innovative (but not yet fully mature) Hoji Lock one-move transition configuration. As compared to other Dynafit boots with the Hoji Lock the Radical Pro works with all crampons and splits the difference of downhill ski ability. It lands in a versatile, ski-oriented position on the ski support continuum.
Performance Comparison
Dynafit Radical Pro descending Denali after an amazing and successful summit ski descent.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Downhill Performance
They go great downhill. The Hoji Lock cuff works to lock things securely in place yet still provide a sort of progressive forward flex. In fact, the forward flex is more progressive than lots of the boots in our test. We like that. In absolute terms the flex is pretty darn stiff too. Dynafit claims a flex level of 120. This seems about spot on. This is also just about perfect for most skiers in most backcountry situations.
Rear profile of the Dynafit Radical Pro. The big lever is the actionable portion of the Hoji Lock.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Uphill Performance
There is a wide range of theoretical range of motion in the Dynafit Radical Pro. We confirm the manufacturer claim of 60 degrees of range of motion. Within that range of motion, though, even after an understandable and ubiquitous break in period, there is more friction than we like to contend with on boots in this class. Range of motion is great, but if you can't flex it easily through that range in tour mode, is it all that useful? There are essentially two different “modes” that the Radical can tour in. First is, as designed, with the Hoji Lock in tour mode. In this mode you can make one lever flip and go between tour mode and ski mode. When set up for this the friction is very high and the range of motion reduced. If you pull up your pants cuffs and fully undo the buckles you get to use more of the range of motion and reduce the friction. Even fully opened up, the friction is greater than in other boots in this approximate class. Other boots ski similarly but tour better. Of course, many boots also tour more poorly, but those are getting fewer and fewer and fading further into the past.
Weight
The Dynafit Radical Pro weighs 1545 grams per boot. That is 3090 grams for the pair, or 6 lbs 13 ounces. That's at the heavy end of what we'd recommend for all-around human powered skiing. You can get versatile, high-powered ski performance down closer to 6 pounds even. You can get near-resort level of performance over 7.5 pounds. Of the 1545 grams for a single boot, the liner is 292 grams and the shell is 1253. That is a relatively lightweight liner. It is distinctly possible that you will add an even heavier liner in your boot fitting process. These aren't light boots.
1250 Grams for a boot shell is on the relatively heavy side in recent years. You can get nearly this level of downhill performance in lighter boots.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Comfort and Fit
Dynafit's Radical Pro is relatively high volume in fit. If your feet are wide, this is a prime choice for minimizing aftermarket boot work. If your feet are average in width, these would be very roomy, warm, and comfortable but downhill performance will suffer no matter what sort of work you have done to them. Truly narrow feet need not apply. As compared to previous boots with the Hoji Lock, the Radical Pro fits slightly closer and certainly feels more contoured and sophisticated in the last shape. This is good. Essentially, everyone thought it fit better than its predecessors.
The Dynafit Radical Pro is a relatively sturdy, downhill oriented ski boot for human powered touring.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Warmth
The Dynafit Radical Pro is perfectly average in warmth. There is really nothing special about it. That is a good thing. They'll keep you warm when you need it but not guarantee prevention of cold feet. Pay attention, but don't worry too much.
Ease of Use
Easy-to-use ski touring boots have wide crampon compatibility, simply entry and exit, smooth transitions, and soles that grip on rock and snow when you aren't on your skis. These are, by that definition, easy to use boots. Let us expand on the transitions. The cuff is built to make one move switches between ski and tour mode. If the range of motion and friction in one-move tour mode is adequate for you, you are lucky and can reap all the many benefits of this streamlined transition. If, though, like all of our testers and most accomplished ski tourers, you want more cuff range of motion than the initial lever flip allows you will have to completely undo the straps and buckles. This process isn't that much different than more traditional ski boots, but it is slightly more fiddly. You'll get used to whatever system you work out, but just realize that the advertised “one move” transitions aren't the final answer for many.
Transitions in the Radical have the potential to be very fast. If you can tolerate the compromised tour mode, that is the case. If you want max freedom of motion you will need to take more steps.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Should you buy the Dynafit Radical Pro?
If your feet are wide and you want all purpose ski touring boots that are slightly optimized for downhill performance, the Radical Pro could be just right for you. Try them on first and watch for high volume and the actual effectiveness of the tour mode.
This was a minor concern we nearly forgot about. The rubber sole of our tester pair of Radical Pro boots protruded past the metal fitting in such a way that it interfered with some binding types. A knife fixed this problem with no perceived cost.
Credit: Jediah Porter
What Other Backcountry Ski Boots Should You Consider?
If you like the performance attributes of the Radical Pro but want something closer fitting for narrower feet, check out the Scarpa Maestrale XT. If you want lighter, more nimble ski boots, any one of the central triad of highly recommended boots should be on your radar. This triad is Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro, Scarpa Maestrale RS, and La Sportiva Vega.
—
Jediah Porter
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