Tecnica Zero G Peak Carbon Boots

The Zero G Peak Carbon is Tecnica’s first true lightweight touring boot and it’s built from their fit-and-performance-first ethos. Made to be extremely light and efficient on the skin track, yet deliver the power and downhill performance you want. The boot’s carbon fibre cuff provides impressive strength and stiffness but still has the torsional resistance of a boot that is much heavier and bulky. The boot’s lower uses a carbon co-injected shell material in a design that Tecnica calls their ‘Power Frame Construction’ which uses a thinner shell without any loss of stiffness.

A single lever T-Hike mechanism on the boot’s spine offers up a 75-degree range of motion in walk mode with a built-in spring-loaded lock mechanism that ensures once the boot is in ski mode there is no chance of an accidental switch over to walk mode. The Zero G Peak Carbon’s strong yet progressive flex can deliver a high level of power transmission to the ski and in walk mode still provide unrestricted movement that is greater than the human ankle.

For a better out-of-the-box initial fit, Tecnica uses their tried and true C.A.S. Shell design which has an anatomical shape. If the fit needs some tweaking such as punching and grinding, this type of customization is possible—something that is not that common in most AT boots. Dimples built into the sides of the shell at strategic locations offer less surface tension and facilitate heating for easier customization. Once modified the CAS shell will retain its new shape over the long term.

Over the forefoot/midfoot of the Zero G Peak Carbon Boots, you’ll find a single lower buckle and Z-cable. This semi-overlap shell design is Tecnica’s Wrapping Shell Construction which increases overall comfort, significantly improves downhill performance, and also saves on weight.

Inside the Zero G Peak Carbon Boots, you’ll find Tecnica’s anatomically pre-shaped C.A.S. light liners that use a dual-density microcellular material in the heel area to provide heel retention and a superior fit right out of the box. Because these liners are made with Tecnica’s C.A.S. material they can easily be ground and thermo-moulded for a customized fit. On the rear of the liners you’ll find new flex zones that allow for easier hiking while the boots are in walk mode. The liners have a membrane which is waterproof and breathable so your feet will stay warm and dry. They also feature Recco reflector technology for added safety and an optional internal spoiler that will increase the Zero G Peak Carbon’s forward lean by 2°.

Under the Zero G Peak Carbon Boots Tecnica has used Vibram soles for exceptional grip, in addition to this you’ll find a bi-directional carbon fibre plate to increase overall torsional stability and improve power transmission to the ski. 

Cuff: Carbon Fiber, Power Frame Construction
Liner: LIGHT FIT - C.A.S. Light - Anatomical Pre-Shaped - Breathable Membrane - Recco®
Soles: Vibram with carbon reinforcements and Quick Step-In Low tech inserts

• Customization Liner: C.A.S. Light
• Customization Shell: C.A.S.
• Wrapping Shell Construction with carbon co-injected, gaiter, and Power Frame Construction
• 2 Light Aluminium, buckles with wrapping construction and hiking position
• Vecro Spoiler (+2°)
• Power Lock 40 mm light closure strap 
• Free Move hinge points 
• Carbon Reinforced Sole
• Forward Lean of 13° (+ 2° with spoiler)
• Ramp Angle of 3°

Having previously reviewed Tecnica’s Zero G Tour Pro Boots and Zero G Guide Pro Boots I am really happy to see them enter into the super lightweight sub-1-kilo boot category with these new Zero G Peak Carbon Boots. For testing, I skied them with my beloved Blizzard Zero G 105 Skis which makes for the ultimate lightweight ski touring kit. With minimal boot fitting to help take up some extra volume under my arches I found the out-of-box fit fairly impressive. The heel pocket is well defined with plenty of volume up front for my toes and good forefoot retention thanks to the Wrapping Shell Construction. Overall the Zero G Peak Carbon Boots were comfortable and warm and provided plenty of support given their weight. Most 99mm last boots I find to be too tight along the outside and my feet are pinched which means some punching of the shell is needed, but not with the Zero G Peak Carbons.

The design and construction of the Zero G Peak Carbon shells are why they can provide so much torsional rigidity, all that carbon on the upper cuff is super stiff and yet Tecnica can build in a nice progressive forward flex. A lot of sub 1,000g AT boots tend to be more on the soft-n-squishy side of things but Tecnica got things right with the Zero G Peak Carbon Boots. It is, however, still good to pair them with a lighter ski as it’s a lot to ask of any super lightweight boot to be able to drive a fat ski in technical terrain.

These boots were made for proficient uphill travel and skiing in consistent snow and that’s exactly what they do best—they are dedicated touring boots only. At 105 underfoot, the Blizzard Zero G 105 Skis were an ideal pairing for the Zero G Peak Carbon Boots, anything fatter and heavier would have been more of a challenge in less-than-ideal snow conditions. When confronted with really firm and variable snow conditions the Zero G Peak Carbon Boots can be a little underpowered but you have to remember this is not what they are designed for. 

While Tecnica does not state the flex rating of the  Zero G Peak Carbon Boots, I would have to guess that it would be in the 100 range. I’m basing this on my experience with the Scarpa F1 LT Boots as the Zero G Peak Carbon Boots would be slightly softer but also more progressive in their flex. This helps ensures that the Zero G Peak Carbon Boots are more predictable throughout the complete arc of the ski’s turn. I also found the Zero G Peak Carbon Boots narrower in the heel and wider in the forefoot than Scarpa's F1 LT Boots which is good news for those with wider feet.

I found the single lower buckle with Z-cable over the fore and midfoot to provide great holding power, much more than the BOA system on the Scarpa F1 LT and Dynafit TLT X Boots. Although Scarpa just released their new  F1 GT Boots with a similar cable closure system, Tecnica’s solution is much lighter overall. I did, however, find that the lack of buckle adjustability was of concern as I wanted more tensioning power but without the ability to move the forefoot buckle, I had to make do with what was provided on the last ladder of the buckle. I also question the buckle lever’s placement so far down on the side of the Zero G Peak Carbon Boots. It seems like it will come into contact with the odd rock if you ever do any peak bagging or post-holing. 

All the buckles found on the Zero G Peak Carbon Boots including the walk/ski mode are much smaller and more delicate than those found on the average lightweight touring boot, which saves considerable weight but also makes me question their long term durability. If you are familiar with the Atomic Backland Carbon Boots then you will know what I mean when I say that Tecnica has squeezed every single viable gram out of the hardware on these Peak Carbon Boots.

While I am not a fan of the spring placement of the ski/walk mechanism, it does work effectively. Having it off to the side instead of down the middle of the lever like on the F1 LTs is likely due to the reduced lever size and the fact that there was just not enough space to hide it behind the lever. While this placement has no bearing on the ski/walk mechanism’s function, I’m just not a fan of the visual and prefer it out of sight.

The single upper buckle (which is the same buckle found on the lower) is simple to use, minimal in design and feels fairly solid and reliable. Pairing this with a minimal power strap and camming buckle with a quick-release hook provides a secure fit that is much simpler to use than a traditional velcro power strap that wears out over time and requires multiple tries to get just the right amount of tension. 

Overall Tecnica worked its magic to make the Zero G Peak Carbon Boots impressively light and yet still as comfortable and stiff as they are. These are truly lightweight touring machines that will impress anyone looking for a dedicated AT boot to rack up the vertical.