Odds are that if you’re a decent telemark skier, you will love Scarpa’s TX-Pro (2017). The reasons are simple, and with a little investigation and analysis, obvious. The TX-Pro simply nails the peak of the bell curve of what the majority of tele skiers want: a boot that is big enough to deliver plenty of power, but isn’t excessively stiff AND, best of all, has the ability to fit a wide range of foot sizes and shapes thanks to Scarpa’s trademark instep buckle.
Men’s and Women’s TX-Pro
If you don’t like the TX-Pro it is because you’re on the edges of the bell curve, not the middle. This could be with respect to whether you want a stiff or soft boot, or more practically, the shape of your foot. If you want extra stiff, TX-Pro simply isn’t; nor is it soft.
Downhill Chops
It IS powerful enough to drive fat skis and hold an edge well, even when the snow is firm. To put some boundaries on that, say up to 105-110mm at the waist. YMMV. Yet the TX-Pro isn’t so stiff that it will overdrive the tips of your skis if you’re ripping pow or slashing crud. For the majority of skiers, it has a good balance between the flex of the bellows, which is on the soft side compared to Crispi, and cuff flex through the ankle. Those who are migrating from a T1 are likely to think the bellows is too soft, but you’re thinking in duckbill terms. The flex you feel is still a combination of the boot and binding, but the mechanics are different without the duckbill. The main difference is that the binding can have a stronger influence on the tele sensation, whereas with 75mm the flex of the bellows dominates.
Tour Mode
In tour mode the Pro has average cuff mobility. If you’re going up a decent incline on the skin track you’ll barely notice the limit on the back of your calf. On the flats, you’ll feel it. It may not be state of the art in the world of touring mobility, but stop whining about it already, it’s not that bad.
With 15° rear mobility TX-Pro doesn’t set any records, but it’s better than nada.
Fit
In terms of fit the last is rated at 102mm, which is plenty of width for most feet. Those with narrow feet might even argue it yields a sloppy fit, but that’s based on boots without an instep buckle. The genius of Scarpa’s design is the instep buckle that pulls your heel back into the pocket to give it a solid connection to sole of the boot at its foundation. Combined with a customizable Intuition liner the Scarpa last is legendary for allowing a wide range of feet to fit comfortably and with solid performance, from low to above average volume, in uphill and downhill modes. Those with high volume feet, not only wide but high at the instep as well, you still might get a good fit, but you’ll likely need the help of an savvy bootfitter telemark experience.
Bottom line
It’s a great boot for a full day at the resort in every condition imaginable. For the few who disagree, either you want something stiffer or you’re outside the curve and, for the time being, out of luck. For the rest, step in, buckle up, and prepare to smile.
Scarpa
TX-Pro
MSRP: $700
Weight/boot: (mondo 27.0) 3 lbs., 13 oz. (1750g) ⢠(mondo 25.0) 3 lbs., 8 oz. (1585g)
Size Range: 24.5 – 30.0 (M), 22.5 – 27.0 (W)
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Review: Scarpa TX-Pro (2013)
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