Dalbello Quantum Asolo Factory Ski Touring Boot 2020 – 2021 | Review
Why we chose the Dalbello Quantum Asolo Factory: Italian craftsmanship, high performance, ultralight
Last: 99 mm
Cuff Range: 65°
Forward Lean:
BSL: 305 mm (27.5)
Binding Compatibility: Tech (pin) bindings only
Weight (per boot): 950g
Price: £600
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Similar to how they go about making some of the finest performance cars out there, it’s fair to say that the Italians also know a thing or two about performance-focused ski boots. The Quantum Asolo Factory from Asolo-based Dalbello is a case in point on that front.
The Quantum Asolo Factory is Dalbello’s answer to the sub-1,000 gram ski mountaineering boot category, a category that looks to be getting more and more competitive with all the ‘big’ brands weighing in with their take. In our eyes though, the Quantum Asolo Factory could be one of the best executed sub-1,000 gram ski touring boots ever.
Dalbello Quantum Asolo Factory Build
Making use of Dalbello’s ‘Bonded Shell” construction, the lower of the Quantum Asolo Factory is made up of two shell halves that are fused together. This gives the boot a much thinner and, therefore, lighter shell as it reduces the amount of plastic typically required to create an all in one lower.
But it’s not all about stripping the weight of the shell, either. The Quantum Asolo Factory still upholds a decent level of performance (particularly when you consider their weight). This is thanks to carbon fibre being injected into the polyamide plastic to help boost stiffness, without the weight penalty
The lower can be adjusted through the ‘Quick Lacing System’ (QLS) – Dalbello’s own BOA-type system. It works just like a traditional BOA to tighten, and comes into its own when you want to loosen off the adjustment a little. Rather than a traditional BOA, where you have to unlock and start with the tightening all over again, the QLS lets you loosen off the dial in increments – letting you really tune the fit.
On the upper, Dalbello has chosen a pretty novel way of transitioning the boot from ski to walk mode. This is thanks to a bit of Dyneema that’s attached to a ski walk lever (similar to that of the Alien RS setup). Rather than wrapping around at the front, the cord joins to a camming device that can be adjusted to cater towards a range of calf widths, or fully loosened to go into walk mode.
The use of Dyneema combined with the carbon infused cuff gives a surprisingly progressive flex to the Asolo Factory (for a sub-1,000g boot). And while ski performance is upheld, so too is touring efficiency, with a whopping 65° of cuff rotation available – that’s certainly more than enough for anyone who isn’t double jointed in their ankles.
Finally, the inner is made from Dalbello’s fully customisable ‘ID’ liner that features Ultralon foam to help boost stiffness while keeping weight low. All of this results in a boot that has a 99 mm last, which isn’t too surprising – what with this being a Dalbello.
The Quantum Asolo Factory is an extremely capable touring boot, given that eye-wateringly low weight. Pair it with Backland 100 and Plum Summit 12, and you’ve got yourself a setup that’ll be the envy of the skin track. It also be able to hold its own through all but the worst conditions. We’re stoked to see more brands weigh in with their own touring-specific boots, Dalbello in particular.
What Is The Dalbello Quantum Asolo Factory Good At?
Touring: 9/10
Downhill Performance: 7/10
Comfort: 7/10
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