Ski touring boots · Test magazine 2023
Tech talk with Jason Roe, Atomic
Business Unit Director Skiboots · Print page 101
Who is Jason Roe? Business Unit Director Skiboots at Atomic
Jason Roe is Business Unit Director Skiboots at Atomic. At the time of his BACKLINE interview for the 2023 test magazine, he had been responsible for developing alpine and touring ski boots for 14 years. He lives in Pongau near Salzburg, right by a ski area, and spends more than 60 days per season ski touring and as many again on the slopes.
In the interview, Roe identifies improving both uphill and downhill performance as a development priority for the Backland and Hawx product families. Power transmission and comfort are key focuses for the Backland XTD. For Hawx XTD, he highlights additional last widths and versions with the Boa system. Low weight, good skiing performance and individual customisation remain central themes. He cites Memory Fit and Mimic Professional as examples of fitting technologies. Life cycle assessments of previous models are intended to help reduce material- and manufacturing-related CO₂ emissions in new models; efficient recycling systems are another development priority.
Before buying, Roe recommends clarifying intended use and foot shape, and considering individual fitting and a suitable footbed. For care, he advises removing and drying liners, checking components regularly and storing boots in a dry place away from light with buckles closed. Replaceable components can extend their useful life.
In the touring ski boot sector, there have been many new developments and innovations in recent years. Do you see this trend continuing in the coming years?
Consumer and skier expectations and standards remain high, and regular technical improvements are almost expected. We, and certainly other manufacturers, will face this challenge. Only those with high demands on their own products will meet these expectations. This applies to both quality and technical innovations.
What priorities is Atomic currently setting in the development of new touring ski boot models?
We have clear objectives regarding the further development of our well-established Backland and Hawx product families. The focus here remains on simultaneously improving uphill and downhill performance. Atomic aims to satisfy skiers who push their boots to the maximum. High quality and further optimization in terms of power transmission and comfort, such as with the new Backland XTD, are key. In the freeride sector, our Hawx XTD boots, with additional last widths (Ultra, Prime, and Magna in 2024), the very popular fit, and variants with the comfortable Boa system, represent the latest developments. The Hawx series must continue to meet the demand for the best 'handshake' between liner and shell. Furthermore, in all new developments, we implement the principle of reducing the product-related CO2 footprint. This means we use Life Cycle Assessments of previous models to reduce material or manufacturing-related emissions in new developments.
What developments and innovations do you expect in the touring ski boot sector in the coming years?
The ski touring segment remains an important pillar in our product range. We will continue to work hard to push and redefine the boundaries of product characteristics. In the future, this will continue to involve combining the best possible skiing characteristics with low weight and corresponding uphill performance. In doing so, we systematically learn from our already successful products. But improving sustainability with efficient recycling systems is also something we are working on intensively. We are trying to bring the entire industry along and lead by example. Finally, sensible systems for individual boot fitting are also a continuous development branch. Technologies like Memory Fit (thermal customization of liner and shell) and Mimic Professional (advanced liner foam) exemplify the future direction.
What should one personally consider before buying a touring ski boot?
Once you have defined the terrain or your preferred style of ski touring (freeride, all-round, or ascent-oriented), you should focus on your feet. The more you know about your foot shape, or learn through a specialist dealer's assessment, the better you can choose suitable ski boots. Finally, you should always consider the possibility of individual customization. At least an insole as a custom footbed should be considered.
What care should be given to touring ski boots?
You should always dry your liners and remove them from the boot shell. Regular inspection of all parts of the boot also prevents damage or loose screws from becoming a problem. When storing ski boots, it is advisable to choose a dry and light-protected place. Make sure to keep the buckles closed so that the shell and cuff retain their intended shape. Lastly, for heavily used ski boots, refurbishment can be considered. The longer the boot is used, the more sustainable it is. Many skiers do not know that more than 70% of a ski boot's components can be replaced. Atomic offers these components for dealers and end-users. Even a new liner can do a lot to extend the life of a beloved touring boot by a few seasons.
