Ski touring boots · Test magazine 2024
Tech talk with Christopher Bingmann, LANGE
Marketing Manager, Rossignol Group Germany · Print page 91
Who is Christopher Bingmann? Marketing Manager Rossignol Groupe GER on LANGE
Christopher Bingmann is Marketing Manager Rossignol Groupe GER and has led Rossignol’s event and marketing activities in Germany since 2014. He skis on piste and is a keen ski tourer and freerider. In BACKLINE’s 2024 test magazine, he discusses the development of LANGE ski touring boots and their positioning between uphill capability and downhill performance.
Bingmann describes a clear priority: from the first XT-FREE models, LANGE aimed to make freeride boots suitable for touring rather than compete with lightweight touring specialists. Lighter materials, pin inserts and a Walk&Ride function offering up to 51 degrees of movement are key developments. He identifies the XT 130 Freetour as an important model. For individual fit, he highlights different last widths and more than 50 liners with material-dependent customisation options.
Bingmann assesses the touring market through the pandemic boom and declining sales after lifts reopened. According to him, the LANGE XT Tour, featuring a classic Vibram sole, moves closer to dedicated touring boots. He also explains Rossignol Groupe’s Respect programme, launched in 2020: it covers all group brands and promotes sustainable materials as a key approach to protecting the mountains.
How has the development of ski touring boots at Lange changed over the years? Which objectives and innovations have had the greatest impact on product development?
At Lange, it has always been important to clearly position ourselves in the touring market. For ascent-oriented ski tourers, there are lightweight touring boots, while for descent-oriented riders, models focusing on downhill performance are offered. Since the first XT-FREE models, Lange did not want to compete with specialists in lightweight touring boots but aimed to make Freeride boots suitable for touring and offer options to long-time Lange fans. To achieve this, lighter materials and PIN inserts were integrated into the boots. The Walk&Ride function allows up to 51 degrees of freedom of movement. This is how Lange entered the touring market starting in winter 2017/18. Most important boot: XT 130 Freetour.
What customization options do Lange ski boots offer to accommodate different foot shapes and individual preferences?
Lange is one of the very first ski boot brands to champion last widths, thereby offering a suitable home for feet of different widths. At Lange, power and performance go hand in hand. With 60 years of expertise, Lange now has over 50 different liners, which offer various customization possibilities depending on the materials used.
What specific trends and developments does Lange currently observe in the ski touring boot segment that are considered future-oriented?
The touring market has experienced strong fluctuations over the past 10 years. During the era of frame bindings, ski touring was mainly reserved for extreme athletes. With the introduction of pin bindings and lightweight touring boots, the market gained momentum. The COVID-19 pandemic brought the big boom: while the alpine ski market stood still, the mountains remained accessible, and touring skis became scarce. Sports stores were sold out, and parking lots at ski resorts filled up. However, after lifts resumed operation, sales figures declined, as many already owned their equipment or returned to alpine skiing. For Lange, however, it remains important to offer suitable boots for ski tourers. With the Lange XT Tour, the brand launched its first boot with a classic Vibram sole, which is even more oriented towards pure touring boots.
Is it possible to test Lange ski boots before or during the upcoming winter season before purchasing?
End customers have the opportunity to test Lange brand products through retailers. Our retail partners often attend testing events with their customers, where we provide equipment (skis & boots) so that the products can be tried out.
What is the significance of sustainable materials in the Lange collection?
Protecting the mountains and preserving our playground for future generations. As a leading ski sports company, the Rossignol Group, which includes Lange, is heavily dependent on the natural elements, which are changing due to climate change. Climate directly influences our sport. In this concerning context, we see it as our duty to lead by example and credibly drive change. Since our activities impact the environment, we launched the Respect program in 2020 to formalize our social and environmental commitments. This program covers all brands within the group and promotes the use of sustainable materials as one of the central drivers for mountain protection.
