Ski touring boots · Test magazine 2025
Tech talk with Stefan Baumgartner, SALOMON
Sports Marketing Manager Wintersports AUT & GER · Print page 89
Who is Stefan Baumgartner? Sports Marketing Manager Wintersports at Salomon
Stefan Baumgartner is Sports Marketing Manager Wintersports for Austria and Germany at Salomon. A state-certified ski instructor and ski guide, he combines his professional role with a passion for powder and ski mountaineering. He spends time both on the slopes and in the backcountry; his ski travel destinations include Alaska, Japan, Iceland and Norway.
In his interview for the BACKLINE 2025 test magazine, Baumgartner explains Salomon’s approach to ski touring boots: fit, low weight and uphill mobility should combine with stable downhill performance. He identifies closure systems such as BOA and the combination of materials and structural solutions as important development areas. According to Baumgartner, athlete feedback is particularly important for high-end products. He distinguishes between athlete-tested products and those developed jointly with athletes. As an example, he cites Cody Townsend, who was working with French product developers on a new freeride touring boot at the time of the interview.
For longer, more alpine tours, Baumgartner uses the S/Lab MTN Summit; for freeride touring, he chooses the Shift Alpha Boa 130. If limited to one boot, he would select the Shift Alpha Boa 130 for its downhill characteristics. He sees innovation potential in narrowing the gap between dedicated touring boots and freeride touring models.
What philosophy currently characterizes Salomon's ski touring line, especially its ski boots?
Salomon's general goal is to combine progressive design with unbeatable performance. Especially in the ski boot sector, the constant aim is to offer consumers a unique mountain experience with a perfect fit and sophisticated innovations. This applies whether ascending, skiing powder, or making high-performance turns on the piste.
What technological innovations is Salomon currently implementing to bridge the gap between easy ascent and stable downhill performance?
Currently, much revolves around closure systems. BOA is on everyone's lips, whether in the touring model S/Lab MTN Summit, the freeride model Shift Alpha Boa, or the new on-piste boot S/Pro Supra Dual Boa. To continuously develop the balance of weight and performance, for example, in the Shift Alpha/Supra Boa, we relentlessly strive to combine lightweight and stable materials like polyurethane with innovative solutions such as the “Freespine” or the Twin Look System (55 degrees range of motion). This ensures precision and reactivity during descents, while also making the boot lighter and more agile for ascents.
What role do athletes play in the development of new ski touring boots at Salomon?
Athletes play a crucial role, especially for high-end products across various categories. Whether in skis, ski boots, bindings, helmets, or goggles, feedback and input from the best always help product development elevate the sport to the next level. Here, two different areas must be distinguished: 'Athletes tested products' and 'Athletes designed products.' 'Athletes tested products' are products that are tested by athletes but not necessarily designed by them. Salomon develops a product, and throughout the development process, athlete feedback is incorporated to influence design and technology changes. 'Athletes designed products' are developed in close collaboration with athletes and are often even initiated by them. Here, athletes are involved in the development process from the very beginning, contributing their experiences and ideas. Cody Townsend is deeply integrated into this product development in the Free and Touring segments at Salomon. He is currently developing a new Free Touring boot with our French product developers. Prototype testing and constant feedback are thus daily occurrences to develop the best possible product for athletes and consumers.
How many ski touring boots do you own, and which model would you choose if you could only have one ski touring boot?
I'm in the backcountry year-round with two pairs of boots. The S/Lab MTN Summit for longer and more alpine adventures, combined with the QST Echo 106 ski and the MTN Tour binding, is an unbeatable combination. When I'm more on freetouring missions, it's definitely the Shift Alpha Boa 130; with that, I know exactly that I can choose my line however I want, without having to compromise. If I had to choose just one boot, it would be the Shift Alpha Boa 130. Plan a little more time for the ascent, but maximum fun on the descent.
Where does Salomon see the biggest innovation opportunities in the ski boot touring sector?
The topic of weight and performance will continue to be dominant in the future. How can we best close the gap between a pure touring boot and a freetourer? We have several innovations in the pipeline to elevate the touring boot segment with a new model. Stay Tuned.
