A Hardboot Boot Review for Splitboarding: We Have Options

Tom Chingas testing the limits of Tyvek tape gaiters in Hatcher Pass, AK. Yes, Tyvek tape. It plays a part in this review.

Is this the Golden Age of hardboot options for splitboarding? Does is even matter? For those willing among us, there are some excellent hardboots worth a try.  

When I was initially piecing together my first hardboot setup in 2017, boots were a big question mark. Back then, Phantom Snow Industries had a guide discussing what boots they tested for hardboot splitboarding on their website. The boots they recommended are the discontinued Dynafit TLT6, the discontinued Arcteryx Procline, and the Atomic Backland series of boots. I scoured the internet looking for reviews on these boots from skiers and hopefully a splitboarder, but the information was hard to come by back then. 

What ended up being the deciding factor for me was finding a pair of appropriately sized TLT6s for $150 at a used gear store. 

Dynafit TLT6s circa 2019 in the Swedish colorway. Paradise Valley, MT.

Another component of hard booting back in the 2010s was DIY boot modifications. Each pair of boots needed some tweaks to make them more splitboard friendly. That meant drilling out the forward lean bracket on a TLT6 (stressful) or replacing the ski walk mode on the Atomic boot with one of Phantom’s link levers (less stressful).

For those unfamiliar with the Link Lever, it is a snowboard/walk mode lever for these specialized boots allowing for forward flex, like a soft boot would do. They come in three stiffnesses, each generally recommended for a rider’s weight. Until the introduction of shelf-ready hardboots, these levers were the easiest option for hardbooters to modify their boots.

Phantom Link Levers. Photo: Phantom

Link Lever springs from Blue (the softest) to green, the stiffest. Springs run $8.95/pair. Photo: Phantom

A note before diving into the boots—it’s super helpful to find a shop with some of these boot options or a used gear store where you can try on a lot of different boots to find what fits your foot. Being a first-time ski boot buyer is odd for a snowboarder; there is a new sizing to understand, plus a rigid, unforgiving plastic shell. Understanding how a boot can be modified to help fit your foot can go a long way. Ask for help, get a boot fitter’s opinion. I did none of those things and spent more money than if I had just chatted with a boot fitter initially. My foot paid the price and is now a different shape than when I started this hardboot life.

It’s 2025, and we have options. It’s the best time it’s to be a hardboot splitboarder. This article is supposed to be a guide for boots on the market today. Below is a combo of the boots I’ve ridden, reports on available boots other riders have used, and impressions of boots that fill this niche. This guide is not an end-all-be-all list of the boots that work. Any ski boot with pin binding capabilities could potentially work for a hardboot splitboard setup.

Atomic Backland Ultimate. Photo: Atomic

Phantom Slipper AKA Atomic Backland Ultimate

The Phantom Slipper was a modified Atomic Backland Ultimate to make it more snowboard friendly (it has since been discontinued, but the Backland Ultimate is still available). The traditional forefoot buckle was moved back to the cuff pivot point to allow for a more open-toe box reminiscent of a snowboard boot. Plus, it touts some of the best moldability on the market. There was no power strap or ski/walk lever, but it did sport a Phantom Link Lever. Consider this the original hardboot off-the-shelf splitboard-specific boot.

Overall, they do the job for uphill performance and side-hilling. These boots can feel flimsy when it’s icy, and they can break. I have never had a complete boot failure, but I’ve broken at least three moved/modified forefoot straps. I realized I banged my ankles together while touring, causing wear and fatigue (to failure) at the metal attachment point. The attachment was on the farthest point possible on the boots (which was also part of the problem). To problem solve, I moved the buckle back to where it would be positioned on the Backland Ultimate. Post buckle adjustment, the breaking ceased.

I also worked the pivot point hole on the carbon cuff. Ultimately, the upper cuff would shift due to the small amount of play. I think the additional torsion from the lateral flex needs of snowboarding wore these down faster than a skier would. But, as they say, that’s business.

A common issue with the buckle being on the cuff pivot point: metal fatigue and breakage.

I would be remiss if I did not mention the gaiter on the Ultimates. With these boots, it was not whether the gaiters would rip but when. Everyone I’ve talked to with the slippers has had at least some failure of the Atomic gaiters on these boots. My buddy Tom brought an entire roll of Tyvek tape on a hut trip to Hatcher Pass to fix his homemade Tyvek replacement gaiters, which did not completely fail despite our running bet on the trip. Another point to mention is that the gaiter stopped at the top of the forefoot. This 2″ x 2″ void before the upper cuff buckle allows the liner to get soaked in deep-powder conditions, but overall, it is a minor issue. Despite all this, the boots are really light, with the Atomic Ultimate coming in at around 800g and the Phantom Slipper 1000g.

A DIY modified original slipper. Note the forefoot strap is not on the cuff pivot, but moved back to its original location.

Phantom Slipper HD or Atomic Backland Ultimate +

Before Phantom stopped producing boots, they created the Slipper HD. This boot most resembles the Ultimate with a 2019 Backland-era removable stiffening tongue, with all the aforementioned modifications that make the ski boot feel more like a snowboard boot. The HD has an improved gaiter, which extended much higher on the boot, eliminating snow infiltration on deep days, and it seemed to hold up alright from all accounts. Along with the original slipper, this boot is not in production anymore but is still available new on the Internet. You might also be able to pick up a pair at a used gear store for a good price. Before these boots came into production, I modified a pair of Slippers (Ultimates) to resemble this model. I drilled holes in the boots, added a stiffener tongue receiver (thanks, Skimo.co), and bought stiffening tongues. The result was a janky but fully functional DIY Slipper HD.

The Atomic Backland Pro with Z-buckle and improved gaiter.

Atomic Backland Pro

My buddy Zach Higley recommended these to me. We chat every so often about the gear situation in splitboarding, what we’ve seen, what we like that’s new and exciting, and what he has broken most recently. He found a pair of Backland Pros for $300, and I found a pair on eBay for $250. The shell is beefier, the cuff is beefier—the whole boot feels more robust, weighing in at 1170g for a 26.5. The cuff is plastic, not carbon, which provides a feel I like. I have been on these boots since the beginning of the 24/25 season and have about twenty days on snow, including some steep, firm turns on a Turnagain classic, and I was very impressed. After riding the Ultimates for so long, it’s nice to have more support riding downhill and split skiing. Uphilling on icy surfaces will feel substantially better than the Ultimate, and has given me more confidence. I think the Z buckle on the forefoot is to thank for that; I’ve been very impressed with this buckle style. Higley finds these boots too soft for his liking, and is contemplating Frankensteining a carbon cuff under the plastic cuff of the pro to add stiffness to the boot. Perhaps an update on that later.

Atomic Backland Carbon. Photo: Atomic

Atomic Backland Carbon

There is also the Backland Carbon, which, as far as I can tell, is identical to the Atomic Backland Pro but with a carbon cuff. If you need more stiffness in your boots. The Carbon is a few grams lighter (1162g, just 8 grams lighter) and a few dollars more as one would expect, but it does look like a great option.

Atomic Backland Expert. Photo: Atomic

Atomic Backland Expert

This boot, too, is identical to the Backland Pro, but instead of a carbon-infused shell, it has a fiberglass-infused shell. These boots have the new Atomic gaiter and an excellent range of motion. They’re also very comparable in weight to the Pro, weighing only a few grams heavier at 1209g. I am interested in trying a pair of these to see how they compare to the Backland Pro. The progressive flex of the fiberglass infusion sounds intriguing compared to the stiffer carbon-infused boots mentioned above. That could provide an excellent feel on toe-side turns.

Atomic XTD 120. Photo: Atomic

Atomic Backland XTD

This boot has been the subject of several conversations but has yet to be tested in a splitboard scenario by my circle of splitboarders. This boot, in the 120 flex, was reviewed by Gavin here on The High Route. A Link Lever will fit on these Atomic boots and could provide a very stable, stiff option for people who break gear frequently or are constantly finding ski boots too soft for their snowboarding (you hear that Higley?). I own a pair of these for two plank skiing purposes and might have to try them one of these days. There are carbon-loaded and plastic models of the XTD series; they come in various stiffness and weights. This model would be the heaviest of all the options mentioned, coming in from 1369-1419g, depending on the model.

The Dalbello Quantum with a Link Lever mod.

Dabello Quantuum

Confirmed, these boots plug and play with the Link Lever with no modifications. Zach’s partner Jeni owns these boots and is a fan. Knowing there are options for people with different foot shapes is great. The specs appear to have an excellent range of motion and resemble the Backland boot line. The Quantum line has many models spanning a range of weights and stiffnesses, giving us many choices. As they say, if you can get them at a good price and it fits your foot, party on Wayne.

Scarpa F1 GT—allegedly Link Lever compatible. Photo: Scarpa

Scarpa F1 GT

A photo surfaced in a Scarpa promotional email that depicted a rider using Scarpa F1 GT boots with Link Levers. Bryce Barnes is the man in the photo, and he claims that installing the Link Lever on the F1s is straightforward. This is intriguing as the Scarpa boots seem pretty durable and fit my feet nicely. I have no experience with this process yet, but if I find a reasonably priced pair, I’ll try it. Plus, the F1 series, like the Backland series, has a bunch of options, from the stiffer F1 XT to the relatively softer F1 GT.

Key Equipment Disruptive split-board boot. Photo: Key Equipment

Key Equipment

A new player on the scene, Key Equipment, is in their second season making splitboard-specific boots. Since Phantom halted production on their split-specific boot, this is the only hardboot split-specific boot on the market. I have not ridden these but I like the claims from Key Equipment’s website: 

• Low-friction cuff pivots provide nearly frictionless cuff rotation, increasing efficiency on big days.
• Lateral stiffness helps keep pressure on the edges while skinning, helping with traction while side-hilling.
• Damp and progressive flex provides excellent downhill mannerisms.
• Tool-free forward lean quick adjustment lets you adapt to the terrain as needed.
• Replacement tongues and parts mean these boots will be with you for a long time.
• The top part of the cuff is softer to reduce calf bite, increasing comfort on big days out.
• Palau liner provides a custom fit.
• 100% made in France.

I’m curious to try these to see how they stack up. They are similar in weight to the Atomic Backland XTD (1370g), and maybe with a little more range of motion. Their ride/walk mechanism seems intriguing as it mimics the way a high back performs on a standard snowboard binding. Imaginably, this would make low-angle terrain more fun in these boots. 

A Note on Modifications

With all things, tinkering around with them can help make your experience better. Perhaps you have a boot that fits your foot wonderfully, but it doesn’t take a Link Lever; you can drill new holes and install one. Your boots aren’t stiff enough? Add a power strap. Still not stiff enough? Glue carbon on the inside of your cuff (not recommended). Going on a traverse? Consider putting the original ski/walk lever on if you’ll split ski a lot.

Modifications have been at the heart of hardbooting for touring purposes since at least the early 2010s. Yet, despite being able to buy a boot that can splitboard well with tech toes off the shelf, modifying a pair can be satisfying to precisely dial in what you want. That said, I’d bet some reader is riding a pair of boots not mentioned here and having so much fun. Touring is all about trade-offs. We make sacrifices to improve other areas of our riding or touring. Having these options to work with to help improve your day or days out there is a wonderful thing.

Happy shuffling.