Review: Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro Touring Boot

Thoughts on Tecnica’s Zero G Tour Pro touring boot from Adam Fabrikant, Pete Vordenberg, and an editor. The word-economy boot review from Fabrikant: “I have yet to find anything better.”

 

It is May. Nearly high spring. The sun shineth. The corn harvesters provide. Time, after many months of use, for The High Route’s review of Tecnica’s Zero G Tour Pro ski boot. We’ve had a first look, another continued impressions piece, and now, it’s time to batten down the ZGTP’s four buckles cam-lock powerstrap. 

Three of us have been in the ZGTPs this season: Adam Fabrikant (size 25.5), Pete Vordenberg (25.5), and Jason (26.5). Jason began skiing these boots in mid-November. Pete and Adam began wearing their boots at the beginning of January. That’s plenty of time to gauge short-term durability, with good insight, in particular from Adam who abuses gear as a guide and during his personal ski trips, into long-term durability. 

From looks and features alone, it shouldn’t be hard to compartmentalize this boot. So let’s look at the specs of the 26.5 first. 

 

Basic Specs

Weight: 1328g (size 26.5) confirmed with stock insole.

Weight shell: 1050g (size 26.5).

Weight liner with stock insole: 278g (size 26.5)

Liner: Ecodesign – C.A.S. Ultralight – Light Fit, with Laces-Recco®

Soles: ISO 9523 Low tech insert, Vibram rubber

Shell: Grilamid – Quick Instep

Cuff: Co-injected Carbon

Buckles: 4 Light Magnesium, hiking position

Powerstrap: 35mm wide with hook

Forward lean: 14° default, (16° with Spoiler)

ROM: Claimed 60 degrees

Price: $899.00

 

 

 

 

This is an overlapping two-piece shell with a claimed 130 flex. Fasten all the buckles and cam-strap tight, and the boot delivers excellent power and precision while descending. Larger and more powerful skiers can access a progressive flex pattern, while lighter skiers won’t feel overburdened by brick-wall stiffness. None of us are linebackers, and we all agree, the boot makes descending more fun. 

With human feet, one boot to fit them all is a tough task. The ‘24-’25 ZGTP trends toward a medium to narrow heel pocket, a medium arch/instep, and a medium toe box. The last in a 26.5 is 99mm, which feels accurate. For those afflicted with skinny claves like Adam and Jason and cinching the boot upper down for a calf-hugging sensation is no problem. Generally, the upgrades/changes to this version of the venerable ZGTP are nuanced. Depending on the skier and foot, some we’ve spoken to notice a slightly different fit (noting a slightly roomier instep and toe box). 

For comparison, the ZGTP has more room around the instep relative to Scarpa’s line of Quattro boots (with the exception of the new Pro model). If you seek a four buckle boot that can tour and descend quite well, depending on your foot shape, either one of these boot lines, the ZGTP or Quattros, work quite well. (For those climbing and scrambling and walking a bunch, in our opinion, the slightly rockered ZGTP sole performs better for those tasks compared to the Quattro line’s GripWalk sole.)

Tecnica incorporates a “Power Frame” on the upper cuff which adds some rigidity and allegedly some power transfer. Over the instep, designers added “Quick Instep” plastic material to accommodate easier entry/exit. Pete and Jason have downsized, and depending on the skier, you may or may not find the new material supple. A downsized boot, in theory, might be harder to slide on and off compared to a larger size. And cold temps seem to make the ZGTPs slightly harder to exit. Lastly, the ski/walk mechanism is more refined, as it is longer and slimmer. 

The stock liner, while sufficiently more robust than past iterations, will work for some. The heel pocket holds our narrowish heels, kept feet warm, and works with the shell to allow for ample range of motion in walk mode. Over the winter, we spoke with some skiers who struggled with tongue migration while skinning. The fix it seems is to use the included laces. Others, like Jason and Pete, had no issues with the tongue. 

Tecnica claims a ROM of 65 degrees, which may be true. We will say that the ZGTP is at least a benchmark for combining sufficient ROM (and decreased friction) and excellent descending attributes. For a four-buckle overlap style boot, it walks/tours quite well. For long stride skinners, you might notice a slight compromise when pivoting forward. The honest truth is that the ZGTP, for what it is, has been a solid touring boot in walk mode. I haven’t seen Tecnica advertising this boot as a replacement for a two-buckle 1000g class boot—which it is not (they sell the ZG Peak series to fill that niche). Bottom line, don’t expect it to feel as friction free as a Kilo or Scarpa XT because it is simply not. The caveat here is that most ski tourists could use the ZGTP as their sole boot. The overall weight is kept to a reasonable minimum (we applaud Tecnica on that front) and the tourability will work for most, if not feel downright sweet if you are coming from 50-50 boots and seek a dedicated touring slipper.

 

Jason

Previous Experience

I spent two seasons in a once removed (read older) version of the ZGTP. I usually wear a 27/27.5 boot and found I could likely downsize with the new ZGTP. Downsizing, for me, was the right move. Skiability is that much better and having cramponed quite a bit this winter in the 26.5 shell, I didn’t suffer from any toe bang. In the past, I’ve skewed toward lighter and higher ROM-low-friction boots. After spending several seasons in the ZGTP boots, there is no going back mid-winter; the upgrade while descending is game changing with an acceptable level of compromise (which isn’t much) regarding weight and walkability. 

In the past, our family has had some durability issues with the older ZGTP buckles and ladders breaking. (Maybe a bad batch of magnesium compounds in the supply chain?) Add the headache of finding a local bootfitter with the proper rivet tool, and replacing those buckles was a pain. So far, with heavy use, neither my son nor I have had buckle durability issues. My son did crack the green plastic piece above the ski/walk mechanism—the cuff slides over this plastic in walk mode. One backcountry shop we contacted about a replacement part claimed this was a common failure point. My son was sent a free replacement part from Tecnica in short order.  

On older ZGTP iterations, the bootboard and cuff pivots suffered a lack of durability. Although a small sample size here at THR, we have not experienced early onset cuff-pivot sloppiness or boot board fallibility. Let us know if you have had a different experience with the boot this season.  

As noted, I downsized and I did a quick heat mold on the stock liner. I probably could have bypassed that step, but with downsizing, I thought I’d be preemptive. Other than that, this boot fit great out of the box. And with downsizing, I’d say the fit is an even better performance fit that I’m comfortable touring in all day long. In contrast to what Adam says about a sloppy fit, for me, it’s anything but. After a month in the stock liner, I received a prototype Espresso liner from ZipFit  to experiment with (size 27.5 Espresso liner fits great in the 26.5 shell). We’ll have more coverage on the liner soon. 

Field Testing

I used the ZGTPs with Black Crows Noctas, Atomic Backland 107s, DPS Pagoda Tour 112s, and the Rossignol Escaper 97 Nano. In some conditions with rowdier 3D snow, the ZGTPs complemented the Escapers, in straight up planar conditions, driving that ski (169 cm length) with this boot was a bit overkill. For powder snow, and pretty much across the board with the skiing I like to do, this boot syncs great with wider, longer, and heavier skis.

I use the spoilers, which increase forward lean from 14° to 16°, and it seems like the sweet spot: I need nothing more. Neither Adam or Pete use the spoiler, they stick with the 14° forward lean.    

What is often a complaint about the ZGTP are the somewhat slow transitions. To maximize ROM I undo all buckles except over my instep—I loosen that—and release the camlock powerstrap. That means transitioning from walking to descending requires some adjustments. This is a known-known, and maybe some out there have the ZGTP buckle-up system wired to 10-15 seconds/boot. I don’t. But I’m also not bothered by what some might call the boot’s predisposition for fiddly transitions. Let it be known, there is the  ZGTP payoff. Descending in these boots is well worth any fiddliness.

 

 

 

Adam Fabrikant 

Previous Experience

This is my fourth pair of ZGTPs; the last three were the older iteration—I have liked all of them. However, with more volume in the instep, the new version fits a bit worse, which is a downside. On the positive, the newer version seems more durable so far. This is the first season I have not broken at least one buckle, and the boot board is still in one piece.  

Fit

I have used Intuition Pro Tour liners in most of my touring boots over the last decade, and it’s the same for all four of my ZGs. The ZG is the first boot I have ever needed to punch. Getting the 6th toe area blown out has helped make them more comfortable so I can use them 8 days a week. Overall, the fit is ok, but not great for me, as they are sort of sloppy. That is the biggest downside, and I try on other boots when I can, but still, I have yet to find anything better.  

Design Highlights

I see the ZGTP as a classic four-buckle touring boot. It walks ok, I’d call it adequate, and it is my daily driver all season. I don’t really mind having less ROM as it doesn’t seem to hold me back. I put up with the poor ROM for the great downhill performance: this boot shreds. I have not used proper alpine boots in over a decade, but hands down, the ZGTP has helped make me a better skier. 

The four-buckle classic alpine overlap design is tried and proven; there is a reason we have not seen major changes in downhill racing boots for my entire lifetime, when looking at design from a 20,000-foot view. 

Field Testing

This was the first year I did not destroy my ZGTPs; that said, I will still try to get a fresh pair for next season. I use my boots more than most—I do a lot of walking. I skied them in all conditions from deep pow mid-winter to challenging breakable crusts, crud, and some isothermic slop. Conditions have been trying the last few weeks. There are no conditions in which I want another boot for touring. The caveat is that I use smaller-lighter boots for skis under 100mm underfoot, as the ZGTP is too much for those style skis. It is all about the boot-ski combo.

I’ve used the Black Crows Atris, Draco Freebird, Navis Freebird, Nocta, and Solis with this boot.

The walk mode has more friction than desired, but that is ok given the downhill performance. The ROM in the front of the boot is pretty dang good, but the backside of the motion feels limiting. This limitation is only problematic on long sections of flat when trying to go as fast as possible; it seems my boots limit my top tempo, rather than my legs and lungs.

 

 

 

Pete Vordenberg

First time ZGTP user. I’ve sized down from my normal 26.5 BSL to a 25.5. The sized-down ZG Tour Pro has been my favorite boot of all time. 

Fit

I have done zero modifications or heat molding. The fit has improved with use, including the ease of getting them on and off. Compared to all other boots I’ve tried, these are the most consistently snug without any slop or movement within the boot, and achieving that doesn’t take any fiddly adjustments. By consistently snug, I mean that the boot fits equally snug from toes to cuff. My foot is slightly wide in the toes and has a very high arch and instep. 

Design Highlights

The most important thing I’ll note is the consistently snug fit. Beyond that, I feel like the short nose helps put the foot closer to the toe pins. Otherwise, it is a combo of simple mechanisms for transitioning: not super fast and easy, but four-buckle fast and easy. 

Field Testing

I got the boots midseason. I had just retired my Atomic Hawx, which are in the same class, and which I really liked. They were many years old – they did their time honorably. I was on some Scott Superguide Carbons, which were comfy and skied well, but had very limited ROM. These were also in the same four-buckle class. The ZGTPs are the lightest of the four-buckle boots I’ve used. Otherwise I have been using the Hoji Pro Tours (the model with no toe welt). The Hoji ROM is very good. They ski well. The fit was good until the thin liner gave out. I replaced it with an Intuition Tour, and now they’re about the same weight as the Hawx. I could never get the Hoji system to work well for me. I always had to adjust the buckles after activating the Hoji system.

Not a big deal. 

In any case, compared to these other boots, the ZGTPs are quite eye-opening. I am unsure how much of this is attributed to downsizing. They are so precise. I love how input from my feet is instantly translated to the exact movement I want from the skis. It wasn’t something I knew wasn’t maximized in the other boots until I skied these. The ramp is really smooth—pressing forward into the boots is not abrupt, and it is stiff enough to give you a powerful, secure connection to the binding/ski and snow. They are not harsh in rough snow. Maybe that’s somewhat relative to what you are used to. Having used them in-bounds I think they compare well to an inbound boot. But I won’t use them as a 50/50 boot: that isn’t their calling

I have used them with Fat-ypus M5 FT (106 under foot), DPS CFL 100 and CFL 105 (100 and 105 under foot), Fat-ypus D’vice (110 under foot). Bindings have been ATK Kuluar, ATK Demo bindings on the DPS skis, Black Diamond Helio 200’s.

Until recently, I used them exclusively for the second half of the season – many tours in all manner of snow from dreamy to pretty dang bad. I also used them with tech bindings in-bounds on a number of occasions. In all cases, I have zero bad things to say. My advice is that if the ZGTP fits your feet, I highly recommend getting them. One lesson I learned is to always try a smaller size in whatever boot you are looking at—that is no doubt one of the reasons I am having such a great time with these. I am testing another pair of boots at the moment, and it has been sort of hard to get me to take out anything but the ZGTPs.