New scarpa phantom tech HD

Most important update: more insulation, so hopefully warmer than the previous version. This does come at the expense of a slightly heavier boot.

Least important update: addition of a RECCO reflector. Not a big deal  if you are already wearing 1-2 RECCO reflectors in your cold weather clothing.

Also, the lace locks are back. Personal preference whether you think this is good or bad.

Website mentions "improved fit"... curious what that means. Scarpa used to be my go to for wider fit boot, but that changed a few years ago.

Steven N wrote:

Website mentions "improved fit"... curious what that means. Scarpa used to be my go to for wider fit boot, but that changed a few years ago.

What is your width on the brannock? 

Steven N wrote:

Website mentions "improved fit"... curious what that means. Scarpa used to be my go to for wider fit boot, but that changed a few years ago.

I spoke with a Scarpa rep last winter and he mentioned the heel was going to be a little more snug fitting. Personally, I can't really tell much of a difference in the updated model. 

Double J wrote:

What is your width on the brannock? 

I'm an E, but with a size 9.5 and Roman shape it's tough to find good fitting boots when so many are pointy and narrow.

I've used scarpa in past, but recently switched to mammut. I'm looking to try out Aku next. 

Robert Gregory wrote:

I spoke with a Scarpa rep last winter and he mentioned the heel was going to be a little more snug fitting. Personally, I can't really tell much of a difference in the updated model. 

You own the HD's? If so, how do they feel?

AlpineIce wrote:

You own the HD's? If so, how do they feel?

Yes, I own the HDs. I am not sure what you mean by how do they feel - they fit just like my Phantom Techs, perhaps a tiny bit more snug in the heel. The Phantom Tech HDs are not a major redesign of the Phantom Techs, just a few minor tweaks with the most significant one being added insulation,

I heard of someone who broke the "power" strap in its first use, they were held over with a ski strap!

Finn Lanvers wrote:

I heard of someone who broke the "power" strap in its first use, they were held over with a ski strap!

You're talking about the Phantom 6000 HD, not the Phantom Tech HD.

Robert Gregory wrote:

You're talking about the Phantom 6000 HD, not the Phantom Tech HD.

Yes I know, this is not a very new boot, it has been for sale at my local shop for months now probably since 2022, it is clear that there is a strap here much like a ski boot

Finn Lanvers wrote:

Yes I know, this is not a very new boot, it has been for sale at my local shop for months now probably since 2022, it is clear that there is a strap here much like a ski boot

Yes, the Phantom 6000 HD has a strap. But this is a thread about the Phantom Tech HD that does not . . . no one asked about the Phantom 6000 HD.

Looks like my reading comprehension needs some work. Sorry y’all.

Any experience with or educated guesses on what kind of temperatures these are suited to? I'm considering these as an all-around lower 48 boot, including single-pitch ice park climbing in MN, winter mountaineering in the Sierras, and summer glacier routes in the Cascades.

I love that they added a tab for a pant "gaiter" hook. though I would have liked to see BOA

Olivier Veillette wrote:

New model of phantom tech is out, any of you had put your hand on it? Is it the same as the previous model but with cosmetic changes?

Oliviver, 

Great question!

And unbelievably Scarpa has created a heavier Phantom Tech. Yes it has a Recco Reflector:-(  Yes it has more insulation. Yes that loose sloppy heel pocket has been tightened up. Here’s how Scarpa sent out by mistake, the entire production series of the 2019 Phantom Tech with a sloppy loose heel pocket. Guido H. (Like all criminals, the European cops don’t tell us their last names). Guido who transports materials with a forklift out on the shop floor used the number 2 blue, L pad foam instead of the Pl9 red foam from Wuhan. And everyone knows its just not as dense or thick. But Guido could not find the pallet of Pl9 and the production run had started and he wanted to go have a Napoleon pastry from the passing break cart that is piloted by that cute girl from Florence that just moved to town. Plus he had to take a pee. So the world of ice climbing got the latest Phatomn Tech 2019 update with an uncharacteristically, loose heel pocket.   Nothing like the Scarpa Freney blue leather or those later synthetic ones.

Nothing like the Phatomn Guides. Nothing like the First Phatomn tech with that strange thick wrap around zipper. Shame on Guido H whose name will live on in infamy. At least the new Phantom Tech HD will address this problem. But the individual boot will now weigh 800gr in a size 42. Last year it was 730gr. La Sportiva has their most competitive boot, the G-Tech, coming in at 620gr or there about.
How do the Scarpa guys sleep at night? Where is that competitive spirit?

Have my HDs on right now, and I'm quite comfortable walking around my living room in them. :)  Going up stairs I don't get the heel lift I do in my G2 Evos. Obviously need to test on an uphill approach. 

Right now I'm using the stock insole, which seems better than what have come in my various La Spo boots. 

Yes, they're slightly heavier than the previous model (3lb 8.4oz vs 3lb 3.2oz). Worth it to me for the insulation for cold NH days. 

Miss the Boa, not sure I can get laces as snug.  And the super gaiter is looser than I want (there is a drawstring at the top) for someone who doesn't tuck their pants inside.  

Loving the buttery smooth zipper, vs faffing with the zipper and velcro combo.  Overall very happy so far. 

Has anybody had these out on the ice yet?  

I have the boot from one generation back.  I love the boot, but I do wish it was somewhat warmer. 

-Is the new boot any warmer?

-Is the heel hold actually different when climbing?

-Could somebody post a picture of the inside lace locks/lacing system?

I hear what others have said about the weight and features vs the equivalent La Sportiva options but I find the LS fit and feel to be so different that it's hard to even compare...as always having both might be nice :)

B

Bump

Bruno Schull wrote:

Has anybody had these out on the ice yet?  

I have the boot from one generation back.  I love the boot, but I do wish it was somewhat warmer. 

-Is the new boot any warmer?

-Is the heel hold actually different when climbing?

-Could somebody post a picture of the inside lace locks/lacing system?

I hear what others have said about the weight and features vs the equivalent La Sportiva options but I find the LS fit and feel to be so different that it's hard to even compare...as always having both might be nice :)

B

I own the HD, and have owned every phantom tech/guide ever released. I have about 15 full days of climbing + hiking on the new ones. 

-the boot is warmer than the last model, i.e. F22

-the heel does feel more snug than the last model. F22 was a great boot but for me personally had the worst overall fit of all the phantoms. Additionally, I feel like foot retention has improved yet I have more room in the toe box in the same size 46. Im a big fan of this.

-lace lock system is very similar to all the other versions (F22 in fact had lace locks for some production runs, the first couple did not, and lace locks were given out retroactively for those that did not have them + wanted them)

Will try to remember to post a pic when Im near a pc. The tongue/inner boot under the laces is on the softer side, with varying thicknesses of padding+insulation between foot and lace system. Virtually the same as ever, 4 eyelets total on the cuff, 1 pair across instep, lower section. 

Overall, I love the fit and think they feel most similar to the original or second gen phantom techs (my fav for fit and stiffness). Possibly my fav phantoms ever as they seem to be the best blend of warmth, performance, and fit so far, while being an acceptable albeit not best-in-class light weight. Fwiw I would say competitors coming in under phantom weight (LS g tech) may be lighter but will not be as warm.