Dynafit Hoji Pro Tour Review
Compare prices at 3 resellers Pros: Excellent downhill performance, lightweight, innovative
Cons: Claimed easy transitions leave you in a tour mode that is significantly compromised., binding and crampon compatibility limited
Manufacturer: Dynafit
Our Verdict
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Dynafit Hoji Pro Tour | |||||
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Awards | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
Price | $559.96 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $719.99 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $800 List | $599.99 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $674.21 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers |
Overall Score ![]() |
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Star Rating | |||||
Pros | Excellent downhill performance, lightweight, innovative | Excellent downhill performance, light weight, proven style | Light, free-pivot cuff, appropriate stiffness and flex | Excellent downhill performance, durable, warm, reliable, familiar | Stiff, comfy fit, Intuition liner |
Cons | Claimed easy transitions leave you in a tour mode that is significantly compromised., binding and crampon compatibility limited | Moderate insulation, hard to get in and out of | Cold, finicky transitions | Very limited uphill and foot-travel performance, heavy | Heavy, high friction cuff pivot |
Bottom Line | Perhaps the most innovative AT ski boot in eight years; the downhill performance leaps ahead but some of the other innovations are “solutions without problems” that complicate real world use | For only the most specialized of needs (super wide feet, high speed climbers, big-cliff-huckers) will it be overwhelmed; this is an excellent ski boot that quietly entered the market and crushes the competition | For all-around skiing with a light and fast preference, this is a great choice | Excellent for short climbing sessions interspersed with largely mechanized access backcountry skiing | For “crossover” use, choose the right binding, bigger skis, and, if it fits, it can be used for both occasional short human powered runs and inbounds skiing |
Rating Categories | Dynafit Hoji Pro Tour | Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro | Scarpa F1 LT | Lange XT3 120 | Scarpa Maestrale XT |
Uphill Performance (20%) | |||||
Weight (20%) | |||||
Downhill Performance (35%) | |||||
Comfort And Fit (10%) | |||||
Warmth (10%) | |||||
Ease Of Use (5%) | |||||
Specs | Dynafit Hoji Pro... | Tecnica Zero G... | Scarpa F1 LT | Lange XT3 120 | Scarpa Maestrale XT |
Weight size 26.5, pair | 6 lbs 2 oz | 6 lbs 0 oz | 4 lbs 7 oz | 7 lbs 11 oz | 6 lbs 13 oz |
Weight of one boot shell | n/o | 1119 g | 809 g | 1398 g | 1237 g |
Weight of one stock liner, no footbed | n/o | 204 g | 214 g | 352 g | 308 g |
Weight of one complete boot, grams | 1389 g | 1323 g | 1023 g | 1750 g | 1545 g |
Range of Motion; degrees | 55 | 55 | 72 | 34 | 55 |
Binding Compatibility? Tech only, or Tech and DIN AT standard, or Tech, DIN AT and DIN Alpine/WTR | Tech only | Tech and DIN AT | Tech only | Tech, DIN AT, Grip Walk | Tech and DIN AT |
Stated Flex Index | Not reported | 130 | 95 | 120 | 125 |
Stated Last width | 103.5 mm | 99 mm | 102 mm | 100 mm | 101 mm |
Alpine wrap or Tongue | Tongue | Wrap | Tongue | Wrap | Tongue |
Shell material | Grilamid | Grilamid | Grilamid, Carbon Core | Polyurethane | Carbon Grilamid |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The eagerly anticipated and much-lauded (in pre-release testing) Hoji Pro Tour is a solid backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering boot. It brings unique engineering and innovative features to the market but is still surpassed in some ways by more traditionally constructed boots. Overlap boots are now lighter and more proven, while beefed-up randonnee racing boots tour way, way better. Some quirks of the Hoji boot keep us from granting it our highest award, but it skis well. Most interestingly, the Hoji boot skis downhill as well or better than most overlap constructed boots. Generally, we expect overlap boots to ski the best of the major design options. However, the "three-piece" construction of the Hoji boot is tuned for no-play, progressive downhill stiffness. We dig it, and you will too.
Performance Comparison
Uphill Performance
"Uphill performance", in our scoring matrix, is purely a function of cuff range of motion and friction within that range. We score weight elsewhere. In terms of touring cuff range and friction, there are two distinct modes of the Hoji Pro Tour. If used "as designed", uphill travel is below average. If you use it as most use their boots, uphill performance is about average. Let us elaborate. Dynafit has designed and marketed the Hoji boot as having a one-step uphill-downhill transition. With their "pants down always" branding and intention, the cuff lock, upper buckle, and power strap are activated and (partially) deactivated all with a mid-sized rear lever. When you adjust everything and use the boots this way, you get a tour mode that works but isn't as free-flowing as other options.
If you further loosen the buckles (requiring a pants cuff lift), you get range of motion more in line (but not yet quite as good) with that of the top scoring boots. It is important to note Dynafit's "Speed Nose" design, employed on the Hoji Pro Tour. By eliminating the traditional ski boot toe "ledge" (used in attaching some bindings and all automatic boot crampons) Dynafit can move the tech fittings further back, placing the pivot point in tour mode closer to one's foot. This has a noticeable, but very very minor advantage in touring. There are usability issues with this, noted below, that make it a net disadvantage to our review team.
Weight
The Hoji Pro Tour, in size 26.5, weighs six pounds two ounces. For as good as this boot skis, this is remarkable. When you consider that, just three years ago, we were excited for the six pound five ounce La Sportiva Spectre, the Hoji mass is remarkable. At a lower weight, the Hoji skis way, way better than the Best Buy Spectre. Materials are carefully chosen and stripped down on the Hoji boot.
Downhill Performance
Our team really liked the downhill performance of the Hoji. The biggest difference between the Hoji and other boots is the way the cuff locks to the lower boot shell. The tensioned mechanism creates a more positive connection that is very obvious in head-to-head "carpet testing". All other reviews focus on this difference, and it is indeed noticeable and better. However, we found that the positivity difference is virtually lost in all but the most discerning ski testers in very optimal conditions. The major perk of the Hoji boot's downhill performance is its smooth, stiff, and progressive forward flex. The graduated forward flexion is something we would expect from a resort overlap boot, not from a six pound touring boot. These things ski very, very well.
Comfort and Fit
Of course, most will have at least some work done on their AT ski boots to optimize fit and comfort. Our comments here, then, are very generalized and should be considered just a simple starting point. The liner included with the Hoji Pro Tour is soft and comfortable against your foot, right out of the box. For ongoing performance and fit, a stiffer liner will be better. Be careful about being seduced by the puffy and soft liner. The overall fit of the Hoji is relatively narrow, with a tall and roomy toe box and a tight heel pocket.
Warmth
Warmth is a function of fit (get your boots dialed in for maximum foot health) and amount of shell and liner material. The shell of the Hoji is thin, but the liner is pretty thick. The result is relatively warm boots.
Ease of Use
We have a few answers to the question, "How easy are the Hoji boots to use?". If you use them as intended for skin-accessed skiing in simple tech bindings, the Hoji boot is slicker than any other all-around or high performance AT ski boots. The "Hoji Lock" transition closure is brilliant and replicates skimo race gear in transition ease. The catches, though, are multiple. First, as noted above, touring mobility suffers until you lift your pant cuff and loosen things up further. Next is the very odd "Speed Nose". Dynafit, like they did with their TLT7 Performance boots, omitted the toe welt/ledge for the Hoji boots.
For tech binding skinning, this saves some weight and moves the pivot closer to your toes. These are good things. However, it preempts use with certain bindings, and it makes crampon use complicated. There are workarounds to the crampon thing, but it isn't straightforward. Overall, the usability issues, especially as compared to branding and marketing copy, of the Hoji, are multiple and significantly hamstring the overall performance.
Value
It is refreshing to watch Dynafit's top of the line AT ski boots come down in price. This is their flagship boot, and it is hundreds of dollars less expensive than previous Dynafit high-end ski boots. Provided the complicated "Hoji Lock" holds up for you, you will get years of excellent service from these boots. Note, though, that you will likely need to replace the liner for truly good fit and lasting performance.
Conclusion
We like the Dynafit Hoji Pro Tour but are not yet willing to make the enthusiastic recommendations that other reviewers are bestowing. We continue to stand by our methodology and conclude that so much of the other content you might find online is from reviews that are at least a little biased. The OutdoorGearLab model keeps the PR departments and associated obligations out of the mix. It is tricky on our end, but the result is that we can make thorough comparisons and draw authoritative conclusions. Overall, these boots challenge the front runners. On our overall matrix, we balance uphill and downhill attributes for how we ski and see the mountains. If you prioritize downhill performance more than we do, generally, the Hoji boot might be worth your while.
— Jediah Porter