Bootfitter's Notes: Dalbello Lupo SP
The Dalbello Lupo SP is a new boot with a burly hike-ski function and all the big mountain accouterments a manufacturer can pack into a ski boot.
Dalbello worked with one of their top athletes, Sean Pettit (hence the initials SP), to come up with a functioning narrow fit boot with durable rubber soles and an unlocking cuff for hiking terrain.
The Lupo is categorized as a 97 mm width ski boot, putting it in the narrow category. However, it’s a little roomier than others in the class once the Intuition liner is cooked to the foot.
Featuring a three-piece cabrio, design, the Lupo offers an alternative to the traditional two-piece four buckle boots which make up the majority of ski boots sold. The Lupo is all about performance on the whole mountain, and mostly for that matter off groomed trail.
A soft boot board, or zeppa, is provided for cushion when taking air in the boot, and the hike-ski function is designed in such a way there seems to be no sacrificing downhill performance whatsoever.
A wrap style Intuition Ultralon foam liner gives the Lupo a custom-fit feel once heat-molded to your foot. Dalbello sells stiffer and softer tongues to modify the flex of the boot. Cuff alignment is easily modified with parts provided with the boot and the know-how of a good boot fitter.
The stance is a bit upright, even by today’s standards, which was the cause of some complaint at the industry boot test last year.
The fit is good and snug on my medium width foot, not crushing or painful anywhere. With a full heat mold of the liner no shell mods were necessary, judging by the models we’ve sold in the shop it seems like shell grinds and punches are the exception, not the norm.
Once again, I’d say the Lupo is wider than some in the narrow category but it’s by no means a cavern, and I like the heel pocket.
So who is the Lupo for? From a design standpoint, Dalbello and other three-piece boots are eschewing traditional ski boot design philosophy and are building and designing boots for the ground up for the off-piste skier.
The boot is designed for powder and ‘big mountain,’ or feeride performance as opposed to on-piste precision.
The downside? I do not believe the three piece shell skis as well from a performance standpoint on firm snow as a two piece, however, many three-piece shell lovers would argue differently.
The Lupo is not a park boot, but would do great for someone who likes to rip a freeride line and then session a couple park hits on their way back to the lift.
To sum up, if you’re an off-piste all mountain skier searching for a stiff narrow boot take a look at the Dalbello Lupo SP.
