Climbing and skiing is the best in Japan! We asked Fujikawa Ken. Scarpa ski boots currently in progress

Scarpa boots have been a leader in the world of mountain skiing, but now a phenomenon is occurring that is becoming more common not only in the mountains but also on the slopes. Ken Fujikawa, who participated as a lecturer in a BC skiing experience event hosted by Lost Arrow, the import agent for Scarpa, told us the background to this phenomenon

Ken Fujikawa, nicknamed "Fujiken," is a Scarpa technical rep who has won the SKIMO (ski mountaineering) Japan Championships seven times in a row and also works as a mountain guide and ski school instructor

A sense of security for alpine-minded skiers

Fujiken, who came to be an instructor for the BC experience session, was not wearing Scarpa's mountain ski model, the Maestrale, but rather the 4-Quattro Pro, which can be used on both the slopes (alpine skiing) and the snowy mountains (AT skiing)

"The Quattro is a model equipped with Grip Walk, which allows you to use touring tech bindings while riding alpine bindings on the slopes.
The original idea was to make alpine boots, which are difficult to walk in, easier to walk in. We rounded the sole to make it easier to walk in. This boot is perfect for people who own multiple skis and want to switch between them depending on the situation."

European skiers take it for granted that they enjoy both the slopes and the backcountry.
Going back and forth between the slopes and restaurants can be difficult in alpine boots, which have hard, flat soles. Mountain boots like the Maestrale, which use Vibram soles for easy walking, have taken over ski boots' market share.
So, about 10 years ago, binding brand Marker developed the Grip Walk.

"For those who have been skiing alpine skiing on the slopes and want to go to the mountains, the 4-Quattro SL is a great choice. The solid handling and direct edging that are unique to on-piste skis give a sense of security to skiers with a strong alpine mindset."

4- Quattro Pro and Maestrale. How do you use them?

How does Fujiken differentiate between Quattro and Maestrale?

"I also use the 4-Quattro Pro for my on-piste ski lessons. Its potential for gliding performance is so high. This is why you've seen so many Scarpa boots on the slopes recently. Also, when I go to mountains where the skiing is more difficult, I sometimes choose the Quattro, which gives me a more direct feel for control."

He says he sometimes uses the Quattro even on serious backcountry tours. The weight is certainly the same. The Maestrale RS weighs 1,460g (27cm), while the 4-Quattro SL weighs 1,430g (27cm). In fact, it's lighter. While various manufacturers offer boots equipped with GripWalk, Scarpa's models are reputed to be overwhelmingly lighter

Meanwhile, let's look at the range of motion in walk mode. Both are the same at 61°. Alpine boots require the hinge fulcrum to be positioned higher to increase rigidity. However, the higher the position, the narrower the range of motion. The fact that such high performance can be achieved at such a low position is a testament to the technical skill of the shoemakers

"The Quattro is light and maneuverable. If you're trekking hard on a flat mountain, there's probably no difference between the two. But on mountains with steep climbs, the Maestrale is definitely easier to walk on. If your skis and boots can twist well against the slope, the skins will grip and it can be easier to climb even in difficult places.
The Quattro has four buckles so it's very sturdy, so there's no way it will slip away. If it were too stiff, it would create corners, which makes steep climbs and traverses a little difficult. So I get the impression that it's a little weak when it comes to climbing."

Softer boots and skis allow the seals to grip better. This is an interesting observation that only mountain skier Ken Fujikawa could make

"Also, the Quattro's inner and shell are thinner, so it doesn't retain as much heat as the Maestrale. It might not be as suitable for staying overnight in the mountains or for other uses where you're immersed in the mountains."

As for heat retention for everyday use, I use Fujiken almost every day in Hokkaido during the harsh winter, so Quattro should be fine within Japan

Another feature of the Quattro is that the last width is 100mm, 2mm narrower than the Maestrale

Scarpa lasts are said to have a relatively narrow width, and there are quite a few users who feel that they do not fit their feet. However, Fujiken says that the narrowness of the last is not a disadvantage of the Quattro, but rather an advantage

"The Quattro looks slim because the shell and inner liner are thin, but in my opinion, the last is not as slim as it looks. This isn't just true for ski boots, but if the last of any boot is wide, the arch of the foot spreads out, preventing the body from realizing its full potential.
Riding with a wide arch gradually makes you fatigued, and your foot moves around inside the boot, causing pain. When it comes to supporting the arch, a slightly narrower last than the width of your foot when it's just flat out is better for keeping the arch in place. Do you feel pain? Do you feel like you're being held in place? I think the difference is quite significant. It's
generally accepted that the thinner the last, the better the skiing performance you're looking for. Alpine skiers' boots are at most 98mm wide. The narrower last width is proof that the Quattro is designed with a concept similar to that of alpine racing boots."

There are two Quattro models: the 4-Quattro SL with a flex of 120 and the 4-Quattro Pro with a flex of 130

"To use the analogy of a steering wheel, in a racing car there is no play, and the tires move only as much as you turn them. Normal cars have play, and that margin makes them easy to drive.

The 4-Quattro Pro has a direct ride without the play of a racing car. But directness isn't always a good thing. A little more power is lost to make them easier to handle. That's the 4-Quattro SL. If
I were a regular skier and could only buy one pair, I would choose the 4-Quattro SL. But I prefer to use them closer to the slopes, so I wear the 4-Quattro Pro.
For the mountains, I choose the Maestrale. The fact that even ski boots can be used in a wide variety of ways shows the depth of the Scarpa shoe brand."

The company says that Quattro is also being promoted because ski equipment is evolving every day, making it possible for anyone to ski in powder

"Skis have become longer and thicker to ski in powder. The Maestrale, with a flex of 100, is a little soft when it comes to controlling fat skis. Boots like the Quattro, which have high rigidity, allow you to glide firmly even with thick skis and walk comfortably. That's the kind of boot the market is looking for."

The introduction of the 4-Quattro was also a challenge to ski brands with alpine boot expertise. At the same time as the Quattro, Scarpa also created a new model of telemark boots. With its headquarters and factory in Italy, Scarpa's challenges on snow will continue

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