We asked Takeshi Fujikawa, who is the top climber and skier in Japan, about the current status of Scarpa ski boots

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. We spoke to Ken Fujikawa, who was participating as a lecturer at a backcountry skiing experience event hosted by Lost Arrow, the import agent for Scarpa, to find out 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 'GripWalk,' which allows you to use touring-style tech bindings while riding alpine bindings on the slopes. The
original idea was to make difficult-to-walk-in alpine boots easier to walk in. The sole is rounded to make it easier to walk in. It's a boot that matches people who own multiple skis and want to switch between them depending on the situation."

European skiers enjoy both groomed slopes and backcountry skiing.
Walking between the slopes and restaurants is difficult in stiff, flat alpine boots. This is why mountain boots like the "Maestrale," which feature easy-to-walk-in Vibram soles, have gained market share from ski boots.
About ten years ago, the binding brand "Marker" developed the "GripWalk."

"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 agile and lightweight. If you're just hiking briskly on flat mountains, there might not be much difference between the two. However, on mountains with steep climbs, the Maestrale is definitely easier to walk in. When it comes to slopes, if both the skis and boots twist well, the skins grip better, making it easier to climb even on challenging sections.
The Quattro has four buckles and is very rigid, so there's no flex. The high rigidity can create sharp edges, making steep climbs and traverses a bit difficult. That's why I have the impression that it's a little weaker 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 narrow because the shell and liner are thin, but my impression is that the last isn't as narrow as it looks. This isn't just true for ski boots, but if the last of a boot is too wide, the arch of your foot spreads out, and you can't unleash your body's full potential.
When you're riding with a spread arch, you gradually get tired, and your foot moves around inside the boot, causing pain. If you think about supporting the arch, it's better to make the last a little narrower than the width of your foot when you just place it down, so that the arch is maintained. Whether you feel that it's painful or you feel that you're being held in place makes a pretty big difference. It's a
well-established fact that the last gets narrower when you pursue skiing performance. Alpine skiers' boots are as wide as 98mm. The fact that the Quattro has a narrower last width is proof that it's designed with a concept close to that of an alpine racing boot."

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 a car steering wheel as an analogy, a racing car has no play in the steering wheel; the tires move exactly as much as you turn it. A regular car has some play, and that margin of error makes it easier to drive.

The '4-Quattro Pro' has a direct ride with no play like a racing car. However, directness isn't always a good thing. Sometimes it's easier to handle if there's a little bit of power released. That's what the '4-Quattro SL' is for. If
I were a regular user and could only buy one pair, I would choose the '4-Quattro SL'. But I want to use them more on groomed slopes, so I wear the '4-Quattro Pro'.
For the mountains, I would use the Maestrale. The fact that you can choose between ski boots for a wide range of uses is a testament to the versatility of the shoe brand Scarpa."

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 its 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

Profile

Information

SCARPA

Official website:https://www.lostarrow.co.jp/scarpa/
Official social media:Facebook|X|YouTube

Handling: Lost Arrow Co., Ltd