Introduction
The Atomic Backland XTD 120 is new for the 2024 season.
Let’s say you do a reasonable tour (1500m+ vertical).
You want something that will let you tour up comfortably, yet also exit without you getting destroyed.
The Backland XTD 120 may therefore be the boot for you.
Reviewed here is the highest end carbon-infused polyamide Backland XTD model with the stiffest 120 flex.
It is also the model with gripwalk to allow for use on GW-compatibleMNC (multi-norm compatibility) designated bindings.
MSRP is Can $1,000 with sizes from 24 to 30.5.
If you have smaller feet your options are the Backland XTD 115 Womens which goes down to sz 22.
Atomic Backland XTD 120
Backland XTD 120 vs “original"Backland Carbon(remains unchanged).
Reviewed here is the Backland XTD 120 in size 26.5 although I took many pictures of a size 27.5.
If you have questions about one boot versus the other like ask away.
Tecnica ZeroG Tour Pro 130 (my personal dedicated touring boot) vs Backland XTD.
The Backland shell and liner are slightly taller.
The Tecnica ZGTP weighs 1326g; Backland XTD 120 weighs 1392g.XTD 120 shell 26.5 weighs 1107g.
The upper shells have some design features to promote stiffness in addition to using carbon PA.
The “Energy Backbone” are external ribs designed to stiffen the uppers.
The familiar Atomic “Powerwalk” mechanism is shared with the Hawx XTD freeride boot and is appropriately beefy.
Closeup of the Atomic “Powershift” forward lean mechanism.
Backland XTD comes stock at 15 deg forward lean.
Simply loosen the allen bolt to slide the hardware up or down to switch angles.
Remember to reassemble with lots of loctite.
It isn’t also the overlap system used by the Hawx XTD where two layers of shell material overlap.
Two pieces of shell material are built under the cables and buckles of the lower shell.
The Backland XTD uses a hybrid overlap method of construction.
Hybrid overlap design plays into the Backland XTD’s cross lace system.
Cross lace is a single closure cable system somewhat derivative of their older Backland boots.
Another advantage is that it allows for quick transitions through the one buckle.
It’s intended to keep snow/water out which range of motion.
The lower shell is where it gets interesting.
Here Atomic uses the CROSS LACE 2.5 system.
Most of the Atomic hardware is fastened with allen bolts.
I checked and they had plenty of loctite; something that one shouldn’t take for granted.
The XTD 120 uses high-quality pivot bushings, the same as with the Atomic Hawx v1.
you could’t swap them out later.
Note themarvelous low friction IGUS polymer “friction-free” bushings.
I have a generic Azn foot - wide and flat.
As another fitting data-point I am a size 26 in Tecnica, Atomic and Salomon.
“Prime” worksfor me; but less perfect for narrow feet.
All that said, the Backland XTD is on the larger sider of a medium volume foot.
I used the provided in-box volumizers to take up space.
At first I tried alow-volume new Intuition Dual Density touring linerbut this didn’t take up enough volume.
Interior of Backland XTD boot.
With the Backland XTD, shell fit was fine so I confined my exercise to cooking the liner.
Take the liner out of the shell and only heat the shells.
Add the liner once the boots come out of the over.
The stride is almost friction-free, the ROM is superior.
The boot rewards those with long strides.
Turning to skiing performance, the Backland XTD 120 was underwhelming.
Simply put it lacks range.
The boot has decent lateral stiffness which serves one well arcing turns in consistent snow.
However, the forward support one would expect from a 120 stiffness boot isn’t there.
On the topic of support, the Backland XTD doesn’t feel like a 120 flex boot.
This also means that it skied best when paired with smaller, lighter skis.
Backland XTD 120 on what I called the Tour of Breakable Crusts in the Whistler backcountry.
There are some other issues worth noting.
- The Backland’s gaiter isn’t particularly waterproof.
On disassembly of cuff pivots I found that the bushings had worn.
Atomic has since provided a bushing kit which was easy to install and remedied the play.
I’ll update the review after another reasonable amount of ski days to report back.
While the Backland XTD 120 tours well its ski performance doesn’t live up to billing.
Backland XTD bushings disassembled using a 15mm socket and torx wrench
Atomic bushing kit
