Where Touring Ease Meets Real Power: Atomic Backland XTD Carbon Ski Boot Review

Relieved. That’s the only word for how I felt the first morning I stepped into Atomic Backland XTD Carbon touring boots ($1,140). After testing many boots that pinched, folded, or left hot spots by the second lap, I slid into these and immediately relaxed.

The fit felt dialed without adding a footbed or a single shell punch. That never happens for me. And, the boot moved with an ease I usually only get from full-on lightweight touring models. Then, when I pointed skis downhill off Teton Pass, the boot showed surprising backbone for its weight.

That combination — comfort, frictionless range of motion, and downhill composure — is what makes this boot intriguing. It lives in the “in-between” class. It blends the uphill ease of ultralight tourers with a level of downhill confidence typically reserved for heavier boots.

In short: The Backland XTD Carbon is the rare boot that feels like a slipper on the skin track yet offers enough downhill authority to trust in steeps and unpredictable backcountry snow. It’s not the stiffest, lightest, or most powerful boot. But, but for the right skier — especially those with medium to wider feet who log big vert days — it strikes a near-perfect balance that few boots manage to hit.

Compare the Atomic Backland XTD Carbon to other boots I’ve tested in our guide to the Best Backcountry Boots.

Atomic Backland XTD Carbon Review

For years, Atomic’s Backland lineup catered primarily to the uphill-focused crowd — skimo racers, long-mission tourers, and anyone chasing low weight and a massive range of motion. The models usually capped out around 110 flex and sat well below 1,200 g.

But for the 2023/24 season, Atomic expanded the family with the Backland XTD series. The brand created something new: a more powerful, more downhill-capable Backland that fills the gap between ultralight tourers and the beefier Hawx XTD line.

Two years later, the Backland XTD Carbon (120 flex for men, 115 for women) has proven itself to be the standout of this category. It’s a boot built to walk like a Backland but ski with enough composure to push steeper, more challenging terrain.

This ski boot uses a carbon-loaded polyamide shell, a hybrid-overlap lower with a textile gaiter, a two-buckle layout with Cross Lace 2.0 forefoot tensioning, a cam-style power strap, and a Free/Lock walk mechanism with adjustable forward lean. It’s also available in a GripWalk version, expanding compatibility with MNC, MN, GripWalk, and pin bindings for skiers who occasionally venture into the resort.

At roughly 1,370 g (size 26.5), it’s heavier than the Backland UL or Backland Carbon. However, it’s lighter and simpler than the Maestrale or the Atomic Hawx XTD.

Comfort & Fit

I knew immediately this boot was different. Straight out of the box, without heat molding, the 3D Platinum Tour Liner hugged my foot perfectly, with no pressure points. Even with my slightly wide forefoot and weird bunions, the 100mm last felt natural. And, the heel pocket held surprisingly well.

When I eventually molded them at my local shop, the fit only improved. The boot tightened into a custom shape that stayed comfortable from dawn laps at Snow King to long days linking ridges in the Tetons.

Part of the comfort comes from the hybrid-overlap lower shell. This combines the easy step-in and open-throat feel of lightweight touring boots with the ankle hold and uniform wrapping of a traditional shell found in many alpine and freeride touring boots. This eliminates the empty dead space common in two-buckle boots. It makes the boot feel more secure without sacrificing walkability.

Buckles

The Cross Lace 2.0 lower buckle is a significant contributor to the boot’s comfort. With one buckle, it tightens the entire lower shell evenly. That eliminates the top-of-foot bite that can occur with two-buckle boots.

At the top, the cam-style power strap functions like a third buckle. It secures the cuff without the slop or stretch of Velcro. I’ve had Velcro fail over time in the power strap on our Scarpa Gea ski boots. So, it’s reassuring to know that there won’t be a durability concern here.

Fit Notes

I’ll note one caveat: this is not a low-volume fit. Skiers with narrow heels or very low insteps may struggle to fill the shell without aftermarket liners, shims, or some boot fitting assistance.

The good news is that the Backland XTD Carbon responds exceptionally well to liner swaps. Inserting an Intuition Pro Tour or similar high-density liner helps fine-tune the fit, adds warmth, and enhances downhill support. For medium to slightly wider feet, however, the stock setup already strikes the perfect balance between comfort and performance.

Uphill Performance

I spend a lot of time touring in the Tetons, linking long approaches and big ascents where range of motion makes or breaks the day. The XTD Carbon walks exceptionally well for its weight class. The friction-free stride and 74 degrees of range of motion feel closer to my skimo boots.

On long tours, I tested a variety of buckle configurations, since I know every skier does this differently. With all buckles open, one closed, or both closed (on the lowest tension possible), the boot remained secure without causing heel rub.

Even at subzero temps, transitions went smoothly. The walk/ski mode never jammed. The pull tabs on the power strap and lever made it easy to operate with gloves.

Is it the lightest or fastest boot for skinning? No, but it’s not heavy either. And, for how well it skis downhill, the uphill performance is exceptional. It rewards long strides, moves quietly and naturally, and genuinely disappears on the ascent.

Downhill Performance

This is where things get more nuanced, but also where my experience diverges from that of some other reviews I’ve read.

I’m a lighter skier at 120 pounds. When I pointed down wind-scoured hardpack above Coal Creek, the flex of the Backland XTD Carbon felt supportive and predictable. The boot didn’t fold or collapse, even when hopping through crust or driving edge pressure on exposed, icy sections.

On softer days in the Tetons, it felt lively and composed. In tight trees or rollers on the way back to the car, I never felt held back. The plastic is light and supple (thank you, carbon fiber). However, it still has the backbone to drive skis and respond when you ask it to. Add in the 120 flex — the sweet spot as far as I’m concerned, with 130 feeling like overkill and lower flexes a bit too soft — and this boot does what you command it to do.

On lift runs at Snow King and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, the Backland XTD Carbon held its own surprisingly well. It’s not a full freeride boot. I wouldn’t choose it for hours of mogul smashing. But for a handful of resort laps, it skis more like a toned-down alpine boot than a two-buckle tourer. And I enjoyed the hike-to terrain at JHMR much more since these boots carried me there much more efficiently than others.

That said, heavier or harder-charging skiers may find the true flex feels closer to 110 than 120. Big, stiff skis can overpower it faster than mid-width touring setups. However, when I paired it with a couple of different setups, ranging from 88 to 100 mm underfoot, the boot felt confident, damp, and consistent across variable snow.

Weight

At roughly 1,370 g per boot (size 26.5), the Backland XTD Carbon sits squarely in the mid-weight touring class. It’s heavier than ultralight options like the La Sportiva Kilo or Scarpa F1 LT, but meaningfully lighter than beefy boots like the Maestrale or Hawx XTD.

And here’s the real surprise: despite the extra grams, it walks as well as many lighter boots. The frictionless pivot and hybrid-overlap shell truly deliver.

In practice, this weight hits a sweet spot for long tours where I still want enough boot to trust on steep terrain.

Room for Improvement

The Backland XTD Carbon is a strong performer, but a few things could be refined. The textile gaiter isn’t fully waterproof in warm, sloppy early-season or spring conditions.

After several days just below freezing, I noticed moisture creeping in. Wet feet are never fun (even when temps are “warm”), and I found myself getting cold feet sooner than expected. This minor discomfort isn’t a dealbreaker, but still a drawback worth mentioning.

The flex rating can also feel less than advertised, depending on the skier’s size and style. Lighter skiers like me get the full benefit of the progressive flex.

However, heavier or hard-charging skiers may find the boot lacks the forward support expected of a labeled 120. Several reviewers noted it feels closer to a true 110. That tracks if you’re pushing bigger skis or driving aggressively through variable snow. And while the fit is excellent for medium-volume feet, skiers with very narrow heels or extremely low insteps may need significant boot fitting or a different boot altogether.

Who Is It For?

This question is trickier than with many boots because the Backland XTD Carbon is so versatile. That’s both its strength and its challenge.

It’s for skiers who want one boot that walks extremely well, skis confidently, and won’t punish them over big days. This boot works best for lighter and medium-build backcountry skiers who value comfort and a smooth range of motion, but still want damping and support for variable snow. It’s also a strong one-boot-quiver option for people who tour most days but occasionally hit lifts.

It’s not ideal for narrow, low-volume feet, heavy or ultra-aggressive free riders, or anyone who wants an actual 130-flex boot. For them, a Maestrale, Zero G Tour Pro, or Hawx XTD remains a better match.

For the rest of us — those who want the best of both worlds — the Backland XTD Carbon 120 finally fills the Goldilocks gap. It tours beautifully, skis better than expected, and stays comfortable no matter how long or complicated the day gets.