UKC

In this 12-month test Tom Ripley has used the Phantom Tech HD for the full range of Scottish winter climbing, Continental ice, and summer in the Alps. His verdict? For their combination of low weight, warmth and climbing performance they are hard to beat. 

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1. There have been a few design variations of Phantom Techs in recent years. I think I have the penultimate one, which is very similar to the most modern version shown in this review but without the large Recco label. Is it known what has changed between these versions, aside from the addition of the Recco reflector?

2. Regarding waterproofness, maybe it's just me, but I find that they get damp regardless of the weather — not only on slushy glaciers or Scottish streams but also on pure ice climbing days with temperatures solidly below freezing. Is it possible to buy boots that would feel dry the whole day? Or are mine flawed in some way?

3. I am not looking forward to replacing the laces, which, after only modest mileage, are just barely holding together.

My understanding was that the fit had changed between this and the previous similar looking version, it'd be good to get some detail on that if it's true. I went from fitting the previous Phantom Guides and Techs well to them not being an option so would be good if they've reverted to the old Guide fit that lots seem to miss. Now getting cold feet in LS G-Techs!

A side-by-side comparison/review of the Phantom Tech and G-Tech would be great - fit, warmth, sphincter-puckering prices etc.

By far the best ice climbing boots I've ever owned.  Fantastically light and the combo of stiff sole and low cut/flexible ankle is a winner for me when it gets steep or technical.  The zip is vastly improved from the old Phantom versions and I agree with Tom in preferring the simple old fashioned lace system to some of the gadgety alternatives.

The sizing changed between Phantom models I think.  I need half a size bigger in the new ones but the fit feels just the same, once sized up.

Hey Rich,

I owned the original Phantom Guides, but not either of the two iterations between them and the current one. Both fit me well, though my memory of the Phantom Guides is they needed the lacing tightening more often.

Deffo worth trying them on. 
 

Tom

I have being using the various upgrades to the phantom over the years and have a pair of the latest one. The Zips are a weakness and last week one failed on Emma boots. Todate have broken 6 Zips over the years. The orange laces in my opinion are poor quality and do break and are difficult to replace in the older model.

I use 2mm cord and a Salomon quick lace system to create my own 'boa' like system. Quicker to lace up, not broke on me yet after 3 seasons. 

Really interesting. I never used Scarpa's because I always felt the lacing was lame, never kept my heel locked in and just not enough ankle support to be able to drop my heels. Funnily enough on a recent trip the three climber using Rebels complained about the same. I wonder if this system of your sorts it out? Good thinking. 

Boots look good but the lacing system seem pre-historic by current innovations if you ask me.

I’ve used it in the current gen and previous gen, it’s been great and never had any issues with heel lift. 
 

Shout out to Scarpa that replaced my previous gen with the new gen for free after the zipper failed. 

It might be prehistoric but it works, and that plastic toggles works great for isolating the forefoot, and looking down the heal. 

I’ve never seen the point of boas to be honest, and they don’t work at all if they break. 

The ones on my skis boots broke (for no reason at all) and it took a boot fitter with a lot of patience and know-how over two hours to replace them. 

How old were the Boas on your ski boots Tom? I'm sure I read somewhere that the longevity of them has improved significantly in recent years. I've had my first pair of cycling shoes with Boas on them for about 3 years now. They get used I reckon on average 3 days a week throughout the warmer 2/3rds of the year, so I've used the BOAs a lot now with no problems. I was pretty paranoid they'd break when I first got them, but no problems so far. I've always been suspicious of fancy lacing systems on mountain boots - I remember a good few stories of people breaking the BOAs (or similar devices) on LS Spantiks when they first came out a decade or so ago, a bit like the teeth breaking on early zip up fixed-gaiter ice boots.

When I reviewed the https://www.ukclimbing.com/gear/footwear/mountain_boots/dolomite_miage_peak... I remember thinking that them having 'nothing to go wrong' laces was a plus point. Reading John's review of the LS G-Summit https://www.ukclimbing.com/gear/footwear/mountain_boots/la_sportiva_g-summi... with BOAs I was struck by how nice it would be to be able to loosen and retighten your boots that easily. With my Dolomites I definitely notice I get cold toes if I'm not incredibly careful about getting the right (low) tension on the lower section of the laces. But also if I don't tighten them enough, particularly in the upper section of the lacing, they get a bit sloppy feeling. 

I purchased the boots at the end of last season and they broke about 5 skis into this season. 

that is pretty rubbish. Was it a rush job getting them fixed as you needed to keep using them? i.e. after that little use I would imagine you could have just returned them and got new ones or got the manufacturers to fix them?

I think I needed them the next day for work…

Was it one of the new style ski specific Boa or the older traditional one? 

I would guess the older one, with a lip. 

The three climbers I was in Norway with recently using Scarpa disagreed with that statement, but horse for course I guess. Yes let's see how the BOAs last, but so far after two seasons they have been a game changer in my winter climbing for sure, but if they brake yes I agree, it will be pretty crap. 

Fair enough, you were luckier than me with the fit, I think it must be my weird shaped foot