Scarpa Says “We Care That You Tele”

Following many years of product category research and direct engagement with the telemark-skiing community, SCARPA will introduce in fall 2024 a completely new version of the TX Pro — the most innovative, lightweight and efficient telemark boot ever created. With a legacy of introducing the world’s first “plastic” telemark boots — the Terminator in 1992, the T2 in 1994, and, later, the groundbreaking TX Pro in 2008 — SCARPA has consistently been at the forefront of telemark skiing.

As that tongue-in-cheek bumper sticker that has proliferated at backcountry-skiing trailheads states, “No one cares that you tele.” But with the new TX Pro, SCARPA shows that — in fact — someone does care after all.

Testament to SCARPA’s commitment to the telemark community, the development of the new TX Pro involved extensive collaboration with telemark skiers, athletes and binding manufacturers.

“Telemark is all about style and flow — it’s just got a very different vibe about it. And that’s the case with the telemark community as well. It’s quirky but it’s very soulful. People are heavily invested in the different kinds of gear they use and want to share their knowledge around that,” said Kim Miller, CEO of SCARPA North America. “We’ve always been connected to the community from the start, which is why I think we got the response we did when we asked for feedback.”

The new TX Pro is very lightweight — a 12 percent weight reduction compared to the previous TX Pro. It also features friction-free walking in touring mode, with a huge increase in range of motion compared to its predecessor, matching the weight and function of modern AT boots like SCARPA’s Maestrale and Gea family. SCARPA also reduced the volume of the boot to improve fit and performance. Moreover, the TX Pro is compatible with all modern telemark bindings on the market, including NTN and Tele Tech bindings, making these versatile boots equally at home at the resort and in the backcountry.

“A prototype works for the people who developed the prototype, not for the whole range of skiers who will ski it. And that’s especially true with the diversity in telemark,” said Massimo Pellizzer, ski category manager for SCARPA. “So we created a test and feedback team for this project that included the best telemark skiers we could find, along with four different binding manufacturers. And each of those manufacturers brought in some of their athletes for input. We also had focus groups in North America and Europe. Our motto has been, follow the sport and the right design will come through.”

In the new TX Pro, SCARPA employs a triple-injection technology that it developed specifically for a telemark boot. The use of materials of different densities in the shell, bellows and toe — combined with a Torsion Bridge Frame that places stiffer material in a frame that wraps from heel to toe and across the forefoot — makes it possible to create a boot that is lightweight and flexes easily, yet at the same time provides superior torsional support. The liner boot also perfectly mirrors the shell in the bellows area for an extremely smooth, comfortable feel when flexing. SCARPA’s Cabrio-Overlap closure provides a gradual progressive flex, allowing volume adjustability, impulse transmission as well as ease of getting in and out of the boot.

Other key features in the new TX Pro include:

• Made with Pebax RNEW, a material derived from the castor bean plant, which reduces fossil fuel use and emissions in the process of moving from raw to usable material. In addition, castor beans can be grown on arid land where other agriculture typically isn’t possible, so it doesn’t compete with food production and also offers an economic activity in places where other agriculture doesn’t take place.
• A new tongue design features an easily replaceable edge protector where ski edges commonly abrade the insides of telemark boots.
• A friction-free Speed Walk mechanism has 62 degrees range of motion and forward lean of 14 degrees with +/- 2 degrees of adjustability.
• The Vibram® EVO LT outsole uses Durastep rubber and Traction Lug Technology, increasing traction on snow up to 25 percent.
• An Intuition liner made specifically for a telemark boot has a flex zone in the toe, a supportive tongue, and is made with recycled materials.
• A thermoformed Ortholite footbed is made with two densities of recycled material.
• Closure is 3 Buckles + Booster® Active Power Straps with integrated RECCO reflectors for searchability.
• 102mm forefoot width.
• 1545 grams per boot (size 27) compared to 1750 grams in the previous TX Pro.
• Men’s and women’s versions.

The new SCARPA TX Pro retails for $849 and will be available in September 2024.