Dynafit Ridge Pro Review

The Dynafit Ridge Pro belong to the “Ridge Series,” a complete line that includes skis, bindings and boots to offer a harmonized performance set. These boots, in particular, were presented to the public during ISPO, where they won the prestigious ISPO Award 2023 thanks to their technological innovations.

Dynafit has put a great deal of effort into materials research and development, introducing numerous innovations in design and functionality. These include a convertible hull construction with floating tounge that allows very good walkability and a new closure system that greatly improves performance. The result is greater downhill precision and responsiveness with a significantly reduced overall weight.

Technical features of the Dynafit Ridge Pro

• Hull material: Grilamid® carbon fiber filled
• Outsole: Vibram Traction Lug
• Closure System: Knee-high strap, 1 hook with notched strap with ratchet system at instep and for hull Mdz system (Boa-like)
• Ski-walk lever: Hoji Lock
• Tongue: Floating Tongue
• Mobility Angle: 70°
• Flex: 120
• Forward tilt: 12° -15°
• Weight 1,250 g (size 26.5)
• Country of manufacture: Italy
• Link to the manufacturer

Hull

The hull is made of Grilamid loaded with carbon fiber , which differentiates the Pro version of the Dynafit Ridge from the base version. The choice to load the hull with carbon fiber makes the “Pro” boot 10% stiffer and 30 grams lighter than the basic version.

Liner

The bootie used for the Dynafit Ridge Pro is the Dinafitter 5 2.0, a reinterpretation of the Dinafitter already found in other models of the brand, such as the TLT line. The liner has a low weight (190 gr) and a thickness of 5 mm, plus it is thermoformable.

Sole

The Vibram sole provides excellent grip when walking. The technology used is Traction Lug, which involves creating grooved lugs to increase the surface area in contact with the ground and consequently increase traction and stability.

Locking System

Dynafit Ridge Pros feature the Hoji Lock closure system, a mechanism already familiar from the Tigard 130, which offers an innovative solution for quickly switching between walk and ski modes. Operating the lever located on the back of the heel activates an internal system of two side pins that interlock securely, creating a rigid connection between the hull and the cuff.

This design ensures precise downhill energy transmission, improving stability and control. During walking, on the other hand, the pivots rotate freely, allowing a wide range of motion of the cuff with an angle of movement of up to 70°, ideal for long climbs and approach phases.

Test mode

The Dynafit Ridge Pro were thoroughly tested over approximately ten outings during the 2023/2024 winter-spring season. They encountered a wide variety of snow conditions, including powder, icy crust, hardpack, and spring firn. Additionally, I tested them on the piste on a couple of occasions to assess their performance in more structured environments.

Ski-binding set used:

1. Atomic Backland 85 – Length 179 cm (117 – 85 – 105.5 mm) with ATK Crest 10 binding
2. K2 Wayback 89 – Length 174 cm (121 – 89 – 107 mm) with ATK Rent Me 12 EVO Freeride binding

I also paired the boots with CAMP Blade Runner crampons (C3 full crampon attachment), which fit perfectly, showcasing their versatility even in more technical mountaineering scenarios.

The variety of conditions and equipment used allowed for a thorough evaluation of the Ridge Pro’s comfort, performance, and adaptability across different applications.

Dynafit Ridge Pro on-site test

Foot fit and entry

The Dynafit Ridge Pros excel in ease of foot entry and exit, thanks to their thoughtfully engineered design. The generous mobility of the cuff, combined with convenient front and back tabs, simplifies both fitting and adjusting the boots. Notably, the “inside” label on the cuff tabs ensures the correct overlap, guaranteeing a proper and secure fit.

During my first use of the Dynafit Ridge Pros, I experienced a circular compression sensation on the instep. This initial discomfort, which other testers have also reported, is due to the reinforcement of the shell. However, this pressure dissipates during activity, and the boot becomes comfortable.

With a last width of 101 mm, I found the fit well-suited to my slightly wide foot, experiencing no notable discomfort. The bootie provides a snug fit in the toe and midfoot areas while offering a slightly looser fit above the heel. This design can cause minor upward sliding of the heel if thin socks are worn, though I did not encounter any blisters during my outings.

In terms of thermal performance and breathability, the Ridge Pros excelled. My feet remained warm even in perceived temperatures as low as -30°C. On warmer spring outings, the breathability effectively prevented excessive sweating, maintaining comfort across varying conditions.

Adjustments and closure systems

Knee-high and front band

The cuff closure is provided by a Velcro band with a graduated scale, which facilitates adjustment.

The instep band includes a double adjustment system:

• A notched band with a ratchet system.
• A hook that increases stiffness once attached, improving ankle and heel hold.

MDZ system

The lower part of the foot is adjusted by the MDZ system, a BOA-like mechanism that allows micro-adjustments to fit the skier’s needs. However, the system requires care when loosening:

If the MDZ pin is lifted while the instep strap is still attached, the metal cable can form large loops, compromising the effectiveness of the system and causing the cable attachment to go under the front plastic fin. In such a case, you must rewind the cable manually, a mistake you soon learn to avoid.

Ease of exit

As with foot entry, there is minimal effort involved in removing the boot. The boot opens fully thanks to the mobility of its components, and a vertical fabric tab makes it easy to unfasten the MDZ system.

Overall, the fastening system is very good, despite having only three fastening points. One just needs to get the hang of it a bit, as it is more complicated than the classic hook system.

Uphill

The convertible hull structure with the floating tongue represents one of the most innovative aspects of the Dynafit Ridge Pro. This floating tongue, designed to move back and forth, provides significant comfort when climbing, especially on steeply sloping terrain. The ability to move the boot forward and slide the tongue along the hull provides the foot with greater freedom of movement, allowing natural, smooth progression.

When climbing, the wide excursion of the cuff really comes into its own, allowing the foot to bend forward even in challenging situations. This promotes effective transmission of energy to the ski, improving stride and reducing fatigue.

By bending the foot backward, the floating tongue restricts movement slightly, but the impact is minimal and does not compromise the freedom needed when walking.

The adjustment system consisting of MDZ rotor, hook and loop with puller, and band on the cuff allow the boot to be adjusted by customizing the closure system according to the skier’s preference.

Use with crampons and while walking

Using the automatic crampons with glacier front spikes, I always had a feeling of stability. The thick tread of the sole does not interfere with the crampon. The stiffness of the boot transmits weight well to the front points when ascending steep slopes.

During crampon-less walking phases, I put the “Traction Lug” sole to the test and I must say that I had no problems with grip on rocks, even when wet or slightly snowy.

The Dynafit Ridge Pro on the downhill

Switching from walk to ski mode in the Dynafit Ridge Pro radically changes the boot’s stance, transforming it from flexible and comfortable to stiff and snug.

This change is provided by the Hoji Lock technology, which allows the transition from uphill to downhill by lowering a simple lever. However, this transition is not always immediate and requires some micro-adjustments to optimize comfort and downhill performance.

Once the lever is down, the boost on the cuff tends to tighten a lot, making it uncomfortable, so it is advisable to loosen it slightly before descending. Instead, the notched band in the center needs to be manually adjusted with a couple of clicks to get the right balance of stiffness and comfort.

Once adjusted, the boot proves fast, responsive and well-structured, with technical features that make it suitable for experienced skiers seeking high performance on the descent. The cuff effectively manages the skier’s weight by transferring it to the bottom of the boot and providing stability and control while skiing.

In particular, when leaning the shins forward to “load” the ski, you feel all the control given by the carbon fiber injected hull. A feeling usually returned by a four-hook and not expected from a 1,200-gram boot.

The Ridge Pro shine in handling the change from one edge to the other, offering confidence even on technical terrain and challenging snow. Immediate response to skier input makes this model ideal for those seeking precision and responsiveness.

In general, the Dynafit Ridge Pros demonstrate great balance, excelling both uphill and downhill. While they require a minimum of experience and attention in adjustment, they offer a level of control and responsiveness that makes them a benchmark product for experienced skiers.

Recommended for

I find the Dynafit Ridge Pro particularly suitable for advanced ski mountaineers who appreciate technical descents and require good support while skiing, without sacrificing lightness on the ascent.

They are ideal for those who come from the light world and want-without loading themselves down with too much weight-a boot that performs better on the descent. But they are also perfect for those coming from the touring world and looking for a lightweight boot for big vertical drops.

In any case I recommend these boots to ski mountaineers with a good level of experience and technique, able to fully appreciate the performance this model can offer.