Lange’s XT3 is the talk of the town – every ski town that is. We figured we’d catch up with Kate and Anatole who have been stomping landings in the boots for a few months now and get their first-hand account on the boot.
MEET KATE & ANATOLE
KATE TARGETT: Kate Targett is a freeskier based out of Calgary/Canmore, Alberta. She is an environmental consultant and freeride coach with the Calgary Freeriderz, based out of Lake Louise. In the off-season, Kate works for her winters in a field-based position taking her to remote locations all throughout Alberta and BC. This career allows her to have the best of both worlds, an environmental career, and winters filled with powder, friends, and adventure. Originally coming from a mogul skiing background, Kate has traveled and competed all over the world and continues to pursue her passion now with a sled and skis as her daily adventure tools. Kate is supported by Dynastar, Lange, Look, Flylow Gear, Smith Optics, and Mountain Cultures
ANATOLE TUZLAK: Grew up in the Yukon and now based in British Columbia. Passionate about skiing, photography, filming and just hanging out in the backcountry with friends and exploring new zones. As a self-employed photographer and experienced freeskier, you will find him in the mountains almost year-round. He is grateful to be supported by Liberty skis, Orage, Look and Lange.
LET’S GET REAL, TALK UNFILTERED LANGE XT3 TO US.
Q: Which boot do you have?
KT: XT3 110 LV (low volume)
AT: XT3 140 Pro Model
Q: Why did you pick this ski slipper in particular?
KT: I picked these boots because of the fit and race like feel on the way down. I’ve struggled for years to find a womens specific touring boot that’s comfy on the way up, but also feels right on the way down. I’ve spent way too many days in touring boots that feel a little too much like an ugg boot on the way down and it can be super frustrating. In my opinion it’s the canting and shape of this boot that make it feel like a regular downhill boot and really allow me to get the performance I want and need for deep pow, pillow lines, jumps and cliffs!
AT: A boot this light paired with its range of motion on the up and a 140 flex on the way down made it a pretty easy decision.
Q: Was it love at first lap?
KT: Honestly yes! I already loved the previous models fit and performance on the way down, so to add an extra 11 degree ROM for the up just made these boots even comfier, yet didn’t compromise on the way down. I’m super stoked to get out on them more this season!
AT: People often tell me the best part of their day is taking off their ski boots after a day in the mountains. After my first experience wearing this boot it had me feeling quite the opposite. With zero aches and pains on the first use without breaking them in and instantly noticing the well-designed performance and comfort I would say yes, absolutely!
Q: Feet are funny shapes – how did you make this one feel just right? Any shaping rituals or breaking in processes?
KT: Kicking back in my living room, boots on, watching ski movies, while enjoying a nice cold beverage 😉 I also got a little bit of punch work done at Mountain Cultures in Calgary before I took these puppies out on an adventure.
AT: Lange’s heat mouldable liners are quite a treat these days. Take your boots to a local ski shop and have them preheat the liners in the oven for you, afterwards walk around in them tightly done up for around 15 minutes and you are pretty much good to go!
Q: What is your boot really really really good at?
KT: Performance on the way down. They feel just like a race boot, so for me that gives me the confidence to ski the way I want and push myself.
AT: Going fast, setting an edge, slashing, landing airs, keeping you upright on a backseat landing, not giving you shin-bang, going up hills, standing around in the cold and leaving your feet happy at the end of the day.
Q: When would you opt for a different boot (aka, this isn’t the boot for the job)?
KT: Whenever I’m not skiing touring. They’re a touring specific boot, so for me, I prefer to wear my ZA race boot when I’m skiing resort, but I think that they can totally be a one quiver boot for a lot of people!
AT: If you are after a softer and more forgiving backcountry boot you may want to put yourself in a different boot model such as a 120 or 100 flex.
Q: Who would you tell to buy this boot?
KT: Anyone looking for a boot that can go up without compromising on the way down!
AT: Anyone who wants a stiffer high performing boot that you can take with you into the backcountry for as many laps as you can handle without having to worry about sore feet should probably invest in the Lange XT3 140.
Q: Big plans this upcoming season? Do tell.
KT: I’m going to be hanging out in Golden, BC for the winter, so hopefully lots of pow shredding and adventures around there with the homies. Ive got a few plans to hopefully head up to northern BC this winter too. I’m hoping to make the dream of skiing alpine lines and catching a steelhead in the same week happen, hopefully around Terrace, BC.
AT: Will be based in the Squamish/Whistler backcountry this upcoming season. My goals are to get out as much as possible to explore new terrain, push myself to become a stronger skier, create powder-filled memories with friends and generate opportunities to capture all aspects of skiing in BC’s backcountry as a photographer.
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