You have to enjoy the uphill just a little bit if you want to ski the backcountry, but that doesn't mean the downhill cannot be your main desire when it comes to alpine touring. Salomon's MTN Explore Alpine Touring Boot does not compromise downhill performance even though it's light and easy on the uphill. Its carbon spine maintains a solid 100 flex while keeping a weight around three pounds per boot. Like all of Salomon's hard-charging boots, the MTN Explore features an oversized pivot that gives extra control on fatter skis, which makes sense considering you're out in the backcountry searching for the powder stashes of the century. Salomon wanted to make backcountry touring as comfortable as possible, which is why both the shell and liner can be molded to your foot's shape for a precise fit that feels right on the uphill and the down. Out of the box, the MTN's Explore's last feels pretty narrow, depending on the size, but can expand to fit wider feet with the help of a special heating process done at your local bootfitter's. After ten minutes, the boot will feel like Salomon fitted it for your foot so you can tour all day long without the all-too-common pinching found in most ski boots.