Dynafit Beast Ski Boot

8.4
8.4 score
[Editors rating (8.8) + Users rating (7.0)] / 2 = (Gearweare.net) score (8.4)/10

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Editor rating: 8.8 / 10
User's rating: based on 6 user ratings
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Dynafit Beast Ski Boot Review Facts

The Dynafit Beast Ski Boot is perfect for alpine free touring and backcountry long days. It has the stiff flex needed for good turns and performance going downhill. Lightweight, comfortable, and stiff, it was created with the Dynafit concept of Snowdynamic to tackle deep powder without sacrificing speed. This small boot has a durable shell mix of Grilamid and Pebax materials for a smoother flex. Those skiers with high insteps or wide feet will love this incredible boot because of the luxurious fit. It has heel inserts from Master Step that coordinate well with the Beast bindings. The light custom liner can be molded by heat for a customized fit to make the boot more comfortable and warmer. The motion range for touring is provided by the cuff with 45-degree rotation and walk mode. the four sturdy buckles on the foot and shin give you the support you need for the tough jumps, turns, and landings. Noted issues from online customers with this Dynafit product include the buckles, soft liner, and walk mode. we discuss the features and problems of this ski boot in our full review below.

Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Custom liner can be molded by heat
  • Very comfortable, lightweight, and stiff
  • Good for high insteps and wide feet
  • Uses the Dynafit concept of Snowdynamic
  • Includes four buckles and has walk mode
  • Heel inserts of Master Step with the Beast bindings
  • For backcountry turns and alpine free touring
  • Good performance going downhill
Cons
  • Buckles cannot be loosened when breaking trail because they collect snow
  • Soft liners are thin and not supportive or comfortable

Comfort

The Dynafit Beast was made with your comfort in mind. It has enhanced performance and a fit that is seamless. This is obtained with the light custom liner that can be molded by heat. The boot warmth is increased by this aspect too. Those with wide feet and/or high arches will get a good fit from this boot, as it is very comfortable. Even though we noticed many complaints about the buckles and liner, there were no concerns about the comfort of this product. There is plenty of room in the toe and foot area for the foot to be flexible, and it is well protected. It is often hard for people with wide feet or those with high arches to find suitable footwear, much fewer ski boots, that are comfortable and functional for them. This Beast model is great for that.

Durability

The overall durability of this ski boot is terrific. It is well-built for longevity and much wear, but the main complaint from buyers is the interior soft liner that the manufacturer used. It is thin and soft and meant to provide an adequate cushion with a custom fit for the user. Instead, buyers find that it does not work well with this boot and they are replacing it with other suitable options that they purchased separately. they say that the liner is floppy, uncomfortable, and cold. It is too soft with no support above the boot cuff, and the material is too thin. If the buckles are tightened around this thin area, then it makes the power strap too long. this is when it is wrapped around the liner cuff. Using another type of liner makes the power strap more functional and comfortable. It seems as though the company put a good bit of effort in creating this soft liner that could be customized, but it is the major downfall of this ski boot.

Flexibility

Lightweight and stiff, the Dynafit Beast has a 45-degree rotation of the cuff with a walking release for the walk mode. This motion range that is needed for touring comes from the cuff. For the climb up, this is great, as the foot has some space to be flexible because it is anatomic 102mm. It will also fit a large range of foot sizes with a unique style and shape. One difference on this boot that the manufacturer mentioned as new is that the buckles open in. This is to make them more flexible for the user in the walk mode. they say that because the fastening bulk is on the inside of the foot, the user will not experience the build-up of snow on the buckles as they walk. As one buyer pointed out, they like to walk with the buckles unfastened, so this makes the issue in reverse. If they fastened the other way, then walking with them unbuckled or loose would not cause the exact problem that the manufacturer was trying to avoid with fastened buckles to the inside. The buckles were also noted to be difficult to use, open, and remove by a few customers. They were frustrated with these buckles and were not happy with the purchase.

Responsiveness

Created with the Dynafit concept of Snowdynamic which makes the Dynafit Beast perfect for deep powder and not much speed loss, its responsiveness to the needs of the backcountry skier is excellent. To prevent the buckles from catching on objects and to decrease drag, the buckles of the Precision Lock brand close in on the boot. This buckle placement also deters the snow build-up and keeps it from going in the cuff rear. As we stated in the above section, this new feature can be a problem for some and a fantastic aspect for others. While on the slopes, it is good that the buckles work inward, but when you are trying to use them for walking and want them loose, it is not. Not all of the buyers are complaining about this issue, but it is a big enough concern for potential buyers to be concerned about. Your actions on and off the slopes will determine if the buckle placement and operation are problems for you personally. For those that it is, they are quite unhappy with this ski boot. When you consider the hefty price that this item commands, being 100% satisfied is a must.

Stability

The Dynafit Beast is a small and light boot with a strong performance. It is lighter than most others that are similar, making some customers really shocked at how light they are. They are highly functional however and can do the job well. One buyer noted that the bottom toe rubber is thin and will probably wear out quickly. There is no reason for the material in this area to be thin. Some commented that this model does not compare well with the Maestrale brand that is so popular for backcountry skiing now. The problems of this boot seem to stem from the manufacturing process in possibly a rush to get this model on the market or to try and cut corners at the expense of the quality of the materials. For whatever the reasons are, this ski boot is not a contender in the competitive ski boot market. It has some features issues that are problematic for users and they have noticed.

Style

Made for backcountry and alpine ski touring, the Dynafit Beast Ski Boot has a Lambda frame and a streamlined shape. It has a walk mode, a lean angle of 16, and a stiff flex. The durable shell is a mix of Grilamid and Pebax materials for a smoother flex and just a bit of flex for landings and turns. Included are four sturdy buckles with two on the shin and two on the foot. These open and close to the instep of the foot to prevent the side of the foot catching on debris when walking or from building up snow. The weight is light at 8.1 pounds, and it includes a system of precision lock and a power strap of Velcro. It is a strong ski boot that is very accommodating to a large number of foot types, sizes, and widths.

Support

The support mechanisms incorporated into this ideal ski boot are the heel inserts, the liner, bindings, and buckles. It has heel inserts of Master Step that work well with the Beast bindings since they are wider. The buckles are a huge part of the support of this product because they hold the boot on the foot tightly and are supposed to be an easy way to put them on and take them off. However, judging from the customer feedback about the experiences with the buckles, they are not working for everyone as planned. A few people said that the buckles need plenty of force to make them tight and that the upper buckles have a hinge that makes them annoying. Also noted is the fact that the instep buckle only adjusts slightly, so there is not much play with this one to get the best fit possible. You just have to imagine having to fight with these buckles when you have spent the whole day enjoying your sport and you are really tired and exhausted. The buckles on your ski boots should be easy and carefree to operate. Walk mode is supposed to support you when you climb to make it easier and more comfortable for you. A few people noted that the walk mode does not function smoothly, as they had to spend several minutes getting it to work properly for them. this may be an individual problem, but it was noted by more than one person.

Use

Because it has a stiff flex, the Dynafit Beast does not move toward the toe very much if at all. This type of flex is mostly used by advanced or seasoned skiers who need such structure for jumps, turns, and hard landings that they know how to do well. The beginner or novice skier would not do well in this boot because they need the flexibility in movement that this item does not allow. Made for backcountry long days, it is good for turns and alpine free touring. This product gives a good performance going downhill for those difficult moves and daredevil turns.

Ease of Use

With the large simple buckles, power strap, and well-proportioned interior, the Dynafit Beast is designed to be easy to use. while the majority of users are satisfied with their purchase and the incorporated features of this latest ski boot, some are not. It was hard for a few users to take this model off their feet because of the buckles. These fasteners should not be in the least bit difficult to operate either putting the boot on and taking it off. They said that the stride is not the best, and they had to keep the boot buckled when trail breaking because the boot collects snow when it is loose. we addressed this issue in another section, but it is relevant here because it makes them hard to use and manipulate. The ski walk mode causes a problem with the cuffs of pants and did not give a good range motion range. Boots with such a stiff flex must be very flexible in the walk mode to be possible to walk in. skiers must be comfortable in removing, walking in, and placing the boots on their feet in a trouble-free manner.

Bottom Line

Most sports equipment by well-known manufacturers only has one or two aspects that customers may have a problem with or do not like. This Dynafit Beast Ski Boot has several issues that have made some people wish they had purchased another model or brand. The four sturdy buckles have caused the most negative comments because of the way they function. Usually buckles on ski boots open to the outside of the boot allowing them to be unfastened in walk mode. These buckles open to the inside of the foot making this feat difficult. Another problem is the liner that does not do much for the boot or the person using it. It is thin and soft, which is not much help for support or cushioning. The walk mode motion range was not an ideal degree for a few customers that the manufacturer said it was. These issues did not bother all online buyers, but enough of them to alert potential buyers in our review. Overall, the Dynafit Beast is a well-constructed boot if you are willing to overlook these problems. Chances are, you will not because the liner, buckles, and walk mode are big issues for skiers, especially when the high price tag is considered.