Dynafit Hoji Pro Tour Review

The eagerly anticipated and much-lauded (in pre-release testing) Hoji Pro Tour is a solid backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering shoe. It brings unique engineering and innovative features to the market but is still surpassed in some ways by more traditionally constructed boots. Overlap boots are now lighter and more proven, while beefed-up randonnee racing boots tour way, way better. Some quirks of the Hoji boot keep us from granting it our highest award, but it skis well. Most interestingly, the Hoji boot skis downhill as well or better than many overlap constructed boots. Generally, we expect overlap boots to ski the best of the major design options. However, the "three-piece" construction of the Hoji is tuned for no-play, progressive downhill stiffness. We dig it, and you will too.

Performance Comparison

Uphill Performance

"Uphill performance", in our scoring matrix, is purely a function of cuff range of motion and friction within that range. We score weight elsewhere. In terms of touring cuff range and friction, there are two distinct modes of the Hoji Pro Tour. If used "as designed", uphill travel is below average. If you use it as most use their boots, uphill performance is about average. Let us elaborate. Dynafit has designed and marketed the Hoji Pro Tour as having a one-step uphill-downhill transition. With their "pants down always" branding and intention, the cuff lock, upper buckle, and power strap are activated and (partially) deactivated all with a mid-sized rear lever. When you adjust everything and use the boots this way, you get a tour mode that works but isn't as free-flowing as other options.

If you further loosen the buckles (requiring a pants cuff lift), you get range of motion more in line (but not yet quite as good) with that of the top-scoring boots. It is important to note Dynafit's "Speed Nose" design, employed on the Hoji Pro Tour. By eliminating the traditional ski boot toe "ledge" (used in attaching some bindings and all automatic boot crampons), Dynafit can move the tech fittings further back, placing the pivot point in tour mode closer to one's foot. This has a noticeable but debatable and very, very minor advantage in touring. There are usability issues with this, noted below, that makes it a net disadvantage to our review team.

Weight

A pair of the Hoji Pro Tour, in size 26.5, weighs six pounds two ounces (that converts to 1389 grams for one boot). For as good as this boot skis, this is remarkable. When you consider that, just three years ago, we were excited for the six-pound five-ounce La Sportiva Spectre, the Hoji mass is remarkable. At a lower weight, the Hoji skis way, way better than that now out-of-date option. Materials are carefully chosen and stripped down on the Hoji.

Downhill Performance

Our team really liked the downhill performance of the Hoji. The biggest difference between the Hoji and other boots is the way the cuff locks to the lower boot shell. The tensioned mechanism creates a more positive connection that is obvious in head-to-head "carpet testing". All other reviews focus on this difference, and it is indeed noticeable and better. However, we found that the positivity difference is virtually lost in all but the most discerning ski testers in very optimal conditions. The major perk of the Hoji boot's downhill performance is its smooth, stiff, and progressive forward flex. The graduated forward flexion is something we would expect from a resort overlap boot, not from a six-pound touring boot. These things ski very, very well.

Comfort and Fit

Of course, most will have at least some work done on their AT ski boots to optimize fit and comfort. Our comments here, then, are very generalized and should be considered just a simple starting point. The liner included with the Hoji Pro Tour is soft and comfortable against your foot, right out of the box. For ongoing performance and fit, a stiffer liner will be better. Be careful about being seduced by the puffy and soft liner. The overall fit of the Hoji is relatively narrow, with a tall and roomy toe box and a tight heel pocket.

Warmth

Warmth is a function of fit (get your boots dialed in for maximum foot health) and amount of shell and liner material. The shell of the Hoji is thin, but the liner is pretty thick. The result is relatively warm boots.

Ease of Use

We have a few answers to the question, "How easy are the Hoji boots to use?". If you use them as intended for skin-accessed skiing in simple tech bindings, the Hoji boot is slicker than any other all-around or high-performance AT ski boots. The "Hoji Lock" transition closure is brilliant and replicates skimo race gear in transition ease. The catches, though, are multiple. First, as noted above, touring mobility suffers until you lift your pant cuff and loosen things up further. Next is the very odd "Speed Nose". Dynafit, like they did with their TLT7 Performance boots, omitted the toe welt/ledge for the Hoji boots.

For tech binding skinning, this saves some weight and moves the pivot closer to your toes. These are good things. However, it preempts use with certain bindings, and it makes crampon use complicated. There are workarounds to the crampon thing, but it isn't straightforward. Overall, the usability issues, especially as compared to branding and marketing copy, of the Hoji, are multiple and significantly hamstring the overall performance.

Value

It is refreshing to watch Dynafit's top-of-the-line AT ski boots come down in price. This is their flagship boot, and it is hundreds of dollars less expensive than previous Dynafit high-end ski boots. Provided the complicated "Hoji Lock" holds up for you, you will get years of excellent service from these boots. Note, though, that you will likely need to replace the liner for truly good fit and lasting performance.

Conclusion