Dalbello Lupos

DistancedaveHopefully someone has experience with multiple lupo models. I'm currents looking to buy one of the following:
Lupo Factory
Lupo 130c
Lupo AX125c
Ignoring the wider last of the ax, can I really expect to feel a difference in the flex between the 130s and 125?

Also, will the flex of the factory be different compared to the 130c since one is out of carbon fiber and the other not? I can't really imagine these materials flexing the exact same even though they are both 130.

Finally, how much difference in internal volume is there really between the 98 last Factory and 130c and the 100 last ax125c? I do have a wider forefoot but the rest of my feet is relatively thin and boney so fear that if there's slightly too much volume everywhere (especially the heel) I'll just be sliding around?

Thanks in advance for any comments.
So far I've had Scarpa Freedom RS 130s incase someone has a comparison of hethe dalbellos to those.

So a 125-130 number wise isn’t a huge difference. The Factory has carbon fiber to make it lighter, but the tongue is the same material (I think?). Point is, the carbon fiber won’t be affecting the flex of the boot so it would be hard to discern a difference. If you have a wider forefoot but everything else is low volume, I would recommend the Factory because it can always be punched or stretched. The wider boot may fit your forefoot better, but once it’s packed out you may have too much room like you pointed out. Have you tried either of these on? What will you be using them for? Do you not like the Scarpas?

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Thanks for the feedback. I plan on using them 60/40 resort/touring. But always skiing quite agressive. The Scarpas were good but they're getting old now and unfortunately I got a cast touring system and only realized after that the interchangeable alpine soles of the Scarpas don't have pin inserts.

animatorSo a 125-130 number wise isn’t a huge difference. The Factory has carbon fiber to make it lighter, but the tongue is the same material (I think?). Point is, the carbon fiber won’t be affecting the flex of the boot so it would be hard to discern a difference. If you have a wider forefoot but everything else is low volume, I would recommend the Factory because it can always be punched or stretched. The wider boot may fit your forefoot better, but once it’s packed out you may have too much room like you pointed out. Have you tried either of these on? What will you be using them for? Do you not like the Scarpas?

Regardless you should try them on before buying them. You’d be surprised how much a difference a 98 last to 100 last will make in a boot. I have the Factory Lupo and love them, I believe (I don’t have them next to me to check) but I believe they have the same tongue as the 120 but the carbon cuff is what adds the little bit of stiffness to make it 130. I felt like the factory was in between the 120 and the 130 stiffness wise.


But if you’re thinking of buying them you should definitely try them on before hand with a boot fitter to make sure they are the correct fit for you

DistancedaveThanks for the feedback. I plan on using them 60/40 resort/touring. But always skiing quite agressive. The Scarpas were good but they're getting old now and unfortunately I got a cast touring system and only realized after that the interchangeable alpine soles of the Scarpas don't have pin inserts.

Ahhhh I see. I think either would be fine flex-wise, but I’d highly recommend trying them on before buying. I have a gross instep but the rest of my foot is low volume, so I have a similar issue where I can’t buy boots to fit my instep because they blow up and get too big. Good luck, any other questions feel free to ask. @onenerdykid and @tomPietrowski are also excellent resources and know literally everything about boots

I got Lupo Factory boots last season and they’re awesome. I’ve had il moro’s as my resort boot and there doesn’t seem to be any compromise with the lightweight touring Lupo’s.

one thing I had to do was ditch the liner that came with the Lupo’s, I just use the wrap-style intuition liners from my il moros and swap em back when I ride resort.

Can’t compare Lupo models but I’ve got the 120ax and a similar sounding foot. Still needed a bit of a punch to 105mm at the forefoot and some jbars at the back because skinny heels/calfs and the fitter (Tom at Intuition) had me sorted.

Probably grabbing some wraps for resort days as the stock liner packed out a good bit and is only ideal when I want to be comfy on tour days. But still - first boots that I’ve worn for two seasons and not lost nails / gone through intense foot pain with. They were the right boot for me once dialed in and they’ve been rad.

Bootfitter here.. just chiming in.

The ax125 and 130c are the same plastic/mold, but the walls of the ax125 are thinner to accommodate the extra 2mm last hence the 5 point lower flex rating. The factory is the stiffest of the 3 and one of the stiffest crossover touring boots out there, but unless you REALLY need it I can't say the price jump is justified.

Can't say much without seeing your feet, but generally Lupos are pretty wide in the heel area, so if you have super thin boney ankles things might not work out the best. Don't ruin the fit of the boot around your ankle just so you have 2mm extra last in the forefoot, that's what punching is meant for.

Haven't skied the boots you mentioned, and will always echo the recommendations to go to a bootfitter, but I will add that I have pretty low-volume ankles, a low instep, but a pretty wide midfoot and the 98mm-last Lupo Pro HD actually gave me enough room in the midfoot and forefoot. But it was also roomier than I would've liked around the ankle and instep, which was alleviated slightly when I threw in a thicker Intuition Tour Wrap liner.

The more linear flex pattern of the Lupos is also worth keeping in mind. FWIW, I've got a 6', 200 lb friend who definitely prefers a more progressive flex (his favorite boot is the Lange RX 130), and he found the Lupo Factory to be way too soft for him at the end of its flex. Of course, tons of really hard-charging skiers use that boot or the softer Lupos and are big fans, but maybe something to note, coming from a 2-piece boot like the Freedom RS, which if I remember from my very brief time in it, had a pretty traditional, progressive flex pattern that started softer but then ramped up considerably.

I boot fit at a shop that carries most of the Lupo line.I would also take a look at the Roxa R3 130 TI. Ligther, more progressive flex, and comes with an actual intuition liner.

Always having had wider feet, I've unfortunately never riden Dalbellos (last I heard they didnt have any last over 100?) But I always hear how much people love them and really wish there were some i could get.