Hard boot splitboard touring

Hardbooting is the way to go. For bindings, go around to any shops that sell backcountry gear and ask if they have any spare toes from warrantied tech ski bindings. If they don't, try posting in any backcountry facebook groups. Usually, people blow up tech heels way faster than the toes, and sometimes they'll get the whole binding warrantied so the shop may just have some spair toes hanging around. Buy em cheap, buy the Voile riser kit, and then figure out the down hill portion. My buddies use the Phantom system which isn't cheap, but as far as we can tell they're bomber and easy to use.

You can also buy just the toe piece from here:
https://skimo.co/binding-parts

A good friend just helped develop the new Phantom Slipper. First split specific hardboot? Not sure but it's basically a TLT5 but a production unharmed up version.

soupA good friend just helped develop the new Phantom Slipper. First split specific hardboot? Not sure but it's basically a TLT5 but a production unharmed up version.

For what it's worth, the Slipper is based on the Atomic Backland. One of the really nice things about this is that the scaffo plastic is fully moldable to different feet.

A number of my splitboarding friends have gone to hardboots. Some are on the Phantom system, and some are using Spark. The canted pucks on systems that don't come canted seem to make a big difference, as well as the boot chosen. Depending on how your Lupos feel, you might not get the flex you want out of them on the down. I know people in Backlands, TLT6 Mountains (and the Speedfit, which is just a new version of that), and one friend who is using the Scarpa TX Pro with the upper buckle and ski/walk mechanism removed.

LiteratureFor what it's worth, the Slipper is based on the Atomic Backland.

The backland is a perfect splitboarding boot.. given that you can get the phantom walk mode replacement with the spring.

DingoSeanThe backland is a perfect splitboarding boot.. given that you can get the phantom walk mode replacement with the spring.

Would my 120 flex lupos be way too stiff? I could go without the tongues or cut my spare set to soften them.

finderWould my 120 flex lupos be way too stiff? I could go without the tongues or cut my spare set to soften them.

yeah all the guys I know who use TLTs for splitboarding have removed the tongues so they should be fine if you do that. the cuff is also stiffer than most highbacks so be aware of that.

finderWould my 120 flex lupos be way too stiff? I could go without the tongues or cut my spare set to soften them.

They might be. Check out some of the tutorials, and try it out. Maybe they're just right for you, but as was mentioned above, most folks are trying to make even soft ski boots softer for hard booting.