Atomic Backland Ultimate Alpine Touring Boots Ski Boots - Touring Boots Atomic 23.5
Atomic Backland Ultimate Alpine Touring Boots Ski Boots - Touring Boots Atomic 23.5
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Atomic Backland Ultimate Alpine Touring Boots

$789.95 $949.95
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Description

The Atomic Backland Ultimate is an 788 gram (size 26.5) race and speed-touring boot on a narrow 96mm last, with an 80-degree stride, a heat-moldable shell, and a tech-only race sole for skimo and fast days.
Tech Specs
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Race and Speed-Touring Boot

Atomic Backland Ultimate Alpine Touring Boots

The Atomic Backland Ultimate Alpine Touring Boots are built for skimo racers and fast-and-light tourers who redline every ascent. A 96mm last runs narrow, with the shell downsized a full size compared to the standard Backland, and a Grilamid nylon shell with a carbon spine keeps a soft touring flex. At 788 g per boot (size 26.5), with 80 degrees of cuff rotation and a single instep buckle, the Atomic Backland Ultimate is made for race courses, vertical laps and high-vertical spring days.

Expert Fit Review Fit profile and recommendations reviewed by CCBB bootfitters.

Is This the Right Boot for You?

Best For
Skimo racers and fast-and-light tourers with narrow, low-volume feet who want a 788 g boot with an 80-degree stride for redlining uphill efforts, and who accept a soft flex in exchange for the lowest practical weight.
Consider Another Boot If
You want to drive a wider ski with authority, have a wide or high-volume foot, or need frame, GripWalk, or alpine binding compatibility. The Backland Ultimate is a tech-only race sole boot and skis soft compared with a stiffer touring boot like the Backland Carbon.

CCBB Boot Ratings

Uphill Efficiency
5/5
80 degree ROM at 788 g
Downhill Performance
2/5
Soft race flex
Walking Comfort
5/5
Frictionless pivot, long stride
Transition Speed
5/5
Single-lever Free/Lock

Rating scale: 5 = top of its class, 4 = excellent, 3 = good, 2 = specialized or below average, and 1 = limited.

CCBB Fit Profile

Overall VolumeLow
Toe BoxNarrow
Forefoot VolumeNarrow
Instep HeightLow
Heel HoldGood
Ankle HoldGood
PunchabilityModerate
Heat MoldableYes

Why We Like It

  • At 788 g per boot (size 26.5), the Atomic Backland Ultimate is one of the lighter race-class touring boots we stock.
  • The frictionless pivot and 80-degree range of motion give a long, near-effortless stride for skinning and bootpacking on race courses and big-vert days.
  • The carbon-fiber cuff and carbon spine hold the boot stiff enough to straight-line a finish while keeping weight low.
  • The single-lever Free/Lock mechanism tensions the boot and drops it into ski mode in one motion for fast transitions.

Best Uses

  • Skimo racing and Tuesday-night race leagues
  • Fast-and-light spring missions and long-vertical days
  • Narrow race and touring skis 65 to 85mm underfoot
  • Skiers with narrow, low-volume feet and skinny ankles
  • Uphill-focused tours where stride and weight beat downhill power

Bootfitter's Advice

The Atomic Backland Ultimate fits narrow and low-volume on a 96mm race last, and Atomic downsizes the shell one full size relative to the standard Backland, so it runs shorter and tighter than the number suggests. After fitting hundreds of skiers we find it suits skinny, low-volume feet and narrow ankles, the same shape that struggles in higher-volume touring boots. Confirm length with a shell fit rather than converting from street-shoe size.

The Memory Fit plastic accepts heat molding and moderate punching, so we can open room at the sixth-toe and navicular even on a race boot. Skiers with wide forefeet or high insteps should plan on fit work or step up to the roomier Backland Carbon. The Platinum Speed liner is thin and packs out over a season, so expect to add volume or replace it after heavy use.

Fit profile reviewed by CCBB bootfitters. Final sizing should be confirmed with a shell fit whenever possible.

📏 Technical Specifications Manufacturer specs · Click to expand

Fit and Construction

Weight788 g per boot. Atomic does not publish a reference size for this figure.
Last 96mm, narrow race fit (shell downsized one full size versus the standard Backland)
Flex Soft. Atomic does not assign a numeric flex index to the Backland Ultimate, and we find it noticeably soft in the cuff, typical of a race boot.
Range of Motion 80 degrees
Shell Grilamid nylon (PA) with a carbon spine, Prolite construction, Memory Fit customizable
Cuff Carbon fiber

Features and Compatibility

Walk Mode Single-lever Free/Lock external ski/walk mechanism with frictionless pivot
Closure One instep buckle with cable and a power strap
Binding Compatibility Pin-tech (low-tech) bindings only. The Skywalk race sole meets no ISO norm, so the Backland Ultimate is not compatible with frame, GripWalk, MNC, or ISO 5355 alpine bindings.
Sole Atomic Skywalk full-rubber race sole (meets no ISO norm) with tech fittings
Forward Lean 13, 15 degrees
Liner Platinum Speed thermoformable race liner

Compare the Atomic Backland Ultimate

Backland Ultimate vs. Scarpa Alien 1.1

Both are sub-race-weight boots for skimo and fast touring. The Atomic Backland Ultimate uses a heat-moldable Memory Fit shell, a heat-mouldable construction, and a single instep buckle for an easy, adjustable fit, while the Scarpa Alien 1.1 runs a touch lighter with a carbon cuff and a BOA-and-lever closure. We steer narrow, hard-to-fit feet toward the moldable Atomic.

Shop Scarpa Alien 1.1 boots

Backland Ultimate vs. Dynafit DNA

The Dynafit DNA is a dedicated race boot that is lighter and stiffer in the cuff for course speed, while the Atomic Backland Ultimate is softer and more forgiving with a moldable shell that fits a wider range of feet. Racers chasing podiums lean Dynafit; skiers who want one light boot that fits well lean Atomic.

Shop Dynafit DNA boots

Backland Ultimate vs. Atomic Backland Carbon

These two share Atomic's Backland DNA, but the Backland Carbon is 390 g heavier per boot, stiffer, and built for all-day touring rather than racing. The Atomic Backland Ultimate is the lighter, softer, narrower race tool. Choose the Backland Ultimate for speed and the Carbon for a more skiable everyday touring boot.

Shop Atomic Backland Carbon boots

Common Questions

Is the Atomic Backland Ultimate stiff enough to ski hard?
No, and we are honest about that. The Atomic Backland Ultimate is a soft race boot. The carbon spine keeps it from folding, but the cuff plastic is soft and flexes through a lot of travel before it walls up. The Atomic Backland Ultimate straight-lines a race finish well, but skiers who want to drive a bigger ski should look at the stiffer Backland Carbon or Backland XTD Carbon 120.
What bindings work with the Atomic Backland Ultimate?
The Atomic Backland Ultimate works only with pin-tech (low-tech) bindings that grip its tech fittings. Its Skywalk race sole meets no ISO norm, so it is not compatible with frame bindings, GripWalk bindings, MNC alpine bindings, or standard ISO 5355 alpine bindings. Pair it with a light tech binding such as an ATK, Dynafit, or Plum race or touring model.
How does the Atomic Backland Ultimate fit?
The Atomic Backland Ultimate fits narrow and low-volume on a 96mm race last, with a snug heel and ankle. Atomic downsizes the shell one full size versus the standard Backland, so it runs shorter and tighter. Narrow, skinny-ankle feet fit best. Confirm sizing with a shell fit.
Can the Atomic Backland Ultimate be heat molded?
Yes. The Atomic Backland Ultimate uses a Memory Fit shell that accepts heat molding, which is unusual for a race boot. Our bootfitters can open room at the sixth-toe, navicular, and instep, and the Platinum Speed liner can also be molded, so hard-to-fit narrow feet can still get a comfortable fit.
How much does the Atomic Backland Ultimate weigh?
The Atomic Backland Ultimate weighs 788 g per boot. Atomic does not publish a reference size for that figure, so expect a few grams more at the top of the size run. That places the Backland Ultimate among the lighter race-class touring boots and well below a typical 1,200 g all-day touring boot.
What is the range of motion, and how does it tour?
The Atomic Backland Ultimate gives 80 degrees of cuff rotation on a frictionless pivot, one of the longest, lowest-resistance strides in any boot we carry. The Atomic Backland Ultimate skins and bootpacks with almost no restriction, which is the whole point of a race boot.
Is the Atomic Backland Ultimate warm and durable enough for regular touring?
The thin Platinum Speed liner prioritizes weight and quick drying over warmth, so cold-footed skiers on long winter days often add a warmer aftermarket liner. Some owners also report shell cracking near the lower buckle area over heavy multi-season use, so treat the Atomic Backland Ultimate as a race and fast-touring tool rather than a daily driver.

Our Verdict

The Atomic Backland Ultimate is a focused race and speed-touring boot. At 788 g with an 80-degree stride and a frictionless pivot, it climbs and transitions with the best light boots we stock, and the heat-moldable Memory Fit shell lets us fit narrow, difficult feet that most race boots ignore. The trade-off is a genuinely soft flex and tech-only, no-ISO-norm sole, so it is not the boot for driving wide skis or for anyone needing frame or alpine binding compatibility. For skimo racing and fast, uphill-focused days on narrow feet, the Atomic Backland Ultimate is a strong, honest choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What foot shape works best?

Low- to medium-volume feet with a lower instep and secure heel.
Does it punch well?

Minor boot fitting is possible, but race boots are less forgiving to modify than heavier Grilamid touring boots.