Pierre Gignoux Black Skimo Race Boot Ski Boots - Touring Boots - Race Pierre Gignoux 26
Pierre Gignoux Black Skimo Race Boot Ski Boots - Touring Boots - Race Pierre Gignoux
Pierre Gignoux Black Skimo Race Boot Ski Boots - Touring Boots - Race Pierre Gignoux 26
Pierre Gignoux Black Skimo Race Boot Ski Boots - Touring Boots - Race Pierre Gignoux

Pierre Gignoux Black Skimo Race Boot

$2,149.00
Size
1 in stock
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Boot Fitters Advice
Description

The Pierre Gignoux Black Skimo Race Boot is a 681-gram (27.5) hand-laid carbon race boot with 108 degrees of cuff rotation, built for skimo racing and fast ski mountaineering on light skis under 100mm.
Tech Specs
Features

  • Weight: 681 g per boot (size 27.5), one of the lightest boots we stock. Pierre Gignoux advertises a lighter 600-gram figure.
  • Flex: No numeric flex index. Laterally stiff carbon, tuned for racing rather than damping.
  • Range of Motion: 108 degrees of cuff rotation for a shoe-like stride.
  • Walk Mode: 2-in-1 single-throw lever that locks and releases in one motion.
  • Shell: Hand-laid full carbon-fiber shell and cuff, built in the French Alps.
  • Liner: Full Palau liner, heat-moldable, with a medium neoprene gaiter for warmth.
  • Sole: Proprietary Black Sole molded to the carbon; meets no ISO norm; certified tech inserts.
  • Closure: One cuff buckle with single-throw lever, internal lacing, and an instep strap.
  • Forward Lean: Adjustable, 12 and 18 degrees.
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Ultralight Carbon Skimo Race Boot

Pierre Gignoux Black Skimo Race Boot

The Pierre Gignoux Black Skimo Race Boot is a 681-gram (size 27.5) hand-laid carbon skimo race boot with an anatomical carbon last, no assigned flex index, and a proprietary Black Sole that meets no ISO norm, built for skimo racing and fast-and-light ski mountaineering on light skis.

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 ski mountaineers with low-volume, narrow-heeled feet who want a 681-gram carbon boot that still walks and transitions like a race boot but adds a full Palau liner and gaiter for warm, full-length winter days on skis under 100mm.
Consider Another Boot If
You want a damp, forgiving descent, plan to drive skis over 100mm or heavy freeride setups, have a high-volume or very wide foot, need to punch or grind the shell for fit, or want a boot that works with frame, MNC, or alpine bindings.

CCBB Boot Ratings

Uphill Efficiency
5/5
108 ROM at 681 g
Downhill Performance
2/5
Stiff carbon, no damping
Walking Comfort
5/5
Near-frictionless, shoe-like
Transition Speed
5/5
Single-throw lever

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 BoxMedium
Forefoot VolumeMedium
Instep HeightLow
Heel HoldGood
Ankle HoldGood
PunchabilityLimited (carbon shell cannot be punched)
Heat MoldableLiner only (Palau liner is heat-moldable; carbon shell is not)

Why We Like It

  • The Pierre Gignoux Black weighs 681 grams per boot (size 27.5), among the lightest ski boots we stock, a figure verified by Skimo Co.
  • The 108-degree cuff rotation and low-friction pivot give a shoe-like stride for skinning, bootpacking, and scrambling.
  • The 2-in-1 single-throw walk lever locks the cuff and releases it in one motion, so transitions take seconds.
  • A full Palau liner and medium neoprene gaiter add warmth and keep snow out, comfort the race-only Dynafit DNA by Pierre Gignoux gives up.
  • The hand-laid carbon shell and cuff are laterally stiff for the weight, holding an edge on firm snow under skis in the 80 to 100mm range.
  • The internal lacing system and instep strap lock the foot for a precise, adjustable fit.

Best Uses

  • Skimo racing and training laps
  • Fast-and-light ski mountaineering and spring missions
  • Big-vertical days on light skis (15,000 feet and up)
  • Touring skis 80 to 100mm underfoot
  • Skiers with low-volume, anatomically shaped feet

Bootfitter's Advice

The Pierre Gignoux Black fits as a low-volume, anatomically shaped race boot. We find the forefoot is medium in width but low over the instep, the heel pocket is narrow, and the full Palau liner locks the ankle once the instep strap is set. Skiers coming from a Dynafit TLT or PDG often take the same Mondo size, but confirm with a shell fit because Pierre Gignoux does not publish a numeric last width.

The carbon shell cannot be punched or ground, so plan to solve fit through the heat-moldable Palau liner, footbeds, and strap tuning rather than shell work. The gaiter runs warm and feet swell on long spring days, so many skiers size for a little extra length. Skiers with high insteps or very wide forefeet should try the boot on before committing at this price.

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

Weight
681 g per boot (size 27.5), verified by Skimo Co. Pierre Gignoux advertises a lighter 600-gram figure.
Last
Needs Clarification. Pierre Gignoux does not publish a numeric last width; we find an anatomical, low-volume shape.
Flex
No numeric flex index assigned. Laterally stiff carbon, biased to racing over damping.
Range of Motion
108 degrees
Shell
Hand-laid full carbon fiber
Cuff
Hand-laid full carbon fiber with single-throw walk lever

Features and Compatibility

Walk Mode
2-in-1 single-throw lever, 108-degree cuff rotation
Closure
One cuff buckle with single-throw lever, internal lacing, and instep strap
Binding Compatibility
Pin-tech (low-tech) bindings only. The proprietary Black Sole meets no ISO norm and is not compatible with frame, MNC, or alpine bindings.
Sole
Proprietary Black Sole molded to the carbon shell (meets no ISO norm) with certified tech inserts
Forward Lean
12 and 18 degrees
Liner
Full Palau liner with medium neoprene gaiter

Compare the Pierre Gignoux Black

Black vs. Dynafit DNA by Pierre Gignoux

Both boots are hand-built by Pierre Gignoux on the same race platform. The Dynafit DNA by Pierre Gignoux strips down to a thin race liner for the lightest possible race-day setup, while the Pierre Gignoux Black adds a full Palau liner and a medium gaiter, so it stays warm on 15,000-foot winter days and works as a race boot that tours.

Shop Dynafit DNA by Pierre Gignoux boots

Black vs. Pierre Gignoux Mountain

The Pierre Gignoux Black uses one cuff buckle and weighs 681 grams per boot, biased toward racing and long, light days. The Pierre Gignoux Mountain adds a second cuff buckle and a laterally stiffer cuff at 783 grams per boot, so it drives skis up to 104mm with more control while giving up a little uphill speed.

Shop Pierre Gignoux Mountain boots

Black vs. Scarpa Alien 1.1

Skiers cross-shop these two ultralight carbon race boots. The Scarpa Alien 1.1 is a proven race platform with a lower price, while the Pierre Gignoux Black is lighter, walks with more range of motion, and skis firmer snow with more edge control, at a higher cost and with a full-carbon shell that needs care around rock.

Shop Scarpa Alien 1.1 boots

Common Questions

Who should buy the Pierre Gignoux Black Skimo Race Boot?
The Pierre Gignoux Black suits skimo racers and fast-and-light ski mountaineers with low-volume, narrow-heeled feet who want a 681-gram carbon boot that walks and transitions like a race boot. It is best on light skis under 100mm and paired with pin-tech race bindings.
How much does the Pierre Gignoux Black actually weigh?
Pierre Gignoux advertises the Black at a 600-gram figure, but on our scale and Skimo Co's it measures 681 grams per boot at size 27.5, with larger shells weighing more. It is still one of the lightest boots we carry; we report the weight we measure rather than the lightest-size marketing number.
What bindings does the Pierre Gignoux Black work with?
The Pierre Gignoux Black works with pin-tech (low-tech) race and touring bindings only. Its proprietary Black Sole is molded to the carbon shell and meets no ISO alpine or touring norm, so the Black is not compatible with frame, MNC, or standard alpine bindings. It carries certified tech inserts at the toe and heel.
Can the Pierre Gignoux Black really do more than race?
Yes, within limits. We find the Pierre Gignoux Black drives skis up to 100mm underfoot in soft snow and skis firmer than most race boots. The carbon shell has little damping, though, so on firm, variable snow or skis over 100mm a heavier four-buckle boot skis with more control.
How does the walk mode and forward lean work?
The Pierre Gignoux Black uses a 2-in-1 single-throw lever that gives 108 degrees of cuff rotation in walk mode and locks the cuff for skiing in one motion. Skimo Co verifies two forward-lean settings at 12 and 18 degrees, and the lever base can be reconfigured for additional positions.
How does the sizing run?
The Pierre Gignoux Black runs close to Mondo length, and Pierre Gignoux makes true half sizes at 26 and 27. Because the gaiter is warm and feet swell on long days, many skiers size for a little extra length. Confirm fit with a shell fit rather than converting from street-shoe size.
Is the Pierre Gignoux Black warm enough for winter touring?
Yes. Unlike a stripped race boot, the Pierre Gignoux Black uses a full Palau liner and a medium neoprene gaiter, and the carbon shell holds heat well. Several of our customers call it one of the warmest boots they own, though high-output days can leave feet damp.
How durable is the full-carbon shell?
The Pierre Gignoux Black is a hand-laid full-carbon boot, so it is light but needs care. It handles the occasional rocky bootpack and the walk to the car, but kicking steps into scree or hard rock can gouge the carbon. Treat the Black as a specialist race and touring tool, not a daily resort boot.
What is the last width and foot shape?
Pierre Gignoux does not publish a numeric last width for the Black, so we flag it as Needs Clarification. We find the shape anatomical: a medium forefoot that is low over the instep, with a narrow heel. Pierre Gignoux can build a wider version of the shell on request.

Our Verdict

The Pierre Gignoux Black Skimo Race Boot is the most versatile boot Pierre Gignoux builds. At 681 grams per boot with 108 degrees of cuff rotation, it climbs and transitions like a pure race boot, and the full Palau liner and gaiter make it warm enough for full winter days that a stripped race boot cannot handle. The trade-off is downhill damping: the carbon shell is stiff but not forgiving, so we keep it under skis at 100mm and below and pair it with pin-tech race bindings only. For skimo racers and fast-and-light ski mountaineers with low-volume feet, few boots match its combination of weight, walking, and warmth.