Lightweight Carbon Touring Boot
Atomic Backland Carbon Alpine Touring Boot
The Atomic Backland Carbon is a touring boot for skiers who want a real descent out of a light boot without going all the way to a race fit. A carbon loaded PA shell under a carbon fiber cuff holds a firm flex at 1,179 g per boot in a 26/26.5, and the 98 mm last runs narrow and low volume. With 74 degrees of cuff rotation and a 40 mm cam strap over aluminum buckles, the Backland Carbon sits between a ski mountaineering boot and an all-round touring boot.
Expert Fit Review Fit profile and recommendations reviewed by CCBB bootfitters.
Is This the Right Boot for You?
Best For
Experienced tourers on skis 90 to 105 mm wide who want a light boot that still skis, run pin bindings, and have a narrow, low-volume foot.
Consider Another Boot If
You want a sub-1,000 g boot for pure vertical, you need a sole that fits frame or MNC bindings, or your foot needs a 100 mm or wider last.
CCBB Boot Ratings
Uphill Efficiency
74 degrees of rotation at 1,179 g
Downhill Performance
Carbon fiber cuff with a cam strap
Walking Comfort
74 degrees of cuff rotation
Transition Speed
Free/Lock 4.0 external 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 BoxNarrow
Forefoot VolumeNarrow
Instep HeightLow
Heel HoldGood
Ankle HoldGood
PunchabilityLimited
Heat MoldableYes
Why We Like It
- At 1,179 g per boot in a 26/26.5 the Backland Carbon is 197 g heavier than the Carbon UL and skis meaningfully better for it.
- A carbon fiber cuff over a carbon loaded PA shell gives a firm, predictable flex that holds up on skis to 105 mm underfoot.
- 74 degrees of cuff rotation matches the whole Backland line, so the stride is the same as boots 200 g lighter.
- The 40 mm cam strap and aluminum buckles close the cuff more firmly than the strap-only closure on the Carbon UL.
Best Uses
- All-round backcountry touring on skis 90 to 105 mm wide
- Long days that still end with a descent worth skiing
- Spring ski mountaineering with a downhill focus
- Narrow, low-volume feet on a 98 mm last
- Pin binding setups only
Bootfitter's Advice
The Backland Carbon runs a 98 mm last, narrow and low volume, with a regular-height cuff and a ramp angle of 4 degrees. This is a performance fit rather than a comfort fit. Confirm size with a shell fit, and use the included size adjuster, liner laces, and liner spoiler to tune volume before any shell work.
The carbon loaded PA shell accepts modest heat work and the carbon fiber cuff accepts none, so the Backland Carbon has less fit range than the Backland Pro sitting alongside it at a similar weight. We mold the 3D Platinum Tour liner as a matter of course. A wide forefoot or a high instep is better served by the Pro or by the 100 mm Backland XTD line.
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
Weight1,179 g per boot (size 26/26.5)
Last98 mm, narrow width and low volume
Range of Motion74 degrees
ShellCarbon loaded PA, a polyamide reinforced with carbon fiber
CuffCarbon fiber, regular height across the size run
Forward Lean13, 15 (default), and 17 degrees
Ramp Angle4 degrees
Size Range24/24.5 to 30/30.5
Features and Compatibility
Walk ModeFree/Lock 4.0 with Frictionless Pivot, 74 degrees of cuff rotation
Shell ClosureCross Lace 2.0, a Z-cable routed through the lower buckle
Cuff Closure7000-series aluminum tour buckles with a 40 mm cam strap
Liner3D Platinum Tour, heat-moldable and washable, with Dry Fit foam
SoleSkywalk non-norm sole with investment cast tech inserts
Binding CompatibilityPin/tech (low-tech) bindings only. The sole meets no ISO norm, so it is not compatible with alpine, GripWalk, frame, or MNC bindings.
Shell TechnologyProlite, Memory Fit, Stretch Guard
IncludedSize adjuster, liner laces, liner spoiler
Compare the Atomic Backland Carbon
Backland Carbon vs. Atomic Backland Carbon UL
The Atomic Backland Carbon UL strips 197 g per boot to reach 982 g, trading the cam strap and aluminum buckles for an Ultimate Strap. The Backland Carbon keeps the firmer closure and skis better for it. Choose on whether the day is decided going up or coming down.
Shop the Atomic Backland Carbon UL
Backland Carbon vs. Atomic Backland Pro
These two sit 13 g apart at 1,179 g and 1,166 g per boot on the same 98 mm last and the same non-norm sole. The Atomic Backland Pro uses a carbon loaded PU shell that takes fit work more readily. The Backland Carbon uses a carbon fiber cuff for a firmer flex. Fit needs usually decide it.
Shop the Atomic Backland Pro
Backland Carbon vs. Scarpa F1 GT
Both are light touring boots that still ski. The Scarpa F1 GT adds a tongue and a wider last for more downhill support. The Atomic Backland Carbon runs narrower at 98 mm with 74 degrees of rotation and a lower weight. Foot volume tends to decide it.
Shop the Scarpa F1 GT
Common Questions
Who should buy the Atomic Backland Carbon?
Experienced tourers with narrow, low-volume feet who ski skis 90 to 105 mm wide on pin bindings and want a light boot that still drives a ski. The Atomic Backland Carbon sits between the Carbon UL and the Backland XTD line.
What bindings work with the Atomic Backland Carbon?
The sole is a Skywalk Non-Norm sole with investment cast tech inserts. Pin/tech (low-tech) bindings only. The sole meets no ISO norm, so it is not compatible with alpine, GripWalk, frame, or MNC bindings. Check the binding, not the boot, if you are unsure: if it does not take pins, it does not take this boot.
What flex is the Atomic Backland Carbon?
Atomic publishes no numeric flex index for the Atomic Backland Carbon, and we do not invent one. The carbon fiber cuff gives a firm, progressive feel that is softer than the 120-flex Backland XTD Carbon 120 and firmer than the Carbon UL.
How is the Atomic Backland Carbon different from the Backland Pro?
The two weigh 1,179 g and 1,166 g per boot at 26/26.5 on the same 98 mm last and the same non-norm sole. The Atomic Backland Carbon uses a carbon fiber cuff for a firmer flex, and the Backland Pro uses a carbon loaded PU shell that we can punch and heat more freely.
Can the Atomic Backland Carbon be punched and molded?
Modestly. The carbon loaded PA shell accepts light to moderate work and the carbon fiber cuff accepts none. The 3D Platinum Tour liner is heat-moldable and we mold it as standard. Feet needing real shell work are better served by the Atomic Backland Pro.
How does the sizing run on the Atomic Backland Carbon?
The Atomic Backland Carbon covers two Mondo sizes per shell and runs from 24/24.5 to 30/30.5, on a narrow 98 mm last. Confirm your size with a shell fit rather than converting from a street-shoe number.
Our Verdict
The Atomic Backland Carbon is the balance point of the Backland line. At 1,179 g per boot in a 26/26.5 it tours with 74 degrees of cuff rotation and skis a firmer flex than anything lighter in the range, held by a carbon fiber cuff and a proper cam strap. The 98 mm last is narrow and the non-norm sole runs pin bindings only, so this is a dedicated backcountry boot for a dedicated backcountry skier. Wider feet and mixed resort use point to the Backland XTD line instead.
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