Salomon W Shift Alpha Boa 95 Alpine Touring Boot

$837.00 $1,046.00
Size
2 in stock
Build Your Dream Setup!
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Features

  • Flex: 95, a progressive alpine flex Salomon rates as hard.
  • Last: 98 mm narrow last, heat-moldable toward 102 mm.
  • Weight: 1,600 g per boot. Salomon lists 3 lb 8 oz per unit.
  • Walk Mode: SkiWalk and FreeSpine with a Twinlock lever, up to 55 degrees of range of motion.
  • Closure: BOA Fit System, claw strap, and Exobelt.
  • Shell: Polyurethane with a FreeSpine cuff-to-shell link.
  • Liner: My Custom Fit Freeride 4D Sport, heat-moldable.
  • Sole: GripWalk (ISO 23223) full-rubber sole with premounted GripWalk pads and low-tech pin inserts.
  • Binding: Pin/tech touring plus GripWalk and MNC alpine and AT bindings, including the Salomon Shift.

Description

The Salomon Shift Alpha BOA 95 W is a women's freeride touring boot with a 98 mm last, 95 flex, BOA closure, 55-degree walk mode, and a GripWalk sole plus pin inserts for both touring and resort bindings.

Tech Specs
Women's Freeride Touring Boot with BOA and Walk Mode

Salomon W Shift Alpha Boa 95 Alpine Touring Boot

The Salomon W Shift Alpha BOA 95 Alpine Touring Boot is a 1,600 g freeride touring boot with a 98 mm last, a 95 flex, and a GripWalk (ISO 23223) sole plus low-tech pin inserts, built for women who tour to earn resort-grade descents. A FreeSpine cuff-to-shell link and Twinlock walk mode deliver up to 55 degrees of range of motion, while a BOA Fit System and Exobelt lock the foot for the way down.

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

Is This the Right Boot for You?

Best For
Women who want one boot for both the climb and the descent: a walkable, 1,600 g freeride touring boot with pin inserts for skinning and a GripWalk sole for lift-served days, on skis 90 to 106 mm underfoot.
Consider Another Boot If
You want the lightest possible boot for big-vertical touring, you have a wide or high-volume foot that a narrow 98 mm shell cannot open enough to fit, or you ski almost entirely inbounds and would be better served by a dedicated alpine boot.

CCBB Boot Ratings

Uphill Efficiency
4/5
55 degrees ROM at 1,600 g
Downhill Performance
4/5
Progressive alpine 95 flex
Walking Comfort
4/5
FreeSpine stride, GripWalk pads
Transition Speed
4/5
One-lever Twinlock

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 HeightMedium
Heel HoldGood
Ankle HoldGood
PunchabilityModerate
Heat MoldableYes

Why We Like It

  • The Salomon Shift Alpha BOA 95 W pairs a GripWalk (ISO 23223) alpine sole with low-tech pin inserts, so it drops into pin/tech touring bindings for the climb and into GripWalk or MNC bindings, including the Salomon Shift, for lift-served days.
  • The FreeSpine link between cuff and shell opens to a 55-degree range of motion in walk mode, then stiffens the boot for a progressive 95 flex on the descent.
  • At 1,600 g per boot the Shift Alpha BOA 95 W tours lighter than most resort-crossover boots while still skiing a real alpine flex.
  • The BOA Fit System, claw strap, and Exobelt wrap the 98 mm shell tight for heel hold, which matters on firm freeride descents.
  • The Twinlock lever switches between ski and walk in one motion and closes in a horizontal position for durability.
  • The My Custom Fit Freeride 4D Sport liner is heat-moldable for foothold on the narrow 98 mm last.

Best Uses

  • Freeride touring and sidecountry laps
  • Resort days paired with a Salomon Shift or other MNC/GripWalk binding
  • Backcountry tours with pin/tech bindings
  • Skiers who want one boot for both uphill and downhill
  • Narrow to medium feet on skis 90 to 106 mm underfoot

Bootfitter's Advice

The Salomon Shift Alpha BOA 95 W runs narrow and low on a 98 mm last, with strong heel and ankle hold from the BOA dial, claw strap, and Exobelt. It suits women with average-to-narrow feet who want a snug, performance freeride touring fit. We shell-fit it like a performance boot and expect skiers with wide forefeet or high insteps to need molding work or a higher-volume shell.

The polyurethane shell heat-molds and punches toward 102 mm for the forefoot, and the liner molds for foothold. The walk mode opens to 55 degrees through the FreeSpine and Twinlock system, which is generous for a boot that still skis a hard 95 flex. Before mounting, confirm your binding accepts a GripWalk sole or the low-tech pin inserts, because the Shift Alpha BOA 95 W is not compatible with fixed ISO 5355-only alpine bindings.

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
1,600 g per boot. Salomon states 3 lb 8 oz per unit.
Last
98 mm, heat-moldable toward 102 mm
Flex
95, a progressive alpine flex Salomon rates as hard
Range of Motion
55 degrees in walk mode (FreeSpine and Twinlock)
Shell
Polyurethane with FreeSpine cuff-to-shell link
Cuff
Polyurethane with FreeSpine and Twinlock walk mechanism

Features and Compatibility

Walk Mode
SkiWalk and FreeSpine with a Twinlock lever, up to 55 degrees of range of motion
Closure
BOA Fit System, claw strap, and Exobelt
Binding Compatibility
GripWalk sole (ISO 23223) with certified low-tech pin inserts at toe and heel. Compatible with pin/tech (low-tech) touring bindings and with GripWalk- or MNC-compatible alpine and AT bindings, including the Salomon Shift. Not compatible with fixed ISO 5355-only alpine bindings.
Sole
GripWalk full-rubber sole (ISO 23223) with premounted GripWalk pads and low-tech pin inserts
Forward Lean
Needs Clarification
Liner
My Custom Fit Freeride 4D Sport, heat-moldable

Compare the Salomon Shift Alpha BOA 95 W

Shift Alpha BOA 95 W vs. Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 95 W

Both are women's freeride touring boots with tech inserts and a walk mode. The Salomon Shift Alpha BOA 95 W uses a BOA closure, a FreeSpine cuff link, and a GripWalk sole with a 55-degree range of motion, while the Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 95 W runs a 98 mm Prolite shell with buckles and a bit more cuff rotation for a wider touring radius at a similar flex.

Shop Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 95 W boots

Shift Alpha BOA 95 W vs. Tecnica Cochise 95 W

Skiers cross-shop the Tecnica Cochise 95 W as a resort-biased freeride touring boot. The Salomon Shift Alpha BOA 95 W tours lighter at 1,600 g with a 55-degree range of motion and a BOA wrap, while the Tecnica Cochise 95 W skis a burlier four-buckle shell that leans more toward the descent than the climb.

Shop Tecnica Cochise 95 W boots

Shift Alpha BOA 95 W vs. Salomon Shift Supra BOA 105 W

The Salomon Shift Alpha BOA 95 W and Shift Supra BOA 105 W share the Shift hybrid concept. The Alpha is the lighter, more uphill-focused build at a 95 flex, while the Shift Supra BOA 105 W adds weight and a 105 flex for skiers who spend more time riding lifts than skinning.

Shop Salomon Shift Supra BOA 105 W boots

Common Questions

Who should buy the Salomon Shift Alpha BOA 95 W?
The Salomon Shift Alpha BOA 95 W suits women who want one boot for touring and resort skiing. It tours at 1,600 g with a 55-degree walk mode and pin inserts, then skis a hard 95 flex on the descent. It fits best on average-to-narrow feet on skis 90 to 106 mm underfoot.
Is the Shift Alpha BOA 95 W sole an ISO 9523 touring sole?
No. Some retailers list the Shift Alpha BOA 95 W with an ISO 9523 touring sole, but Salomon specs it as a GripWalk sole (ISO 23223), a full-rubber alpine sole with premounted GripWalk pads. It also carries certified low-tech pin inserts. That combination matters for binding setup, so we correct the norm here.
What bindings does the Shift Alpha BOA 95 W work with?
The Salomon Shift Alpha BOA 95 W has a GripWalk sole (ISO 23223) plus certified low-tech pin inserts at toe and heel. It works with pin/tech (low-tech) touring bindings and with GripWalk- or MNC-compatible alpine and AT bindings, including the Salomon Shift. It is not compatible with fixed ISO 5355-only alpine bindings that lack a GripWalk-adjustable toe.
Is the Shift Alpha BOA 95 W really a 95 flex, and does it ski like an alpine boot?
Salomon rates the Shift Alpha BOA 95 W stiffness as hard and assigns a 95 flex. We find it skis a genuine, progressive 95 in ski mode, which is stout for a touring boot but softer than a resort 130. The FreeSpine link and BOA wrap keep it feeling supportive on firm freeride descents.
How much does the Shift Alpha BOA 95 W weigh and how far does it tour?
The Shift Alpha BOA 95 W weighs 1,600 g per boot, which Salomon lists as 3 lb 8 oz per unit. With a 55-degree range of motion it tours efficiently for a freeride boot, though the lightest dedicated touring boots weigh less and give up downhill stiffness in return.
How does the Shift Alpha BOA 95 W fit?
The Salomon Shift Alpha BOA 95 W runs narrow and low on a 98 mm last with strong heel hold from the BOA and Exobelt. It fits best on average-to-narrow feet. The shell molds toward 102 mm, so wider forefeet can be opened with fitting work.
Can I use the Shift Alpha BOA 95 W with the Salomon Shift binding?
Yes. The Shift Alpha BOA 95 W is designed to pair with the Salomon Shift MNC binding: the low-tech pin inserts engage the touring toe, and the GripWalk sole works with the binding's alpine downhill mode. Always confirm the fit and forward pressure at a shop before skiing.
Is the Shift Alpha BOA 95 W warm enough for winter touring?
The My Custom Fit Freeride 4D Sport liner is heat-moldable and geared toward foothold and moderate warmth rather than maximum insulation. Skiers with cold feet on long, low-output winter days often add a warmer aftermarket liner.
What is the warranty on the Shift Alpha BOA 95 W?
Salomon covers the Shift Alpha BOA 95 W with a 2-year limited manufacturer warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. Normal wear, heat-molding, and fit modifications are not covered.

Our Verdict

The Salomon Shift Alpha BOA 95 W is a genuine one-boot solution for women who split time between the skin track and the lift line. It tours at 1,600 g with a 55-degree walk mode and pin inserts, then skis a progressive, hard 95 flex thanks to the FreeSpine link and a tight BOA and Exobelt wrap. The GripWalk sole and low-tech inserts make it flexible across pin, GripWalk, and MNC bindings, including the Salomon Shift, but not fixed ISO 5355 alpine bindings. It fits narrow, so wide feet should plan on molding, and the lightest touring boots will still climb faster.