About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the ski boots, which I purchased with my own money in January of 2021.

My take

The Dalbello Panterra 130 ID Gw boots are stiff and responsive but comfortable. I use them every day in all conditions. They work as well ripping powder as they do cruising groomers.

About the gear I own

• Model: Dalbello Panterra 2021
• Size: 27.5

About me

• Height: 6’0”
• Weight: 190 lbs
• Street shoe size: 10.5
• Experience: 30 years of skiing

Test conditions

• When I bought these: January 2021
• Days tested: 180
• Skis: Rossignol Black Ops 118, Rossignol TI Sender
• Bindings: Look Pivot 18s
• Where I’ve used it: All over the Pacific Northwest, Canada, Tahoe, Montana
• Terrain: Powder, trees, chunder, bumps, groomers, ice — anything and everything

How they perform

What I was looking for

I was looking for stiff, durable boots that I could wear daily, regardless of conditions. I have a wider foot and am an aggressive skier who also walks in my boots and ski tours.

Why I chose this gear

I picked this boot because Dalbello has a great reputation, and I wanted a boot that would last several long ski seasons. I also needed a boot to fit my wider foot and to keep its stiffness for hundreds of long days on the hill. I also looked at several Lange boots and the Rossignol All Trax, but I liked the look and fit of the Panterras the best.

What I love about them

• Accuracy of Claimed Stiffness: The Panterra is listed as a 130 and feels like a 130 even after over 100 days.
• Accuracy of Claimed Fit: I usually wear a 27.5, and it fits nicely and snugly on my wider foot.
• Comfort: These boots fit great and keep my feet warm on the coldest days.
• Flex: The flex is consistent and helps me maintain control.
• Ease of use: The tongue peels back easily and makes sliding my foot into a cold boot in the morning a breeze.
• Resort: Very responsive in all types of snow. They stay stiff on the firm stuff and flex just enough on landings and bumps.
• Grip: Very grippy. As easy a ski boot to walk around in as I have ever used
• Durability: I’ve used them for close to 200 days and haven’t even considered buying another pair, although I did replace the top buckle. The three-piece shell allows for flexion without diminishing the stiffness of the boot.
• Heel Hold: The boot hugs my ankle well, so I never feel my heel lift, which is essential for responsiveness.
• Versatility: I know that these boots will be the right boot for me every single day, no matter if I am touring, skiing groomers, or in steep and deep snow.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Weight: They are lighter than other resort boots and a little heavier than touring boots I’ve used.
• Park: They are a little stiff for a serious park rider but handle bigger airs well.
• Backcountry: A little heavy and stiff for serious uphill walkers, but they still rip when I make it to the top and want to go back down.
• Walk mode: Walk mode leaves a little flex to be desired and doesn’t affect the skiing at all, but I’ve used boots that are a bit easier to walk in.

Favorite moment with this gear

This last April was one of the snowiest in history in the Pacific Northwest. These boots took me with comfort, style, and control through 15 of the best deep snow days of my life. Soft enough to flex on landings and stiff enough to rip through the heavy afternoon April powder.

Value for the money vs. other options

This was in the middle/upper end for the price, but they were more comfortable than the Technica Cochise, and the three-piece overlap design of the boot was easier to pop in and out of than the Rossignol All-Trax.

Final verdict

These boots are comfortable, durable, and stiff enough to feel responsive after months of riding bell to bell. They are warm and hold up well, although the top buckles aren’t quite sturdy enough to handle being fully cranked down daily.