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

My take

The Dynafit Hoji Free 110 Ski Boots are a solid one-boot touring quiver for folks who actually enjoy some level of flex and responsiveness in their powder setup. I like to push it hard, and the progressive flex makes me feel nimble in the trees.

About the boots I own

• Model: 2022 Hoji Free 110
• Size: 28.5

About me

• Height: 5’11”
• Weight: 185lbs
• Street shoe size: 11.5
• Experience: 26 years of skiing

Test conditions

• When I bought these: November 2021
• Days tested: 35
• Skis: Black Diamond Helio 105 (2021)
• Bindings: Black Diamond Helio 400 (2021)
• Where I’ve used it: CO, WY, UT, VT
• Terrain: Backcountry touring, resort laps

How they perform

What I was looking for

I am always looking for the best one-boot touring solution and something that I can still ski in-bounds if I am traveling. The Hoji Free 110 just about does it. I also wanted a touring boot that had maximum comfort on the uphill and an easy transition without a lot of steps.

Why I chose this gear

I chose the Hoji Free 110 over the 130 to be more playful and responsive in deeper snow. I also really like the design of the Hoji lock system, which is a simple one-step lever that both locks into ski mode and makes all of my upper-cuff adjustments. I love running quick laps and really like to beat my friends on the up-to-down transitions.

What I love about them

• Comfort: Very comfortable, especially through the mid-foot. Accurate for a low(er) volume fit.
• Flex: The ankle flexibility at 55 degrees is more than mine, so I have never had any issues with feeling limited on the uphill.
• Ease of use: First off, I absolutely love this boot. It's incredibly comfortable and easy to step into. The whole plastic tongue of the boot hinges away at the toes, so it is super easy to get into.
• Resort: Stiff enough to ski inbounds unless I am really driving on groomers.
• Park: Relatively upright, so they can pull double-duty in the park.
• Backcountry: They ski like a dream. They are very responsive, and I intentionally picked them to be moderately soft, which lets me really find the balance point on my skis and ride with a surfy style.
• Adjustability: The ratchet-style ankle strap is secure and helps dial in a precise fit.
• Walk mode: The ankle flexibility at 55 degrees is more than mine, so I have never had any issues with feeling limited on the uphill.
• Grip: The soles offer great traction, though they wear down easily.
• Durability: Overall, the boots have held up very well to a season of heavy use. There is cosmetic wear only. The soft shell might eventually have durability issues if walking in talus and sharp rocks. I have found that I add a few knicks to the forefoot of the shell almost every day I get out.
• Versatility: These boots are primarily backcountry boots, in my opinion, but I have no issues driving them in carving inbounds as well—a possible one-boot quiver for a lighter or nimble skier.
• Heel hold: The ratchet-style buckle allows for excellent heel hold and precise fit.
• Responsiveness: These boots felt quite responsive because of the soft flex.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Flex: The stated flex is 110, which I think is a bit high for how they actually ski— maybe 100 is a bit more accurate. That said, I love a soft boot in deep snow, so this really works in my favor.
• Weight: These are not the lightest touring boot, at 3352g per pair, but all of that weight goes into a really durable boot with high-end transitions.
• Hot spots: The instep can be tight and might be a pinch-point for folks with high arches.
• Any workarounds? Loosen the ratchet strap across the instep while touring.
• Accuracy of claimed stiffness: Stiffness is different from brand to brand. This boot at claimed 110 compares well relative to other Dynafit boot models.

Favorite moment with this gear

I used these to ski a novelty line in the Summit, Colorado, county area: the Coinslot. This line involves a mandatory rappel for the entrance and then features a choke of barely a ski length of about 20 meters. These boots helped me have the ankle flex for linking some seriously tight jump turns to make it through the technical sections.

Value for the money vs. other options

Any touring boot will be pricey, but I am confident these will last me three to five good seasons of hard skiing before I am back on the market. That is very much worth the cost of the boot. These are comparable in touring performance and price point to the Salomon Summit Pro boots. However, I think the Hojis win with their integrated cuff and top buckle in the lock system due to the simplicity of the transitions.

Final verdict

These boots are the most comfortable uphill, for the highest performing downhill boot I have skied in the past three years. The Hoji lock system is so stable and reliable that I even enjoyed the transitions. Especially the look on my friends' faces when I can transition in under a minute, thanks to the Hoji lock system. These boots feel laterally stiff even though they have a softer flex rating for my size, making me feel equally comfortable driving through them on resort days and pushing pow in a playful style in the backcountry.