{"id":198872,"date":"2025-01-27T15:57:35","date_gmt":"2025-01-27T23:57:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=198872"},"modified":"2025-02-05T19:37:29","modified_gmt":"2025-02-06T03:37:29","slug":"first-look-phaenom-ski-boots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/snowsports\/first-look-phaenom-ski-boots","title":{"rendered":"First Look: Phaenom Ski Boots"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The first thing you need to know about Phaenom Boots<\/a> is that they come in only one color: black. Phaenom designers decided to keep it simple and modern. Making an all-black shell allows the brand to use the highest proportion of recycled materials. That all-black shell could also be more easily reused when these materials are done being a ski boot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The second thing to know is that Phaenom<\/a> is brand new to the market for 2024\/25. This is the first footwear line by Full Stack Supply Co., makers of Faction Skis<\/a> and United Shapes Snowboards. But that doesn\u2019t mean these boots aren\u2019t vetted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phaenom boots are made in the same factory in Montebelluna, Italy, as some of the world\u2019s most revered ski boots. (Fun fact: This small city in northern Italy is responsible for production of over a dozen top ski boot brands like Nordica<\/a>, Dynafit<\/a> and Scarpa<\/a> with bootmakers going back generations.) Here, veteran engineers from Swiss-based Faction Skis teamed up with footwear experts from around Europe. They spent four years on research and development, figuring out gaps in the market to create ski boots that delivered on a few simple promises: Make them comfortable yet high performance and focus on repairability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo courtesy: Phaenom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

These unisex, understated boots come in two styles: Freestyle (marked by fs) and Freeride (fr). Both are made with similar construction and shell materials. “They’re built for progressive skiers who want a more comfortable boot with a planted heel,” says Emily Murray, snowsports buyer for REI Co-op. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fr boots come with walk mode functionality for backcountry touring. The freestyle boots come in flex options for every ability level, including 90, 100, 110, and 120. Meanwhile, the freeride boots come in higher flex index ratings of 100, 110, 120, and 130. (The higher the flex index, the stiffer and higher performing the boot. For more on flex index, see our Expert Advice on buying ski boots<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Phaenom fr 01 110 Ski Boots<\/a>, $749; available in additional flexes<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Testing Phaenom Boots on Snow<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I wanted to see how the Phaenom boots held up, so I tested them in December at ski resorts around Lake Tahoe in California. I tried out a pair of the fr 01 110 boots<\/a>, but takeaways will be similar with all Phaenom models.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ski tester<\/strong><\/td>Megan Michelson<\/td><\/tr>
Years skiing<\/strong><\/td>40<\/td><\/tr>
Average ski days in a season<\/strong><\/td>90<\/td><\/tr>
Home mountain<\/strong><\/td>Alpine Meadows in California<\/td><\/tr>
Preferred terrain<\/strong><\/td>Anything from mellow backcountry glades to steep inbound faces.
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