Alpina  Alaska XP Cross-Country Ski Boots

Felt like nice comfortable boots. I bought them in September before I had my new skis and bindings ready. Used them a few times in the spring once I had my new skis and bindings. Then used them a couple more times at the start of the next season and the sole ripped off of one boot. Even though I had only used them a handful of times it was technically past the one year purchase date. Multiple emails to Alpina and REI and I wasn't able to get them replaced. Very disappointed.

Not sure if I got a defective one -- it clicks in only some of the time, and then disengages half the time after a few kicks. This didn't happen with the Alfa boot, But the problem is that the Alpina Alaska XP boot is compatible with my foot (the Alfa XPLORE boot clicks in easily and fully, but gives me awful blisters and pain -- the Alpina Alaska XP boot fits my foot well, but doesn't click into the binding well). REI, does that mean I got a defective one? Or is this a common issue with this boot? (If REI replaces it with one that doesn't have this issue, can I update the review?)

Used the boots a handful of times & then the right sole started peeling halfway off! I like the boots weight, fit & warmth. The other xplore binding compatible boot that REI offers is a couple of hundred dollars more. I returned these boot & had them order a new pair. I’ll spend the extra if the second pair fails. Lucky I wasn’t stranded 5 miles back from the trailhead. My wife has a pair of NNN Alaska boots for two seasons and they seem to be holding up fine.

The upper is fantastic, and in some ways is an improvement over the almost-legendary Alpina Alaska NNN BC. However, over the course of a single 15-odd-mile ski the soles pulled off of both boots. By the time I got back to the car, the soles were only attached to the uppers at the heel. If Alpina can fix this obvious (and frankly ridiculous) defect I'd give this boot five stars. Until then, one is generous.

I love the XPlore bindings and the fit and comfort of these boots! However, Alpina has a major workmanship problem with the soles ripping halfway off, when you have a fall. My original, 2021 pair had a sole rip off after two months of almost daily use. Those were replaced on warranty, but now I just had the same thing happen again, yesterday. These are getting replaced on warranty, as well, but this is ridiculous. REI has been outstanding though!!

My boot purchased in 2024 has held up just fine. I think they fixed the glue problems. It's very comfortable and about the perfect warmth I need. It's really more of a cross country than a downhill focused boot although in perfect conditions you can tele-turn all day long on gentle slopes. This of course makes it very comfortable. I can easily drive my truck with it or go for a hike. The pins seem durable so far. I use these on Fischer S-Bound 98 and Excursion 88 skis. I probably would not go any wider than that.

This is my second pair. I had to exchange the first pair because the sole peeled half way off my first boot. We have had a couple of poor winters and I haven’t skied on these as much as I’d liked (maybe a dozen times?) The boots are super comfortable and perform nicely BUT the sole stand coming apart again. These boots were no longer covered under REIs new warranty. I had to go back and forth between Alpina and REI but finally got an in store credit.

Fit is good. The toe box is small but I personally should have gone a size down from my usual shoe size. Function is very good for rolling terrain, but if you are doing more serious XCD then you may want something with more rigidity at the top of the boot. Still I could get down a blue at a ski resort with a little practice with the hard flexor and Madshus M68.

Great fit with no hot spots or other issues. More support than similar NNN BC options, though not a telemark boot per se. No problems with the soles as others have reported. Would definitely buy again.