Dalbello Panterra 120

This companies unique 3 piece interlock system seperates bottom, back and front into interlocking pieces which allows for better support and comfort.

The 120 introduces a new boot to board lock system.

The liner can be easily reshaped to perfection through heat molding.

Editor rating: 8.0 / 10

User's rating: based on 0 user ratings

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By Brian Price

Some people will tell you that there are designated seasons for certain sports. We here at TheGearHunt have the immediate question of- why should that be? Just because summer is right around the bend doesn’t mean you have to only be interested in activities with a lot of sun, beaches and being in the heat! Some of us have come to prefer colder weather sports or activities for the fact that heat has no way of escape unless you can keep the places you are in cold through artificial means- or if you can go somewhere that is cold year-round! Skiing is definitely not a sport for the faint of heart, but it can be something worth picking up if your one of us looking to get away from the heat!

With the proper ski boot learning can be easy, and even a lot of fun. When looking for the best there are a lot to choose from and knowing which one is best for you can be tough going. We heard that these ones are actually one of the best brands you can get, and likely one of the better boots for the year if you are looking for something new. As usual, we want to take you through both the good and the bad when it comes to any product- so we did a bit of deeper digging so we could bring you everything there is to know on this product and you can make an informed decision on whether this one will be the product for you. So, without further ado, let's take a peek (no pun intended) into these boots best and worst attributes.

Editor's Pros & Cons

Pros

Good downhill in-bounds
Great buckles
Ergonomically comfortable
Comfortable liner

Cons

Heavy
Best for more advanced skiers
No fillings

Comfort

This boot got great response when it comes for comfort level. The liner and the boot itself are supportive and built for downhill resort style skiing. Most agree that the boot is better for more advanced skiers because it actually has a rather stiff outer shell to help keep you balanced when going downhill, and most beginners find it best to stick to flatter ground making it harder to work with. We aren’t sure ourselves since even if you aren’t going to be racing downhill this might get you into the correct posture habit and let you know if skiing is what you are really wanting to get into.
Overall, however, the design leaves everyone agreeing that if it is the comfort you are looking for with the boot itself, this is definitely the one you want to get. The liner is easily conformed to your feet and legs and is quite comfortably held in the outer casing, which isn’t an easy task for any ski boot to accomplish. The tongue even moves comfortably with the skier’s motions so that it doesn’t end up rubbing or pressing into the skin uncomfortably when maneuvering around obstacles. It even has a walk mode, so in the end, it may be the price that has so many thinking its better for those heavy into the sport.

Fit

Between the buckles and the liner, this boot gives a highly comfortable fit. The boot is a bit bulky altogether, but it has a snug yet roomy feel to keep you comfortable but supported. A few think they should have left off a buckle and just re-centered the rest for weight purposes, but the way they strap on allows for complete support throughout the boot. We aren’t sure if remaking a single aspect would have affected this, but as it stands this is one of the easiest boots to use if you are looking to get a great fit and comfort all in one. If you think the liner needs a little work, it can easily be refitted by someone who has the skills to heat mold a ski boot. It also isn’t designed to just work in this particular product’s outer shell but can be used in a lot of other ski boots that have removable liners as well. This is definitely a plus if you have different items for different tasks on the ski slopes.

Performance

The biggest change in performance that a lot of people noticed with this new version was the response to movement. Unlike its predecessor, this boot responded near instantly to the movements of its wearer. This boot is strapped on differently to the boards and the new sole supportive and arch supportive buckles allow for greater and faster mobility, meaning you have less work to do as the skier than the last boot required. Between the new buckle set up, and the flexibility of both liner and shell the boot also retains comfort during movement as well which can lead to better overall performance as your own movements won’t be fettered by discomfort either from being rubbed raw or simple lack of flexibility. You will find that from the start you can feel the difference, and, as most people have, know before you even get moving that this boot will be your best one yet. The biggest thing to note, however, is that it is intended more for advanced downslope skiers and not flat runs. The good news is that it can be used for both, despite the built-in intentions, so if you are going to be working your way towards the goal of making this a common activity, this might just be a perfect fit for the job.

Flexibility

This is the high note for this pair of ski boots. While you get everything else you could need or want from this product, it is in the flexibility that everything is accomplished. The initial thoughts say they are stiff, but upon actual use and wear the ones who have purchased these say they are definitely flexible. With a few adjustments, they can even be used for flat surface runs as easily as they can be set for skiing downhill. The inserts can be heat molded to fit you better without affecting just how comfortable and flexible they are in the shell, and the shell itself has different flexibility settings. Once your moving in them, you will also quickly come to realize that the tongue shifts perfectly in the directions you need it to in order to make direction changes easy. Flexibility works both with how the boot feels and, in its movement when it comes to defining this area, and neither fall short! However, most skiers do recommend you to keep its intended use in mind and stay in-bounds when you are using these boots, as they are not intended for extreme changes in direction and speed that might be required in an outbound area on the slopes.

Liner

One of the best pieces of this particular model, hands down, is the liner. When we are covering all the little attributes, everything relies on this particular piece to be at top performance. With a bad liner, everything else goes downhill and not in a good way. From comfort, to fit, flexibility to performance, this liner keeps you right where you need to be. Everything can be heat molded to be just right and it all keeps you secure in the shell while still giving flexibility and room to breathe. The only downside we seemed to run across in researching this particular product was that the liner does not seem to retain heat as well as some others. A great suggestion would be to add in a good pair of warm socks and don’t secure your straps too tightly. One user suggested that you be especially careful with how tight you buckle yourself in, as it can be fairly easy to get them too tight and you can cut off circulation which would add both to cold and discomfort over time- and with skiing you want to keep feeling in your feet so nothing goes horribly wrong on the slopes.

Shell Materials

The shell itself is divided into three separate sections which when fitted together give the needed flexibility and support when skiing. It is a design that was created by the company itself to give the best in top performing boots available, and so far, they have left a mark on their customers which makes them not want to accept anything but what they have in the design. It is made of plastic casing so that everything is securely held into place, polyurethane foam for flexibility and strength and aluminum buckles which are perfectly placed for retention and comfort while wearing the boot itself. Everything comes together in this three-piece set up so that the entire boot does everything needed to make skiing enjoyable and comfortable and to allow the boot maximum response to its wearer. The shell is also where you get that ease for taking a perfect stance when skiing. It supports the wearer in a way that allows for adjustable alignment rather than a stiffer setup that may force you down to low, or up too high for the proper stance.

Durability

So far no one who has gotten this particular style has had anything stop working or not work right. These are a fairly new item, but most who have gone into detail use them quite regularly which means they are already being put to the test. The only attribute that we have found questioned is the design for the walk mode. Many people feel that with only a single retention band to switch between the two modes, it is likely to wear out after given enough use. We have to agree that it seems like this will be the first thing to go with most people since the rest of the boot is definitely able to hold up to some of the harshest uses with ease. Once these boots have seen a few years we may actually have to return and let you know whether this attribute actually held up to the test of time, but for now, we can’t find anything to say these boots won’t be the most durable pair you can find for purchase.

Warmth

Here we come to the one major downfall that everyone so far has agreed on- these boots just aren’t as warm as some of the others on the market. What does this mean? Well aside from putting on some extra warm socks on, it could mean that if you need something with greater insulation this pair is not for you. The boot as a whole has everything else easily covered, but a few believe that the extra room inside, combined with how easy it is to accidentally buckle something too tightly, this boot simply lacks the ability to retain heat around your feet. This can become extremely problematic since skiing requires you to have full mobility from your legs, ankles, and feet just to safely trek down any slope or hold your balance when walking. So, if you already have issues with your feet keeping warm, you may want to look for something else, unfortunately, since this is a key downside. However, if you think a good pair of socks can cover this issue (and we have quite a few listed) you may be able to overlook this fault and get one of the best pairs for skiing in every other way that it is possible to be the best.

Use

This pair is actually designed for those already used to skiing, and not really intended for beginners. The design allows for use on open, flat areas, but really hits its peak performance on in-bound slopes designed for advanced to expert level. What does this mean exactly? Well, if you are just starting out, these boots would work ok for it, but may not be as good as other boots designed for taking less steep slopes and flat ground. However, if you are planning to keep with the hobby, you may want to get a pair for later use and simply wait till you can put them to the test. If you are already on the slopes- these may be the best things you have used in a long, long time!

Key Features

-Unique 3-piece shell interlock design
-Adjustable straps for walking and ski slope use
-Easily heat molded inserts
-Great flexibility/mobility
-New buckle set up for boot to board

Bottom Line

If you want high-performance and high flexibility combined with comfort, this boot will definitely have you covered. You can easily switch between in-bound ski slope and walking modes without having the boot lose any of its performance as well. If you are looking for a new pair for your advanced to expert level skiing, these are nigh perfect. If you are just starting out, these would be ok, but you may want to hold off for a boot designed more for your level.