Nitro Skylab Splitboard Boot 2025

How to measure your foot:

• Place a sheet of A4 paper flush against a wall or door
• Make light contact with the wall or door with your heel
• Draw around your foot / mark the longest point
• Measured length = MONDO length + liner allowance
  
  

Skylab liner allowance:  10mm to max. 15 mm

In a NEW splitboard boot, your feet fit snugly without causing pain.
The boot should fit snugly around your feet and toes, touching the liner.
It will get bigger with each tour due to the INLINER material and abrasion.
Rule of thumb: touching YES - pain NO

Vibram Outsole with ECOSTEP
Vibram grip and traction with an environmentally friendly approach: that's the NITRO Eco-sole... made from Vibram® ECOSTEP™ compound, an environmentally friendly recycled rubber compound developed by Vibram® that consists of up to 30% recycled rubber. The scrap rubber from Vibram's production process is recycled to create Vibram® Ecostep compound. It is a high-quality rubber compound that provides excellent Vibram grip and traction on snow, while also protecting the environment by reducing waste.

Air Dampening
Our proven AIR suspension technology is now available in even more models. The world's best shock absorption technology cushions hard landings and prevents bruised heels. This noticeable difference in ride and comfort does not affect responsiveness or control.

Endure Gravity Foam Toe Protection
This product is made of Endure®, a material developed and distributed by Gravity Group Srl. Endure® withstands the most difficult and demanding conditions outdoors. It is durable, even in wet and cold environments, and retains its flexibility even at very low temperatures without cracking. In addition, Endure® has a high-tech closed-cell microstructure that provides the highest toughness at the lowest weight. It is up to 50% lighter than rubber of the same thickness. Endure® was designed as a high-quality replacement for rubber, avoiding all the disadvantages associated with the use of rubber in terms of environmental impact. It is made entirely of TPU and is therefore 100% recyclable.

Therminator Shield:
This reflective thermal layer between the sole and the liner reflects your body heat and keeps your feet warm all day long.

Hike 'N' Ride Construction
A construction specifically designed to make the transition and performance between Hike and Ride modes easier and more advantageous for the rider (along with the Forward Lean adjustment and Automatic Power Strap). Hike mode offers a softer flex and Ride mode is more responsive and stiffer.

Internal ankle support
Optional fit enhancement

Patented Re/Lace Liner Locker
The Re/Lace Liner Locker provides secure and precise lacing of the liner every time. What's more, it allows you to easily adjust the lacing of your liner when the shell of the boot is already tightened, simply by pulling on the lace handle. This allows you to (re)tighten your liner and your hold in the boot throughout the day (anywhere in the mountains) without having to loosen the shell's lacing system.

Cloud 9 Liner
Our flagship liner made of ultralight, pre-shaped Thermacell material ensures a perfect fit and unrivaled comfort. The new 3D heel construction provides support in the heel area for more impact protection and at the same time reduces lifting of the heel. Our signature latex heel pads provide a lifetime heel fit, while the new 3D molded tongue and full frame ensure the highest precision and responsiveness. Developed with the world's best snowboarders to create the ultimate fit and a new High Cup Triple or Dual Density Ortholite® footbed for maximum cushioning and comfort. At the same time, Nitro's patented Re/Lace Liner Locker allows for quick retightening, giving you the perfect fit. Heat-shrinkable.

Ortholite® High Cup Dual Density Footbed
Added support and cushioning

Gusseted Zippered Tongue
Keeps out the elements

Dual Zone BOA Fit System
Precise zone lacing

After the Incline, the 2nd splitboard boot from Nitro.

Besides the very technical Incline, Nitro still had a gap in its portfolio. This has now been superbly closed.
The Skylab has the best fit and flex for our internal test with different foot shapes.
Both my everyday foot and “special” feet had a great fit and fit.

Design and workmanship

Visually, the Skylab is simple and functional. The shoe has a clean, technical design that is optimized for use in the backcountry. The workmanship is of high quality, which speaks for a long lifespan in demanding terrain. The upper material is water-repellent and offers solid protection against moisture and cold.

The reduced weight of the boot is particularly striking. Nitro has taken care to make the Skylab as light as possible to make ascents easier. This is immediately noticeable when you put the shoe on and start walking – a pleasant lightness, without the shoe losing any of its stability.

Fit and comfort

The Skylab's fit is suitable for medium to wide feet and can be perfectly adjusted thanks to the TLS Twin Lacing System. This two-zone lacing system allows for precise adjustment of the forefoot and shaft areas independently of each other, which is particularly advantageous on longer tours and in varying terrain.

The boot is equipped with a Cloud 5 liner, which is not only very comfortable but also provides good thermal insulation. The liner can be thermally adjusted so that the boot adapts perfectly to the individual foot shape. In addition, the Ortholite® footbed technology provides additional comfort and better moisture regulation.

Performance and intended use

The Skylab is specially designed to meet the requirements of splitboarders. Thanks to its Vibram® Icetrek outsole, the boot offers excellent grip even on icy and steep ascents. This sole shows its strengths in tests when hiking in the backcountry, where you are on different surfaces – whether in snow, on rocks or in ice.

The flex of the boot is in the medium range (5/10), which offers a good mix of support and freedom of movement. During the ascent, the shoe feels pleasantly flexible, but at the same time offers enough stability for the descent. It is therefore aimed at riders who are looking for an all-mountain splitboard boot that scores points for both technical ascents and demanding descents.

Ascent and descent performance

On the ascent, the Skylab impresses with its lightweight construction and ergonomic fit. The sole provides good grip even on slippery surfaces and the shoe ensures a comfortable freedom of movement without losing stability. On the descent, the boot offers good responsiveness, which is particularly advantageous when riding fast in changeable terrain.

With a medium flex, it is not the stiffest boot on the market, but it is precisely this flexibility that makes it so versatile. The Skylab is a solid choice for riders who, in addition to splitboarding, also enjoy riding in powder or backcountry terrain.

Conclusion

The Nitro Skylab splitboard boot offers an excellent combination of light weight, comfort and performance. Particularly noteworthy are the TLS lacing system, the low weight and the grippy Vibram® outsole. The boot is aimed at splitboarders who are looking for a reliable, comfortable and versatile boot that performs well on long ascents as well as demanding descents.

Thanks Nitro for this great boot!

© splitboards europe all pictures | riders: DAV Camp Basic | location: Montafon