We started carrying Zipfit liners back in 2021. Starting out as a niche aftermarket liner company, Zipfit has blown up the last couple years as skiers realized there was a new solution to what happens when a liner packs out. Once we brought them on, tons of Powder7 staffers have converted to Zipfit, including this gear writer. I chose the freetouring GFT as my new liner buddy, and haven’t looked back since. Now that I’ve gotten two seasons of Zipfiting under my belt, I have around 150 days in these liners. In this Zipfit GFT liner review, we break down who it’s for, compare the uphill and downhill performance, and ultimately try to give you an idea if that price tag is worth it.
Zipfit GFT Liner Review: Field Notes
There are tons of Zipfit liners to choose from. We have staffers in all kinds of Zipfits, and while this review will focus on the GFT, stay tuned for more information on the other models. Even though there are lots of different models, the core functionality of Zipfit is really the same between them. So, this review should help you even if you aren’t shopping for the GFT. If you’re curious about which one is right for you, check out Zipfit’s quiz.
I picked out the GFT as my Zipfit of choice for a few reasons. I try to keep my ratio of resort and backcountry riding to about 50/50. While I run separate boots for those avenues of skiing, I didn’t want to invest in two Zipfit liners. Even though this content writer loves ski gear, there’s only so much gear I can handle owning. I thought the GFT would give me that versatility, while also being more comfortable to hike in while exploring hike-to terrain at the resort.
Second, I was a bit concerned about the other models “stiffening” my resort boot setup too much. Some folks at the shop noted that they felt their Zipfits (specifically the Gara) stiffened the flex of their boots. I was happy with the flex pattern of my resort boot setup and didn’t want to mess with that. The more limited plastic reinforcements around the upper cuff of the GFT reassured me that I wouldn’t get too much unwanted rigidity.
I wear a 24.5 ski boot, and purchased that size GFT. Generally, you should be in the mondo size Zipfit as you are in your ski boots.
Fit
I’ll be honest—the GFT and I didn’t get along right away. I have a bit of a funny foot shape (don’t we all?), and it seemed to take a few ski days for the cork to settle where it needed to. I had about four ski days that were some of my more uncomfortable days in ski boots. There’s a good chance I didn’t complete the molding process correctly (perhaps not long enough in the heater, or not molding long enough in the boot). But after that, it was like a switch flipped.
I have a tiny heel and low-volume foot, with a flexible arch. That means my feet love to move around in ski boots. Not only does my foot love to pronate like it’s 1999, but the heel is often not secure enough, even in low-volume boots. The Zipfit allows me to focus on the heel fit in my ski boots by adding more cork to take up more volume. Zipfit offers a few different pockets of cork around the ankle and the heel, giving you customization on where the cork goes. Check out this graphic from Zipfit below. I’m a particularly big fan of the instep pocket and Achilles channel.
Now, not everyone has a low volume issue, some folks are dealing with too much volume. I know a few folks here at the shop with particularly large ankle bones or naviculars. The ankle pouch really allows you to customize where you need support and where you need space. And it only gets better with time as the cork settles and molds to where you need it after repeated skiing.
There’s also an instep pouch, which comes in handy for folks needing to customize that tricky space. My instep is proportionally a little high compared to how low-volume the rest of my foot is, so I run that space as low as humanly possible. Other folks at the shop have added cork there to keep their foot locked in a little better.
Downhill
The increased fit Zipfit delivers means an equal level up in downhill performance. It adds so much to how a ski boot rides. What I notice most is how much more responsive a ski boot feels, in both my resort setup and touring boot. The increased heel hold helps create solid power transfer. When there’s solid, consistent contact between your foot and the boot, there’s better reactivity. If there’s movement or space, there’s a delay between you moving your foot to engage a turn and the boot moving (which then engages the ski).
Not only do you get the increased power transfer, but you also get fewer hot spots while riding. I have a pretty significant bump on my right heel, which drives me bananas in regular ski boots. Over time, the Zipfit molded to accommodate this little bump, and I have a perfect divet shape in the heel pocket that fits the bump of my heel. That means when I go for my attempted nose butters and presses, my heel doesn’t light on fire.
You also notice it quite a lot when skiing off-piste and in choppy snow conditions. Choppy snow can often exacerbate any movement you have in your ski boots. It rocks you around and can chuck you around a little bit. I’ve found the increased fit helps me stay more stable, which means I can ski a bit harder. Feeling like I can trust my skis and boots to respond how I expect them to helps me push the limits a little more. I can take more risks, ski faster, and tackle tighter lines because I trust my gear is going to follow through the way I expect it to.
Uphill
The GFT definitely works for touring. But there’s no denying it’s a heavy liner, and not quite as breathable as the ultra-light stock liner that came with my Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro. I probably run my GFT in my touring boots about half the time I get out for a backcountry ski day.
I actually find the articulation of the liner’s spine to work quite well. It doesn’t feel like my range of motion is limited much — it’s more that the liner feels a bit heavy for long days. And, while I like the enhanced fit for the descent, for long uphill ascents, the liner adds so much volume that you can’t relieve pressure by unbuckling the boots. It’s not quite as roomy and comfortable for long hikes as it would be with the stock liner. That could also be because I optimize my Zipfits for my resort boots (jammed full of cork). If they were just in my touring boots, I could better balance the fit for uphill and downhill travel.
For those reasons, I tend to run the GFT during my cold mid-winter tours. Those tours are usually shorter, and I find the snow can be trickier to ski than smooth spring corn and chalk. Our Colorado backcountry terrain can often be wind-affected when it’s not perfect powder. Think wind-blown sastrugi and maybe some funky, punchy layers. In those cases, it’s nice to have the GFT for better power transmission and to help smooth out some of the weirdness in the snow. They also keep my feet warmer, which is a big perk in our cold Rockies through the winter.
Zipfit knows that the GFT isn’t the most sporty liner on the market for uphill travel, hence the launch of their new Espresso liner. This is a lighter-weight, thinner, more uphill-oriented Zipfit liner for folks who are spending a lot of time walking uphill.
Downside?
Again, I found the downside of the liner to just be the touring piece. For anyone who spends most of their time walking uphill, this liner is a bit bulky for very long days on their feet. Especially if you’re looking to Zipfit to replace a worn-out liner, rather than solving a fit issue. Definitely check out the new Espresso liner for this season; there are some great reviews coming in.
Of course, the entry and exit is a “thing” for some people. I require a boot horn to get into my boots, so it’s worth investing in a couple to have in the car and the gear tote. I’ll be honest — getting out of the ski boots on a cold day when my boots have stiffened up is not a pleasant experience. But it depends on your ski boots. I never had an issue getting out of my Mach1s and my touring boots, but my K2 Cortex boots seem trickier. That said, I’ll gladly take five minutes of drama at the car for hours of better skiing. Everyone has their own little system with Zipfits, and you can find yours too.
Zipfit GFT Review: Bottom Line
There’s no denying that investing in Zipfits requires a hefty down payment. Looking at new boot prices and Zipfit prices, you might wonder why bother diving into an expensive aftermarket liner. But just like investments, Zipfits pay dividends. The level up in downhill performance, and overall comfort I have on the hill for a full day of skiing is night and day to my experience in stock liners.
That said, as mentioned above, I think the GFT fits more in as a “freeride” liner, rather than a “touring” liner. You can tour in it, and it’ll work, but if you’re crushing thousands of feet of vert every tour, multiple times a week, you’ll probably feel a little held back.
All that said, I’m not frustrated that the GFT doesn’t tick every box. It actually hits the nail on the head for what I want to use it for. It’s the most versatile liner out of the bunch. It allows me to have some flexibility with what liner I use for touring, depending on the day. It’s more comfortable for hike-to-terrain at the resort, and still delivers the right amount of power and increased fit that I was looking for. The changes in fit have revolutionized my skiing, and that’s not an exaggeration.
