It would have been hard for our test team to imagine many improvements that needed to be made to the Cochise, but this year’s update provides several that were widely appreciated.
Why is the Tecnica Cochise 130 the Best in Test, again? It’s because it is the versatile, MVP sort of boot that simply excels—not just in playing different positions but also across different leagues. Case in point, in the testing we did for SKI magazine this year, we pooled the best models from both the tech-compatible but resort-capable freeride class and the lighter, longer-striding backcountry touring bunch. The Tecnica Cochise can play both sides admirably well, though we have to admit, its skiing power plants one foot a bit more firmly on the resort side of that cross-category borderline.
When testers are putting a boot through its paces in this semi-combined category they really want to figure out if this boot fits as well as some of the best fitting boots on the market--or is it hoping to get a pass on its fit based on strong performance? They also want to know if it skis as well as a fixed cuff all-mountain boot--or is a skier supposed to forgive any weakness there on account of how well it tours? Testers say that the Cochise is one of those boots that fits and skis as well as any other boot we test, period, and it has what it takes to get a skier out a gate, up to a hut, or even (ugh) uphill within a ski resort’s boundary.
Of course, testers say that just because a freeridey, backcountry-ish boot tops the class for fit and performance and also handles itself well on a tour doesn’t mean they’ll overlook difficult entry or fussy buckles. It so happens that the Cochise had no flaws in that regard, testers assured. In fact, while the Cochise’s plastic chassis (shell and cuff) remain unchanged this year, the liner is completely revised and those two elements above are some of the happy beneficiaries of that update. The 130’s firmer liner is less prone to crumpling down on entry and the liner’s, Achilles tendon area offers slightly smoother material to help the heel glide down to its pocket, unimpeded. The cuff release apparatus brings a delete of its miniature lock-out switch because, well, because nobody could hardly see it, much less care about using it—so, buh-bye. And there are some other nice touches like nixing a fiddly touring buckle catch for less cumbersome touring and switching up its ground game to a firmer polyurethane grip sole for longer wear.
Interestingly, this year Tecnica also decided to jettison the Cochise’s on-board Recco chip at the request of many professional ski patrollers who use the boot but whom often are required to remove any distracting Recco reflectors from their person for the sake of more effective victim searches.
Leave it to Tecnica to give us more by giving us less—thanks for that, Cochise.
Testers have issued a sleeper alert for the Scarpa 4-Quattro GT WMN, and it comes with a double-meaning. First, they say good skiers who may have heard of the 4-Quattro and not paid attention need to wake up to the availability of the newly launched GT. Second, they say that this is a boot that will surprise many skiers with better-than-expected power, quickness, convenience and price.
Let’s start with the 4-Quattro GT WMN’s scores—out of six parameters, it received four perfect 10’s for its initial fit, its dynamic on-snow fit, its stance geometry and its convenience. That’s the most perfect scores awarded to any boot model at this year’s test, including men’s models. By the looks of testers’ written commentary on the GT, the numeric scores accurately support a story of expectations greatly exceeded, across the board.
The fit was found to be spot-on for a snug, medium-width fit and right in line with Scarpa’s advertised 101mm last (that’s rare) though perhaps a bit tighter than the target in the liner’s out-of-box form. Testers say that after a full thermo molding session it could accommodate folks on the thicker side of the medium width spectrum. Testers also liked the comfort and added warmth of the GT WMN’s extended toebox fit, which they said was closer to its BC cousin Gea RS than it was to its big half-sister 4-Quattro SL W (and in fact, the GT WMN’s boot sole length is 9mm longer than the SL’s).
As testers headed out the door they noted, first, that the GT walked like a dream, and second, that the full-length molded GripWalk outsole provided a broad swath of binding use options for skiers seeking a one-boot solution for on- and off-resort adventures.
The 4-Quattro GT WMN’s performance on descent was a delightful surprise for our testers who said it over-delivered by driving big skis at high speeds in demanding terrain with the power and stability of 110-class boots, not at all like the under-promised 90-flex catalog spec. Testers said it held edges strongly when needed but was quick to feather-off of them, schmearing at will, and was lightning quick in transitions and tight spots. That all of this downhill dominance came from a polyurethane (usually heavier) shell and cuff was not surprising—what was a shock were testers’ mentions of how light underfoot the GT WMN felt.
The 4-Quattro GT WMN’s uphill acumen was flawless, according to testers who donned skins and gave it some quick tour tests to assure that it brought ascent functionality matching Scarpa’s best. Long and smooth cuff range of motion and simple releasing and latching for up or down was the takeaway.
Testers unanimously suggested that good, bargain-conscious skiers should take away the GT, and quickly, since at $120 below the price of the SL it may not last long.
The new Scarpa 4-Quattro GT was one of the best surprises of this year's boot test for our crew, who have tested many different Scarpa freeride and backcountry boots over the years. Many of our testers have lamented the evolution of the Maestrale and preferred its fit and straightforward performance a few iterations back in the past. They say that the 4-Quattro GT is a great combination of old-school Maestrale fit elements with new-school freeride performance levels.
Our test team's experience with the 4-Quattro line-up last year had them wondering how the GT would be the same or different, and their immediate thumbnail was that it's similar in many ways to the 4-Quattro Pro and SL but with a much friendlier, more easily accessible fit and feel. Testers loved its instant-gratification fit layout that felt like a medium-width is expected to--snug in the heel and ankles, adequate hold through the instep without feeling low on the top of the foot, plenty of forefoot and toebox room to spread out and find a neutral homebase against the ski, with warm toes!
The 4-Quattro GT's longer boot sole length than other 4-Quattro models felt more appropriate to our test team for a 101mm last target and more true-to-size when compared to other brands' freeride models. They still grouse about the variety of buckle styles and various cabrio layers that need to be properly lined up for comfy closure, but they liked the less edgy-bitey feel of polyurethane plastic in the hand as they managed those flaps and fiddly layers. The GT would appeal to more traditional alpine skiers who are looking to get into the uphill game without giving up on what they like about their area-based boot experience.
The skiing was surprisingly strong in this so-called 110-flex. Testers felt it held up better that that to abuse and big guys and said it was on par with most 120-flexes for stability and support. Testers liked the stance angles and the flex feel that combined to put them right where they wanted to be to enjoy the downhill without having to play any new games they weren't expecting--it's a good boot with no surprises on the downhill.
For an upwardly mobile model, testers thought it was surprisingly light for a polyurethane shell and cuff. They loved the fact that it moved just like the 4-Quattro Pro or Maestrale RS when hiking or skinning, and they had no issues with the cuff release and lock actuation. Testers unanimously reiterated their love for the 4-Quattro's permanently molded GripWalk outsole for making boot-binding compatibility more straightforward, to everyone's mutual approval.
Its colors say Incredible Hulk, and testers say the 4-Quattro Pro’s superhero power is definitely there, thankfully without the bulk. This is a stripped and ripped freeride machine that packs surprising punch in a lightweight package, according to testers who said they didn’t have to get angry to tap into it. In fact, testers were quite happy to harness the power of this backcountry beast everywhere they pointed it.
Its performance scores represented its highest marks, with a smashing 9.5 for edge power and a quickness score trailing just behind. Testers commented that the responsiveness underfoot and direct linkage to the ski while on edge at speed and through challenging terrain were surprising for environmentally sensitive plastic.
The Pebax Rnew lower shell and cuff aren’t accomplishing this alone—the 4-Quattro Pro’s hidden super power is a carbon core that’s over-molded into the shell’s floor to drive the light, stiff, and connected feel underfoot that testers loved.
The Pro was a test favorite upon launch last year but testers might like it even more now that Scarpa teams it with a slightly roomier, cushier 4-Quattro GT in the line-up (which we liked too). Testers alluded that now having the two fit options may have given the 4-Quattro permission to be a bit more unapologetically itself—you do you, essentially. What that means fit-wise is that the Pro is more aggressively snug than its advertised 100mm last would suggest, and testers mention that entry is complicated by some edgy layering presented by the liner tongue, cuff overlaps and buckles. But, once that’s understood to be the nature of things (and the boot is allowed to warm up a little), testers say skiers can get to the business of loving how this boot dominates the down and the uphill, equally.
They say that while it’s surprisingly race-boot-reactive and powerful to the edge while skiing, its ascent is classically Scarpa--lightweight and smooth. The 4-Quattro’s lower hinge point for the cuff worked equally well for flexion on descent and an ergonomic stride going up in touring mode. Testers also mentioned appreciating the binding compatibility options that the Pro’s full-length, molded GripWalk outsole offered.
The Salomon women's medium-width Shift boot has been a winner for our test team every year since its debut, and while some years' color palette have been, uh, unique, testers say that Salomon has hit a homerun with this year's color way in the Shift Supra BOA 105 W. They also continue to love how this freeride utility model skis and tours, in equal amounts, and they all agreed that the BOA system on the lower boot was a welcome addition.
The entry and exit of the Shift Supra BOA 105 W was a slam dunk right from the start, with no reported constraints owed to the new BOA reel closure on the clog. Testers put it on, buckled and dialed up and went about their business. The big, flat buckles on the cuff were appreciated for their easy handling and testers felt the BOA was all value-added on this model--no complaints there whatsoever, and specific props were given to the variably positioned Exo Belt BOA cable anchor that testers liked for a secure lock on the instep, one click at a time. Speaking of buckles, the sideways flipping Twin Lock cuff release mechanism remains a test team favorite for its easy access and actuation--and testers say the resulting range of motion enabled in hike-tour mode is substantial and smooth-feeling.
The new liner in the revised medium width shift wasn't as much of a fan-favorite as its predecessor inner boot. This one is modeled after the new and narrow Shift Alpha's liner (which was similarly looked at with a side-eye by our team last year) and it shares some of the same fit issues. Testers say the out-of-box fit in the toebox and over the top of the foot is tighter than expected for a 100mm last, and a few testers commented that the lower shin and instep had an abrupt, sharp feel, with a lack of connection with the shin at the top of the tongue. Testers reported that the toebox and midfoot fit issue resolved substantially with some wear time and test runs. Testers for whom the shin and boot throat fit was an issue reported a more persistent problem. All comments came with the suggestion to consider a proper liner molding session if any hint of these issues were to arise, as their estimation was that the problem was central to the liner itself.
Testers had nothing but good things to say about the way the Shift Supra BOA 105 W commanded the ski edge with crisp engagement at initiation and complete control through all phases of the turn. They had particular praise for the stable and reactive polyurethane lower shell and how it seemed to headquarter the boot's power down low, with a nice feel for the snow and sensitivity to finely-feathered edging adjustments. As expected, a few testers mentioned a lack of fore-aft connection to the ski due to the "spilling-away" sensation of the liner tongue at boot top. They said cinching the 45mm Velcro power strap did improve that feel somewhat.
All in all, another gold medal performance for the medium width Shift, one of the most versatile and best-performing of the freeride group, testers agreed.
Sometimes the feature-fest that characterizes the freeride category boot can clutter the skiing experience. Often, in the quest for better touring range of motion the closure systems can become overly complicated and well, fiddly. Testers breathed a sigh of relief when donning the new Salomon Shift Supra BOA 130 because it maintains a simplicity that keeps the focus on the activity rather than hassles with equipment. They loved its straightforward ease-of-entry and said that every aspect of its use going forward from that point was both effective and convenient. In fact, its convenience, warmth and features score is its highest out of six parameters.
The 100mm medium-width Shift Supra follows along the design update path ushered in previously by the narrower Shift Alpha, and with its shape-expanding, heat-moldable Custom Shell feature Salomon now offers a broad spectrum of fit options for skiers looking for a capable resort-skiing boot that can pull off targeted tours with a tech binding and off-area trudge-to missions equally well. Testers felt that the Shift Supra BOA 130 maintained Salomon’s well established medium fit mapping, with appropriate room at wide and bony points but enough grip on the heel and ankle for average feet during aggressive skiing.
The lower shell BOA was unanimously praised for not getting in the way of entry and providing a cleanly-tightening wrap on the foot, as needed. Testers liked the way the top ExoBelt pulley for the BOA cable could migrate its positioning slightly, depending on the volume of the instep it was clamping down on (in a comfortable way, they said). The upper cuff offers two traditional buckles for a common closure around the calf and the sideways-flipping Twin Lock cuff release mechanism that’s unique to the Shift boots and one of the easiest to manage in the freeride category, according to our test team.
Some testers commented that the liner tongue had a somewhat bulky feel that seemed to lack anatomical shape to match the shin, initially, but found that it improved with time. They suggested that a liner heat molding from go, with a firm buckle-up, would help to properly imprint the tongue on its new owner. They liked the broad power strap with its crank-locking cam buckle for snugging the cuff around the lower leg, locking it in for accurate fore-aft positioning as well as precise edging moves.
Skiing down and hiking up were similarly characterized as trouble-free, just like the other features that got them there. No distractions from the act of skiing, in either direction, they said—which is kind of the point, we think.
The Roxa R3W 115 TI I.R. is a perennial favorite of our women's test team and this year was no different. It's a stand-out in the All-Mountain Freeride category for its snappy, lightweight Grilamid construction throughout (shell, cuff and tongue), a full-thermo Intuition-Roxa I.R. liner and top-of-class quickness and lateral responsiveness (it received the category's only perfect score in the Quickness and Steering criterion).
Testers were blown away (several of them used those exact words) by the R3W's side-to-side reaction time--instantaneous edging response and ultra-precise steering was the consensus. The combination of snug fit in the lower boot, rigid Grilamid plastic and a firm liner feel put testers in direct connection with the skis' edges. They said the transitions between turns were lightning quick and the stability while on high edge angles at speed was commendable (and surprising for sometimes bouncy-feeling Grilamid plastic). They did like the high levels of rebound energy that the boot generated but they said it remained easily managed and not nervous or twitchy.
The snugness of the lower boot was either boon or bane, depending on the tester. The most slender footed folks loved it and the more medium-ish volume testers thought it was too tight for a 99mm boot. This is the nature of the 99mm last--right in between narrow and medium--but most of the test team agreed that it fit more closely with the narrow group, out of the box. That out-of-box fit, while pre-molded and acceptable for skiing straight-away, will change substantially with a full-thermo custom liner molding session, which we did not perform as part of our testing procedures. Testers attributed some of the boot's notable shock absorption to the I.R. liner, which they said had a dense but padded feel that worked in tandem with the liveliness of the shell.
Where testers were 100-percent in agreement about the boot's elevated edging game and lateral move skills, they were less unanimous in their appraisal of the fore-aft balance and flex feel of the R3W 115. Each had their own unique take on the cuff's fit and feel, and while there were no deal-breaker issues there, there was a lack of consensus, which means it will be up to each skier to assess how the boot shaft accommodates their leg, front-to-back.
A point of agreement, though, to finish, was that the light weight and ease of uphill use was a highlight of the R3W resume. Testers said the cuff's release function was straightforward and simple and the resultant range of touring or hiking movement was both substantial and natural-feeling.
A truly versatile and fun hybrid boot for good skiers was their unanimous takeaway.
What makes the Alltrack Elite 110 W the best LV boot we tested? One of the things might be that it’s not a restrictive fit—rather, it’s what testers might call an inclusive narrow. The Alltrack Elite’s Step-In technology’s ease of entry sets the tone for its welcoming ways, and testers agreed that the overall friendliness of initial interaction with the boot won them over completely.
The peach and khaki cosmetic was described as attractive, literally, and testers flocked to get their hands on the Alltrack, again literally, to feel the new micro corduroy liner material. One tester called it fun and then another explained it was ribbed for her pleasure. This playful approach to the color palette and fabrics has become a Rossignol women's boot tradition in recent years and testers remain fully on board with their experimentation, with all of them applauding this year’s presentation.
Another Rossi-esque element that testers have come to expect is the relaxed fit of the women’s narrow boot. The Rossignol is rarely the snuggest of the narrows and more often resides on the border between narrow and medium width territories. Our team doesn’t find fault with this, but rather appreciates the well-sculpted shape of the boot for the casually low-volume and simply accepts that a more constrictive fit will either have to be a bootfitting project or found elsewhere. And with so many other things to appreciate, they seem not to care. One tester wraps it up like this: Big for a narrow but that’s the usual for Rossi. Entry is unreal! It’s so f’n cute! So comfy! Love, love, love!
All the fun and cuteness is fine, but it wouldn’t carry the day for the Alltrack Elite 110 W with our team if it didn’t ski well—they’re tough that way—and they say it does. Agile and active with a precise, lively feel for the snow surface underfoot was how one tester described it. Another said that it could keep up with the chargers on the frontside when needed. Neither spritely nor sledgehammer, testers said the Alltrack Elite struck the right chords for a harmonious balance between power and quickness, with a particularly nice feeling flex (if a bit softer than 110) against the shin.
And yes, let’s not forget that this is a cross-application model—those low tech (did you know that our common use of “tech,” as in tech binding is an abbreviation for “low tech?” It’s true.) inserts aren’t just metallic bling, they enable a serious uphill approach with appropriate binders. Testers say that the new Step-In tech (adapted from the Vizion range) that makes entry so easy has also unlocked newfound cuff range of motion in touring mode that Alltrack boots have previously lacked.
Testers thought the La Sportiva Sender W was a stout and rigidly transmissive freerider for crushing demanding descents, so long as the level of cushion (or lack thereof) would work for skiers.
The women's Sender is essentially the same build as the men's, which is labeled a 130-flex but feels a bit less-than (the men estimated it at 110-115 stiffness). This will appeal to experts and women looking for a substantially supportive feel in the cuff, testers said. The women (and the men) said that the lower boot fits short compared to the norm, per size, and also narrower-than-expected for a 102.5mm last. Testers called it a medium width with a generous amount of room along the lateral side of the forefoot--which was a favorite Sender W fit shape element for testers. As a way to gain toe room and a bit more typical wide last fit forgiveness (if that's what they seek), testers suggested that prospective buyers try on the next size up before deciding on a purchase.
Testers thought that the liner was a fairly firm and thin one, which was nice for reduced weight and transmission of movement to the shell, but a little edgy and uncomfortable out of the box. They recommended a full-thermo molding job as a place to start to bump up the creature comfort level internally.
The lateral and torsional rigidity of the shell was noticed by testers who said the edging power of the Sender was commendable--it powered up big skis through variable snow with a commanding level of control and was rated as one of the best freeride category choices for high power-to-weight ratio.
The Sender's uphill capacity was one of its strongest elements, according to the test team who liked the light weight, long touring stride range of motion and quality of movement. They thought it would appeal to serious skiers looking for performance, both up and down, over and above fit luxuries possibly meant for less-committed athletes.
Our test team was interested to invite La Sportiva back to our boot test and they were subsequently impressed with the Sender's balanced distribution of freeride skills. More than one tester proclaimed that the Sender was the best La Sportiva boot they've ever skied.
What testers thought the Sender did quite well was ski strongly and accurately side-to-side in crisply engaged arcs and accurately placed moves through a variety of dicey terrain and snow surfaces. The Grilamid Bio cuff and Pebax Rnew shell paired well to produce a stable and reactive structure for lateral moves--a pleasant surprise given those lightweight plastics often don't invite descriptors like stable.
Testers also liked the fit of the Sender, especially its shape along the lateral side of the forefoot--testers commented that this zone's shape curved to match the natural arc of the foot, providing enough room to spread out and find a neutral balance point against the floor of the boot but without feeling bulky or disconnected from the ski. Testers who remembered the inside ankle bone agony of La Sportiva Spectre days flat-out rejoiced over the well-shaped and padded ankle pockets of the Sender--well done, they said.
Testers absolutely loved the uphill game of the Sender--from the easy-to-use cuff release actuation, to the range of motion and quality of the cuff's rotation in touring mode, testers had nothing but good things to say. They liked the weight on the foot. The liked the molded GripWalk outsole for its full grip contact patch and its broad compatibility with a variety of bindings.
What were testers' gripes? There were a few but nothing drastic and certainly no deal-breakers there.
First, testers say the boot runs short and fits more like a medium than the advertised wide 102.5mm last. Consider trying on the next size up, they suggested.
Second (and finally), testers said the 130-flex was a boast that wasn't backed-up in aggressive skiing when the cuff collapsed a bit. Testers put it in the 110- to 115-flex range, but they reminded that the lateral and torsional strength of the boot was impressive. So, lighter or shorter skiers or guys with a lighter touch to the front of the boot will do well here.
The overall takeaway on the Sender was, bravo La Sportiva!
Testers say that the ZipFit liner makes the case that the RC4 Free Pro MV BOA ZF is the perfect boot for all-mountain experts looking for race boot level ski control with a comfy forward cabin and options on targeted skin-to-score missions. This multi-purpose player ticked a lot of boxes for our test team--especially guys with slender lower leg shafts and narrow heels but with big, wide forefoot shapes.
The tightness of the rearfoot fit combined with the openness of the forefoot and toebox had some of our testers trying to beg, borrow or steal this one straight out of the test. But that same fit map turned off testers who thought that the rear portion fit like a narrow and the front portion fit like a wide. Maybe that broke the category target "rules" for them, but our other non-conformists loved it.
For those uninitiated to the ZipFit liner cult, the lace-up liner is donned first, then stuffed into the shell, race-boot-style. Some testers love this, some hate it. The ankle area and heel pocket (as well as the liner tongue) are filled with a ground-up cork and dense resin solution, which is heat and pressure moldable over time, and additional fill material can be injected into those three areas with the help of a technician or at home, DIY-style. This fill material is what ZF proponents love for its firm hold on the foot and lower leg and direct conduction of movement through the shell to the ski. Those more skeptical of the use of the ZipFit as Fischer's substitute for their own traditional liner is the fact that the initial out-of-box fit is often less-than-ideal--the dense cork-and-resin material is slow to morph to match a skier's foot. Some added heat from a liner cooker is helpful in this regard, as is time (days and weeks), but neither of those fit aids are options during a fast-moving boot test.
Testers think the plastic environment of the RC4FPMVBOAZF is dead-on the money. Many testers commented about the convenience of the lower shell BOA and the traditional top two buckles, capped off by a cool, quick-releasing cam buckle power strap. Stance angles were reportedly neutral in all directions and testers approved of the firm but progressive and adequately cushioned flex feel--that was a collaboration between shell and liner, of course.
Testers are also fans of toe-only tech-fittings and no walk mode for the fact that most of them are chairlift-centric skiers who do a little bit of skin-based travel. They'd rather sacrifice some weight and stride length for the upside of real alpine power and stability on the descent, which is what testers could all agreed on here--the RC4 Free Pro MV BOA ZF skis as well as any in the class.
The Fischer RC4 Free 120 LV BOA has a ton of techie, functional features, like a lower BOA reel, a Vacuum-formable shell, Soma-Tec toed-out stance positioning, Dynafit tech inserts, a releasable kung-fu-grip-style power strap, and the list goes on…. What doesn’t the RC4 Free 120 LV BOA have? No walk mode. And yes, it’s in the freeride category.
But, wait, isn’t a walk mode a requirement for touring? Nope. Just ask some old ski bum what boot he clamped into his Securafixes, or later, his Alpine Trekkers—betcha it didn’t have a walk mode. A tour for the freeride skier is simply a means to an end—a way to get to a sick line or untracked pocket, and with any luck, with nobody else around. If the tour was to be the end in and of itself, then there are vastly different and more appropriate boots than the RC4 Free 120 LV BOA for that.
No walk mode means no fore-aft free play. No walk mode means no break in the chain of command that is the transmission of accurate messaging to the ski. It’s got tech fittings, though, and they can go snap snap into that tech toepiece of lots of bindings, and then a skier is off and running. Well, this skier will be off and schlogging up the skin track at a slightly more sluggish pace than some—but that’s to save energy for that gnar line up ahead, somewhere (somewhere close, hopefully).
Okay, so there’s a bit of mixing and matching these days with boot categories—some all-mountain boots have a walk mode, some freeride boots don’t. Does it matter? Maybe it’s important to the marketing department, or perhaps to the magazine editor trying to make sense of boot test entries. But ultimately, it’s about application, and sometimes aspiration. This boot is about charging a descent off the beaten path, maybe. Or it could just be a ski boot, at home at the resort. Don’t put it in a box. Take it out of the box, put it on your foot and go skiing, somewhere.
There’s an LV in its name for a reason, and it’s right on the money, testers said. It’s a low volume fit all day long, testers said. It’s also one of the Fischer boots that doesn’t employ a ZipFit liner, which, in this case, testers loved for its evenly snug, narrow and consistently padded fit from toebox to heel, up through the instep and into the shin. Where a ZipFit liner’s fit is very open at the front and very tight at the heel and ankle, the RC4 Free 120 LV was traditionally, straightforwardly tight throughout—and testers liked that quite a bit.
Testers said that the 120-flex wasn’t necessarily mis-labled, but they said it could be called a 120-plus. It didn’t fold or fail under firm fore-aft inputs, they said, and its range of flexion came to a firm, progressive stop. Testers thought it was a great match for most experts looking for a comfortable shin fit and well-executed flex without the added bucks that a few more flex-index points would tack onto the price tag.
The BOA was no hindrance or inconvenience but just the opposite—testers unanimously approved of how it wrapped up the foot in a smoothly closing grip and they had no gripe about entry or exit. They liked the quick-releasing power strap, standard cuff buckles and double liner pull loops. They even approved of the aqua, purple and yellow highlights that gave its stealthy black body some pop. One tester said this was a niche freeride product, and we figure that’s fancy talk for one-of-a-kind, which in fact it is for Fischer…there’s only one like it in their whole range.
