While the Fischer RC4 105 LV BOA is a Vacuum boot and one of the unique qualities about the Fischer Vacuum molding system is that it can compress the shell around the foot, actually making a heel p
Our women's test team members have been fans of Tecnica's medium width Mach1 boots for several years, and last year they were impressed with the debut of the wide Mach HV (no #1 in the name) with its inaugural BOA add-on. This year marks the expansion of the Mach BOA line up into the medium volume market, and our testers had a chance to get the new Mach BOA MV 105 W on their feet and out on the hill to see how it fared.
Testers liked how easily this one went on, citing no hindrance stemming from the BOA reel mounted on the lower shell. They also thought that the BOA system did a good job (as advertised) of cleanly wrapping the shell and liner comfortably around the foot with an intuitive spin of the spool. That was a good thing, they said, because the fit of the lower boot was massive--much roomier than the non-BOA Mach1 MV boots they've been accustomed to.
This wasn't necessarily a bad thing, testers noted, but it was off-target for medium width fit tension expectations and the lower scores logged in the fit criteria dragged it down, out of gold medal territory. Testers said that the fit was comfortable, and well-wrapped around the contours of the foot, just a bit out-sized. They would have characterized it as a MV-HV fit hybrid, except that all testers agreed that the fit at the top of the cuff was tapered to a more-tight fit than expected for a MV. So, gals with thick feet and slender, taller legs will find a fit made in heaven, they said.
The flex feel of the Mach BOA 105 W was a favorite element for the team, who said it had a smooth and even feel through the flex range and a well-distributed and cushioned-enough feel against the shin. They noticed that the top-shelf T-Drive cuff-to-lower connection mechanism found on the Mach1 boots was not here, replaced by a modified (and probably less-expensive to produce, balancing out the cost of a BOA system) T-Sport unit. They thought it suited the Mach BOA just fine, and had no complaints about transmission of movement to the ski. In fact, testers thought that the power and stability of the cuff was top notch, providing a reliable and solid sense of control over the ski in all directions.
The Mach BOA 105 W's Edge Power score was, in fact, one of its two highest scores (the other was for its stance balance). Its quickness score suffered alongside its fit scores due to the excess room in the lower boot, but again, testers said that with the right foot and leg shape combination, all fit and performance scores would likely jump up.
Every time Tecnica has entered a Mach1 LV in our boot test it has received a gold medal, like clock-work, and this season's all-new entry was no different. Testers said the Mach1 LV 115 W was improved in a variety of ways that brought smiles to their faces, in fit, performance and a more accessible demeanor.
Not that this is a pushover now--not a chance, testers said, claiming that it's got a still-stout flex feel and all the edge power and torque any expert skier needs to charge in serious terrain. However, the newer Mach1 LV is a newly nicer version in a couple key ways.
First, it's easier-on (and off) by way of a smoother strip of material down the back of the liner and a slightly taller instep fit. The minimally raised roof produced maximally improved comfort and warmth scores by not occluding blood flow over the top of the foot, which was definitely a characteristic of the predecessor LV that most testers were not sad to see go bye-bye. The lowest-volume testers on the team lamented the loss of top-down security for their wafer-thin-mint feet, but they were the only complainants in the matter. Another nice change that absolutely nobody disparaged was the slightly softer liner material and deeper inside ankle pocket design--both of which reduced the bit of bite that was previously billed as the cost of doing business in a badass boot like the Mach1 LV.
Testers liked the friendlier fit of the new LV and for the most part didn't feel that the narrow-class grip was overly relaxed. They repeatedly mentioned that the performance of the boot was simply made more accessible to more folks by these new niceties.
However, one of the new developments was the revision to the T-Drive connector between cuff and lower shell, which was not a gentrification project but rather a performance-driven upgrade. The new gizmo on the rear spine now creates a snappier return-to-center after the cuff's been flexed, and the slightly longer flex plate enables a more transmissive merger between body and ski--in all directions. Testers thought the boot was more solid and more damp than it had been in the past, and it was no wimp to begin with. Some testers thought the boot's edge power outshone its quickness quotient, but not to any degree that dulled a rapid response when a direction change was called for.
Our crew still digs the performance-oriented features found here: hook-enabled and elasticized powerstrap, dual liner pull loops, lateral cuff adjustment, newly thickened-up GripWalk soles and a full complement of C.A.S. custom fitting options on liner and shell. Yes, the metallic plum colorway is a test favorite--and that never hurts.
The new Tecnica Mach BOA 120 MV impressed our test team with its pleasant blend of comfort, ease-of-use and legitimate downhill performance. Testers have been longtime fans of the Mach1 series of boots, in all widths, and last year's test of the progenitor Mach BOA HV were positive--so there was little doubt that this year's medium width version of the BOA boot would similarly excel.
To look at the scores awarded to the Mach BOA 120 MV one might think there was something amiss--not that a silver medal is a bad thing, but historically Mach has been synonymous with gold. However, when drilling down into testers' written commentary there were very few negative remarks or demerits noted. So, this may be a case where the letters and numbers don't speak the same language--it happens. We're going to focus on the things that testers said about the Mach BOA 120 because they make the most sense.
One thing was repeated, across the test team, and that was that the Mach1 performance heritage was apparent in the Mach BOA MV--it skied well, they said. Yes, this is a 120-flex and often the Mach1 boots are tested in the 130 flagship model, but testers were impressed with both its stability and power, as well as its quickness edge to edge and responsive feel. The flex feel was long and predictable, they said, but not collapsing, even for the bigger guys on the team.
The BOA reel was regarded as a positive addition, with no mention of it impeding entry. Testers liked how it closed the boot around their foot in a controlled and predictable way that didn't warp the feel, just closed it down incrementally. Some testers mentioned that the fit over the top of the foot felt a little more snug than expected for a medium-volume model but there weren't any comments about numbness or pain.
Warmth and convenience were top-shelf, and testers commented that the ease-of-use here made it a slam dunk for most intermediate and advanced skiers looking for a no-hassle, all-mountain conveyance that wouldn't disappoint. There were no deal-breaker issues to contend with in fit or performance and all systems were a green light for making the ski experience an instantly fun one. One tester said, "There are simply no problems here, so shut up and go skiing." We wholeheartedly agree with that advice.
Testers were amazed that one of their perennial powerhouse favorites, the Tecnica Mach1 LV 130, got even better. It was nearly flawless to begin with (on the podium for every entry in past decade) but one fit issue had plagued certain testers. Those testers with a high arch and particularly boney top of foot often mentioned some uncomfortable pressure there. These testers’ prayers are answered with this newest design evolution of the Mach1 LV flagship. The lower shell’s revision solves the problem with 3mm more ceiling height over the instep which testers said produced an evenly snug fit across the entire top of foot, without pain or impingement of nerves or a restriction of circulation.
Testers repeatedly commented on the revised Mach’s better feel for the snow (yes, that will improve without numbness) and a more comfortable all-day-long fit. Part of that all-day comfort was also owed to the new lower shell’s more-open toebox and forefoot than found in the former LV, which of course led some of our no-pain, no-gain testers to lament the loss of crush and constriction—but they were outnumbered by the rest of our team who felt that the fit improvement didn’t negate any of the Mach1 LV’s characteristic power and quickness and thought that the low-volume and medium-volume models still remained well-differentiated from each other. Testers also liked the now slightly more contoured inside ankle pocket and re-shaped heel which still grabbed them like a true narrow last but with a bit less bite and a slightly more cushioned feel against the foot.
Testers loved the new cuff re-design that uses a carbon and Grilamid blend for its thin, closer-wrapping feel with a crisp, energy-laden flex and return-to-center. Often, testers can be critical of Grilamid plastic (a nylon) in the upper cuff for what can be an overly reactive or twitchy feel but not so with Tecnica’s implementation of it here. Testers commented that the updated, two-piece T-Drive 2.0 cuff-to-lower linkage paired well with the lighter, stiffer cuff material for a cleanly harnessed and predictable delivery of power to the ski and then a snappy return to an effective stance in between turns. Testers liked how seamlessly the Mach1 LV transitioned between smooth surfaces and demanding chop off-piste and they enjoyed testing that out in the highly varied snow and terrain of Mt. Bachelor’s 360-degree spring skiing options. The revised shell is also thickened up in critical spots for maintaining power and stability while on edge but left thinner where easier entry and wrapping for a comfortable fit remains the priority.
In addition to a new liner and shell, the Mach1 LV 130 even has updated GripWalk soles, made slightly thicker for better traction and increased durability. Testers noted a new look on both the medial sides’ laser finish for improved scratch resistance and an updated color that’s, dare we say, iconic.
Testers were downright smitten with the new wide ride from Salomon. One said, “I just put my foot into a bucket of butter! Amazing liner! Great, wide forefoot but my heel is still locked in! I love this fit! I love this boot!” That’s a lot of exclamation points! The glowing commentary goes on from this tester and the others who happily luxuriated in the foot spa ski experience that is the S/Pro Delta BOA 105 W.
Back in the day, testers didn’t used to get so fired up about wide-lasted boots, but that could be that those boots simply weren’t as good as they are now. Testers have realized that the best wide boots have a well-sculpted anatomical shape, just a bit outsized, and a liner that provides a combination of hold and openness that works for a broad variety of shapes and sizes. The new crop of wide boots, which the S/Pro Delta BOA 105 W led by a fair margin, also have stance angles that work, no matter the volume of the skier’s foot and leg. Our team roundly praised the neutral and athletic positioning (a perfect 10.0 for stance) of the Delta BOA which put them in place to feel the stability and drive that the boot communicated to the ski.
While it’s true that the wide boot’s quickness scores can suffer unfairly when average and lower volume testers take them for a spin (simply because they’re not stuffed into the package snugly enough to wring out maximum responsiveness), the S/Pro Delta BOA’s quickness scores equaled its edge power scores at a 9.50. Testers were shocked at how well it handled chopped up crud or untracked pow, equally at ease on- and off-piste, and they mentioned that its versatility showed in a forgiving attitude for intermediate cruising and a surprisingly high top-end for expert level charging, alike.
Testers didn’t spend much time analyzing the BOA on the lower shell because it didn’t stand out as an issue. Rather, the BOA unit blended into the comfortable and convenient program that marked the S/Pro Delta, simply doing its job to snug the fit as needed, without fuss. They did like the wide, flat cuff buckles for their ease of use and straightforward closure, and testers all mentioned that the cuff flared nicely to accommodate a wide calf and with buckle range to work around that as needed. Both the S/Pro Delta BOA’s fit and convenience scores were perfect 10’s, not surprisingly.
More than a few comments were made about slippers that ski and ski well, which we think is something like the wide boot seal of approval. Testers agreed—bravo, Salomon!
The Salomon medium width, all-mountain boot (aka S/Pro Supra in current model parlance) has been a favorite of our women's boot test team for several years. A couple seasons ago we saw the first iteration of BOA appear on the lower shell of the Supra and aside from a slight hindrance to entry, the new closure system worked for our team. The two seasons following showed Salomon's early-adoption of the reel and subsequent improvements to be a success, and now they've doubled-down on BOA, literally, with it both down and up. Hey, if one is good, two must be twice as good, right?
Testers say yes, that's right. And with Salomon's (and most other dual BOA brands) positioning of two BOAs as the pinnacle of combined performance and convenience, this year the women's S/Pro Supra Dual BOA is offered at a 115-flex level, which we tested. The 115-flex Supra isn't available in any other way--if you want the mack daddy model, or mack mommy, you get two reels.
And our test team was perfectly fine with that. They're suckers for a boot that skis well, and this one does, they say. One tester said it had an "electric-feeling, snappy back-and-forth energy" that a skier could tap into at the highest levels of descent performance or choose to keep it throttled-back to lower, cruising RPM's just as easily. Testers weren't sure whether the cuff's power and snap were derivative of the upper BOA's cable-pulley mechanical advantage or simply a byproduct of the close wrap it put on their lower leg (some of both, they proposed), but they were effusive in their praise for how well the Dual BOA Supra tipped skis on edge and kept them in line through unruly terrain at borderline unsafe speeds.
The fore-aft positioning and action of the cuff was similarly praiseworthy. One tester said, "The cuff works together in perfect harmony with the shell, offering the perfect balance of a powerful, progressive flex with a snug foot-feel to produce an ultimate level of response." That sounds pretty good to us. More than one tester loved-on the S/Pro Supra Dual BOA 115 W's flex feel and stiff-strong, fore-aft positioning (but no comments of a brick-like or rigid feel). It's Edge Power score was one of the highest of all tested women's models, across all categories, at a 9.75.
The fit of the Dual BOA 115 was similarly positioned toward the performance-side of things. Testers said this was one of the tightest of the medium-width, all-mountain group. They liked its closely-contoured and snug grip on every nook and cranny, saying it worked for the flex-tier and price point. But several testers mentioned that the toebox in particular was more snug than they'd like in a typical medium width fit. One said it put a mammogram-style smash, top-down, on the little piggies, which mirrored what other testers had to say as well. The fit did improve with wear time and sweat, testers reported, and accordingly, its on-snow fit score beat its initial, out-of-box fit score, 9.75 to 9.00.
Testers were in agreement that the entry and exit were not this boot's best qualities, but for the target audience they didn't think it would cause too much consternation, and they said that the fit and performance, once in, was well worth that trade-off.
Our women's test team has had a love affair with the Salomon S/Pro Alpha 110 W for a few years running, and they renewed their vows at this season's boot test by awarding it with a gold medal, again, for its tight-and-right, narrow-last fit and its bankable downhill performance.
Yes, testers say it's still tight--like a narrow, expert-level, all-mountain boot is supposed to be. Our fit assessment involves rating eight zones on a 1 to 5 scale, where a 1 is as tight as a World Cup race boot gets and a 5 is rental-boot-loose. The "target" for a consumer narrow boot (96-98mm) is a 2. The average of the S/Pro Alpha 110 W's eight fit zones is a 1.75, with the ankle pockets receiving the tightest rating at 1.50 and the calf with the loosest at 2.25. One tester said that she almost got bucked off her skis by the boot's surprisingly strong turn finish, powered by its snug heel pocket fit.
Testers say the toebox fits snug and a little short to start but found that it opened up with some wear time on the hill, so they suggested skiers shouldn't write-off their proper size but give it some time and perhaps a little heating on a liner cooker. The ankle pockets are super snug--to the point of a hot spot for a couple testers, but again, they said it moderated with some time, and they mentioned that the clean polyurethane shell and cuff design would allow for a simple inside ankle punch from a good bootfitter, if still required after some break-in.
The performance of the Alpha 110 W hasn't ever been questioned but this year testers were impressed by how reliably it put their skis exactly where they wanted them and held them there until told otherwise. They said the boot's quickness and power showed up in equal measure, linked by a neutral and athletic-feeling stance that was ready to go anywhere and ski anything. Reliable, dependable, solid and confidence-inspiring were some of the descriptors used by the team. The scores for stance, edge power and quickness were all appropriately tied at a 9.75 out of 10.
The other 9.75 awarded to the S/Pro Alpha 110 W was in the Convenience, Warmth & Features metric, which supports testers' comments that the boot is straightforward and easy to use. There was no issue with entry--a nice benefit in an expert-tier, narrow, four-buckle overlap design--and testers appreciated the no-fluff, no-bs closure system that let them get on with getting on the hill for what mattered.
While testers didn't have many point-specific hot spot concerns, a couple mentioned that this boot might offer the perfect reason to employ a 360 Custom Shell oven cook job--if the boot is just a touch too-tight everywhere. Cook it, wear it, chill it and then go ski it, enjoying a subtle-but-effective relaxation of the squeeze.
Salomon has been on a successful run with its alpine boot line-up over the past few years and while testers have absolutely loved both the narrow S/Pro Alpha and the medium S/Pro Supra, they may like the new, wide-lasted S/Pro Delta the most of all! Not only did the Delta crush the competition in the wide boot category at this year’s test, its scores were on par with the best-performing medium and narrow boots of the test and it managed to impress a few testers who still raise an eyebrow when the words wide and performance are mentioned together.
Salomon has now banished the lower shell’s Core Frame insert across its width range in its alpine lines and our testers were pleased to find a straightforward and bootfitter-friendly wide ride in the Delta BOA 130. Visually, the boot appeals to the performance-minded traditionalist—it looks like a good four-buckle overlap without weird bulges or tacked-on features. Sliding their feet into the Delta for the first time, testers knew Salomon had entered a category winner. Aside from its ease of entry (no constriction from the BOA here, they said) they loved its consistent and appropriately cushioned hold of the foot and leg, with a suitably high instep fit that avoided feeling cavernous. Testers, regardless of their foot and leg volume, mentioned the same thing—consistent and even fit tension throughout the boot, top to bottom. How did it do that? They didn’t know, but they liked it and said so repeatedly on test forms.
Sometimes a boot’s status as a contender begins with initial try-on but ends abruptly upon clicking into bindings, as failures of flex or stability come to light with each turn down the hill. Testers said this was not the case with the S/Pro Delta BOA 130, neither with the fit nor the Delta’s performance. Testers liked the way the BOA lower shell closed smoothly around the foot as they needed to snug the fit for more demanding snow and terrain but they also said the cuff closure matched the lower for a clean wrap around the lower leg. While the calf fit was ample and flared enough at boot top to avoid jabbing a large calf muscle, more average volume testers commented that they didn’t feel like the proverbial hot dog down a hallway when encountering a tight spot where making a good turn mattered greatly.
While the wide boot’s quickness score is usually dependent on the mass of a tester’s foot and leg—thicker guys fill up the boot and get a more rapid response out of it edge to edge—it still scored highly there. However, virtually all testers made a comment about the Delta BOA 130’s strong feel while commanding a ski on edge—it’s burly without feeling dull, they said, calling it a highly capable all-mountain carver that will put a smile on the face of many.
One tester said after his initial fit testing, “Pretty damn comfy straight out of the box--I could make this my daily driver if I weren't so demanding!” Then after he skied the Delta BOA 130 his next entry read, “I’m pretty surprised by the consistency of the fit and the high performance level. It makes me wonder why I'm in an LV!”
We think that statement says a lot about the new wide one from Salomon.
Even the dual BOA skeptics on our test team had to admit that Salomon did it right with the S/Pro Supra Dual BOA 130. They loved the fit and the performance, and the combination of those two critical elements created a positive synergy that outweighed the minor inconvenience of getting through the two spools and into the boot. And they thought the Grey Aurora cosmetic with retro brand call-outs in black and blue was pretty damn good-looking.
If a skier wants a medium width Salomon (Supra) in a 130-flex, it's going to have to be dual BOA, period. The single BOA or buckles-only options top out at a 120-flex. Why? Well, a brand can't offer everything, though Salomon tries, and the word on the street is that dual BOA equals high-performance--at least for Salomon. Our test team doesn't disagree, necessarily. They love how the S/Pro Supra Dual BOA 130 skis--it's absolutely bombproof in how it controls the ski while on edge, with a solid, damp feel that inspires confidence at the highest speeds. Testers said its edge power skills slightly over-powered its quickness and agility skill set but not by much, calling it reactive and capable in tight spots and in small radius arcs. Whether the two BOAs combined forces to create this descent performance resume with cable-and-pulley-induced mechanical advantage, or simply the fact that the snug-wrapping closure in both the lower shell and upper cuff created a fit that translated into performance is an unanswerable question for our team. But the takeaway was that yes, it skied very well.
And it fit well, said testers who liked the smooth and even-wrapping feel of the reel's influence on fit tension in both the shell and cuff. The upper BOA provided a particularly nice closure around the leg shaft for a variety of leg shapes and volumes, as reported by testers who said the transmission of leg movements to edging response was very direct. There were multiple comments about the liner's shapely contours that suited all the common bony bits and wide spots of the foot, ankle and instep. Testers also said that the blend of cushioning and insulation was evenly balanced with the liner's firmness for a resolute hold on ankles and heel for strong skiing moves.
Yes, testers were in agreement that the dual BOA does create some level of entry impediment, but for the 130-performance-level-seeking skier they didn't think that it would cause a whole lot of trouble, just took some getting used to and a degree of patience to get past the cabling then reattach everything, avoiding hang-ups on cuff overlaps and such. Once in, everything came together aces for a fantastic fit and skiing experience, so testers said other Dual BOA skeptics should follow their example and just get over it.
The design that triggered a whole line up of similarly awesome boots, the S/Pro Alpha 130 returned to our test without changing a thing and impressed our team all over again. From the moment testers got this traditional four-buckle overlap closed up they were right where they wanted to be--for a comfortable narrow fit, for a comfortably tall stance and for a comfortably stable and in-control descent at mach schnell!
The S/Pro Alpha was the first of the S/Pro family to jettison the previous Core Frame shell structure in favor of a mono-injected polyurethane shell and upper cuff linked with the new Power Spine connection tech. This new S/Pro design was at once something of a throw-back to a simpler, cleaner shape but also a huge step forward toward a boot that really worked in every way. The medium width S/Pro Supra followed suit, as did the wide last S/Pro Delta, and now the whole damn S/Pro family cleans up the gold medals each year at our boot test. Testers enjoyed getting back into the progenitor model to be reminded what a pleasure it is to ski a well-engineered, stiff, narrow-lasted all-mountain ripper.
First, though, before they could love it and find it so pleasurable, they had to get it on--and a few testers commented that it remains one of the entry-challenged in the category. They say it's not enough to stop anyone from enjoying the S/Pro Alpha 130 but it did stand as one of the few minor demerits lodged against the boot, and a pity that it happens with the very first interaction with it. Testers (even the ones who had an issue with entry and exit) say, don't let that sway you, to prospective buyers because the experience of both fit and performance is so good they need to hang in there.
For the slender-of-foot, the S/Pro Alpha shape is a perfect match, with a touch of extra space at the toebox. There were a lot of Goldilocks comments made about how the instep fit over the top of the foot was padded enough but not too much, and also about the close fit through the throat of the boot at the base of the leg that held things firm but without numbness or discomfort. The ankle pockets were just sculpted enough in their shape to avoid hot spots but testers remained locked in there. The heel pocket remains one of the tightest of the narrow, all-mountain group but without offending bony parts or the Achilles tendon. The S/Pro Alpha liner feel is classically, comfortably Salomon, testers say, with a pleasing balance of cushion, smoothness and serious grip on the foot and leg for high-level skiing.
The test team likes the stance angles of the S/Pro Alpha but notes that it stands a little to the upright side of the category average. Taller guys and those preferring less-loaded quadriceps will be well-suited here. Skiers seeking a more forward-leaning set-up can experiment with additional rear spoiler combinations simply enough. Some testers thought that the cuffs were oriented slightly bowlegged, which biased them toward a little extra inside edge angle, which they loved for on-piste trenching (which it does, easily) but thought might need to be moderated with a basic cuff adjustment for a more flat, off-piste set-up.
Speaking of off-piste, the S/Pro Alpha comes with both hard plastic alpine (5355) soles pre-mounted but a set of GripWalk soles are included in the box for a more secure boot-packing tread and a little bit of extra shock mitigation. Testers loved how the S/Pro Alpha 130 ripped everything they put in front of it with predictable power and rapid returns to center over and over.
There's an ongoing debate over the ongoing blue hue among the team. One tester said, Rippers with skinny feet are going to love it--plus the blue looks great. Another tester said, Fits and skis with the best of the test and other than the blue color, it's awesome. We'll leave it at that for now and enjoy it as it is while we wait for what might happen next year.
When several of your most veteran boot testers make comments like: the best Roxa I've tested in years, you pay attention. That happened this year with Roxa's R/Fit MV 120, which we hadn't had a chance to put through the wringer prior to now. We'd tested the 130-flex version last year but testers were unanimous that there was something special about the 120-flex--namely that it fit and skied without any hiccups from start to finish.
Roxa may be better known for their three-piece designs, especially their Freeride models, but their more traditional, four-buckle overlap boots have continued to gain steam (and market share) over the past few years. Our test team has noticed a steadily upward sloping graph on test results and this year the men zeroed-in on the R/Fit MV 120 as their favorite.
Some testers approach testing a boot as though the boot is perfect, and then they subtract demerits as they run into issues, with entry, with closure, with fit, with stance, with performance, with features. Testers didn't issue demerits to the R/Fit MV 120--they just checked box after box for executing on each of those parameters. Some testers had favorite aspects, certainly. Some felt the fit was commendably even and consistent in its medium-width fit tension (that did come up repeatedly). Others focused on the stance angles, which were dead-on-the-money neutral in all directions, they said. And some other testers said the boot's strong cuff generated lateral power to the edge that out-performed their 120-flex level expectations.
Even the few negative comments had positive connotations. One tester felt the tongue fit over the midfoot was a little sharp and edgy--but he followed-up to say that extended wear time and a few test runs fixed that. Another tester felt the boot seemed overly soft at room temperature--but once the boot cooled down he said that the power and stability came on line for solid edging at speed on firm snow.
Even the features set and construction is above reproach. An Ultralon-based liner with double pull loops, polyurethane plastic both up and down, quick-releasing cam-buckle power strap, dual side cuff adjustments and GripWalk soles.
The fit, the performance, the features and only 800 bucks--which, in a world of thousand dollar ski boots, is the new bargain!
A super comfy, super warm, super easy-on boot that will go everywhere on the mountain (within reason) for the high volume foot and leg. That's what testers described as the nutshell notes for the new Rossignol Alltrack 90 W BOA. It's got a walk mode, it's got Rossi's easy entry technology, and it's got a khaki and peach cosmetic--and a gold medal.
Testers say that for the wide-footed skier with a thick instep and ample calf there aren't many better choices out there if ease-of-entry and instant comfort are a couple main priorities. The corduroy interior liner material intrigued testers for its just-slippery-enough surface to enhance the already effortless entry that's enabled by the rear-hinging cuff technology borrowed from the Rossignol Vizion boot line-up. They said that the closure and automatic lock back into ski mode took a little sorting out, but they loved the overall experience of getting in and buckled-up (and BOA'd-up) in the Alltrack 90 W BOA.
Testers appreciated the convenience of the BOA reel closure on the lower shell and lodged no complaint about its function, though they did like the traditional buckles up top and the easy-going double-sided powerstrap for securing the calf. They said that the calf fit is pretty accommodating for the thick-of-leg with a lot of buckle catch adjustment range.
While the easy-entry technology pairs with a walk mode feature in the Alltrack 90 W BOA, most testers said it offered more apres convenience than any hardcore functionality for hike-to-gnar descents. The cuff range of motion when released didn't inspire them to do any long-distance trudging but they did like it for its ease of use and stroll-assist for lugging gear from vehicle to lodge or kid to lesson.
The edging power of the 90-flex was commended, with testers saying it laid nice arcs down on groomers or through crud, but they felt the 90-flex was definitely soft and geared toward the less-than-charger. Though for the intermediate through advanced skier they said this was a dream come true for all but the more adrenaline-fueled end of that skier spectrum.
