Testers loved the Tecnica Mach BOA HV 105 W for its ample volume and plus-size curves, and that's without their huge appreciation for how the BOA closure system put a new spin on the Mach1 wide rid
The Gist
Our test team liked the step up to the 115 flex women’s Speedmachine last year, saying the additional horsepower drove big skis well without feeling unmanageable—and so stepped it up to a second place finish in the group. This year they still love the vertical room over the top of the foot and said that the ankle pockets are firmly performance oriented (read: mold the 3D Cork Fit liner). They appreciated its useful features, like the Power Driver power strap spoiler, adjustable calf and a functional cuff adjustment for dialing lateral stance angles. Ratio of comfort to performance is surprisingly high, given that they said this one goes everywhere and does everything.
The Fit
The Cork-clad exterior material on the liner ankle pocket area is highly heat moldable, but on initial room temperature try-on felt pretty aggressive to our testers. Just a few runs warmed them up enough to relax to a tolerable firmness, but liner molding was the recommendation for a fully comfortable, all-day fit there. The toebox remains roomy, especially over the top of the toes, which most testers liked but a few felt it allowed for too much shift into the backseat at times. Testers say the dreamy Nordica liner feel remains fully intact still and found it one of the easiest performance mediums to get on and off. The calf fit is open and can be adjusted for a larger calf, so that feature was a test team favorite.
Performance
Shockingly strong on edge for how comfy it is, was the tester takeaway on average. Plenty quick, they said, for having so much luxury liner wrapping the foot. The stance angles were right on the money, and the straight up polyurethane construction pleased our old school rippers who like a strong and stable boot for dominating the downhill off of chairlifts. Hell yeah!
Cool Features
The thin shell wall in areas where common prominent points live makes it easy to modify the boot with a heat stretch, while keeping the boot thicker in areas that generate power and stability. The Nordica Infrared Heat stretching system is unique in that it uses an infrared heater to get the shell to temperature, then employs a suction-cup device to suck the shell punch into place, like a dent-puller at an auto body shop. It's got double liner pull loops and comes mounted with GripWalk soles and ISO 5355 ("DIN") alpine soles in the box--that's a nice add on.
The Gist
Edged for first place by a mere two-hundredths and sporting a nearly perfect score for edge power and stability, last year testers said the Promachine was an absolute powerhouse that needed not a single fit modification out of the box. Lively and balanced, they said it’s also tall and firm against the leg, and they liked that just fine. This is a real skier’s boot, they said, the kind that appeals to an all-mountain shredder who might often opt for a stiffer men’s model. One tester said, this boot has your back! This year, the teal highlights are gone--oh well.
The Fit
Testers used lots of evenly sprinkled 2's (1 tightest, 5 loosest) to rate the Promachine's fit in both the lower boot and the cuff. It's not race boot tight, but just right tight for the category, they said. Its tightest score was for the heel pocket and its roomiest was for the calf—that's a fit blueprint that will work for a lot of women. One tester whined about the heel pocket being too tight around the Achilles tendon, but our custom tests showed the 3D Cork Fit Primaloft liner did a good job of opening the fit where needed without losing a firm grip elsewhere, so we told her to quit whining.
Performance
Though testers called it the perfect mix of power and agility, it received a perfect score average for Quickness, Steering & Feel so apparently testers corroborated Nordica's claim that the thin shell wall Tri Force construction lightens the boot and provides better ground feel without a loss of torque. While the boot's lightness was noticed, it wasn't the primary element that testers were attracted to. They were far too focused on how well they skied everywhere on the mountain on the Promachine 115 W to worry about the boots myriad other good features, of which less weight certainly is one.
Cool Features
Testers like the rolling, grippy stride of the GripWalk soles that come mounted on the boot and noticed (and appreciated) the soles' aqua highlights that matched the rear spine and Power Driver power strap plate (which they also liked for its shin pressure displacement). Our techie testers also appreciated the full complement of useful stuff, like dual lateral cuff adjustment, a removable Velcro rear spoiler, two liner pull loops and four easy to use buckles (yes, with aqua highlights).
The Gist
Last year's Speedmachine 130 returned to our boot test beefed up with a revision made to the 3-D Cork Fit Primaloft liner that tightened and firmed the interior feel throughout. Testers said that modification transformed the formerly fluffed Speedmachine to a fully hardened All-Mountain medium width warrior, as evidenced by its highest score in the edge power and transmission category. However, testers assured that it hadn’t lost its signature easy entry and well-loved, evenly draped Nordica initial fit, it’s just toughened-up enough to be perfect--and remains so this year with only a graphic update, which testers appreciate.
The Fit
It's still on the wide side of the medium group in the toebox and forefoot, and plenty dreamy, creamy, cushy upon one's first slide-in (which is super easy), but the fit quickly narrows to a firm wrap around the ankles and on the heel, which is much improved over its debut year, testers agreed. The fit is evenly medium, testers say, through the instep and into the lower leg zone, which has a more locked-in, athletic feel due to the stiffer liner cuff construction. The flex feel is dead-on for comfortable (but high-end) skiing moves and testers liked the Power Driver plate that slides on the power strap for spreading pressure across the tongue.
Performance
This is the Volvo XC 90 of ski boots, one tester said. Sure, why not--all-wheel-drive, 250 horsepower, paddle shifters and plenty of leg room! Testers say the Speedmachine 130 practically skis for you it's so well-balanced and reactive to the surface underfoot. The thin-walled Tri-Force shell puts the foot in direct-feeling contact with the ski, though without a lack of padding or creature comfort, and it maintains a solid feel while on edge at all speeds. This is a boot that shouldn't ski as well as it does based on the high perceived level of comfort, but it does, and testers weren't complaining.
Cool Features
Testers liked the 3-D Cork Fit Primaloft liner construction for its firm, transmissive feel, insulating quality and molding capabilities. We really like the trick Infrared shell molding system developed initially for the Speedmachine (and now for Promachine, Sportmachine and Strider boots)—the infrared heater brings the shell up to ideal molding temperature and a suction-cup of varying sizes and shapes is applied to the hot shell and the suction pulls the punch into place. The only real disappointment in the system is the fact that it will be rarely used, since the boot fits so well (and roomy where most need it) out of the box.
The Gist
Last year one tester said, as you buckle, the engine revs! And out of more than 20 individual tests the comments about a tight yet perfectly-mapped fit were virtually universal. The combination of a tightly, deep-seated heel fit with just enough room over the top of the foot for circulation and uniformly snug contact throughout the rest of the boot had testers fired up to ski. Testers said the light-but-strong Tri Force shell construction did not disappoint while on edge (trenching) or in rapid fire transitions to set the next rail. It was the highest scoring boot in its category and this year remains unchanged outside of cosmetics.
The Fit
One tester said of the Promachine 130, just trying them on sets high expectations, and that sums up testers' fit impressions pretty well. They were excited to get this one on snow as soon as they buckled up, because they felt that this narrow fit like a narrow should. However, testers were simultaneously shocked that it did so with such well placed curves following the foot that it avoided the usual narrow boot hot spot map. Only testers with high, bony insteps and prominent styloids (base of the 5th metatarsal) had any complaints that would require a bootfitter's assistance.
Performance
The slimmed down, thin-shell polyurethane shell and cuff gives the Promachine 130 a light feel in hand, but testers assure that there is no resulting deficit in the power department. That it scored an average of 4.86 (out of 5) for Edge Power & Fore-Aft Support after 16 individual tests is a validation of the fact that lightness doesn't only mean quickness—though its scores there bear out that it wasn't a slouch there, either. Testers repeatedly commented that the Promachine 130 had race boot guts, especially on hard snow at high speed, but maintained an easily moderated throttle feel and could feather and smear on demand, a skill which Frontside boots often lack.
Cool Features
The Tri Force shell and cuff construction utilizes a mix of thinner and thicker plastics in different stiffnesses to create a rigid, transmissive boot that still wraps the foot and goes on and off easily—good features. The IsoTherm 3D Cork Fit liner is well sculpted to match the foot and the shell's interior incorporates its namesake wicking laminate to keep this slim boot warm and dry. Testers liked the GripWalk soles which come mounted on the boot, as well as the standard feature stuff you'd expect at this trim level like dual lateral cuff adjustment, dual liner pull loops, 45 mm power strap (with the Power Driver plate) and removable Velcro rear spoiler.
The Gist
Testers this year reiterated that the RX 110 W is the industry standard for how a medium width performance boot should fit and ski. Last year one tester said, The boot’s best qualities? All of them—the RX delivers every year, again and again. There have been virtually no negative comments about this boot for the past three years running, with unanimous agreement on its super neutral, dialed stance angles and near perfect scores for edge power and stability at speed. They call its V-shaped fit (party in the front, business in the back) flawless.
The Fit
Testers say the RX 110 W is a benchmark for medium width fit characteristics without giving up on performance goals—meaning Lange hasn't blown-out the toebox and forefoot and fluffed-up the liner just to attract the wannabes. Testers say this top-shelfer fits like a Recaro seat built around the foot—firm and close in the heel and ankles and boot throat, like a custom foam liner a couple testers said. There's just enough room elsewhere to suit the average, medium-volume foot and leg, but without namby-pamby down comforter pandering. This one grabs on and holds ya. You're skiing all day, not mucking around in the lodge, right?
Performance
It's Lange's story again this year and it's where this medium has really elevated above the rest in the past--the pre-sculpted 3-D liner's exterior matches the interior of the shell in a mirror image, mating the foot and leg to plastic and transmitting every skiing movement to the skis. Testers said the boot knifed through all manner of junk off-piste and drilled hard snow like a power tool. The delivery to the edge was impressive, they said, but easily matched by the boot's snappy energy and feel for the snow underfoot, too. This power and agility combo can be attributed to the RX (and RS) line's Dual Core polyurethane shell and cuff which utilizes a unique production method to sandwich a less-dense plastic within the shell wall itself to create a more energetic, resilient feel—testers gave the nod to it again.
Cool Features
The RX 110 W is about what matters and nothing else—so you get a 40mm Velcro power strap, 4 aluminum buckles (2 are easy-open ones on the bottom, nice with gloves on), an upgrade to a dual-side cuff adjustment mechanism this year and replaceable Max Grip soles. The option is there to upgrade to GripWalk soles for 50-bucks if you have appropriate GripWalk bindings to suit. Oh, and the Dual 3D Pro liner has Thinsulate in it. Sure, warmth matters.
In the past ten years of testing the RS 120 SC off and on our women's test team has appreciated one thing most of all--Lange has never ruined this boot by changing it too much! Yes, it's seen a shell mold change and a variety of liner upgrades in that time, but those changes have come incrementally and have always enhanced an already great boot. Now, four years after our team's last go-round, the RS 120 SC comes made with Dual Core polyether in both the shell and cuff--our team doesn't know what might possibly improve the boot going forward, but they're sure it's one of their favorites as it is.
The firm Dual 3D liner reminds you how a narrow performance boot is supposed to feel--it's tight, but without unbearable peak pressure at common prominent spots and moldable enough to get a lot of work done just by cooking the liner. The toebox is modern in its oblique shape, with plenty of squared-off space for the little toe and the forefoot is open just enough for some circulation--though most of our testers said they would probably still grind a little extra space for the tailor's bunion. The fit over the top of the foot is as roomy as it has been in the past decade, but high-arched feet with bony midfoot joints may still want a bit more room via bootfitter's tonguectomy treatment. Most of our testers like the fit of the namesake SC (short cuff), though some taller-legged testers say they'd prefer the unisex RS 120.
Testers say this boot has always been one of those few that not only delivers what's asked of it, but regularly makes skiers better. This is the boot that more of our testers want to take home at the end of testing week than any other. Its only performance demerits for all-mountain skiers are its lack of a grippy sole (it's solid) and its rigid boot board. And yet those design elements are what make it an uncompromising frontside boot as well--highly transmissive of movement and powerful on edge. If the Max Grip sole and rubberized boot board are deal breakers, a skier will need to move to the RX 110 W LV and lose 10 flex points, or go to the men's 120 version, with a taller cuff.
Testers like the firm but well-sculpted Dual 3D liner for its initial fit and moreso for how well it conformed with a few runs, and it has a liner pull loop on the tongue. Testers still appreciate a dual cuff adjustment and one's found here. Most testers are fine with the 40mm Velcro power strap, though many like the cam lock 50mm found only on the 130 flex RS and on the plug boots as well. Dual Core injection plastic remains a hit with testers who say it helps hook up the turn earlier and somehow makes a rounder feeling arc--they don't know how, but they do know it works.
The Gist
Lange always said they’d never build a bucket of a boot, and while testers said the LX 130 was the second widest fitting boot of the group last year, they also proved Lange right. Coupled with the comment that it fit like a warehouse one tester made clear that he had no problem controlling the ski. Testers said things like huge width but with definition, and assured us that the classic Lange fit, stance and performance heritage lives on here—just in outsized proportions! The comfiest Lange we’ve ever tested, and one of the very best performance wide rides we've found.
The Fit
Testers gave the LX lots of 4's and 5's in their fit scoring for its toebox, forefoot, instep & calf--that's a homerun fit map for the typical high volume foot and leg. Testers loved that each of those key fit zones addressed the target customer, while keeping the ankle and heel just slightly more snug to maintain a connection between skier and ski. Entry and exit is at its best here, as testers said it was the easiest on of any Lange they've tested in recent years. Straightforward four-buckle overlap construction pleased our easily confused test team--they like simple.
Performance
The LX surprised testers with how accurately and strongly it skied through a variety of terrain. Often the widest boots require testers to crank buckles to create stability (and safety!) but testers said they could roll with a lightly buckled set-up and the boot found its own way due to its super dialed stance angles and transmissive polyurethane lower shell. For skilled skiers with thick feet and legs, the LX 130 is one of the very best on snow.
Cool Features
The DIN MaxGrip soles can be replaced with GripWalk soles as an aftermarket purchase. Testers loved the feel of the Dual 3D liner for it's cushioned drape against the foot, coupled with firm and sculpted ankle pockets--an ideal blend of comfort and rearfoot hold, they said. The cuff adjustment is a simple, single-sided job and there's a single liner pull on the tongue along with a 40mm power strap.
The Fit
The RX remains a little bit roomier than in the past, by design, as Lange wanted to more clearly delineate the difference between the RX LV narrow class gripper and this middle-of-the-roadster-ripper. In the past the medium RX got called out for riding the fence between medium and narrow. Last year testers again noticed the difference, and most loved the extra room. Not that this is a fluffy fit—the well-sculpted Dual 3-D liner is firm and well-matched to the interior of the shell, so the grip on the foot is there, especially in the heel and ankle, but now the shape is opened up for average feet and legs. If this feels too roomy upon initial try-on, then the decision is clear—narrow RX LV for you.
Performance
The flex-feel is firm on the leg (legit 130) but with a energetic, elastic quality. In fact, testers made many comments of the boot's snappy, responsive feel underfoot. "There is something about this Dual Core plastic that behaves very well on snow…" one tester pondered. And there is. Dual Core plastic injection molding sandwiches a less-dense plastic in between higher density plastic within the shell wall itself, throughout both the lower and upper. This differential density creates an energetic internal tension of sorts within the material and gives the boot a lively feel that testers have loved across the board. All this snappiness has not come at the cost of power or stability, said testers who assure this is not a jittery boot. Steep edge angles, high speeds and all manner of snow conditions are where the RX 130 continues to shine.
Cool Features
The new RX 130 remains essentially the same basic four-buckle overlap it always has—no new frills, bells or whistles here. The Velcro power strap is a nice wide 45 mm. There's dual-side upper cuff adjustment that uses an old-school 3 mm Allen key. The Max Grip soles are grippy, hence the name, but not so soft as to wear out or fail to transmit energy to the ski. You can upgrade to GripWalk soles for a few bucks and use them with a GripWalk compatible binding. Testers loved the RX's Dual 3D liner for its firm but sculpted ankle pockets and heel grip.
We’ve tested this boot in many different iterations and stiffnesses, and while it has always appealed to cabrio stalwarts and jib kids, for the old guard there’s always been the nagging question about whether the Full Tilt spiral Intuition liner has somehow besmirched the legendary Raichle Flexon lineage that spawned the First Chair et al—oh, for a traditional tongue liner again (and made with wool, they say). Well, no heavy mid-80’s wool liner, sorry guys, but this year you can have a traditional style Intuition Pro Tongue liner, thank you very much. Yeah, we may be old-school, but we’re pretty stoked about this new development!
The new Intuition Pro Tongue liner makes all the difference in this latest version of the Fist Chair--it's a fully moldable job, but it's a stout beast of a liner. The liner tongue is buttressed by a stiff and contoured plastic front, and the upper cuff is similarly reinforced with a flexible plastic full-circumference gauntlet. This gives the First Chair an entirely new backbone, standing up the leg in a more upright fashion and addressing the shin in a full-length performance grip that's just padded enough to be comfortable, but this is a solid 130 flex and a game-changer for traditionalists waiting for a Raichle renaissance. The liner offers hook-and-loop attachment points for included L-Pads (or J-Bars as Full Tilt calls them) to further snug the heel pocket, but it's a good one out of the box. This is a snugly mediumish fit throughout but with a more controlled feel in the heel and ankles.
Where is Seth Morrison now? This is the strongest Full Tilt ever, say our testers who have been in this boot many times over the years. The look is updated, the buckles a bit more tech looking, and the overall feel is beefed up.
Testers like the newer version buckle system with the Widetrack buckles for their improved ease of use, and GripWalk soles are a welcome addition for better traction trekking on a boot pack or through the parking lot. Yes, there's still the option to make the forward lean more upright or more forward by removing or adding plastic wedges at the base of the cuff, and yes, the lateral cuff adjustment is still made with the vintage, oval plastic cams.
The Gist
The Anthem Pro answers our testers' wish list for an upgrade to last year's Anthem 110 LV--at a sturdy 120 flex with a rebuilt Pebax cuff and an all new, thicker, denser PowerFit Pro liner this is the performance based answer to the question: Can a boot be too comfortable? Believe it or not, that was a negative on the Anthem 110's report card. The Pro puts that notion to rest, literally squeezing our former doubters into happy submission--tight like a 98mm should be and ready to ground-pound the entire mountain, given it's guided by an aggressive skier.
The Fit
The Anthem Pro shares the same shell and cuff mold as the Anthem LV boot from last year, but slightly firmer and more snug everywhere due to the thicker, denser PowerFit Pro liner, which is also used in the Anthem 110's this year. Stronger against the shin with a better connection over the top of the foot, testers say of the new fit, which is more in line with other benchmark narrow boots in the category.
Performance
Testers say all the ease and auto pilot of the Anthem remains on-board, with just a little more throttle response and fore-aft stability--gone is the fold-over hinging of the cuff in gnarly conditions at high speeds, replaced by a solid hand on the tiller through all manner of junk. Testers say that the well-balanced stance remains unchanged, for good reason as the K2 angles are always a test team favorite--no surprises.
Cool Features
Testers like the straightforward attitude of the Anthem Pro: adjustable cuff, cam buckle power strap with cool Ripcord release, dual liner pull loops, cantable DIN soles and a moldable shell and liner. Pretty much everything you need.
The Gist
The new Recon Pro delivers on our test team's wish for a stronger-feeling Recon. Beefed to a 140-flex rating using a Pebax cuff and all new PowerFit Pro liner, this is the Recon build we've been waiting for. With a stealthy, murdered-out black color way and an optional power plate in the box for an even burlier flex-feel, it's apparent that this boot means business and will appeal to those all-mountain chargers who felt the Recon 130's were a touch under-gunned. However, all this manliness doesn't mean it doesn't remain what testers have called the most comfortable boot in the category. Testers still agree the Recon Pro, like its softer brothers, is an easy-on, trouble-free fit as well as a point-and-shoot performer everywhere on the hill.
The Fit
Testers say the narrow class fit is now on the money for anatomical curves and nice blend of both cushion but with newfound grip in the more dense PowerFit Pro liner, which testers mention will help the softer Recon 130's as they share that same new liner.Testers say that the Recon Pro remains one of the best fitting (comfortable out of the box) boots in the category, but where before it was simply too comfortable to proudly wear its high-performance badge, now it's just right.
Performance
Testers were in lock-step that the Recon Pro continues a K2 tradition of a perfectly grounded stance, quickness Bruce Lee would approve of and a strong, stable attitude while on edge at any speed, on any snow, through any terrain—all heightened by the fact that it does it with less mass. 1740 grams worth of real boot is how one tester described the thin polyurethane and Pebax newcomer. One tester said that the Recon Pro straps a turbo-charger and rally suspension onto the Recon 130.
Cool Features
K2 built the Recon with four different stiffnesses of polyurethane in a variety of different shell wall thickness--going very thin where possible for weight reduction but keeping things thick in areas critical for power and stability. Testers thought they accomplished this mission and were appreciative of the shell's bootfitting-centric material that will support all common heat stretches and grinds (where the shell wall is thick enough) and a bit confused by the Pebax cuff. Still at play for K2 boots is the Powerfuse Spyne, which links the cuff to lower shell in a firm but slightly elastic fashion—not blocked and locked but neither is it free to dump forward. The K2 dual upper cuff alignment system is still effective and still a bit of a puzzle for first-timers, though now they are anchored internally with regular T-nuts (bootfitters in the know thank you for that, K2) and the Recons also have cantable soles. The PowerFit Pro liners are still full-thermo Ultralon affairs, but now they are anatomically sculpted and, testers said, vastly superior to K2 liners of the past. The Recon shell is designed to be wholly moldable by wearing after an oven-cook, which we tested. The shape and volume change was dramatic but easily over-done. Testers suggest molding the liner first, then later consider oven cooking the shell if the overall fit still feels too tight.
The Gist
Head did right with their wide one—that was what one tester said of the new Edge Lyt 100 W, which returns unchanged for this season save minor cosmetic changes--and that sentiment was mirrored universally among the team. A fault-free performance from this light and airy cavern was what the they agreed on—no problems with fit for the high volume foot and leg, no problems with speeding up the cadence when needed, no problems putting a big ski on edge at speed, and certainly no problems sliding this one on and off. Extra leverage buckles and Liquid Fit liner technology sweetened the deal.
The Fit
One tester said upon trying it on for the first time, I can't wait to ski this--it feels awesome! And that about sums it up for this wide performer. Testers felt the length ran true to size and it was an easy, one-handed slide on followed by a straightforward buckle-up without confusing straps or overlaps. The toebox and forefoot got quite roomy fit scores with a more tapered fit back into the ankles and heel for a controlling grip on the foot. The instep was appropriately vaulted for the thicker foot and the lower leg fit had none of the jabby fit zones that have plagued some of Head's medium and wide women's boots of yore. Some testers thought the calf was a little tighter than it should have been but they noted that Form Fit shell molding would solve any pinch there with ease.
Performance
Our test team was shocked at how strong and accurate this boot was, considering it's a thinner shell wall model and wide and comfy as well. Testers put this boot at the top of their list in the All-Mountain wide group right alongside the Lange LX 90 W, so it's among good company there at the top, and they agreed it was Head's best-skiing wide boot they'd ever tested. Testers who underwent the Liquid Fit injection process found that the snugging up the open, stock heel pocket powered up the Edge Lyt's lateral moves, quickening its pace turn to turn.
Cool Features
Though is visible set of features is straightforward--35mm Velcro power strap, double (for the women's model) cuff adjustment, single liner pull loop--the internals of the Edge Lyt 130 are pretty cool. The lower shell extends higher than most in the front portion, blending the instep up into the cuff wrap in so-called "Hi-Top Tech" which testers felt gave the boot a seamless flex feel and more direct transmission to the shovel of the ski. Graphene is used as an additive to the polyurethane construction as a way to strengthen the plastic without adding weight. Testers like the flip-out Double Power buckle levers for easy cranking with gloves or mittens on. GripWalk soles are available as an add-on, as are Head canted sole options in 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 degrees.
