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 2019/2020 Tecnica Mach1 LV 130 was tested in the men's All-Mountain Traditional narrow category at Silver Mountain Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.
The Gist
The all-new Tecnica Mach1 LV 130 gained new momentum with its mold makeover, testers said, pushing it onto the podium in the All-Mountain narrow group. They liked the now taller-feeling cuff and its firm but well-distributed feel against the shin. The Custom Adaptive Shape liner employs more customizable material throughout and testers loved the tongue’s revised design over the top of the foot. Its stance and balance scores topped the field and testers said its power and quickness would be limited only by the driver.
The 2019/2020 Salomon S/Pro 130 was tested in the men’s All-Mountain Traditional wide category at Silver Mountain Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.
The Gist
One tester called the all-new Salomon S/Pro 130, whipped cream on a steak! Meaning it’s smooth and creamy and dreamy, but there’s some real meat in there too! This is a completely different Pro for Salomon, easier to get on, more height through the instep and lateral side of the foot—but with an S/Max styled cuff that grips the leg and ankles with a serious performance grudge. The S/Pro 130 combines that upper boot with the comfort and room of the lower to offer a great blend of arc and ahhh.
The 2019/2020 Salomon S/Max 120 was tested in the men's All-Mountain Traditional narrow category at Silver Mountain Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.
The Gist
The Fit
Testers used a preponderance of 2's to score the fit of the S/Max 120, meaning evenly snug but not race boot plug tight. Testers felt that the even grip on the foot and lower leg was similar to that of the S/Max 130 Carbon, but slightly relaxed due to a softer liner and a bit more flexible shell. The S/Max 120 will appeal to a broad spectrum of skiers, so long as they're on the low volume end of the shape spectrum. Testers with wide forefeet, high insteps and big calf muscles were not dialed right off the rack in this one—some opted to custom mold the S/Max 120 and were pleasantly surprised with how well the new, faster system worked to even out the fit kinks.
Performance
Our lighter weight testers preferred this one over the much stiffer feeling S/Max 130 Carbon, and as one might expect, several of our testers who loved the S/Max 130 Carbon found this softer brother lacking in power and support by comparison. The general attitude on snow, however, is the same—agile precision and rapid response to foot steering paired with power on edge (for most). The polyurethane lower boot with a fiberglass Coreframe is paired with a polyurethane cuff on the S/Max 120. One tester suggested that heavier-handed skiers bump up to the S/Max 130 or S/Max 130 Carbon for their stiffer plastics and beefed up Coreframe inserts.
Cool Features
Kaprolene is the additive to polyurethane that allows for Custom Shell molding. New this year in certain models within the S/Max and MTN lines the Kaprolene used is pre-mixed in precise amounts into the polyurethane itself rather than as a somewhat random additive at the time of plastic injection. This creates a more predictable and defined molding response which, when used in the thin shelled S/Max and MTN boots, drastically reduced cook times from ten minutes to only two, molding from five minutes to only three and cool-down to five minutes. Our tests showed legit results without a degradation of performance, post-molding. This year Salomon offers a kit for bootfitters to drill out the Oversized Pivot cuff hinge point and replace it with a lateral cuff adjustment for skiers who need more stance angle adaptability than the Custom Shell process will provide. Cantology cant shims are available for the S/Max boots but require over-plating and routing along standard race boot protocols.
The 2019/2020 Roxa R/Fit 120 was tested in the men’s All-Mountain Traditional wide category at Silver Mountain Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.
The Gist
Testers said the R/Fit line-up’s BioFit shape is a game changer for the brand! Thin shell wall polyurethane is used in the lower boot, incorporating “pre-punched” areas for common fit issues and the cuff is made with crisp-responding Grilamid. By the numbers it’s a wide but a well-sculpted one, testers report. They liked how this lightweight drove the ski but gave it highest marks for its rapid reaction to steering commands—accurate and agile they said. A slightly loose feeling heel was its only real demerit.
The 2019/2020 Rossignol Allspeed Pro 120 was tested in the men's All-Mountain Traditional medium width category at Silver Mountain Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.
The Gist
The steady and always ready Allspeed Pro 120 re-claimed the podium and turned a lot of our testers into admitted Rossi fans at this year’s test. Testers report it remains one of the very best of the comfy-sleeper-class of boots, meaning you don’t expect it to perform as powerfully or as accurately as it does considering its high comfort quotient. Testers said don’t let the well-shaped and cushioned first fit fool you—this one friggin’ rips. They gave it high marks for its dialed stance, too.
The Fit
Aside from agreeing that the Allspeed Pro 120 (like most other Rossi's) fits a little longer than most other models in the group, everything else got chalked-up right down the middle for a perfect mediumish fit tension throughout the lower boot, instep and up into the cuff. Testers called the heel and ankle pocket accurately snug and said there was just enough room at the forefoot for the ball of the foot to spread to the floor for balance, but with no remaining slop. Balanced containment, one tester called it—and all echoed that it had a nice blend of cushion and proper grip on the foot.
Performance
Complaints on the Allspeed Pro's on-snow performance were virtually non-existent. Smooth and predictable. Muscular and athletic. Lively and nimble. Testers found that it did it all, and without much adjustment. Test forms universally mentioned that it made skiing fun and easy.
Cool Features
Aside from Thinsulate Platinum laminates used in the liner and an option to slap on GripWalk soles (for use with GripWalk compatible bindings), the features are standard fare, four-buckles, Velcro powerstrap, single side cuff adjustment and two liner pull loops.
The 2019/2020 Rossignol Allspeed Elite 130 was tested in the men’s All-Mountain Traditional narrow category at Silver Mountain Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.
The Gist
This is the fourth boot test go-round in the 2020 Rossignol Allspeed Elite 130’s fifth year in existence and testers again put it in the top group of All-Mountain narrows. For skiers who want the performance of an ultra-close fit but fear the agony that may come with the fitting process, here’s your solution, testers said. Hovering on the fence between narrow and medium, the Allspeed Elite 130 brings sledgehammer power, a precise steering feel and a renowned progressive flex in a more open fit.
The Fit
Not that anyone was really complaining—they loved how easy on and off it was and appreciated the extra room over the instep and at the boot top for a calf muscle. They notice most of the extra room in the toebox (in length, width and height) but found the fit tapered to the ankles and heel appropriately for a performance fit. A few testers mentioned sizing down successfully, so for skiers right between sizes, that's a worthwhile consideration. For the level of performance found here, testers said the comfort quotient was top of class.
Performance
This boot rips everywhere was the general vibe from testers—smooth, predictable and stronger-than-expected. The stance is a little on the upright side, with a tallish feeling cuff, so testers mentioned that the cuff generated a lot of power. Testers liked the flex feel—smooth and progressive but with a legitimate 130 backbone to it (don't let room temperature flexing fool you, it's all there out in the cold). Stance-wise, it's all neutral in all directions, so send it, testers said.
Cool Features
The revised power strap webbing and roller-cam buckle create a ratchety-style grip when tightened that doesn't back out till you say so, which testers liked. The Thinsulate liner is warm enough and the EVA foam ankle pockets mold nicely for bony points. There's a set of WTR (Walk to Ride) soles available if long strolls through paver plazas are part of your game (compatible with WTR bindings).
The 2019/2020 Nordica Sportmachine 130 was tested in the men's All-Mountain Traditional wide category at Silver Mountain Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.
The Gist
The 2019/2020 Nordica Speedmachine 130 was tested in the men's All-Mountain Traditional medium width category at Silver Mountain Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.
The Gist
The 2020 Nordica 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 it transformed the formerly fluffed Speedmachine to a fully hardened All-Mountain warrior, as evidenced by its highest score in the edge power and transmission category. However, it hasn’t lost its signature easy entry and well-draped Nordica initial fit, testers said, it’s just toughened-up enough to be perfect.
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 2019/2020 Nordica Promachine 130 was tested in the men's All-Mountain Traditional narrow category at Silver Mountain Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.
The Gist
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.
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 2019/2020 Lange LX 130 was tested in the men’s All-Mountain Traditional category at Silver Mountain Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.
The Gist
The 2019/2020 Lange RX 130 was tested in the men’s All-Mountain Traditional medium width category at Silver Mountain Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.
The Gist
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. This year testers again noticed the difference, and most loved the extra room. Not that this is a fluffy fit—the well-sculpted 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 new-found elastic quality. In fact, testers made many comments of the boot's snappy, energetic feel underfoot. "There is something about this new plastic that behaves very well on snow…" one tester pondered. And there is. Last year Lange debuted a new type of plastic injection molding in the RX and RS boots that 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 and gives the boot a new, lively feel that testers loved. 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 were where the RX 130 shone.
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 50 mm. There's a single-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.
The 2019/2020 K2 Recon 130 MV was tested in the men's All-Mountain Traditional medium width category at Silver Mountain Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.
The Gist
Among the new generation of lighter weight alpine boots, testers say the Recon 130 MV best manages to channel old-school edge power and a damp feel for the snow. The crisp feeling thin shell wall polyurethane remains easy to peel apart for entry and exit (many of this new crop don’t!) and testers said its plush and curvy liner offered enough padding for a cushioned and contained feel throughout. Some felt it overly snug on the top of the foot initially but said it settled in quickly.
The Fit
The Recon 130 MV was an instant hit with testers for its unmistakably medium width fit profile—their fit impressions were dominated by 3's (the medium width ideal) with some 4's mixed into the fit scores for the toebox and forefoot. Ultra comfy without giving up on a proper grip around the foot, they said, noting that the liner was a nice blend of cushion with real substance that didn't let the shell feel too close to the foot nor give the sense that it would pack out in short order. There was nothing, on initial try-on, to indicate that the boot was especially light (other than its lack of heft)—it just felt like a good boot. Easy entry, good functional buckles, no surprises, testers said.
Performance
The boot's light weight is certainly evident when it's picked up, and then again when walking. While skiing, the lightness was noticeable only in that the boot moved quickly and accurately underfoot for such a luxury S.U.V. comfort level, testers said. Of the five scores that make up a boot's total, the Recon 130 MV's highest score was for Edge Power and Stability—not exactly what you'd expect for a lightened-up thin shell wall model, but testers said this was the real deal. They cited a very flat, well planted feel from foot to boot floor to ski at every edge angle which translated to massive plank bending power and deep, slashing carves.
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 bootfitting-centric material that will support all common heat stretches and grinds (where the shell wall is thick enough). 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 PrecisionFit 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.
