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
It's tough to look good in ski photos--and it doesn't matter how awesome a skier might be, 90-percent of the frames shot are throw-aways (and most of those are horrifyingly bad). A kind photographer will never show a ski model the bad ones because it's such a brutally humbling experience. So, when it comes time for boot testers to get with our photographer for some action shots, there's always a scramble to get back to a previously-tested model that they felt comfortable and solid in. There are a lot of good boots in the boot test, and several truly great ones, but for each tester there are only a select few that pass the photo shoot test. The Lange Shadow 115 W LV is a boot that received the Photo-Shoot-Worthy seal of approval from several of our testers. This is not good for a broad representation of different brands and models in our final photo pool, but it does say something very good about the boot.
Testers were impressed with the Shadow 115 W LV's blend of comfort and performance last year but said it was "too comfortable," which you might not think is possible, but in the narrow category, at the 115-flex level, there needs to be enough squeeze and grip on the foot to convince expert skiers that the response from the ski will be there when it counts--not lost in translation from a too-gooey fit. This year's slight liner revision which occurred just after they tested the boots last year has absolutely solved that problem, they said, but luckily Lange didn't go overboard, they said. The Shadow 115 W LV still offers an insanely cushy, comfy, silky feeling interior that somehow pairs with a hardcore expert's ideal exterior to drive a ski anywhere on the mountain, through any snow type, at any speed with fine-tuned precision. Testers continue to laud the Shadow 115 LV W for a surprising integration of comfort with performance--it seems to be the grail that all ski brands are chasing, but testers say the Shadow boots deliver on that union of often-opposing goals in a flawless way.
Testers say the technology used in both the liner and the shell to create this blended benefit is for real. They say the Auxetic liner really does feel like it bends around their foot's contours, matching the outline of bony prominences by virtue of the liner's hexagonally etched flexible outer layer, taking away the tightest points of fit without blowing-out the solid grip on the foot elsewhere. The soft and highly cushioned feel against the foot generally seems too good to be true to solid, expert skiers--there's no way this pillowy thing is going to ski, they assume. Not the case, say testers--real boot, real skiing, just really, really comfy.
Testers also say that the Shadow's story about creating more energy and power to the ski with less movement and effort input on the part of the skier is borne out by their experience with the boot. They feel an easier turn initiation with less forward drive required and an accurate steering linkage that seems to help tip the ski up onto steep edge angles earlier in the turn than expected. They are impressed with the solid and damp power available to exert control over the skis through variable terrain or on hard surfaces at speed, but without feeling like they're having to do anything extra to gain that command. Sometimes the cushy, comfy boots lose a step when it comes to quickness in transition between turns, but our team gave the Shadow 115 LV W's highest score in the Quickness and Steering metric where it earned a 4.92 out of a possible 5.00
Do testers bring up the shell's new design elements Suspension Blade and Dual Pivot? Yes, and they say that the marketing mumbo jumbo seems to be the real deal--do more with less and all that--but mainly they were focused on timing their photo shoot when the Shadow 115 LV W was available.
After testing the Lange Shadow 130 MV again, as it enters its second season on the market, it’s tempting to start our review of it with a rundown of the highly technical, structural redesign that went into creating the Shadow boots. All that tech talk is interesting stuff, and if you happened to get sucked into a Shadow sales pitch last year while you were trying on boots you probably heard all about Dual Pivot and Suspension Blade.
But it doesn’t matter. Those tech stories only become important when the sum of all the boot's parts don’t work and the tech story is the only one a review writer has left to tell. Like any masterfully executed work, the granular details of the Shadow’s construction fade from view and you’re left with the essential, glorious experience of that thing. In this case that experience is skiing, and the thing about the Shadow MV 130 that testers love is that they are better skiers in this boot. And more comfortable. And they last longer through the day. And as a group, our testers marveled at the confluence of those three facts.
The first experience with the boot testers describe is the ease of entry and shockingly silky, draped initial fit against the foot and leg. Held but not pinched. Soft but not weak. The plastic is supple and aids the Auxetic liner in letting the foot find an easy place to live, right off the bat. Auxetic is the term Lange uses for a micro-etched external material that lets the liner bend around the small contours and bony protuberances of the foot and ankle without needing to render the liner construction too soft. It won’t last a month, let alone a season, is a concern testers express upon initial try-on. And yet, long-term tests started over a year ago contradict that. The Shadow boots do not pack out as quickly as others of the same category and performance tier and yet they do retain their soft first fit, day after day.
Testers, across the board, do not mention any stance issues or need to make changes to the stock set up of the Shadow MV 130. They do not mention any fit issues of concern. They do comment that the flex feel is ideal in its distribution of pressure along the shin with a blend of cushion and firmness that supports aggressive flexing movements without any bite at the boot top or hard feel of the shell lurking behind the tongue. They like the range of flex travel—shorter than expected given how initially soft the boot felt indoors. As the boot cooled down on subsequent test runs testers noted that the flex feel firmed up but never trended into abrupt territory.
The Dual Pivot cuff-to-shell connection points—two per side--help enable this short-throw, smooth-flex feel. The flex at the primary axis of cuff rotation (the upper points) is restrained not only by the boot spine but by the lower connection points. The lower connections are buffered by an elastomer (aka, rubbery) insert, so a slight amount of movement is allowed there but in a controlled fashion. These lower elastomers can get changed out for softer inserts that come in the box but testers who have tried it went back to the stock setting for a more direct flex feel.
The boot’s rear spine enhances the smooth delivery of power to, and pressure-control over, the ski and many testers mentioned it. The cuff and lower shell slide together along the tongue-in-groove (we like saying that) Suspension Blade that binds the two parts in a gliding interface that’s pinned together at the top of its length with, again, an elastomer insert that allows for a dampened, slightly flexible connection. This unique marriage of cuff and lower reduces abruptness of flex and smooths the way energy is transmitted to the shovel of the ski. Testers say this forward engagement is not deadened or muted, but rather more feathered-on. The result is a no-surprises turn entry and dependable shovel-hook-up, even when mistakes are made or snow is inconsistent. Testers who didn’t believe the hype prior to testing changed their tune after two or three runs on snow.
Our best, veteran testers can feel all these nuances and can relate them back to how the Lange predecessor RX line compared. There is no comparison, they say, other than perhaps that the RX was one of their favorite all-mountain boots during its reign, but now there’s a new throne sitter.
Less experienced testers (we have some new blood this year) may not connect the dots between new design elements and enhanced performance, but they can appreciate the fact that they ski better in this boot than they do in their own daily driver. The best report card a boot can get is when a tester says, I gotta get some of these--and that happens a lot with the Shadow MV 130.
Sixteen different testers took the Shadow 130 LV out of its box, put it on their feet and took it for a spin at this year's boot test, and while the list of superlatives and compliments was vast, there were very few complaints (see the Tester Comments tab on this review). Complaints were noticeably absent from the veteran testers who tested the Shadow LV in its debut appearance last year because their issues with too much room for an LV have been rectified with a liner revision that went through soon after we first tested this boot. Testers say that this minor change provided enough of a snugness bump in the current version to better differentiate the narrow LV Shadow from its roomier medium volume brother and removed the one minor flaw in last year's otherwise perfect boot test performance.
The fit of the Shadow 130 LV remains a topic of discussion among testers for its supremely cushioned, silky and well-draped feel against the foot and leg. It's astoundingly comfortable on first fit, testers universally report. So comfortable that eyebrows raise while testers are still indoors, the unspoken question obvious: can this thing possibly ski well? And then it does. Really well. And testers have to admit that they were impressed and surprised. And invariably, testers comments trend toward the Shadow's unique liner and shell designs and how they have produced the Shadow's comfort and performance love-child.
The liner's Auxetic exterior material is interesting stuff--it's micro-perforated in a hexagonal pattern that bends and wraps around the curves of the foot like a Marvel superhero's stretchy costume. The soft interior of the liner and this shape-shifting exterior team up to provide a soft and even grip on every aspect of the foot. The stretch and bend of the material around little bony prominences takes away the peak-pressure messaging of fit that testers are used to, leading them to assume the boot isn't tight. But it is, just tight enough, but without hotspot points. A perfectly fitted liner apparently takes some getting used to for testers--but they come around to absolutely loving it.
The match between the liner and the interior shape of the shell is well-done, testers say, citing a no-movement marriage of shell to liner to foot. The anatomical shaping for the common bony points of the foot is superb, testers say--fifth metatarsal, navicular, bony midfoot bump and ankles all get appropriate contouring that allow for a bootfit-free fit for most folks, right out of the box. Testers say that the fit tension is still on the more relaxed side of the narrow boot fit spectrum, with key fit zones averaging 2.5 (2 is the narrow target, 3 is the medium target) but all were okay with that, especially after last year's even-more-roomy first experience.
The shell and cuff come together in an interesting way, as well, and testers were keen to provide field tests that backed up the marketing department's messaging about doing more with less effort. The shell is mated to cuff at four points near the ankles, with a primary flex pivot point and a lower anchor on each side. These attachments produce a more solid lateral connection and a lever-like mechanical advantage in forward flexion. The rear spine is comprised of a tongue-in-groove style Suspension Blade that spreads the linkage over a long, gliding interface that's pinned with an elastomer--this design is intended to smooth the flex graph and reduce unwanted distortion of plastic. Testers agree that these design elements perform as described, producing a shorter-throw flex feel and rigid lateral and torsional transmission between skier and ski. Testers say that yes, they feel like they trench deeper, engage the turn earlier and transition between turns quicker--all without trying so hard.
Multiple testers say that the Shadow 130 LV makes them better skiers, and that's saying something!
The Kastle K100P LV is a great boot for technically skilled skiers looking for slightly softer flex in a narrow-lasted, all-mountain performer. Testers liked how well this 100-flex handled skis on hard smooth snow or muddled off-trail crud, in stable and predictable fashion. They said it wasn't easy to get on, but felt that the right skier match wouldn't have a problem with that.
The right skier match would be a more petite or less-aggressive skier with a average to low-volume foot and leg but perhaps with a widely splayed set of toes! Testers said the toebox was uncharacteristically roomy, especially in height, and suggested that skiers with chronically numb or cold toes might appreciate this generous fit. The bargain-hunter who rolls with Toasty Toes adhesive-backed toe warmers stuck on her sock will love this boot, though testers commented that it already seemed surprisingly warm.
The liner can be laced-up or left as is, and testers liked the liner pads that come with the boot for snugging up the heel and ankle pockets, if needed. A couple testers mentioned that the liner, when it was just out of the box, seemed to slip around a bit inside the shell--a Kastle liner issue we've noted previously--but testers also mentioned that after several runs (and multiple days of testing) the liner stretched out to both better match the shell interior and match the testers' foot shapes.
They liked the stance angles of the K100P LV and thought that for lightweight experts and motivated intermediates (they gotta get the thing on!) it would set them up for functional movements and success all around the mountain. They appreciated the GripWalk soles that come mounted on the boot and a fat Velcro power strap that helped beef up the cuff fit and feel.
When expert skiers start whining about how stiff a boot flexes and how tough it is to get on, it pays to look a little lower in the model line for the kinder, gentler version of that beast. That's what testers say the Kastle K110P is, a nice beast of a boot, like a pet grizzly or trained rattlesnake. So cute! The K110P is not a 110, testers say, but rather it skis closer to a 120- or even a de-tuned 130-flex. They thought it skied right alongside the best boots in the most competitive category in the whole boot test. And yet, they said it went on and off more like a 110-flex, and had an even-wrapping closure in the lower boot on account of the slightly softer polyurethane construction.
So, it lied about it's flex index. That's okay. But it also lied about its last width, just a little bit, a white lie. Testers say it's damn snug for a medium-width 100mm. Call it a 99mm and it would be more accurately advertised, they said. Did this bother them? Not one bit, but it may have resulted in some demerits in their scoring for missing the fit tension target--our testers are tough graders, ya know. Did they love the fit that it offered? Yes, they did. It was super snug in the instep, heel and ankle with a little more room to spread out into the forefoot before tapering a bit, in old-school-toebox fashion, to squeeze the sides of the big and little piggies a bit more than desired.
They loved the performance result of this stiffer and more-snug-than-billed boot. It ripped, they said. Everywhere. It skied better than they expected and as well as boots that cost 200-bucks more. They said it was intuitively quick and smooth to roll onto edge. It had a strong but damp and predictable torque curve and it handled mixed terrain with aplomb. Testers said the stance was just bullseye-perfect and seemed to aid skiers in making athletic moves and generating steep edge angles. They had no complaints about how it skied, with the exception of one tester who said the flex collapsed more than the other 130-flex boots in the group. Well, duh. It's a strong 110-flex but a 110-flex nonetheless.
This is a good boot for technical skiers more interested in performance than fluffy features. It would suit the lighter weight ripper or a skilled skier with a softer touch to the front of the boot. It was Kastle's best boot of the test, according to one veteran tester, who also said that the boot's biggest flaw would be its likely lack of presence at retail and suggested that prospective buyers who fit the bill should get on their new boot search program sooner than later for this one.
The Head Formula 105 W MV impressed testers with its understated look that belied a slew of solid and functional features for the accomplished expert skier. They were not surprised by how well the 105-flex skied in all conditions as they've come to expect Head performance in the Formula bloodline, regardless of model and they appreciated the simple put-it-on-and-go traditional closure system (four buckles and a power strap, dammit) for a straightforward, medium-width, all-mountain, ski control solution.
The initial fit of the Head Formula 105 W MV was less-than-ideal for a few of our testers who found the fit overly short in the toebox upon first try-on. They felt the there was room there in width and height, but the piggies heads were getting smashed, they said. Along with this comment was the mention of a heel that didn't feel seated deeply enough into its aft pocket. Testers who spent extra time indoors and did additional runs reported that both of these fit concerns were alleviated. We performed some liner molding tests later in the test period and found that some heat applied to the liner, especially in the heel and ankle zones, allowed the heel to better find its planted home in the back of the liner and shell, which also improved the length fit issue--that and a little stretch of the liner's toebox sealed the deal. So, testers made note that prospective buyers should not let a short-feeling initial fit be the end of their experience with this otherwise stellar boot--try some heat and give it some time, they said.
This is not an overly plush or fluffy affair, testers said, and they liked it that way. The cosmetic is stealthy, though not quite sedate, and everything about the boot downplays its on-snow game--even the flex index, which at 105 was deceptive in its understatement. Testers say the boot skis better and more strongly to the edge than the stiffness metric would indicate. There is also a secondary spine anchor that can be added to further stiffen the boot by an additional 10 clicks.
The 3D Perfect Fit EVO Pro liner feel is well-shaped (especially after a heat mold), testers said, but they mention it has a firm feel and solid grip on the foot, which they liked. They mentioned that while this liner feel appealed to them and an advanced-expert performance fit bias, there is a softer 95-flex version of the boot that offers the slightly more cushioned Perfect Fit EVO liner build. While it's rarely needed if a skier is in the right size Formula, as the heel pockets are snug by design, testers do remind folks that the Liquid Fit heel-locking, liquified parafin wax injection system is available here to fine-tune a loosened heel pocket after many days on the hill.
Testers loved the solid, predictable and stable feel of the boot's polyurethane construction, which they said held the ski on edge through variable snow in a confidence-inspiring way. They said it was quicker edge to edge than expected--perhaps lulled into reduced expectations by the anti-flashy cosmetic--and in fact the boot's highest score was given in the Quickness and Steering test element. For accomplished skiers looking for a firm-feeling (no fluffy BS) medium width that skis above its weight class, testers said the Formula 105 W MV is worth a close look.
The Head Formula is well-named, we think, Formula like F1, as in a race department development project or secret off-the-books prototype for a World Cup boot spin-off. And that’s just what the Formula 130 MV is, a medium-width, off-piste Raptor, essentially. Think about that. Take the edge power and synapse-blurring responsiveness of Head’s race and piste WCR boots and re-tune the suspension and fit for all-day expert-level skiing on the entire mountain. Sounds fun, right? Testers say, uh huh, it is.
This is not a new project for Head, quite the opposite—it’s been a work in progress for a few years, and Head is nothing if not dogged in its commitment to improve its products and tenacious about getting things right (the Nexo project notwithstanding). If you haven’t heard of the Head Formula before now, not to worry—this is the year to find it! The first iteration of Formula was a little aggressive to the edge for soft snow charging, while another model had an exceptionally tight heel that required immediate grinding—this version is without flaw, testers say, and they’ve been tracking the Formula’s ascent to gold medal status with interest. Oh, but you say you have tried on the Formula in the past. No, you haven’t. This is the Formula—those other boots were practice swings to this one’s monster drive straight down the fairway.
Sorry to mix sporting metaphors but racing and golf are not so far apart. Both require an incredible amount of care and work in the design and manufacture of the tools of the trade, be they race cars, race skis, boots or clubs—and yes, some of these tools are so specifically tailored to PGA-, World Cup- or F1-level applications that the only drivers or skiers who can properly manage those implements are the gods of their sport, the best of the best operating at the finest upper limits of the activity.
Therein lies the challenge for a race-derived all-mountain boot intended for mortals like us—sure it may be close-to-race-worthy but can it cart our out-of-shape asses around the whole hill and make us look good in the video? Can it hold up to our heavy payloads under maximum (read, out-of-control) speeds through unforgiving terrain that we really should have avoided? Will it forgive our many trespasses and yet respond with readily available Freeride Tour level power and quickness in that one moment when we somehow get it right? The answer to this for our test team regarding the Formula 130 was a resounding yes this year.
Our test team said the 100mm fit hit the bullseye for how a medium width boot should fit. Scoring showed a preponderance of 3’s, indicating ideal middle-of-the-road fit tension, with a few roomier 4’s thrown at the toebox and calf and a few tighter 2’s in the mix for ankle and heel. One tester said: what a fantastic medium width fit--very even and consistent feel throughout. Another said: this is the best fitting Head boot, ever!
Testers said ease of use, from entry to closure to all-day adventure was, indeed, one of the Formula 130 MV’s strong suits now, and accordingly gave its second highest scores in the Convenience, Warmth and Features metric. The Power Plate driver on the 50mm Velcro power strap remain a test favorite for delivering a well-distributed but easily skier-tuned flex feel, and our test team appreciates race-level accoutrement like offset cuff adjustment disks and rear spine flex tuning hardware that can take the flex to 140. From top to bottom, skiers said the Formula nailed its list of secret ingredients this time around.
Interestingly, testers gave the Formula 130 MV its highest scores in the Dynamic Balance parameter, supporting testers’ claims about a perfectly neutral set-up fore-aft and side-to-side. This is an improvement over previous versions that were a little strong to the inside edge for off-piste mung mashing on fatter skis. Testers said the current Formula could drift and schmear at will, then hook up the ski into a more directional, full-pressure drive off the outside ski without worry or special effort. It’s easy to be a very good skier in this boot, one said.
The Fischer RC4 MV 95 BOA is a sleek powerhouse hiding behind it's 95-flex rating testers said. Its flex feel is way stiffer than the 95 billing and that was matched by a stronger lateral set-up that put big skis on edge and managed them through tricky terrain at high speeds without any hesitation. It could also slow down and mellow-out, testers said, performing like an easy-to-handle cruiser-class, all-mountain wingman for inspired intermediates.
The all-black visage appealed to our test team, who called its cosmetics cool across the board and perhaps that helped elevate its well-loved status to best-in-test levels for a couple of our most experienced testers. This little medium-width was a welcome surprise for its well-appointed set of features (the new BOA system was a highlight for testers) and surprisingly solid downhill skills, presented in what testers called a perfectly consistent medium width fit. And, in fact, the fit impressions score averages bore out a very homogeneous spread of 3's (the 100mm last fit tension target). The only less-than-perfect fit mentions were about the cuff height, which one tester thought coupled with the boot's stout flex feel to produce a low and abrupt fit on the shin, and another tester with large calves said that the boot cuff's buckle range of adjustment was maxed for her and still needed some additional room.
The RC4 MV 95 BOA's perfectly balanced stance angles and ease of use really stood out to testers who called it a great value for a broad swath of skiers--easy to fit, easy to ski and tough enough for experts looking to save a few bucks on a shockingly capable 95-flex. There is a 105-flex version of this boot available for an additional $100 but testers said it would take bigger, badder skiers to need it. They dug how well the BOA reel paired with the consistent, comfortable fit in the lower shell--one tester said it was her favorite BOA boot of the test.
There's also a RC4 MV 95 available without a BOA system at a $100 savings...so that's a nice bit of background for the bargain-hunter with a traditionalist bent on buckles. All three RC4 MV options come loaded with essentially the same features--though the 105 has a 10mm thicker power strap--and all are Vacuum models with a lower shell made of Vacuplast for highly-defined low-temp heat stretches or an option of a full Vacuum molding job performed by a Fischer dealer with the proper tools and know-how.
The RC4 lineage still shows in the RC4 95 LV, testers said, claiming it was one of the tightest, shortest most forward leaning boots of the test. That is how we came to know the RC4 early on--aggressive in fit and stance and ready to arc serious turns in lightning quick side-to-side moves. Of the boot's agility and quickness, one tester said: it can't help but be reactive, it's so damn tight!
Another tester said it was built for the tiniest of little gynmast bodies. This is an old-school narrow, women's boot in its toebox shape, lowish cuff feel and raked-forward stance. Testers were sure that there were skiers out there looking for this set-up, but most of them said it wasn't for them in its out-of-box form. What they did mention might serve skiers well would be a Vacuum molding session, as the lower shell is made of Vacuplast, the highly moldable, low-temp plastic that the Fischer Vacuum boot is known for. Our tests in the past have shown that big shape changes--and stance adaptations--can be made possible through this process. One unique quality of the Vacuum molding protocol is the use of the external pressure bladder that exerts a certain amount of squeeze back against the foot, so while some areas might be made wider to suit a bony prominence another area could be tightened up--like the heel pocket, which testers said could use a little of that.
Some testers suggested that skiers might simply go up one size, which would open-up the fit and probably achieve a taller-feeling cuff. Savvy testers mentioned that there are always folks that are caught in between sizes, and the Fischer RC4 95 LV is one of those boots that can satisfy that skier that's never finding a snug enough boot but can't tolerate dropping down a size.
Testers liked the fact that there was a forward lean adjustment on board, which would be a modification they recommended to most skiers, and they liked the solid cuff attachment points for maximizing the boot's quick lateral game. Dual pull loops and a Velcro strap were straightforward and functional, and testers all mentioned the Ice Grey cosmetic--in a positive way.
Some things have a kind of cult appeal that might not make sense to some, but to others will represent an answer to their prayers--the Fischer RC4 Pro LV ZF is like that. The ZF stands for ZipFit, meaning its lace-up ZipFit liner. Those two initials will be enough to sell the boot to ZipFit cultists who can't go back to boots that don't have liners with chipped cork and resin ankle pocket and tongue fill-zones. The RC4 Pro's "LV" initials indicate low-volume, and it's all of that, in spades, even without the additional performance squeeze provided by ZF cork. Anytime you start talking up something's cult following, you've essentially chosen to overlook (or alienate) a portion of that thing's potential market. But it doesn't matter. This boot may not be for everybody, but for those that it is for, it is perfect--and not found anywhere else.
First, the liner must go on the foot and be laced up, then crammed into the shell like putting on a World Cup style race boot. Some of our testers were able to remove the laces and get the boot on their foot with the liner in the shell, in normal fashion, but this comes with its own entry challenges and we think plug-style liner cramming is the way to go here. For some skiers, especially the ZipFit savvy and those with serious race backgrounds, this is not a problem. However, for the uninitiated it can be daunting, especially given the shell's real 140 stiffness carved out of standard wall-thickness polyurethane--queue up a single-digit parking lot morning and donning this bad boy could be hernia-inducing. To be fair, with some practice, getting the boot on and off this way isn't so bad, and in fact, for folks with a bony top of foot, the liner, on and laced-up, protects that spot from a traditional entry's painful encounter with the plastic shell overlap at the throat of the boot. Lace-up liner fans will also attest that the closure achieved through the instep and up through the base of the shin with laces is hard to duplicate. This, plus an already closely-lasted 98mm shell adds up to a very snug fit for the low-volume foot. A lot of boots may just slap an L and a V onto the model name--this one means it.
The chipped cork resin of the ZipFit liner fills the ankle pockets and helps secure the heel and is also packed into the liner tongue's exterior construction, away from the padded shin contact layer. This relatively stiff, putty-like material responds to the heat and pressure of wearing by migrating slightly and slowly, eventually matching the body's shape by moving away from high pressure points to fill adjacent void spaces. This does not happen quickly, but even ten minutes spent wearing the boot indoors will begin to have a beneficial affect. Adding heat to the liner, or ideally liner and shell both, can accelerate this heat molding process but regardless, some time and patience will be rewarded with a firm (not hard) grip on the foot and leg. Additional cork goo can be pumped into the ankle or tongue chambers via cork-loaded tubes that can be purchased as an accessory item.
Putting on this boot after another tester has worn it often doesn't feel right, as it had molded a bit to that person's shape. Upon initial try-on, if a tester doesn't either have the patience to wear the boot for a little longer than usual (or adding heat) before judging fit, he'll invariable downgrade the boot's initial fit score--which was probably the case for this boot's lower-than-deserved Anatomical Fit and Initial Feel score. It's no different for the prospective buyer who will be trying on the RC4 Pro LV ZF in the shop--it'll feel like somebody else's foot (the previous customer's) for a while, so expect that and give it some extra time to do its thing.
With enough time or heat, the ZipFit liner matches the foot and leg but it also matches the interior shellscape for a well-locked connection from body to ski. The density of the cork is also a good transmitter of movement energy--no soft foam packing to mute direct messaging to the ski. The patience that led to a comfortable, close fit will also yield performance gains in terms of how the boot skis, and testers said that the RC4 Pro LV ZF did that quite well. Its highest scores were loaded into the performance parameters of stance, edging and quickness, and testers found few faults in any of those metrics, save its fore-aft stance which was slightly more forward than the too-upright cuff of current fashion (meaning, the RC4 Pro LV ZF is probably just right the way it is).
The stiffness, the ZipFit considerations and the aggressive stance attack all add up to needing a skilled pilot who knows what he's getting into. For the technically skilled all-mountain skier with a low-volume foot who wants the edge power and quickness of an almost-race Frontside carver but tuned for high-speed, off-piste, hammering descents the RC4 Pro LV ZF will not disappoint. For skiers who aren't quite there yet, testers say it will absolutely elevate your game--if you're game.
There's a lot going on in the Fischer RC4 Pro MV DYN BOA Vac ZF's naming structure, and its entire meaning warrants explanation--it's a good story! The Pro level RC4 MV is the 130-flex flagship of the medium width, 100mm all-mountain boot group. Here, the DYN moniker indicates that it's outfitted with tech fittings at the toe (a rarity in fixed-cuff boots). The Vac means, you guessed it, the boot's lower shell is made of Fischer's low-temp, Vacuum-moldable Vacuplast material. ZF stands for the lace-up, cork-powered ZipFit liner that comes with this boot.
Our test team had a blast unlocking all the potential that the RC4 Pro MV DYN Boa Vac ZF's unique set of features had to offer them. Some testers' eyes bugged out (in a good way) at the unicorn-like confluence of expert all-mountain skiing amenities: 130-flex, ZipFit liner, tech fittings. Others thought that the unicornicopia of elements slotted the Pro MV into a somewhat niche sub-category and in turn limited its broader appeal. Both camps are right, we think.
The nature of the ZipFit liner is one that had a polarizing effect on our testers. The ZipFit fans on the team loved the close lace-up wrap around the lower leg shaft and smoothly snug transition of tension into the instep and over the top of the foot. They always rave about the dense but shape-matching fit of the cork-and-resin filled ankle pockets and tongue--and they're okay with the extra warm-up time or heat-molding required to get the putty-like stuff to move, mold and stop "feeling weird." The ZF fans have no problem with a liner-on-the-foot-first entry into the shell and in fact, will point to the protection the liner offers the foot's bony instep as it's jammed past the boot throat's plastic overlap as yet another benefit to ownership.
ZipFit skeptics on our team were first hung-up on having to don the liner first then stuff it into the shell like a race boot (and trying to leave a ZipFit liner in the shell for entry has its own set of challenges). They were also temporarily flummoxed by the first fit of the ZF liner--it invariably had molded to the last tester's ankles, and initially would feel foreign to their own foot shape. Over the course of ten minutes of wear time inside while testers conducted their dry testing the liner would warm and form and if those testers took notice, they'd have to revise their earlier fit impressions in a positive direction. Other testers took advantage of a quick liner warm-up using the test center hot stacks or convection oven to accelerate the fit-matching process. For testers (and prospective buyers) who are uninitiated to the entry and molding particulars of the ZipFit there's a learning curve to be traveled. For those who are open-minded and patient, the reward is almost always worth the effort.
The fit of this medium is noticeably snug in the rearfoot and lower leg shaft, testers said. It's also noticeably open in the forefoot and toebox, they agreed. Both of these fit characteristics are amplified by the ZipFit liner, as the overall fit is a combination of shell shape and liner, like any other boot. Some testers love this fit map--a tight rear end with legroom in the forward cabin. Other testers didn't love this fit tension differential. The truly "V-shaped" foot (skinny heel, wide forefoot and toes) is a match made in heaven with the RC4 Pro MV DYN Vac ZF.
The fans on our team showed their love with generous scores. The skeptics downgraded theirs, mainly in the Convenience metric and a bit in the Initial Fit parameter. The resulting score average isn't a fair reflection of the boot's merit when matched with the right skier, we don't think.
How this boot skis was never in question for our test team. Over twelve separate tests they gave its Quickness and Steering score a perfect 5.0. Its Dynamic Balance and Edge Power scores were both 4.80's. This is a boot built for accomplished skiers who are looking for serious downhill performance and who are not thwarted by a lace-up liner, plug-style entry or bright yellow. Add tech fittings to the toe for this kind of all-mountain charger and it's value-added. Can you ascend with skins without a releasable cuff? Sure you can, you just don't want to go for hours like that. Can you crush the descent when you have a full-blown, fixed-cuff 130 on your foot after you trudge your way up--you sure as hell can.
But can you wear the yellow? That's another question entirely, but if you're a skier who is not daunted by the other unicorny elements here, then yes, you most certainly can.
Expert skiers with long, slender legs who are looking for a strong-skiing boot that's also easy to get on should hustle to find a Dalbello Cabrio LV 115 W 3DWRAP because our test team says it was absolutely made for them! They also say that the initial fit is deceptively aggressive--it's a firm, tall liner that really requires full molding to achieve both a proper fit and a more comfortable flex feel, so either be patient with try-on or get some heat into that liner. Testers suggest prospective buyers not let the first fit get in their way of finding a great skiing boot and making this one theirs.
Our taller testers with lower volume calves were in heaven with the cuff fit on the Cabrio LV W, though even those testers mentioned that the top of the liner at the shin and calf had an abrupt feel until they had spent time in the boot and taken it for a few runs. Testers who took advantage of a secondary custom test with a full liner mold reported that the boot top fit was vastly improved, as were most of the other initial fit complaints. The heel seated more deeply into its pocket and the ankles and navicular found a well-supported home without hot spot points. So, testers reiterated to not judge the book by its initial fit cover--huge improvements in the fit await those who mold the liner.
The fore-aft positioning of the boot is on the upright side and the cuff is tall, which put shorter and thicker calf testers at a bit of a disadvantage. Our Amazonian testers absolutely loved this boot for the stance support it offered them and the massive amount of leverage the tall cuff could exert on the ski, at speed, through gnarly terrain. Testers who could harness the cuff's stance and power came back raving about high-energy rebound and a fun, springy feel to their turns. Those who couldn't got tossed in the backseat and didn't get the giggles. Testers who molded the liner made mention that the shin seated more deeply and comfortably into the liner, which dissipated pressure along the tibia and made it easier to power up the forward flex, tapping into the cuff's hidden mojo.
Even with a stiff, tall cuff, testers were blown away at how easy it is to put on a cabrio boot when it's coupled with a spiral wrap liner. They loved the easy slide in and out and also approved of the revised Dalbello Cabrio closure with its straightforward buckle system. The fat-fronted cam buckle power strap was a hit, especially for the Amazons who wanted all the power this cuff had to offer. The whole test team, regardless of height, loved the sage green and black cosmetic, punctuated with hot pink accents.
Remember, they said, mold the liner!
