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
Testers didn't vary their scores much on the 2019 Rossignol Allspeed Pro 120, using a lot of 3's (medium) and "ideal" checkboxes to describe its fit, flex and stance. A few testers claimed this one was the benchmark model that all other medium-width performance boots should be judged by. In its third annual boot test appearance it found itself in a virtual three-way tie for the silver medal in the All-Mountain medium width group (and dammit, just edged out once again by its factory-frenemy Lange RX 130).
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.
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.
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.
In another Best of Test performance for the 2019 Allspeed 100, it returned to this year's boot test to rank as the highest scoring Soft-Value boot among all the men's All-Mountain boots. What this means, say testers, is that you can save yourself a couple hundred bucks and still get yourself set up with gold medal fit (it's properly curvy and roomy) and category tops All-Mountain performance (stiffer than 100, they said). So why the heck not?
It's a wide ride with plenty of volume, its liner is cushioned and soft, and yet the Allspeed 100 has enough grab on the foot to enable high-end skiing movements and control big skis. One of our testers last year summed-up the Allspeed's fit like this: "It's like hugging a big, curvy, hot chick and feeling the softness and the firmness in all the right places." We still think that's a good way to say it. Testers also say the cuff is tall, upright and that its fit is open enough for big-dude legs.
Testers are impressed with how strongly this boot skis for a 100 flex. It's probably a bit mislabeled (110ish is more like it), but testers also cite the dialed stance angles and enough torsional and lateral rigidity to tip a ski on edge and manage it there through a variety of terrain at virtually every speed. Several of our testers mentioned throwing everything they had at it and it never failed.
The price is really its best feature—best bang for your buck of the entire test, one tester said. But the fact that there's a 120-flex and a 130-flex version of this (oh, and an 80) means the options are many for high-volume foot and leg guys. It does have a Thinsulate liner, but if you're buying this boot we're betting you don't get too cold. This year GripWalk soles are available as an improved strolling add-on, for use with GripWalk compatible bindings.
The 2019 Nordica Sportmachine took the success of the Speedmachine and doubled-down on it last year by adding a 2 to the last width and nailed a great-performing comfort ride. This year our testers said the Sportmachine 110's blend of convenience, high-volume and straight-forward skiing skills found in this affordably priced wide All-Mountain boot made it a go-to for lighter weight and less aggressive skiers looking for the best combo of cost and comfort in a stable cruiser.
Take the roomy toebox and forefoot of the Speedmachine and blow it out a little more—testers said the tapered grip on the ankle and heel is not nearly that of the medium-width here, and they felt that the relaxed fit tension worked well for the meaty-footed target. Testers did not have any fit zone complaints—other than a lack of general contact if they had an average to lower-volume foot—and said that the anatomical shaping matched the foot shape well, just on a large scale. Super easy to put on and take off with an easy to operate closure system—what's not to love here, testers said.
Gets 'er done everywhere on the hill, they said, but maybe not with the quickest cadence turn to turn. The Sportmachine loved its medium and long radius turns and was smooth and stable, which testers approved of, but they said there's definitely a little turbo lag and slight disconnection from the ski when compared with its more slender brother Speedmachine. Stance angles were neutral, if a little bit upright for the guys with average to slender calves. Big calf muscles have room here and will put the leg just a bit more forward, testers ventured.
The Sportmachine 110 has the same trick Infrared shell molding system developed initially for the Speedmachine—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 here, since the boot fits so well (and already huge) right out of the box. GripWalk soles are available as an accessory purchase.
The 2019 Nordica Speedmachine 130 returned to our boot test unchanged after last year's revised liner (a more snug heel and stiffer cuff material) and testers gave it the thumbs up, again, but even more up this time for its complete but cushioned envelopment of the foot but paired with a high performance feel on snow. It still skied on autopilot--so easy, testers said. Classic Nordica liner feel topped the comfort score column with the Speedmachine, testers said, but it did so without feeling gutless—winner, winner.
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.
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.
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 Nordica Speedmachine 105 W returned again this year to even higher levels of tester stoke, finding its way onto the podium and into silver medal position among a very large and strong group of medium-width All-Mountain boots. Testers praised its ease of fit (it had the highest score in the category for Anatomical Fit & Initial Feel), warmth and convenience and all-around-the-hill skiing skill set. This one has broad bandwidth and appeal for a variety of ability levels and different foot types, testers said.
The Speedmachine 105 W nails the medium-width fit profile according to testers. Perhaps a little on the roomy and relaxed side of the group, they said, but with enough firmness in the ankle pockets (thin and sculpted cork panels are used on the liner there) and instep to retain the foot for controlled skiing movements. The initial liner feel against the foot is classic Nordica—silky, padded and well-draped against the foot. First fit impressions were universally positive, with comments about fitting a variety of feet well being widespread. Flex feel and stance marks were similarly good. No problems!
Testers thought the Speedmachine 105 W was supremely capable in all manner of snow conditions and terrain, but perhaps not as strong or quick as one or two other models in the category on account of the cushy liner and extra room in the lower boot. They were okay with this trade-off for the Speedmachine's luxuriant feel, and thought it a minor demerit that most wouldn't ever notice. Transitions turn to turn were effortless, thanks to its neutral stance angles, and testers found that it was responsive in short turns and long turns alike.
The Tri-Force shell design keeps thicker plastic where it needs to be for power and stability and thins the plastic of the lower shell in areas where more flexibility and foot-wrapping needs to happen—this shaves some excess weight and also enables the Infrared bootfitting system to work properly. The Infrared heating system warms the thin areas in common fit problem areas to molding temperature, and then a vacuum driven suction cup is placed on the tight spot and the shell stretch is sucked into position. GripWalk rockered soles are available as an accessory purchase.
Nordica has had many dominant narrow class boots in the past—Gran Prix, Dobermann, GPX—but none have brought the whole package of power, quickness and comfort together the way the new 2019 Promachine 130 has. Its debut finally completes the light-but-strong Machine clan's Tri Force construction triad for Nordica (along with medium Speedmachine and wide Sportmachine) and it did so for our test team in commanding fashion, taking first place in the highly competitive All-Mountain narrow group.
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.
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.
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 all new 2019 Nordica Promachine 115 W is the boot that all the girls who normally ski guys' boots said they'd like to take home from the test—and that pretty well says it all. Where some boots are powerful but a bit too damp and dull, while other boots are agile and lively but lack strength, testers suggest that the Promachine 115 W is the perfect hybrid of the two types. In fact testers used the word perfect to describe many aspects of this boot, starting with its fit. It's no surprise that it took first place in the highly competitive women's All-Mountain narrow category.
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.
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.
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 2019 Lange SX 90 W returns this year without update, and apparently that's a good thing because it tied one other boot for the highest scoring women's boot in the test and only one men's boot scored higher. Last year's liner revision gave the SX 90 W a slightly more open-feeling forefoot and toebox and testers still noticed the difference and approved. They liked that the SX was distinctly different, fit-wise, from the medium-width RX boot, but liked even more that it skied virtually as well for 200-bucks less!
As with all the other Lange boots, the SX 90 W tapered fit to a more-snug heel and ankle pocket, testers said, though it did so in a softer, more relaxed sorta way than found in the medium and narrow Langes. One tester said that it was like the perfect burrito wrap—so long as there's enough foot filling. It is a high-volume fit with a particularly roomy fit in the toebox, instep and calf—all the spots where the high-volume skier is looking for a little extra relief. Testers said that in addition to an open calf fit at boot top, the cuff is slightly upright in its forward lean angle, which will even better suit women with larger calf muscles.
Testers liked the easy, no worries roll from edge to edge in the SX 90 W. Neutral, predictable, stable and quick enough to get it done all around the mountain was the consensus here. Testers said the 90-flex was as billed—not a powerhouse, but neither was it a pushover for good skiing girls. At a list price of $550, the SX 90 W hits the value mark, but doesn't ski like a cheapskate.
The top buckle catch offers quick, tools-free adjustment that's helpful for getting it buckled around a muscular calf. The replaceable Max Grip soles are slightly cushioned and have great traction for getting to and from the snow.
The 2019 Lange RX 130 returned unchanged (except for a badass, new stealthy look) to not only top the leader board for the All-Mountain medium width group, but to take top honors in the entire All-Mountain category for men. What makes it so great? Well, last year, testers simply said Lange took one of the best boots out there and made it better, and this year it's no different—the shell shape, Dual Core construction and revised liner simply further elevate the fit and performance game of a perennial favorite.
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.
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.
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.
Last year one tester called it $850 worth of skiing perfection and this year he said the 2019 Lange RX 130 LV feels like a real 97 in a sea of fake 98’s! The rest of the test team agreed with him on both points, and put this one near the tippy top of the highly competitive narrow All-Mountain category for its flawless combination of close-but-contoured fit with dominant downhill performance. Virtually every tester said they could make this their daily driver in a heartbeat—and they liked the new, darker look this year.
Some testers described the fit of the RX 130 LV as, just like the frontside RS 130 but tighter, (duh, right?). Others said that at first the RX LV didn't feel tight-enough but then once they skied it they realized that it was just that it was so well-shaped that none of their bony spots were barking at them—it didn't ski loose, they explained. The new shell shape and liner shape are well-contoured to the foot and leg, and the two are well-matched to each other, with minimal tolerances between the exterior of the liner and the interior of the shell—no foot shearing or gappy feel here, testers claimed. Cuff height, shin fit and calf fit all got "ideal" marks.
Take a few laps through the race course, hammer a zipper line, grab a fatty and bury yourself in pow— testers said the RX 130 LV is the driver of choice for all those applications. Testers affirmed that the RX 130 LV has tons of brute strength on edge, at speed, but without sacrificing quickness. Which was better, its power or quickness? Dead heat, they said—the Dual Core shell and cuff construction utilizes a unique plastic injection method that creates a dual-density shell wall intended to give the boot a more lively, elastic feel. Testers reported again that it ain't just marketing mumbo jumbo—as proof, quickness and agility scores were through the roof.
We think it's cool that a performance-oriented guy with a medium foot could stuff himself in here with some clean bootwork, thanks to the mono-injected polyether shell and cuff that makes grinds and stretches easy. GripWalk soles can be swapped on here if you're into that—gotta have a GripWalk compatible binding with those. Testers like the simple, Velcro power strap and single-side, set-screw-style cuff adjustment.
The 2019 Lange RX 110 W returned to this year’s boot test unchanged, save a cool, understated new graphic that testers liked. What definitely didn’t change is the fact that it remains one of the most dominant boots in the highly competitive narrow All-Mountain group. Testers love that the MV and skinny sister LV fit noticeably different in volume but share the same family fit and performance characteristics. Testers say the MV holds the heel and ankle with authority but opens the fit elsewhere to comfortably suit the average foot and leg shape.
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!
It's Lange's story again this year and it's where this medium really elevated above the rest. 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 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 this year.
The RX 110 W is about what matters and nothing else—so you get a Velcro power strap, 4 aluminum buckles (2 are easy-open ones on the bottom, nice with gloves on), a single-side cuff adjustment mechanism 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 3-D Pro liner has Thinsulate in it. Sure, warmth matters.
With nearly perfect scores for its anatomical fit, quickness and edge power it’s no wonder that the 2019 Lange RX 110 W LV retained its position on the podium in the full gas All-Mountain narrow group at this year’s test. It returns this year unchanged--with the exception of a new, moody, badass look that testers loved. This is a real skier chick’s boot, they said, that greets you with a firm liner feel and just a little bit of a struggle on and off to remind you that you skiing glory must be earned. Some of our more delicate testers slapped its wrist for that and bumped it off its perennial throne.
Testers for the most part loved the liner construction in the RX again this year—almost like a foam-injected liner some said--firmer where it counted (heel and ankles), but softer in areas where some cushioning is nice (at the forefoot and over the top of the instep). They said the liner's rear control zone was almost too tight initially but felt those areas auto-mold with some wear time, and all agreed that the snug fit there was perfect for the category. This was one of the most-snug fits of the group—not race boot tight, but close, and testers loved that. The stance angles are neutral, testers reported, but they note that big calves don't fit well here and drive the leg a bit too forward. Thicker legs may want to opt for the medium-width RX W rather than the narrow-class RX W LV.
Like cornering in a Ferrari, one tester said of the RX 110 W LV—quick and aggressive with no play in the steering column. Another said, Responsive! Does what I want it to do--like a good man. Across the board testers commented on how snappy and reactive the boot felt edge to edge and how firm but elastic the flex feel was. Both of these characteristics can be attributed to the unique Dual Core plastic injection technology found in the RX (and RS) boots. A softer density plastic is sandwiched between higher density plastic throughout the shell wall, which is impressive in execution alone but even more surprising to find that the claims of increased energy and snap are for real!
A monoinjected polyether shell and cuff is a nice feature if there's going to be any bootfitting happening—this construction makes grinds and shell punches a snap for good bootfitters. Pretty basic, functional feature fare here. A single-side cuff adjustment and Max Grip soles are nice to have. GripWalk soles can be purchased as an accessory for use with appropriate GripWalk bindings.
