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 successor to the K2 Spyne boots, the all-new 2019 K2 Recon 130 MV arrived at the boot test and quickly put its predecessor on the shelf, wasting no time in taking up the mantle for the upstart boot company with its Best of Test performance in our most competitive test category. Testers said this may be the new medium-width benchmark model among the new-school lightweights, citing a perfect blend of fit and performance packed neatly into 1650 grams.
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.
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.
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.
The 2019 K2 Recon 130 LV showed off its completely new shell shape, slimmed down, thinned out and packing a fully sculpted full-thermo Ultralon liner at this year's boot test and flummoxed testers with the question: Can a boot be too comfortable? Apparently it can be, as testers handicapped the LV's scores slightly for feeling a bit too much like its medium width brother, MV (who, if he was a real brother, would no doubt be claiming his initials are for More Virile). Otherwise, it's the perfect boot, they said! Tough crowd, our test team.
Testers say the fit is on the money for its anatomical curves and nice blend of both cushion and grip in the PrecisionFit liner, just a touch too open across the board to suit the narrow last test category, having wandered too far into the medium width fit tension neighborhood. Not that this is a bad neighborhood, it's just that K2 already has a medium width Recon that pretty well hit the bullseye for that slot. So, this fraternal twin got picked on for being too comfy—'tis a shame, considering that a couple testers said this was the best-feeling K2 boot they'd ever put on their feet. Fit Update: K2 tells us that the Recon 130 LV liner has been re-designed since our boot test to snug-up the fit across the board.
Testers were in lock-step that the Recon 130 LV has 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. 1650 grams worth of real boot is how one tester described the thin polyurethane newcomer. Testers felt that some performance got siphoned off by the uncharacteristic room in the lower boot, and with a slightly thicker, denser liner that would come back in badass spades.
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.
The all-new 2019 K2 Luv 110 MV impressed testers with its praise-worthy power to comfort to weight ratio, which testers essentially rated as lots-lots-little. This thin shell-walled, polyurethane, lightweight utility vehicle called the Luv 110 MV is no boat, but testers did say that it runs to the wide ride side of the medium-width group and will appeal to skiers of all levels looking for a luxuriant feel that doesn't detract from the job at hand—a powerful and balanced descent!
Our test team's fit scores in the toebox and forefoot averaged out to a 3.67 (1 tightest, 5 loosest), and then tapered progressively back to a heel pocket of 2.83 and then flaring back open at the boot top to a 3.33. What do all those numbers mean? Testers translate the data to say the Luv MV's shape is well-adapted to the foot and leg, wrapping all the usual contours with a nice blend of plush and firm from the liner—just shifted a bit toward the roomy end of the spectrum. Lots of space for additional warmth that will suit the higher volume foot type well, they said. Given the removable spoiler (which most testers preferred removed) and the Luv's calf-room expansion adjustment, the Luv 110 MV is a super option for thicker-legged skiers, testers said. The generous out-of-box fit and the ability to expand it further via oven-cooked custom molding make the Luv worth a serious look from good skiing women who might normally limit their choices to wide last boots.
Testers were unanimous that the stance (sans spoiler) was on the money, giving the boot's dynamic balance the highest score of the five score categories it was rated on. Testers loved the Luv's lux liner feel against the shin and all agreed that the flex feel was solid, progressive and on-target for the 110 rating. While the Powerlite Shell is light (1650 grams in a 26.5) by way of thinned-out, stiff polyurethane construction (favored by most bootfitters), testers said less about its heft and more about its edge power, predictable stability at speed and its ease getting on and off—three things that often don't go hand-in-hand with new, lightened-up designs. Most testers described the Luv 110's performance attitude as solid, reliable, predictable and stable, rather than jittery or hyper-active, but the majority opinion was that if the foot properly filled the shoe it was properly quick edge to edge.
For their rather understated, classic exterior appearance, the Luv boots have a lot going on. The light weight Powerlite shell is custom moldable by way of the typical oven-cook-and-wear process, though testers said it would be unnecessary for most and a clear second choice to a custom molding performed on the pre-shaped LuxFit Pro Ultralon liner (which all testers agreed is far superior to K2 liners of the past) which would provide an enhanced fit match without risking excessive roominess from shell-cooking (our tests showed it works, for sure—almost too well). The women's calf adjustable rear part of the boot cuff is a slick design and easy to adjust, and the dual lateral cuff adjustment mechanisms are solid, though a little tricky for first-timers to sort out, and this year they are anchored internally with traditional, toothed T-nuts (bootfitters in the K2-know appreciate this). The grippy soles are both replaceable and cantable.
The 2019 K2 Luv 110 LV's debut at the boot test left testers with a feeling of déjà vu—hadn't they just tested this boot previously but with an MV at the end of its name? And they loved it for the same attributes the MV showed off: lightweight, easy on and off, comfortable, warm, solid on edge and quick-enough arc to arc—all the things that make a great ski boot great! But they gave the Luv 110 LV general demerits for not belonging in the narrow category, fit-wise—so, good reader, take this good boot's scores with a grain of salt.
Our test team checked off a lot of 3's in the fit impressions columns on their test forms, indicating a middle of the road medium-width fit. Not that there's anything wrong with that! It's just that when tested up against the other juggernaut narrows in the test group, the extra room translated into a loss of performance, relatively speaking. The fit is luxurious and lovely, testers said, with great ergonomic curves to hug all the natural contours of the foot and leg, but it simply felt outsized when compared with the category benchmarks. Ease of entry and exit, and the closure offered by the stylish and well-designed buckles were all top notch, and testers all liked the simple calf adjustment that can further flare the fit at the boot top. Update: K2 tells us that the Luv 110 LV liner has been re-designed since our boot test to snug-up the fit across the board.
Testers loved the Luv LV's dreamy, cruisey-stable autopilot—they said it laid down languid, lazy arcs at ultra high speeds and powered through minced mung with unflappable aplomb. Testers preferred the fore-aft stance position with the Velcro spoiler removed but said that the flex feel was super against the shin and progressively-perfect feeling for a 110 target. Testers felt that brute strength and cobra quickness were there, potentially, if the boot were adequately filled with foot, but some of the testers' slippage sapped those score totals here.
For their rather understated, classic exterior appearance, the Luv boots have a lot going on. The light weight Powerlite shell is custom moldable by way of the typical oven-cook-and-wear process, though testers said it would be unnecessary for most and a clear second choice to a custom molding performed on the pre-shaped LuxFit Pro Ultralon liner (which all testers agreed is far superior to K2 liners of the past) which would provide an enhanced fit match without risking excessive roominess from shell-cooking (our tests showed it works, for sure—almost too well). The women's calf adjustable rear part of the boot cuff is a slick design and easy to adjust, and the dual lateral cuff adjustment mechanisms are solid, though a little tricky for first-timers to sort out, and this year they are anchored internally with traditional, toothed T-nuts (bootfitters in the K2-know appreciate this). The grippy soles are both replaceable and cantable.
The Vector is dead—long live the Vector! The 2019 Head Vector RS 130 returns with a similar name but with an all-new shape (narrower) and an all new liner (Liquid Fit injection technology). Thankfully the new Vector also stomped our regrets about the now long lost favorite medium-last old-Vector straight into oblivion with its hellaciously stepped-up skiing performance which, as a nice bonus, came without any loss of its namesake's creature comfort.
The shell is a revised shape (a new, internal mold) that differs from the previous Vector mainly in how it fits around the heel and rear area of the boot, where testers confirmed that it's quite snug, while the forefoot maintains some room to spread out before tapering back into a toebox that testers agreed felt a little short and low in height. The liner feel is slightly bulky and well-padded, but in a comfortable handshake with the foot and leg kind of way. Testers characterized the fit as evenly snug throughout for the most part, without any primary hot spot locations.
Testers all rallied around how the Vector RS 130 skied, though they focused on different aspects of its downhill game. Some liked how smooth it transitioned in and out of turns. Others loved the deep power and torque that came on progressively—no twitchy, hard to manage jolts. Many liked how accurately it steered and placed the ski precisely where directed. The only complaints testers came up with were about Spineflex buckles, and just like the boot's rather loud cosmetics, it was an either-or, love-hate sorta thing with them.
So, new this year for some Head boots (Vector, Nexo Lyt, Kore) is the Liquid Fit liner. The ankle and heel area on both the medial and lateral side of the liner has thin, hollow packets into which the yellow syrup-like stuff can be injected to better fill the natural void spaces there. We tested this liner customization extensively at the boot test this year and testers like the simple and intuitive nature of it—you wear the boot while it's injected and choose when to say, "When!" We found it easy to decide when enough was enough for a better fit in the ankles and heel, but just in case you overdid it, it can be easily removed. We did some long-term testing on the injected liners and found that the material did not sag or ooze out of place over time—pretty cool stuff. The Vector RS 130 plastic is Form Fit ready, so broad-sword shell expansions are easily done after an oven cook job. The Perfect Fit 3D liner on the Vector RS 130 can be cooked (as well as injected) for an even better match from foot to liner and from liner to shell interior. Yes, the buckles are Spineflex, and the top two are the double-power lever style for maximum crankage.
The 2019 Vector RS 110 W returns slimmed down to a 98 mm last (from a 100) and includes the new Liquid Fit injectable liner. Testers loved the "luxury snug" fit nature of this in-between narrow and medium width ski driver. They said it offered the most room for a bigger calf in the narrow class, while gripping the heel and ankle in a comfy performance cage. A vector may be a straight line but testers said this one changes direction on a dime and said its edge power was money.
Testers liked the noticeably firm fit in the heel and ankle, but said ample room remained at the forefoot for warm toes and good balance. They said the cuff fit flares to a wider boot top than commonly found in the narrow category, which is a boon for good skiing women with skinny heels and muscular calves, though our slender legged testers said it caused some fore-aft balance searching. Some testers mentioned the cuff felt slightly lower than average (again, often a bonus for the large of calf).
A good blend of on-snow skills, testers said, mentioning that the Vector RS 110 W could vary radius and edge angle at all speeds and handled a variety of terrain without hesitating. Some testers loved it for its long, stable cruising ability while others praised its speedy lateral transitions turn to turn. All agreed there was plenty of power to the edge on tap, so long as the leg was firmly held in the cuff.
While few testers felt an immediate need to snug up the heel and ankle pocket, the Liquid Fit liner allows the injection of a syrup-like fluid (yellow) into pockets at the ankle and heel area on both the medial and lateral side of the. We tested this liner customization extensively at the boot test this year and testers like the simple and intuitive nature of it—you wear the boot while it's injected and choose when to say, "When!" We found it easy to decide when enough was enough for a better fit in the ankles and heel, but just in case you overdid it, it can be easily removed. We did some long-term testing on the injected liners and found that the material did not sag or ooze out of place over time—pretty cool stuff. The Vector RS 110 W plastic is Form Fit ready, so broad-sword shell expansions are easily done after an oven cook job. The Perfect Fit 3D liner on the Vector RS 110 W can also be cooked for an even better match from foot to liner and from liner to shell interior. Yes, the buckles are Spineflex, and the top two are the double-power lever style for maximum crankage.
The all new 2019 Head Nexo Lyt 130 G packs so many cool and functional design elements into a single boot that testers were amazed it could remain so light! The medium-width newcomer to the Head family pleased testers with its synapse-quick reaction time underfoot (not surprising to testers given its light weight and snugly contoured fit around the foot and instep) but it shocked testers with its deep edge power and top-end stability at speed.
The thin shell walled lower boot and Perfect Fit 3D Evo Custom liner combine to place a close-to-skin grip on the foot, testers said, who cited a snuggest side of medium width fit around the foot, throwing scores of 2's and 3's out of 5 toward the lower boot. Testers made particular comments about the well-shaped, snug fit of the ankle and hell pockets, as well as a toebox that they said was "perfect" for a modern medium width. The upper cuff flares from a snug wrap just above the throat of the boot to a more open boot top where testers with thicker calves appreciated the extra room. Several testers commented about an inconsistent fit against the shin, noting either an edgy feel down low or a gappy feel up high—most said that this improved with skiing and with the various custom fitting processes available.
Testers liked the direct connection to the ski that came from a snug fit in the lower boot and the thin feeling, stiff Grilflex plastic in the lower shell. They said turns were easily tuned into the snow and were quickly connected from arc to arc through a variety of snow and terrain. Testers with slender legs found that the open cuff fit put them in a bit of a search for the fore-aft sweet spot, but once there could tip and rip laterally, laying deep, gouging trenches with confidence. Testers with thicker legs felt placed right where they wanted to be, front to back. Testers who went through Liquid Fit liner injection process noticed performance gains in terms of improved steering and edge feathering movements as the result of a more snug heel and ankle area.
The use of Grilflex (a polyamide plastic like Grilamid) with Graphene powder additive in the injection process of the lower shell and Grilflex in the upper cuff makes the Nexo Lyt the only All-Mountain boot we tested with all polyamide construction. Most other brands are steering their lightest materials toward hike-mode models. Testers would agree with the Head hype that the Graphene additive seems to give the boot a more damp feel—similar to polyurethane but with the benefit of lighter weight. Testers universally approved of the Liquid Fit injection process, finding it an immediately discernable fit enhancement. The process involves injecting the ankle and heel area on both the medial and lateral side of the liner with a syrup-like material that fills thin, hollow packets there. We tested this liner customization extensively at the boot test this year and testers like the simple and intuitive nature of it—you wear the boot while it's injected and choose when to say, "When!" We found it easy to decide when enough was enough for a better fit in the ankles and heel, but just in case you overdid it, it can be easily removed. We did some long-term testing on the injected liners and found that the material did not sag or ooze out of place over time—pretty cool stuff.
GripWalk soles are available as an accessory purchase. Lightweight Superleggera buckles are cool, we think, and there's two liner pull loops, a Velcro power strap and a single side cuff adjustment. For the stance-challenged skier needing help beyond the cuff adjustment, Head's canted soles are available as an additional purchase.
Testers loved the all new Nexo Lyt 110 W G for its borderline narrow fit in the heel and ankle pocket with a slightly more relaxed and contoured medium width wrap on the forward part of the foot that combined to hold it all in a firm but well-padded grip. They gave it highest scores for both quickness and edge power, but they also dug the Liquid Fit liner injection technology for how it further customized the fit of the rearfoot in minutes.
Testers said that the upper cuff tapered from an open and well sculpted boot top that would accommodate a thicker calf, down to a super slender boot throat just above the ankles. Some testers found this fit uncomfortably snug and suggested that a Form Fit shell molding session would be in order for them. The well-matched shape of the lower boot around the foot was testers' favorite Nexo Lyt fit element, which they said was pretty well set out of the box, but those who went through the Liquid Fit injection process all agreed that it got even better.
Testers found the Nexo Lyt to be, well, light! But they also said the edge power was top tier and had a damp, stable feel on hard snow and higher speeds that may be attributed to the Graphene powder additive that is mixed into the polyurethane injection. Testers mentioned the snug, performance medium fit around their feet equated into high quickness scores, but the thinner shell construction gave the Nexo Lyt 110 W G a closely connected feel, from foot to ski, they said. Some testers found the flex feel against the shin incongruous to start, but mentioned that Form Fit shell molding and Perfect Fit liner molding made improvements there.
So, new this year for some Head boots (Nexo Lyt, Kore, Vector) is the Liquid Fit liner. The ankle and heel area on both the medial and lateral side of the liner has thin, hollow packets into which the yellow syrup-like stuff can be injected to better fill the natural void spaces there. We tested this liner customization extensively at the boot test this year and testers like the simple and intuitive nature of it—you wear the boot while it's injected and choose when to say, "When!" We found it easy to decide when enough was enough for a better fit in the ankles and heel, but just in case you overdid it, it can be easily removed. We did some long-term testing on the injected liners and found that the material did not sag or ooze out of place over time—pretty cool stuff. GripWalk soles are available as an accessory purchase.
For the money, the 2019 Head Advant Edge 85 W packs surprising punch and hits the bullseye on the wide-group target for a warm and comfy lower boot, our testers said. They unanimously praised the balanced stance for promoting good skiing movements.
Testers thought that the lower shell fit the way a 102 mm boot should—wide enough and nicely padded everywhere, with a hint of snug control at the heel and ankle area. A few testers had issues with the liner's lower calf (soleus muscle, aka "cankle") area where thick pads felt a bit jabby and made entry past that area difficult. They hoped that liner molding would remedy that (Form Fit shell molding is an option on the slightly stiffer 95, but not on this model).
The Advant Edge 85 W handled itself masterfully on and off the groomed, surprising testers with its snappy, responsive feel. Testers said the fore-aft stance is set-up a bit on the upright side, but with a soft enough flex to move forward with and find home base for linking aggressive arcs. They liked the soft flex and mentioned that it didn't collapse, but they also pointed out that the stiffer 95-flex version is available.
First, you've got color options here—either go-with-everything black, or the white and grey with yellow highlights, so lovely! And there's two Double Power lever buckles on the cuff—great for cranking the heck outta that cuff fit with gloves on! If walking in super strolling style is a goal, GripWalk soles are available this year for use with GripWalk bindings, and on the boot sole front there are also Advant Edge specific (and Vector) canted soles available in 0.5-, 1.0-, 1.5- and 2.0-degree increments.
For slender-footed, lightweight skiers looking for warm, soft boots, the 2019 Full Tilt Soul Sister may be hard to beat! The long-travel flexion that makes Full Tilt's classic three-piece designs popular with mogul skiers and park-and-pipe athletes was favored by testers who used a light touch on the tongue.
It's a snug 99 mm lower boot when you stick with your normal size (because it runs short), testers say, with a cushioned grip all along the foot, especially side to side. But the women-specific Intuition Pro liner is highly moldable, opening up the fit at the wider and bony parts of the foot for more average width feet, too. Prior to molding, some testers felt the lateral edge of the spiral-wrapped liner as a hotspot, but after liner molding this blended in more evenly. The luxurious shin fit is a Full Tilt hallmark and the long-travel flex is a dream for skiers who suffer chronic shin-bang.
Just standing in the boot inside testers could tell its forward lean was extreme by modern standards and its flex was very soft (still softer than the 90 rating they cite for the #6 tongue this year). This forward angle was often made more so by either a large calf or a skier's tendency to press into the front of a boot (which pretty much all our women testers do). So, too forward and collapsing in flex was a common complaint on test forms. However, slender-legged, lightweight testers who focused on agile lateral moves loved the spry, airy feel of the Soul Sister.
Testers appreciated the revised Widetrack buckles on the FTS (Full Tilt Soul) shell for their lower profile and more easily adjusted release tab and ratchet system—however, testers new to the three-piece layering and wire bale closure struggled a bit initially with the Full Tilt rite of passage (into the boot). There are lots of options on aftermarket pieces and parts through Full Tilt dealers—say, a stiffer tongue perhaps? And testers thought removing the forward lean wedge at the base of the cuff might also help the stance.
Testers liked the 2019 Full Tilt First Chair for its snug (when tested in their regular size) and thickly padded and comfortable grip on the foot and its very lively feel underfoot. Testers still feel overly forward leaning but appreciated the cam-lock Cinch power strap for restraining some forward travel. Due to the short sizing in Full Tilt's line-up, some testers went up a size and found more typical medium-width fit tension and a slightly taller, more upright cuff feel.
Testers felt the lower boot was much more snug than the cuff, which offered some unwanted play for slender legs. They liked the strong connection of foot to ski, though preferred it after full liner molding, which allowed the foot to seat a bit more deeply into the base of the boot, due to the thickness of the liner underfoot. Molding the liner with toe caps opened up some needed toe room as the boot fits shorter than average out of the box. The flex feel is even, cushioned and long in travel, testers agreed. Testers suggest sizing up to gain toe room and a more medium width fit.
Agility and quickness are the First Chair's forte, according to testers who liked its lateral moves and shock absorbing flex—fun in the bumps and tight spots, they said. They felt the boot was less of a powerhouse than it was a nimble freerider, partly due to the more forward than average cuff angle, which detracted from a more strongly stacked leg position, they said.
Testers like the newer version buckle system with the Widetrack buckles for their improved ease of use.
Testers said that the 2019 Fischer RC Pro 130 Vacuum Full Fit is a luxury S.U.V. built for big guys with thicker feet and legs looking for the kind of All-Mountain performance that stems from a dialed stance and a solid-enough, progressive flex.
Roomy throughout and ultra-comfortable was the tester takeaway on this 100 mm, with most in agreement that it fit borderline wide-ride. They didn't mind this so much, and thought that the fit shape was well matched for a thicker foot and leg, but they placed it well on the wide end of the medium group's fit tension spectrum. The liner feel is well cushioned—more so than most boots at the 130 performance tier—which gave the RC Pro 130 more of a Lexus RX interior feel than, say, Audi R8. Nobody was really complaining about the luxuriant fit, let's put it that way.
The stance angles of the RC Pro pleased our test team, who felt well-centered in all directions and ready to ski. When compared with other medium-widths, quickness and power scores lagged a bit simply by virtue of the extra space and cushioning that sapped some transmission of movement, but testers agreed that compared with other wide class rides (or perhaps if tested by thicker footed folk) the response and quickness would be right on target.
While most people assume that customizable shell technology is all about making a fit more open, Fischer's unique Vacuum fitting system can tighten a boot's fit by way of controlling the compression level of the molding bladders during the Vacuum process. The moniker, Vacuum Full Fit, indicates that this boot is Vacuum system customizable in both the lower shell and upper cuff.
