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
Dalbello's Veloce line for women runs from its stiffest model at 105, down to its softest at a 75-flex. The brand submitted the Veloce 95 MV W for testing this year and it represented the range quite well by stomping all over other substantially stiffer models in the category and receiving a gold medal alongside some perennial heavy-hitters. The Veloce 95's total score average of 4.70 (out of 5.00) was on par mainly with 115-flex boots, and its supporting scores told the same great fit, comfort and convenience story that testers' comments did, with a Convenience Warmth & Features score of 4.94 and an Anatomical Fit & Initial Feel score of a perfect 5.00.
The Veloce 95 MV W impressed every single tester who got into it with its snug-medium fit, saying that it hit the 99mm fit tension target right on the bullseye--they loved the cushioned but firm-enough feel against the foot and leg, with a particularly nice feel from the memory foam tongue against the shin and over the top of the foot. But testers didn't fully appreciate what the Veloce 95 had to offer until they got it on snow and made some turns. Testers agreed that it put the edges against snow with the power and stability of boots 20-flex-points stiffer and 200-bucks more expensive, and it wasn't just a dull and clunky sledgehammer but rather it was quick and precise underfoot at performance levels to match its power quotient.
Another common refrain from testers was the Veloce 95's ease of access, and they didn't mean that it was easy to put on (which it was) but rather they meant its ability to communicate any skier's different style to the skis in a functional, efficient way. They said its stance balance home base was right on the money and didn't require any special moves or learning curve to figure out what the boot wanted. Testers just buckled up, clicked in and went skiing, everywhere. They forgot they'd saved two bills on the 95-flex and continued ripping. Many testers made note of the boot's huge performance bandwidth and broad appeal to a variety of skiers, like: This boot is fantastic--it will make any gal happy, from intermediate to advanced.
Were there some caveats to go with all these kudos, sure, but not very many. A couple testers commented on the somewhat rounded, old-school toebox shape that put a little squeeze on the sides of big and little piggies, but agreed they were not deal-breakers, and given that the lower shell is traditional polyurethane would offer easy fit solutions in a grind or stretch. A couple testers found that the lower ankle pockets were a bit firm at the start of on-snow testing but reported that with some warm-up and wear time those issues improved substantially--again, easy fit solutions with a bootfitter's help, if needed.
Testers unanimously approved of the berry and black cosmetics, they didn't mind the amount of fur on the liner, and they gave two thumbs-up for two liner pull loops, dual cuff adjusters and GripWalk soles. At a list price of 600-bucks there’s huge bang for the buck available on all tested elements of the Veloce 95 MV W, testers agreed.
Lotta leverage for long, lanky legs is what testers say skiers can expect from the Dalbello Cabrio LV 130 3DWRAP. The upper cuff is tall on the leg and so is the firm, spiral wrapping 3DWRAP liner, so the stance and lever arm is set up to load the shovel and tip a ski onto edge like nobody's business, they said. Our taller, heavier testers loved this set-up for its legit 130-flex power and tall, relaxed-quads positioning that they could move forward from to find a centered attack on bigger, wider skis all around the mountain.
Our shorter, lighter members of the test team found that the height of cuff, upright angle and stout flex index put them at a deficit in the getting forward department. They agreed that the lateral power of the Cabrio LV was undeniably strong but they had a difficult time accessing that torque without getting tossed, unceremoniously, into the trunk.
Virtually all the testers who put the Cabrio LV 130 through its paces this year commented on the liner's firmness and initial fit issues. While this full-thermo spiral-wrapper is factory pre-molded to allow for some semblance of comfort upon initial try-on in a retail shop environment, it simply ain't done yet, is what testers said. They found the top of the liner edgy, abrupt and overly firm and an anatomically-challenged fit map in the lower boot that bugged folks' navicular bones and didn't let the heel seat fully down into its pocket. Testers mentioned that the time spent skiing the boot for 3 runs was enough to warm up the liner and improve the fit marginally, but the testers who took the time to do a custom re-test with a full-temp liner molding job came back with vastly improved scores for fit, flex feel and stance.
The fully customized liner relaxed the abrupt boot top and allowed the tibia to find a molded home into the front of the liner--this better distributed pressure against the shin, giving the boot a more agreeable flex feel and slightly more forward-leaning stance. The heel pocket turned into a gloriously snug but comfortable control center, and the navicular bone stopped barking. Testers reiterated that prospective customers should keep this fit adaptation in mind during boot try-on. While they might be able to get their boot salesperson to pump a little heat into the liner for a moderately improved try-on experience, it'll take pulling the trigger on purchase to gain entry into the full-molding club, and testers say it's a requirement for really tapping this snug-fitting and solid-skiing boot's full potential.
The flex feel felt spring-loaded to testers, who all commented on huge rebound energy and rapid return to center transitions between turns. They said this energy was fun and able to be harnessed, never twitchy. They liked the dampness of the polyurethane plastic build when the boot was on edge and they gave one of its highest scores in the Edge Power test parameter. The cuff's height, upright stance and stiff cuff limited quickness scores for testers who couldn't get up and over the top of the boot, but for big, tall skiers who know how to stomp on a ski it's plenty quick edge to edge, testers (who fit the profile) said.
The new Atomic Hawx Prime 115 S W BOA impressed testers with its performance-oriented grip on the rearfoot mated to a relaxed forward cabin and flared boot cuff--a Hawx Prime fit combination that has been a successful one for several years. Testers said that the addition of a BOA closure on the lower shell added a welcome addition in the way of further fit fine tuning and rounded out an already robust set of useful features.
For years, our testers have lauded the Hawx Prime for its versatile 100mm fit profile--enough extra room for the toes and ball of foot paired with a firm grip on the heel and ankles. Testers felt that the heel fit this year was particularly snug, with a couple mentioning that they'd need to cook the Mimic liner in hopes of relieving a bit of that squeeze. The calf fit has always offered a nicely flared shape in both shell and liner to accommodate the more muscular or higher volume lower leg shape, and this year was no different--testers said the out-of-box fit on the calf was fantastic, with additional buckle adjustment available if needed. In fact, with a bolted-in but removable rear spoiler and the moldable Memory Fit shell cook job as a modification option, the Hawx Prime 115 S W BOA stacked up as one of the most versatile calf-fitters in the test.
Testers like the BOA system on the Hawx Prime for its small-increment adjustability and well-wrapped closure feel, but they also like that the Hawx Prime is still available with buckles--unless of course the 115-flex is a requirement, and then you're getting a BOA reel, at least for this year. One tester thought that the BOA offered a slight impediment to entry but it was not the majority opinion. They all liked the stock forward lean set-up and firm flex feel that they said was on-target for the 115 label, though there were some mentions of an uncomfortably edgy liner tongue fit that they hoped would be resolved with some more wear time or a liner cook.
Ski power and quickness was not lacking for the traditional polyurethane-powered Hawx Prime 115 S W BOA according to testers who gave one of its highest scores to its Edge Power rating, though that high score was matched in the Convenience, Warmth and Features criterion. The features set is substantial on the Hawx Prime BOA boots--in addition to aforementioned shell-morphing Memory Fit modifications, removable rear spoiler and a BOA system, there are dual cuff adjusters, the Power Shift 2.0 forward lean adjustment, dual liner pull loops, a 40mm Velcro power strap and GripWalk soles.
Every year we have tested the Atomic Hawx Prime boot our test team comes away impressed with its accuracy of fit and performance. Accurate means precise and targeted for our purposes, and testers like how both aspects, fit and performance, complement each other in this well-put-together new iteration of an old favorite.
The BOA closure system is the most obvious new feature on this veteran all-mountain utility boot. Testers like the way it made subtle, incremental changes to the fit tension in the lower boot, a click at a time. The lower boot feel of the Hawx Prime has been characterized by a tall, dome-like fit over the top of the foot, which testers like for freedom of blood flow and a comfortable instep hold, but the BOA's cable-wrapping closure seemed to pair well with this starting shape. Testers felt that while the forefoot offered typical medium width fit tension, the BOA did a fantastic job of closing that space down enough to match the more-snug-than-medium grip they felt in the ankle and heel pockets.
The scores the Hawx Prime 130 S BOA received seem unfairly low to many on our test team, looking back on them post-test, as some veteran testers gave perfect 5.00s while others downgraded the fit and convenience scores for two reasons. One, many testers thought the heel and ankle fit was snug like a narrow boot, so they dinged the fit score. Two, several testers thought that the introduction of the BOA closure impeded entry and exit in comparison to past non-BOA Hawx Prime tests, and so the Convenience metric took a hit.
While both criticisms are fair, we have a few thoughts about them. First, the extra snug heel and ankle is not necessarily a bad thing for the skier looking for maximum rearfoot control with some freedom of fit in the toebox and forefoot, as well as at the boot top where the cuff still flares open in characteristic Hawx Prime fashion. Also, a slightly too-snug heel and ankle zone can be easily remedied with the Hawx's Memory Fit shell molding feature and a good liner cook job--so not a deal breaker by any means. Last, the entry was not that bad--there were certainly more difficult to put on boots at the test, and it's not clear that the challenge was directly related to BOA. Our thinking about entry and exit at the 130-flex level is that an easy slide in is a nice bonus, but like a fat gratuity, should not be expected. Skiers looking for 130-level performance should be accomplished enough that they can put a boot on, and if they can't, we guess it's time to step it down to a 120-flex. Sorry guys.
The Hawx Prime is an example of how lighter weight can be achieved by way of thinner shell wall plastic construction. Atomic employs traditional polyurethane plastic in the cuff and lower shell in a stiff-enough form in thicker areas to provide a rigid, stable lever for attacking edge angles but also optimizing shell-wrapping for fit and closure by thinning out the wall thickness elsewhere. This thin but stiff plastic design can make the 130 a little tougher to get on, but the trade-off is for high levels of agility, responsiveness and accuracy of messaging to the ski. The Hawx Prime 130 S BOA received its highest score of 4.80 in the Quickness and Steering metric, and while testers liked the solid feel on edge they got with the Hawx Prime tipped over, they called-out the boot's fast twitch transitions and precision direction changes as its strong suit.
Testers like the full complement of top-shelf features, from quad pull loops on the liner to dual cuff adjusters, cam buckle power strap and GripWalk soles. There's a lot to love about the Atomic Hawx Prime, as always, and our advice to good skiers in the medium width market is to get one on their feet this Fall--our scores this time around didn't tell the whole story, we think.
The perennial favorite Mach1 MV W has returned but in a burlier, badder build--the 115 flex model! Testers have always loved the 105 flex and even the 95 flex for their consummate blends of power, quickness and comfort. And our test team applauded the step-up to the 115 flex in the LV Mach W boot previously, so it's no surprise that they love that new flex level brought to the medium width. Testers said the Mach1 MV 115 W delivered on all fronts without flaw and used more B-words: it's a boss, it's a beast, it's beautiful, they said.
What do you get in the bump up from the 105 to the 115? Well, you get 10 more! Ten more power, ten more quickness and ten more comfort, testers said--really! They found that the new MV was able to successfully "scale-up" performance from the 105 without causing unintended harshness of fit or reduction in convenience. Testers' reports were almost boring in their similarity--they unanimously had no problem with entry and exit, they all loved the flex feel, they found consensus on how balanced the stance was. Two-thirds of testers gave the Mach1 MV 115 W a perfect score (which in the most heavily stacked category in the women's test placed it in a three-way tie for second place!).
Who needs such a badass boot? Well, certainly any skier in the more-is-better camp, obviously, but also women who've often trended toward men's boots for a more robust cuff feel or any skier who's just been dubious that a 105-flex could really do the job for them all around the mountain, no matter how much it might "punch above its weight class." There is no reason to doubt how well this new Tecnica will perform for these tough customers. Interestingly, the cuff of the Mach1 MV 115 W is made of polypropylene rather than polyurethane (still found in the lower shell), which offers some weight reduction but testers did not find that it posed any issue with fore aft stability or a solid, damp feel that they've come to expect from Mach1 boots yet it may have lit up its quickness quotient a bit.
Yes, the Mach1 still comes with all the Custom Adaptive Shape goodies we've come to expect in the shell and liner, including a heat moldable tongue design. Testers didn't find that there were any glaring fit issues to worry about here--and for those who find the MV just a bit too snug, there is a 105-flex HV model with a proportionately opened-up fit throughout.
When testers start saying things like: a perfectly perfect all-mountain machine you know they've run out of superlatives with which to describe a stellar boot. This year's boot test offered up more good boots than our test team has ever seen, especially in the All-Mountain Traditional medium width group, but the Tecnica Mach1 MV 130 delivered (again) for our testers, who put the unchanged model back on the podium. It was nudged out of first place by a mere 0.01 point, so essentially it was a tie for the best of the best.
There's virtually nothing our test team doesn't like about the Mach1 MV 130. They unanimously praise the fit for being ideally shaped for the foot and leg with benchmark-style fit tension for the medium-volume audience. Testers say the liner is firm but well-shaped enough to avoid harshness or hotspots, and the gain with the higher density feel is less pack-out potential and a heightened connection from movement to the skis. Testers like the polyurethane build in the upper cuff and lower shell, fitted out with CAS dimpling for more permanently held stretches where needed. We've said this all before, and the boot hasn't changed since its last test, so we'll refer you to our cached, past reviews for more compliments on this boot.
This time around our testers gave the boot's stance a perfect score, which falls in line with the other boots in the Mach1 line (and Cochise line-up as well), and they say that this boot sets the standard for how a top-tier performance boot should handle on snow. They say it's powerful without feeling dull and quick edge-to-edge without ever lacking stability. This is one of those boots that simply makes skiers better, they said, and they reminded that the 120 and 110 flex options are equally good for the lighter, shorter or less aggressive.
When our testers start picking on power strap design (not everyone's hooked on the hook) and color in order to find something negative to comment on we figure it's a sign that things are close to flawless. But yeah, that orange has to go.
Testers were excited to experience Salomon's new BOA version of the medium width S/Pro Supra and their reaction to it was a little mixed, but with mostly good stuff ending up on their test forms. They liked the convenience of the BOA reel's one-click-at-a-time micro-adjustment and the intuitive nature of the gizmo, and they found the S/Pro Supra BOA 105 W GW to be quick to respond to edging and steering moves through a variety of different terrain and snow applications.
Testers were unanimous in their reported struggle to get this one on the foot and they pointed a tsk tsk finger at the BOA for restricting their entry (granted, they all feel like they deserve backstage passes everywhere they go). Once in, testers liked the solid heel pocket grip and firm ankle fit, which they said enhanced the boot's quickness and control over the ski once they were outside, going down. The cuff suited average calves nicely, but our thicker legged testers had some trouble finding enough power strap length to make the roundtrip (the catalog calls the strap style "screwed energyzer Velcro," which sounds exciting).
Testers said the 105-flex rating was understated as it held up dutifully to a severe pounding by our heavier, taller and more aggressive testers. A couple mentioned some bite spots over the top of the foot and at the base of the shin but they expected these would moderate with more skiing time or a liner cook job. Testers liked the micro-adjustment that the BOA cable routing provided but they said it took a little experimentation to find their goldilocks spot--they suggest testers back off tension a few clicks when needed rather than pop the BOA reel completely free to avoid having to re-spool excess cable to regain their happy place for the next descent.
The firm flex feel was coupled with a fairly upright feeling stance, so while this banished any overflexed quad burn testers mentioned that they needed to assertively move forward into the drivers seat to feel centered and a couple mentioned that a little bit of additional heel lift might have helped them out. Occasionally our test team might be guilty of prescribing to a stiffer-is-better ethos, but with the S/Pro Supra they suggested the 95-flex version could be worth a try for good-bang-for-buck and a more easily engaged, forward flex feel. However, there is a spectacular pink colorway available in the 105 Supra BOA, so...choices, choices.
First, forget the BOA business for a bit. Testers say the new S/Pro Supra 120 (see, no BOA) is a fantastic boot, period. They loved the classic, soft and anatomically shaped Salomon liner feel and called it a perfect medium width fit. One tester said it was the best Salomon fit since the X-Wave (that's dating our test team, huh?). Another tester said: Great overall fit. Fits great, skis even better. What about BOA? I forgot this had one. That's a compliment, I think.
The point is the BOA part of the S/Pro Supra 120 experience was an enhancement of an already great boot, not the headlining feature or raison d'etre. Did the test team like the BOA? Hell yes, they did--they had nothing (pretty much) bad to say about it, and thought that it added a cool new closure element to the mix. Testers think that the BOA lower boot closure functions as billed to incrementally wrap the foot in a snug boot burrito, one click at a time. They think that BOA will be a hit with skiers of all sorts--with the exception of those skiers who are categorically opposed to knobs or twisty things and the generally close-minded folks who wish to live in the past (not that there's anything wrong with that). Testers didn't find that the BOA cabling posed any impediment to entry, except for two guys but they were both Vermonters, so we kinda ignored 'em. Testers suggest that folks don't worry about how many clicks is just right and instead go by feel (though there is a visual tightness indicator at the shell overlap for those who just can't let go and feel it). Testers suggest folks don't over do it because the cranking power is substantial if you really go after some ski town wrist twisting. Reducing cable tension is best done by just backing off the reel a bit, clickety click, rather than pull-popping the reel into full release mode and having to re-spool the slack when it's time to lock 'er down again.
Ski performance was on par with Salomon's best medium width models, or perhaps better, as testers mentioned there was less lag from turn to turn and the response to quick steering movements was nearly immediate. Testers were surprised at the agility of what they thought might be just a comfy cruiser--it's got game for a skier who's able to wring it out of it, they said. However, testers say the comfortable fit is world class. It's Anatomical Fit score was a 4.80 and it's Convenience, Warmth & Features score was a perfect 5.00 after 15 separate tests. The huge number of tests performed on this boot is a testament to what will probably be its shelf appeal this season--testers suggest that good skiers with average foot and leg shapes put this on the short list and say don't wait too long to find one for try-on.
The Salomon S/Pro Alpha 130 EL impressed our test team even more than last year with its nearly flawless combination of narrow class fit and no-compromises downhill performance. Testers scored it well enough for a tied first place finish in the most competitive All-Mountain narrow category and said pithy things like: The ski reacts with subservience to this boot.
We tested the Alpha last year when it was first released, and our love for it was not a fluke, as evidenced by this year's second look and testers' sophomore love fest. What our testers loved this time around echoed their first--a classically Salomon liner feel mated to a powerhouse of a boot without performance flaws.
The fit is shockingly soft and smooth against the sock, from first slide-in to taking it off at the end of the day, testers said. And yet this silky, well padded, anatomically draped and painted-on liner feel didn't equate to a constant re-buckle on pack-out. Testers said it managed to hold fast to the foot and remain consistently tight, while simultaneously caressing the foot. In a boot fit brain tease, our testers were forced to confront the fact that they were calling this boot TIGHT (in all caps) while at the same time calling it COMFY (yes, caps again). There were no mentions of hot spots about the S/Pro Alpha 130 EL. There were multiple mentions of how well the Alpha contoured over the top of the foot and transitioned through the instep and into the boot throat, then on up the leg shaft against the shin. This midfoot to shin transition is one of the best our team's ever felt in a narrow, 130-flex boot. It's snug but somehow ideally shaped for a variety of different insteps and shins. For skiers with chronic instep and shin issues this boot is a must-try-on, according to our testers.
Somehow such comfort didn't deduct from the S/Pro Alpha 130's power on edge, which was given a perfect 5.00 after eleven testers each had their way with it. It's quickness score received a 4.89, so that didn't suck much either. Testers noted that the lateral stance is ever so slightly inside-edgy, which translated into massive trenching power but made for a slightly hooky or locked-up feel in soft snow slithers. These picky testers said it was within the range of an easy cuff adjustment using the eliptical, metal-to-metal adjustment mechanism. Testers say the stance is a touch upright, with a slightly lower-than-average internal ramp angle feel, which leveraged big power to the shovel once a skier made the move forward, but they caution that less assertive skiers will need to get on their A-game to stay out in front of this boot when it's time to go.
Testers dig the bootfitter-centric features, like the moldable Talyn liner tongue and fully dismantleable (totally takeapartable?) buckle and cuff attachment hardware, and they appreciate the placement of the instep buckle closer to the actual instep and with additional adjustment on that location. The 50mm cam buckle power strap does the job for our testers. And the blue? Well, we suppose nothing's perfect. No offense, Smurfs.
The Roxa R/Fit Pro W 105 caught testers' eye with its Ocean Blue cosmetic and Coral highlights, but they ended up liking it most for its solid lateral movements game, saying it was both quick to transition and solid on edge through varied terrain and snow surfaces.
Testers thought that the fit map was unique in that it trended to the snug side of the medium boots tested alongside it and it had both a short toebox feel coupled with a less-than-tight heel pocket. Testers wondered if adding some fill pads at the front of the liner's instep area might better hold the heel in place and simultaneously open the fit, lengthwise. They said the ankle pockets were nicely located and sculpted and testers liked the snug but comfortable fit through the instep into the lower leg shaft. The calf was on the narrow side of medium for our test team.
The R/Fit Pro W 105 came with some useful features like double sided cuff adjustments (though testers liked the boot's stance straight out of the box), dual liner pull loops and GripWalk soles that came mounted on the boot but with Alpine DIN soles in the box as well.
Testers liked how easily the boot skied in a variety of turn shapes and sizes and thought that it would be a great option for a lot of different skiers once the liner got heat molded.
Testers who had tested the R/Fit boot previously said that this year's R/Fit 130 was the best version they've tested. They liked this year's clean finish and well-executed details like the quick-release rip cord on the cam buckle power strap, dual sided cuff adjustment and dual pull loops on board the Ultralon 4D Biofit liner, but what they liked best about the R/Fit 130 is how well it motors through whatever they point it at. It's a polyurethane-powered all-mountain damp destroyer, they said, citing its unflappable, dependable attitude in both short and long turns.
Testers found the fit was a little less polished but it got the job done for most of our average volume feet and legs. Testers said that the fit is slightly shorter in length than the norm and slightly cramped in the toebox, but had ample room at the forefoot. Testers noted that the cuff accommodated medium to large calves quite well but left our slender-legged guys clanging around a bit, searching for support from buckles and straps. A few testers mentioned that the flex feel was firm (as expected for a 130 flex) but also started out with a bit of shin bite at the boot top. They followed-up to say that after skiing a few runs this fit zone did improve.
Testers extrapolated that the 120-flex R/Fit might offer a slighter softer feel against the shin and still punch well above its weight class based on the solidity of the 130 we tested--and save an extra 75-bucks. Another option Roxa offers at the 130-flex level would be to opt for the Intuition (I.R.) tongue-style liner for a $50 up-charge.
Our women's test team is an open-minded bunch--they've given lots of different types of boots a fair shake over the years, whether they were overlap designs or cabrio-style three-piece constructions, or even removable soft boot exoskeleton affairs. They're an inclusive crew, and now it's clear that they are also, absolutely not, flexist. The Rossignol Pure 80 was far-and-away the softest model tested this year, but testers said that for its intended target it delivered on all criteria: fit, performance, stance, features and convenience. They gave it a near-perfect 4.80 (out of 5.00) which put it in the company of the test's best perennial performers.
With only two caveats (they hated the grey color and said it was a little more snug than expected for a 102-mm) lobbed in the Pure 80's direction, testers overwhelmingly loved this boot for how it over-delivered in every way, but with particular regard to it's flex-index rating and price tag.
They said that the shape was well-mapped for the wider foot and thicker leg, though a couple testers said it trended to the snug side of the wide ride group. They thought the heel and ankle pockets were appropriately snug for the target and liked the flare at the boot top for a thicker calf and the room at the forefoot for a broad spread there. They thought the liner's fur accents were a nice touch but not quite enough to compensate for the dull grey exterior--though, they did say the color-way played into its stealthy price-point sleeper persona.
Testers loved how well this boot skied, with virtually all testers registering some level of surprise over how strongly the supposed 80-flex drove skis through a variety of terrain choices and snow surfaces. They said the stance was balanced, the steering response was near-immediate and the stability was confidence-inspiring. They said the Pure 80 is a no-brainer for any thick-footed intermediate or cost-conscious advanced skier looking for a comfy-warm slam dunk boot buy.
