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 G2 100 Powerfit M (for “m”edium height cuff) is a compact alpine assault vehicle for chargers with low volume feet. It’s a sleeper that performs at top-of-class levels while selling at a bargain basement price.
Tight in the way of a bygone boot era, especially at the toebox and forefoot. The thermo-moldable liner will open up a bit after heat customization but this boot is definitely best for the slender-footed and those with a trusted bootfitter.
The rest of the lower fit is tight too, but not in a bad way. Testers with low volume feet were big fans, citing improvements in anatomical shaping and liner feel compared to previous versions. The cuff fits snug but isn’t overly high on the leg, so skiers with average volume calves will do fine here, testers said.
Minimalist all-mountain ripper was the on-snow consensus. There was never any hesitation launching into turns and it inspired confidence without being overly demanding. Testers said this was a fun boot to ski, everywhere. Quick steering moves born of the snug fit were evident. They liked the lively, snappy flex that popped them back to a neutral position with every turn.
Stripped down, no-frills. The G2 looks down its nose at extravagances like cuff adjustments and such. It does, however, have a double pull loop liner and grippy replaceable soles.
A slimmed-down version of the well-liked MV, this 98mm width performer suited our aggressive skiing testers who like it tight and don’t mind getting a little boot work done. The clever C.A.S. (Custom Adaptive Shape) technology makes it easier for your bootfitter to dial the fit spot-on.
Testers thought the toebox was roomy for a narrow-targeted boot but they felt appropriate 98mm grip on the 6th toe, ankles and navicular bone. That’s as it should be for this category, they said. The cuff runs a touch high on the leg, a fact our taller testers applauded. All liked the sculpted feel of the liner.
Persistent control and predictable power. Strong but not overly aggressive, quick without feeling twitchy. Testers liked the leverage the cuff exerted on the edge laterally; it was easy to engage and keep it locked-in at high speeds on hard snow. Some testers had first-fit shin feel issues; it was overly firm at slide-in but eased into a comfort zone after a little hill time.
The dimpled areas of the C.A.S. (Custom Adaptive Shape) shell and liner are designed to make bootfitting modifications targeted and permanent. Bootfitters can grind or punch exactly where needed, not in a sloppy wholesale fashion that renders key fit zones too-loose. Bravo Tecnica.
The two top-scoring women's boots in our 2016 test were both Tecnicas and this is one of them. The Mach1 105 W MV received unanimous thumbs-ups from our testers. It had a universal fit and skied exceptionally well. Wide feet, narrow feet, big calves, little calves all seemed to welcome riding in it.
Works well for many different foot and leg types. The anatomical shape of the liner and shell match the curves of bony prominences like bunions, navicular bones, ankles and heel bumps. It contours nicely around those common trouble spots and holds the rear part of the foot snug for solid skiing. Fit scores were right down the middle medium, and "ideal" boxes were frequently checked in the cuff height, tongue cushioning and flex feel categories.
Eager quickness and a powerful edging acumen flowed from a centered, neutral stance. Testers said the spot-on fore-aft and side-to-side balance was the key to the Mach1 MV's superior on-snow performance. It inspired “eyes-closed” confidence in all conditions. The 105 flex worked for all testers. It’s suitable for race bred chargers looking for an easier fit package as well as intermediates looking to step up their game.
The beauty of the medium width Mach1 is that most skiers won't need to employ the C.A.S. (Custom Adaptive Shape) technology available in the liner and shell; it fits that well right out of the box. But the liner is capable of being heat-stretched in specific locations as well as ground to ease peak pressure points. The dimpled shell areas help bootfitters make well-defined punches in key locations that stay put.
Make more room exactly where needed, not in a sloppy wholesale fashion that renders key fit zones too-loose as a byproduct. Bravo Tecnica.
So many numbers, letters and punctuation it’s a wonder our testers remembered the name of the boot they were testing. What they definitely remembered was how well it skied. Super performance for the thicker foot and calf at an unbeatable price, the Ten.2 85 W C.A. was a top volume and value combo.
Open in the toebox, forefoot, instep and calf, right where skiers with wide last feet are looking for extra room to maneuver. Yet it remains snug enough for performance skiing at the heel and ankle pockets. Testers liked the additional room available at the boot top provided by the calf adjustment mechanism.
When a boot fits like an extra wide slipper, high performance isn't typically the first association one makes. But testers though this 85 flex held up just fine on high speed groomers and crud bashing missions. Several noted that the fore-aft stance is a little more forward than most other wides, so it teams best with a flatter-ramped binding. That will prevent an accidental over-flexed set up and the resulting burning quads. Talk to your bootfitter about this if you are unsure about the proper marriage.
Pretty basic but pretty effective. Three buckles, a 45mm Velcro power strap and a Merino wool liner.
Far and away the best Apex we’ve ever tested. Boot sole lengths have been trimmed by a whopping full centimeter for better responsiveness. It sports a re-designed, easy-entry boot toe-to-chassis interface. Testers were impressed with the improved skiing performance and mobility from the XP's more compact form.
The inner boot's new dual Boa serpentine lacing system was re-designed to provide better instep retention. It pulls the foot deeper into the heel pocket and in doing do improves the toebox length fit. In past Apex models, testers had to upsize a full sole length; most skied their normal test size in the XP.
Fit still runs shorter than the average boot, so trying on both size options is wise. In addition to liner lacing revisions (and new construction utilizing foot-warming Thinsulate) the chassis’ instep buckle is likewise re-designed. It now has a three-point sliding attachment that allows the buckle strap to home in on the instep for better foot retention in the frame. Testers liked the fit and feel of the inner boot but some had ongoing problems with hot spots at the navicular, outside ankle bone and styloid process. Liner molding helped but several testers noted they'd need to make frame modifications to ski the XP regularly. Minor grinding and stretching of the nanofiber reinforced nylon chassis is possible.
Testers agreed the XP was the best skiing Apex they'd tested. It’s laterally strong. Power resides in the tall rear spine of the frame; tipping and ripping was the name of the game when the innerboot remained centered in the rear-spine's grip by way of working off the back of the boot.
Testers said that the flex, while tunable for stiffness with elastomer bumpers, has a limited travel range. They found the best success piloting with side-to-side moves rather than driving hard toward the front of the boot.
Testers skied the boot both stock and customized. Most found the stock lateral stance set up slightly looser (less inside edge grip) than average. Some liked the slippery, steery feel out of the box; others found that making a simple lateral shaft adjustment unlocked the XP's latent horsepower on edge.
For many, the walkable inner boot is the Apex concept's best feature. It’s a lightweight, warm and comfy shoe that’s suited for après-ski activities and easy travel from car to lift and beyond. The innerboot’s dual, coiler Boa reel closure system is quite effective. Testers used the Boas to fine tune fit tension to their foot and leg volume.
There is now a veritable flock of Hawx models; 13 on the men's side in three width options. Magna is the big bird, the Golden eagle, no, the friggin Andean condor of the group. It’s marked as a 102mm width but it fits huge. Testers said this was the very best of the “buckets;”megafeet will do well here.
Though massive in overall volume, it's not a box. It has shape for the normal parts of a foot and leg, just on a larger anatomical scale. Testers found decent heel hold and ankle grip. There was enough for lower volume foot testers to still enjoy the ski experience. Our thicker footed guys that could partway fill up the Hallowed Halls of Magna loved the way it matched their curves.
Hawx Magna 130 is deceptively quick edge-to-edge and of course, strong as an ox (or a condor) on all manner of snow surfaces. High speeds did not daunt it, nor did our biggest, heaviest guys who said the 130 flex handled everything they pushed it with. Testers said this is a perfect match for technical skiers with massive dogs.
The Power Shift feature is on all Hawx models. It adjust forward lean angles (three-positions) and stiffness (two options). The cuff adjustment on the Magna 130 is dual-sided for additional lateral adjustment range. In case the Magna still isn't big enough, the Memory Fit shell molding process can expand the cave even further. The molding process involves five minutes of cooking followed by a two minute molding session and rapid two minute cool down period.
Magna, Ultra and now Prime. If we didn’t know better we’d think Atomic cribbed its naming scheme from a condom manufacturer. Prime is new in name alone; it is Atomic’s venerable 100mm Hawx model, sitting in the middle of husky-sized brother Magna and skinny brother Ultra. The Prime 130 is not concerned, confident in its position as a medium-width icon whose status is borne out by years of boot test success and soaring sales.
While this is an “everyman boot” and both our skinny, low-volume foot testers and thicker, heftier footed folks climbed in and made it work, the real attraction of the 100mm Hawx fit is its vaulted ceiling over the instep and its open, flared boot top. That makes it a great mate for skiers with thicker feet and muscular calves who want the performance response a medium width boot would provide. Easy on and off and straightforward closure make the Hawx a favorite slam dunk fit with testers (many of whom come from ABB shops that sell lots of this boot all season long).
The Hawx Prime 130 shines as one of those boots that any skier can slam on and go skiing everywhere and anywhere in any snow, on any terrain and at any speed with control and confidence. Stance angles are a bit on the upright side of the spectrum but dead-on balanced. Flex is on target and progressive. Testers made many comments about its strong edging skills.
As with other Hawx models the Power Shift mechanism allows adjustment for forward lean (3-position) and for stiffness and Memory Fit shell molding provides an option for the really wide or thick of foot or calf to cook, stand and go.
Hey, let's capitalize on Hawx name but do it in a narrow last and let's risk it all on a totally new mold concept using completely different plastic—hope we don't screw it up! They didn't. Hawx Ultra was the biggest and best surprise of the test. Testers unanimously agreed that it meets or beats current standard-bearers for fit and performance and does so in a compact and lightweight package. Nicely done.
Testers were pleasantly shocked at the amount of extra length, width and height the Ultra's toebox offered. With a boot sole length 5mm shorter than average. The new Progressive Shell shaping employs thick and stiff plastic in power control zones; shell walls are thinner in non-critical areas which accounts for the increased internal length dimensions.
The forefoot has an ample medium fit; it tapers snugly to the rearfoot with a very firm grip on the ankles and heel. The Grilamid (aka nylon) cuff is thin and wraps well around the leg shaft creating an exceptionally even fit along the shin. The Grilamid cuff and mass reduction of the polyurethane lower boot combine for a noticeably light feel.
What's the benefit of using lighter weight plastics used in all-mountain ski boots? Not much if it doesn't ski as well as the polyurethane and polyether category stalwarts. Well, it only took testers about three turns each to know that the Hawx Ultra 130 was not only in the performance ballpark but was actually knocking one out of it. Home run!
Strong, snappy, agile and awesome. Testers said it skis like a super-lightweight race boot with a tuned-in feel for the snow underfoot. The flex is surprisingly long but comes to a firm stopping point without folding or collapsing. It loads heaps of energy onto the front of the ski for fun, dynamic turns.
The Hawx Ultra has a heat-moldable Memory Fit shell. That means the Memolink additive is in the plastic. The molding process involves five minutes of cooking followed by a two minute molding session and rapid two minute cool down period. It provides an even and open fit.
Testers stressed this was an entirely optional process. The Ultra fit fine right out of the box. As with other Hawx models, the Power Shift adjustment can tweak both forward lean angles and flex resistance. In addition to dual-side lateral cuff adjustment, cant shims specific to the Ultra are available in half-degree increments from 0.5 to 3.0 degrees. Stance geeks approve.
This creature of leisure is more wide body than medium but testers loved the initial liner feel and said it skied surprisingly well.
Once testers accepted the huge amount of room (for a claimed 100mm last) and judged it more like a wide ride, they found lots to like here. The liner is pure, dreamy-lazy pillow talk on the foot. It was one of the nicest initial comfort feels of the test. The instep is tall and the cuff is wide open for big calves.
Cadillac comfort while swishing big sweeping S-curves. It’s doesn’t reload quickly but its more than adequate in medium- and long-radius arcs. Its low ramp angle bootboard and upright cuff makes this a dreamy pow-skiing ride, but testers said it took some pilot effort to get into the driver's seat (tongue) and engage the shovel.
The My Fit System is a liner and shell molding option, available on 60% of Dalbello's line. It keeps Dalbello in line with the custom Joneses but it takes one heck of a thick foot and leg to need more room here.
Fully custom-built in every way possible to each owner’s personal foot and leg dimensions. Local dealers take measurements and send them to DaleBoot’s Salt Lake City factory where shell components are tailored in tricky fit areas. It’s fine-tuned with a full thermo-molded Intuition liner. Stance is adjustable with DaleBoot's unique and effective snap-on canting soles. Like DaleBoot’s more popular VFF Pro, the ST utilizes a thin shell wall construction that puts the foot in direct connection with the ski, but it has a much stiffer cuff lay-up for carving man-size trenches.
We tested the ST built as a wide but it can be made plug-boot narrow or cataclysmically large. Dealer partners take foot measurements and tracings and the factory delivers each boot customized for the individual skier. Dealers do final fitting and make other modifications as needed upon delivery. All that personal attention is included in the price.
Our testers tried a variety of different DaleBoot liner styles. ST liners are available in spiral wrap and traditional tongue designs as well as in different densities and volumes. Testers liked the ability to make those personalized choices. Testers new to DaleBoot's signature three-piece closure system, old-school buckle bales and reverse throw levers always struggle a bit at first, but the learning curve is swift.
The ST's on-snow character is a unique synergy of its brutishly powerful upper cuff and its thin-walled high density polyether lower shell. The combination yields ridiculously strong edging in a lightweight package with highly sensitive feel for the snow. Most testers thought the flex was 130-plus and with more time might have softened the flex a bit during our custom tests. So there’s plenty up top.
DaleBoot’s three-quarter length bootboard puts the forefoot directly on top of the shell’s thin plastic floor for a hyper-aware foot feel you don't find in other boots. The bootboard is also adjustable for ramp angle and rearfoot varus or valgus via threaded posts.
Slam-on, out-of-box skiing performance for the thicker medium width foot. No molding process to worry about and an extra $200 in your pocket. Testers liked the RC Pro 120 Thermoshape for its predictable performance and easy fit.
Testers unanimously agreed that the toebox and forefoot room was more on par with wide last boots than the medium width Fischer says this boot is. The instep and navicular bone fit zones, however, were true medium-width snug. A snug fit through the ankles and lower boot shaft handled lower volume legs well. For guys with enough forefoot width and toe splay, this can be a magic boot. The cozy, comfy liner was praised by all.
With an upright and balanced feel, the RC Pro 120 Thermoshape rallied through off-piste chunkiness and smooth surfaces alike, testers said. Quickness scores were hampered by excess movement in the lower boot for some. Thicker-footed guys found it had a snappy-enough short radius turn in its quiver. Testers liked its steering skills for soft snow schmears, and said it had legit on-edge cred once it was rolled up to a higher edge angle.
First, testers loved the cosmetics; some said it was the nicest looking boot in the test. Second, this a straightforward, honest affair without much bedazzlement. There’s no lateral cuff adjustment, no Vacuum. It does have four buckles, a Velcro power strap and grippy soles. What more do you really need?
For average to wider feet. The Descendant 8's Intuition liner opens up after cooking to take advantage of the Full Tilt Evolution 102mm shell shape. Super soft and a bit forward-leaning. This one's best for shin love and lightweights. Very easy to get on and off.
Testers were generally unimpressed with the Descendent’s off-the-rack fit. It had a variety of hot spots and was much shorter lengthwise than average. After liner molding with toe caps and pre-padding for prominences, testers had a much more favorable opinion of its fit. However, for the Descendent to fit like a 102mm last, testers suggest going up a size from your norm. In fact, Full Tilt recommends that skiers go with their street shoe size whereas most other brands fit properly at least one size smaller.
In edging movements the Descendent 8 is able and fun, especially in soft snow. The padded liner underfoot makes for a muted, dampened ride that knocks down vibrations. Most testers, especially taller heavier guys, felt that the cuff was too soft and didn’t provide enough forward support. They also felt the ramp angle of the bootboard was a bit steep, compounding the feeling of spilling out over the top of the boot.
We like the Intuition liner for its moldability, light weight and warmth. The combination of spiral wrapped liner and three piece shell makes the Descendent incredibly easy on and off.
