While the Fischer RC4 105 LV BOA is a Vacuum boot and one of the unique qualities about the Fischer Vacuum molding system is that it can compress the shell around the foot, actually making a heel p
The Ten.2 120 HVL has risen again as one of the favorite wide-loads of the boot test, putting its predecessor Phoenix deeper in its grave! This boot returns unchanged from last year, when it debuted with more anatomical shaping throughout the shell and liner for a better match with the wide foot. This look (and feel) features a revised asymmetric toe box shape, very high instep fit, and more sculpted ankle and heel—though still roomy as a bus!
One of the most noticeable elements was the more flared and more padded boot top, with better liner cushioning for both shin and calf and plenty of room for a big one (calf), at that. Testers agreed that for the thick footed aggressive skier, the Ten.2 has what it takes. Laterally strong was a unanimous description—plenty of edge power and firm enough in forward flex but definitely with a more progressive, longer travel flex feel than Tecnica's wide boots of yore.
The fore-aft stance is very upright, even with the removable Velcro spoiler installed, and a few testers felt they might utilize a little heel lift, which for the shorter guys would help with the height of the cuff, which is a little tall on the leg—great boot for gargantuans but widely workable for the rest of us too.
The new Mach1 series represents the biggest (and we think coolest) changes made to Tecnica’s line since the company ditched the swinging hinge on its upper cuff. The Mach1 represents a return to Tecnica’s performance design roots. The key element here is the acute attention paid to matching the shape of the human foot and lower leg, starting inside the boot and working out.
The new C.A.S. liner (Custom Adaptive Shape) sports a squarer toebox shape, room for the pesky navicular bone on top of the foot and anatomically correct ankle and heel pockets. The liner is closely sculpted around the shape of the foot using a fairly stiff, heat-moldable exterior material Tecnica calls Microcell. The contours are plainly visible in the perforated orange exterior layer. The new Mach1 shell is similarly fashioned to match those curves meaning that liner and shell shape are well integrated from the start. The shell's upper cuff is also shaped to better match the skier's lower leg profile. At 15mm higher than the cuff employed on its predecessor Demon, it provides better power and leverage to the ski.
None of this would be much more than marketing spew if our testers hadn't overwhelmingly loved this boot and by virtually unanimous vote pushed it up onto the top tier of the All-Mountain Traditionalist category podium with a select few others in this competitive group.
The Mach1 definitely sits on the generous side of the medium fit spectrum—another joining the current manufacturing trend to hedge toward the roomy side of medium fit. Not that this is a bad thing. Testers with a variety of foot shapes liked the fit but noted more length, toebox and forefoot width and instep height than the average medium width model. A few even downsized for testing with no gripes. Across the board they liked the contained heel and ankle fit. They said the contoured grip was ready to go out-of-the-box. Ski performance was bombproof and precise, according to testers who gave it evenly matched top scores for power, agility, balance and comfort.
The G2 110 continues to get better no matter what badge it wears (It was formerly a Garmont until Scott bought the company two seasons ago). This 110 is one of the most agile, reactive boots on the market according to testers who yet again found little fault here.
The G2 remains a stripped down, fundamental performance boot. There’s not much feature glitz but there is plenty of on-snow glamour. Testers liked the way the G2 generated plenty of edge power and elicited immediate response from the ski. The flex is firm (stronger than its marked 110) but evenly distributed against the shin with a springy quality that invites dynamic fall line skiing.
The lower fits a little short, is a little narrow in the forefoot and runs a touch low over the top of the foot. It’s more contained that most other narrows which makes this a perfect nest for a low volume foot. That foot should probably be attached to a fairly slender lower leg too, as the calf fit is tight with the rear spoiler installed even with buckles on their lightest settings.
Keep in mind that the G2's new liner is a fully heat moldable Ultralon EVA design, which will significantly relax the fit as needed once its formed to the foot and shell. Testers liked this improvement for the fit options it provided as well as its light weight and improved warmth.
Testers preferred the boot with the rear spoiler in place but a few mentioned that the boot was raked a little further forward than what’s found in most current boots. Some suggested thinning the spoiler thickness a few millimeters would kill two birds with one stone, opening up calf fit and creating a more upright stance. That’s something a bootfitter can easily accomplish for you.
The lateral set-up was ideal for virtually all testers. That’s good because there is no cuff adjustment available on the G2. So if you’ve got some wacky stance needs, this may not a good place to start your boot hunt. On the upside, no cuff adjustment means direct connection of upper to lower for maximum transmission of skier radness straight to ski—and that is what this boot is all about.
The X Pro 130 was our testers' favorite Salomon model this year. They liked the combination of X-Max-style on-piste power blended with a little more width and a thicker, more anatomically shaped liner. The stance angles put them right where they wanted to be and the boot skied with a strong blend of go-anywhere performance and comfort.
This was the first time for testers on the 130 flex X Pro (we sampled the 120 last year) and they said it was plenty solid. Our biggest, strongest testers welcomed the sturdy, firm flex feel and tall upper cuff. Our shorter and lighter guys felt a bit overmatched and said the 120 would be plenty for them.
The yawning width range cited here is based on executing a 360 Custom Shell cook job. After cooking, the shell’s magical heat-moldable plastic takes only five minutes to expand around the foot and lower leg. Our tests have shown that the 6mm range is no exaggeration—slam a Sasquatch foot inside and it will push the plastic waaay out. The out-of-box fit is roomy and long in the forefoot and toebox, yet snug through instep and ankle. The liner is firm and pre-shaped to match the foot with an aggressive grip on the heel.
The X Pro technology brings about some intriguing fit and performance decisions. The 360 Custom Shell’s enormous stretching capabilities led some testers to drop down a size and use the molding process to regain comfort—but now in a tightly-wrapped performance package. Our shorter legged testers often liked the lower-cuff feel that came with dropping to a shorter shell length.
The X Pro boots also come in five different men’s flexes. Each step down knocks a hundred bucks off the suggested retail price so buy only as much resistance as you need and leave some ka-ching in your pocket.
Testers were amused by the Freesoul 10's Harlem Globetrotters' sweat band boot cuff and they liked the boot's feel against the shin throughout its very long flex range. But testers also pointed out that the boot's lack of support fore-aft made it difficult to transmit energy to the ski and edging power was similarly limited.
While entry and exit received high scores, testers weren't enamored of the three different styles and directions of buckles that seemed to complicate the closure without any redeeming purpose.
Testers all felt that the boot was being tested a bit unfairly, a bit outside of its designated target application—the park—and felt that it could be an adequate shock-absorber for cool kids wanting to get from feature to feature in style.
The Bold 120 returns this season with some cool upgrades—completely revised Intuition liner, midsole grip and rad, new electric lime color—all of which added up to a more appealing package for testers.
The Roxa Bold 120 test results were still something of a split decision this year—some testers loved the upright stance and solid feel on snow while others had issues with an inconsistent fit. Though testers liked the improvements that the Intuition liner brought, many commented that the toebox and heel were both quite tight, though the fit in between lacked a snug feel. Testers suggested heat molding with toecaps to better even out the fit tension throughout.
All testers agreed that the tipped-out stance angle of the cuff loaded a lot of power (and inside edge bias) to the ski, which made the Bold a ripper on smooth groomers.
Testers liked the Bold 120's side to side predictability but didn't characterize it as lightning quick—a reliable ride with adequate support for all-mountain ventures at a heck of a price was the takeaway.
If you're only going to offer one narrow lasted boot aside from your race product, it better be a good one. Perhaps Rossignol put extra effort into developing the Experience SI 130 since it's surrounded by a bunch of mediums and wides and extra wides. Or maybe the brand’s lone soldier feels like it has to work that much harder for lack of back-up.
No matter the reason, it did it again—top of the class for the second year running on the All-Mountain Traditionalist category podium shared with a very select few. It actually got better scores than the RX 130 LV (its psychic twin), and you know that has to tweak the Lange folks, them being so performancey and all.
Why does the low-key, Mr. Nice Guy, under-the-radar Experience SI 130 do so well? Some testers like to say its strong genetics drawn from the long-gone B Squad line. The bloodlines have finally thinned out to a point where the masses can appreciate the power and accuracy that remains. Others said that it's the new pigment in the shell plastic that gives it renewed juju. Most just pointed to a flawless stance, a great flex feel, and a liner that grips the heel and ankle like a race boot with a relaxed fit around the rest of the foot. That’s the key to building a great narrow boot in the all-mountain category.
Minor liner changes this year continued to bump the fit scores forward. There were few fit complaints cited on test forms. It's tight, but middle-of-the road tight for the 97mm group and evenly so. There’s a little extra forgiveness up front in the squared-off toebox and slightly open forefoot. Testers noted that the cutaway plastic instep pocket on the tongue helps relax fit over the top of the midfoot.
Sometimes, when boots get blown up to big boy proportions, the proportions get blown out—not here, testers said. The Alias Sensor 120 boasts a monstrous fit that maintains a shape that makes sense again this year (though it returns with a new cosmetic and revised liner toebox).
The width of the boot is huge in toebox and forefoot, but similarly so over the top of the foot and through the instep, where big, thick feet usually have a lot of volume. Testers said that the transition from the top of the foot through the throat of the boot and up into the shin was perfectly engineered for comfort and support of a power forward's hoof and lower leg. And yet testers found that the heel and ankle pocket was still shaped to contain and control those areas for accurate edging moves on the hill. There isn't much fancy going on, but testers said that was just fine—a strong 120 flex to support the big, good skier that needs a real 104 mm cargo hold lower boot was all the Alias 120 needed to put together with its fit and stance for them to push it above the cut in this category.
Testers didn't mind the lack of rear spoiler here, probably not needed for the crusher calf, but the skinny legged may notice the Alias 120's upright stance. Our test team thought the balanced position this boot created was perfect for the target. Tall, strong and ready for whatever a good skier may drive it into.
We think boots like the Patron Pro could save the sport of skiing. First, by strapping into this boot a skier would be reminded that a boot is supposed to fit snug, like it means business, tight like there is intent to rip at the highest level. Next, it would grab hold of that skier and re-train him on how to properly stand on skis—there will be flex in the ankle, there will be a bend in the knee—if that feels foreign to him he will either ski more, get himself to the gym, or quit. Assuming the former, this skier would realize that the absolute power and precision of this boot is too much for his worn-out, bought-online junk sticks and be forced to go straight into the shop to buy an all-mountain performance ski that suitably matches this performance boot. Then, after skiing like some crazed, heroic version of himself all day long, this skier will buy drinks in the bar, decide to go heli skiing, and re-commit his life to the sport.
Well, we think this could happen, and we'd like to think that a boot experience could be life-changing, but one thing that we are sure about is that the new Patron Pro is all of that stuff we just mentioned. It is the archetype of the ski boot that all the best skiers envision—it is functional, but it is unadorned. It is not fluffy, it is not soft, it is not medium-anything. It is full-throttle, narrow class, stiff and unapologetically strong on edge. It wants you to be a better skier, no matter how good you already are.
That said, this version (revised last year) has a wonderfully cushioned shin fit compared to its previous self and its former calf jabbing tendencies have been resolved. The toebox and forefoot (while still performance-fit) are more anatomically shaped and opened-up. Testers loved the touches on this off-road Dobie (essentially what it is) and wondered how Nordica was able to keep the power and precision of the track machine but combine it with what felt like big-travel suspension. Specifically, the more flexible bootboard design did the trick, along with those liner changes that better distribute shock and help the foot to seat flat to the boot floor.
Dennis Hopper boot. Get it? Easy rider! (nobody gives a shit about Peter Fonda) Easy on, easy fit, easy to ski, easy to like, said testers. The all-new NXT N1 is Nordica's wide rider too—it's 102mm with room to spare, testers say.
The open-for-business lower will comfortably house the largest, thickest of feet, and the boot's clever Cuff Profile calf adjuster can flare open the back of the boot top to accommodate even elephantine calves. This one is designed to never elicit even a hint of foot squeeze at initial try-on. It runs long, gives weight-bearing forefoot splay a wide berth and wraps it all in a soft (but not mushy) liner.
But if you think the NXT is all comfort and no performance, think again. Testers gave it high marks for smooth transitions turn-to-turn, a solid connection to the ski and a relaxed, upright stance that makes all-day cruising an attainable goal. Some testers said it didn’t really hit the 120 flex mark but with the next-step-down N2 at 100, that's probably as it should be—let’s call it a 113.25 flex.
Laterally and torsionally the boot held up to abuse with a damp and easygoing attitude. It was just fine everywhere on the Bachelor volcano, testers said, and will be a fine ride for most good skiers with higher volume feet and legs. Thick footed charger-rippers may want to go with NRGy, because NXT may just not appreciate the stress. Skiing's supposed to be fun, right?
Testers who've been following Nordica's medium-width boot evolution over the past few years were excited—and anxious—to ski the all-new NRGy Pro 1 after faltering starts with former Hell & Back and Fire Arrow models. Just getting it on their feet inside gave them good vibes. After just a few turns on the hill, they broke into smiles—it skis! After a couple runs their heart rate monitors edged higher. It really skis!
Testers found the flex even and natural—though a firm and upright 130 flex for sure. It used that functional flex to crush all manner of terrain and mix it up, turn-shape-wise, through variable snow and over smooth surfaces. Nordica’s return to a polyurethane shell construction from Triax plastic used previously put a smile on the face of our testers who liked its predictable, snappy feel. They also agreed that the neutral balance underfoot made for smooth, strong turns anywhere. The NRGy is a versatile platform and the 130 version we tested matched particularly well to bigger, stronger-skiing guys.
The cuff rides slightly taller than average in the category, so some of our shorter testers struggled to get out in front of the stout upper. They suggested that the 120- or 110-flex Pro 2 and Pro 3 versions might suit guys built like them better. The fit in the lower boot runs longer and wider than most others in the medium width group, and the tall fit over the top of the foot and up through the midfoot favors both thicker and higher-arched feet.
The auto-moldable ankle pockets started off snug and their fit improved by the run. The ankle area speedily conforms if you take the time to heat mold the Custom Cork liners. The Pro 1 and Pro 2 liners offer chipped-cork molding packs integrated into the ankle areas.
The SX 120 is versatile and delivers lots of bang for the buck. Its 102mm width is going to work for more skiers—and at a better price—than the brand’s big gun mediums and narrows. And it delivers all that without sacrificing much on the performance-meter.
The SX represents the latest link in Lange’s fixed-cuff evolution. The founding RS shape and stance platform spawned the all-mountain RX line which then swelled to accommodate a thicker, higher volume foot and lower leg in the SX. Lange's so-called Four Pillars technology—1) neutral stance geometry; 2) mono-injected construction; 3) anatomical liner with limited seams through the toebox and tongue; and 4) it's available across the last width spectrum. Rather than proffer some anomalous mush bucket to accommodate the wide foot/relaxed-fit market, Lange blew-up what they knew worked into a higher volume fit.
Testers who don't typically like skiing wide boots liked the SX 120. Not because it isn’t wide; it's right in line with what we’d expect of a 102. But it’s roomy, not sloppy. Testers also liked the SX because it stands right. It balances under the foot and grabs the lower leg in a neutral but strong and functional way. This boot skied well even when the tester’s foot and leg didn’t fill its caverns. But pack it full of foot and the quickness scores go way up. It's a one-percent boot for the working class foot.
