Tecnica Mach1 MV 115 W

The perennial favorite Mach1 MV W has returned but in a burlier, badder build--the 115 flex model!

Category 
All-Mountain Traditional
Last Width 
100
Flex Index 
115
Price (MSRP) 
$750.00USD

Atomic Hawx Magna 105 S W

Gender 
Women's
Sizes (MP) 
22.0-27.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Wide
Cantology Compatible 
No

The 2021/2022 Atomic Hawx Magna 105 S W was tested in the women’s All-Mountain Traditional wide category by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.

The Gist

The perennial favorite wide ride, Hawx Magna 105 S W, returns with an easy rolling stride a la GripWalk soles and all the same features found on her narrower sisters Prime and Ultra. Testers still love how impossibly well this boot skis, given the massive amount of hangar space and liner luxury found here—one tester called it a hot tub for your feet—that skis!

The Fit

Testers continue to praise the Magna for its ample room to suit any high volume foot and leg. The cuff suits the largest of calves as it is (our thickest legged testers could get it buckled no problem!) but the Memory Fit moldable shell offers even more calf circumference expansion if needed. Testers can’t explain how well it puts a ski on edge and holds it there given the amount of room if offers around every contour, but they guarantee that it does ski well. A high instep fit here adds to the appeal for the fit and circulation challenged.

Performance

The Magna 105 S W drives skis of all widths everywhere a skier wants to point them, testers say, and they point to its surprising power and quickness scores as proof—this little-boot-that-could scored in the top half for the category, regardless of width or gender, matching performance scores for 120- and 130-flex narrow and medium class benchmarks. Testers love the flex feel against the leg and say while it feels on target for its 105 rating, it seems to deliver higher-than-expected power to the ski, with no over-flexing complaints.

Cool Features

The Mimic liner feels great against the foot right out of the box but it’s highly moldable as well and should be the first course of action for minor fitting needs. The Memory Fit shell molding protocol remains a great way to make subtle increases of space where needed and does a great job of adapting the cuff for wide or heavily muscled calves. The fore-aft adjusting PowerShift mechanism on the cuff is cool but rarely needed (note that it’s a lot easier to adjust as a two-person job, with the wearer levering forward or rearward to line up bolt holes). The GW in the name indicates that GripWalk soles come mounted on the boot.

Total Avg Score 
4.60
Shell/Cuff/Tongue 
polyurethane/polyurethane/n.a.
Anatomical Fit and Initial Feel 
4.50
Dynamic Balance 
4.75
Edge Power & Fore-Aft Support 
4.75
Quickness, Steering & Feel 
4.50
Convenience, Warmth & Features 
4.50
Tech Compatible 
No

Atomic Hawx Magna 130 S

Gender 
Men's
Sizes (MP) 
25.0-31.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Wide
Cantology Compatible 
No

The 2021/2022 Atomic Hawx Magna 130 S was tested in the men’s All-Mountain Traditional wide category by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.

The Gist

For the wide foot with a high-volume instep and meaty calf there are few boots that will provide a better fit match than the Hawx Magna 130 S—add to that a requirement for expert level performance and the short list gets even shorter, with this at the top. Testers continue to praise the Magna for its unusual pairing of huge volume with strong skiing skills. The biggest guys who need the biggest boots will find few better.

The Fit

The Magna’s fit scores show it offers the most room at the toebox, over the top of the foot and through the instep and then again at the calf—a perfect fit map for the typical high volume foot and leg. The Mimic liner is well shaped and draped against the foot and shin, right out of the box but is highly heat moldable (preferably in a convection oven) and the Memory Fit shell offers similar cook-and-form fit-ability. For a comfortable start with convenient options for bigger and bigger, look no further--its warmth, convenience and features score was nearly perfect at 4.83.

Performance

Testers place the Magna 130’s stability and edge power scores right alongside the best of the medium and narrow class performers—a rarity, that. It’s solid under foot and handles both high speeds and high impacts, they said. It’s not recognized as the quickest boot in the test by testers—unless they have a fat foot, and then by virtue of filling the cavernous lower boot the steering and agility scores rocket. Have we impressed upon you, dear reader, that this one fits extra-large?

Cool Features

The Mimic liner feels great against the foot right out of the box but it’s highly moldable as well and should be the first course of action for minor fitting needs. The Memory Fit shell molding protocol remains a great way to make subtle increases of space where needed and does a great job of adapting the cuff for wide or heavily muscled calves. The fore-aft adjusting PowerShift mechanism on the cuff is cool but rarely needed (note that it’s a lot easier to adjust as a two-person job, with the wearer levering forward or rearward to line up bolt holes). The 50mm quick-releasing cam power strap is a nice feature for solid cranking closure but be sure the little flip tab is returned to the locking position when tightening. The GW in the name indicates that GripWalk soles come mounted on the boot.

Total Avg Score 
4.33
Shell/Cuff/Tongue 
polyurethane/polyurethane/n.a.
Anatomical Fit and Initial Feel 
4.33
Dynamic Balance 
4.17
Edge Power & Fore-Aft Support 
4.33
Quickness, Steering & Feel 
4.00
Convenience, Warmth & Features 
4.83
Tech Compatible 
No

Atomic Hawx Ultra 115 S W

Gender 
Women's
Sizes (MP) 
22.5-27.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Narrow
Cantology Compatible 
No

The 2021/2022 Atomic Hawx Ultra 115 S W was tested in the women’s All-Mountain Traditional narrow category by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.

The Gist

The new Hawx Ultra 115 S W had our lowest volume testers saying, woah this is snug! And they loved it for the high-security lockdown on the heel and ankle which enabled instantaneous control over the ski edge. Testers recommended that experts only (or those aspiring to ascend to those ranks) need apply for this all-mountain performer—the updated lower shell is stiffer, and testers said stronger on edge, while not changing the characteristic Hawx Ultra flex feel energy testers have come to love.

The Fit

Tightest of the test group is what our women’s test team agreed on for a fit tension ranking. This was not a bad thing, as low volume feet and legs seem to find it increasingly difficult to find a proper fit in so-called narrow boots these days. The heel and ankle pockets were particularly tight, and the fit up through the instep and into the lower leg were not vice-like, but just shy of that level of grip, testers said. The fit opened-up slightly at the top of the cuff to accommodate a more muscular calf, and this year’s revisions to the Hawx Ultra 115 W cuff also offers the Adaptive Fit System adjustment that upon removal will reduce the cuff height by 6mm which opens the circumference of the calf fit. Some testers mentioned that the boot runs a little short in length fit and many testers commented that ease of entry and exit is somewhat challenged—an inconvenience most expert skiers will trade for this type of low volume fit and level of performance.

Performance

Lightning bolts attached to my feet!, one tester commented, and that summed up the general opinion on how quick this boot transmits messages to the ski. While top shelf agility and quickness scores have always been the Ultra’s wheelhouse, the newly revised lower shell brings a stronger, more stable skillset to its high performance all-mountain ripping regime. The thickened plastic rib structure on the rear sides of the shell and up into the heel counter area offer a stouter foundation without tacking on much additional weight, bringing a bit more torque and top-end to this former jitterbug—testers appreciated the newfound power and stability. The longish travel flex feel remains consistent with the Hawx Ultra’s fit heritage—testers like how the elastic and energized flexion loads energy to the ski yet manages to avoid feeling twitchy.

Cool Features

The Mimic liner feels great against the foot right out of the box but it’s highly moldable as well and should be the first course of action for minor fitting needs. The Memory Fit shell molding protocol remains a great way to make subtle increases of space where needed and does a great job of adapting the cuff shape for thick or well-muscled calves. The fore-aft adjusting PowerShift mechanism on the cuff is cool but rarely needed (note that it’s a lot easier to adjust as a two-person job, with the wearer levering forward or rearward to line up bolt holes). The GW in the name indicates that GripWalk soles come mounted on the boot. An aftermarket, foam-injected Professional Series liner is available for 300 bucks (or opt for the Professional Series Hawx Ultra 115 W with that liner included if you’re convinced that’s the way to go). There are also aftermarket V3 Tongue options in 3 different volumes for 30 bucks for customizing the shin and instep feel.

Total Avg Score 
4.57
Shell/Cuff/Tongue 
polyurethane/polyurethane/n.a.
Anatomical Fit and Initial Feel 
4.33
Dynamic Balance 
4.67
Edge Power & Fore-Aft Support 
4.83
Quickness, Steering & Feel 
4.82
Convenience, Warmth & Features 
4.17
Tech Compatible 
No
CANT SHIM OPTIONS - AVAILABLE FROM BRAND

Atomic Hawx Ultra 130 S GW

Gender 
Men's
Sizes (MP) 
22.0-30.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Narrow
Also in this Collection 
Hawx Ultra 120/110/100/70
Cantology Compatible 
No

The 2021/2022 Atomic Hawx Ultra 130 S was tested in the men’s All-Mountain Traditional narrow category by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.

The Gist

The Hawx Ultra 130 S GW continues to control the fast twitch response and tight-is-right test sub-categories. It’s always been a snug and anatomical fit paired with split second reaction time but the current configuration with its highly moldable Mimic liner and revised shell construction has taken these two elements to their zenith. The lowest of volume of volume feet and legs attached to highly skilled and technical skiers found a perfect home here.  

The Fit

Testers called it the tightest narrow class boot in the entire test and yet there were very few numbness or hot spot complaints. The snug heel pocket is defined by this boot and provided the sort of hold for our skinny footers that they normally find in plug boots and foam injected liners—the fatter of heel were begging for mercy, and agreed they’d want to move on to the medium width Prime rather than hope for fitting modifications there.

Performance

The newly re-designed Prolite shell construction incorporates targeted, thick reinforcements through the medial and lateral rear portion of the shell that wrap to the heel and spine areas in a visually reassuring way—this boot looks burly, but without packing on substantial poundage. Ripped, is a good way to describe its appearance. Ripping, is a good way to describe its performance. Our most technically skiing testers could not get over how accurately the Hawx Ultra 130 put the ski on edge and held it there, without flinching or deflecting. While its characteristically long-travel, springy flex feel remains part of the program, the now stronger lower boot helped drive big stiff skis on hard snow and through difficult chunder equally well. The combination of light weight, fortified shell construction and energized flex feel made for an exciting and powerful ride all over the mountain.

Cool Features

The Mimic liner feels great against the foot right out of the box but it’s highly moldable as well and should be the first course of action for minor fitting needs. The Memory Fit shell molding protocol remains a great way to make subtle increases of space where needed and does a great job of adapting the cuff for wide or heavily muscled calves. The fore-aft adjusting PowerShift mechanism on the cuff is cool but rarely needed (note that it’s a lot easier to adjust as a two-person job, with the wearer levering forward or rearward to line up bolt holes). The 50mm quick-releasing cam power strap is a nice feature for solid cranking closure but be sure the little flip tab is returned to the locking position when tightening. The GW in the name indicates that GripWalk soles come mounted on the boot. An aftermarket, foam-injected Professional Series liner is available for 300 bucks (or opt for the Professional Series Hawx Ultra 130 with that liner included if you’re convinced that’s the way to go). There are also aftermarket V3 Tongue options in 3 different volumes for 30 bucks for customizing the shin and instep feel.

Total Avg Score 
4.54
Shell/Cuff/Tongue 
polyurethane/polyurethane/n.a.
Anatomical Fit and Initial Feel 
4.29
Dynamic Balance 
4.57
Edge Power & Fore-Aft Support 
4.57
Quickness, Steering & Feel 
4.85
Convenience, Warmth & Features 
4.43
Tech Compatible 
No
CANT SHIM OPTIONS - AVAILABLE FROM BRAND

DaleBoot ST

Gender 
Men's
Sizes (MP) 
23-33
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Cabrio/3-PC
Boot width profile 
Narrow
Medium
Wide
Also in this Collection 
any width available, 92-114mm
Special Sizes 
XXL (32.0 and larger)
Cantology Compatible 
No
The 2020/2021 DaleBoot ST is reviewed in the men's All-Mountain Traditional narrow, medium & wide categories based on tests at Silver Mountain Resort & Mt. Bachelor Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit Media.

The Gist

DaleBoot 2020-21 Update: New shell and liner designs are in the works for 2021 and DaleBoot also intends to retire their unique snap-on alpine soles for a better traction screw-on style that will transmit skier inputs more directly to the ski, and they’ll still offer canted options.

We tested the DaleBoot ST in the Frontside category because it's the stiffest model DaleBoot makes, and testers thought it fit right in there alongside other race-bred powerhouses. Testers liked the power-to-weight ratio the ST brings to the table—stiff and strong with a close-feeling connection to the ski and snow surface.

The Fit

The guys at DaleBoot set up our Frontside test model as a narrow last to better match the other boots in the category, and they also chose to load it with their higher density liner option for a firmer, more transmissive Frontside feel—both choices that were favored by testers who gave the painted-on, custom fit the double thumbs-up. However, the ST could be built as a medium or a wide, and with a variety of different Intuition liner styles and densities. Similarly the height of the cuff is variable—selected for the particular skier the boot will be made for. The flex feel of the ST is pretty rigid—again, DaleBoot's stiffest set-up—and that appealed to testers in the Frontside category, though for bigger, taller guys the ST is a good All-Mountain option too.

Performance

The ST's rigid cuff design allowed testers to bury the rail at high speeds and on hard snow, but did so without loss of a tactile feel for the snow. Testers liked the way the three-quarter length, adjustable bootboard supported the rear foot and set the ramp angle but left the forefoot to sit directly on the thin shell base—as close as the foot can come to ski. Very high durometer (stiff) polyether plastic is used to make the lower boot rigid but with an unusually thin shell wall. This gives the boot a feely, connected character but without being flimsy. Light and sensitive but strong on edge—a unique combination, testers agreed.

Cool Features

The three-quarter length bootboard is adjustable laterally to better support the rearfoot or provide mobility there and can be set up for use with a posted or non-posted custom insole. A large part of the DaleBoot customizing process, beyond just fit, is ensuring that the skier's stance is dialed, and their unique, snap-on canted soles are a quick and effective way to fine-tune the boot's performance.

Shell/Cuff/Tongue 
polyether/polyether/polyether
Tech Compatible 
No

DaleBoot VFF

Gender 
Women's
Sizes (MP) 
23-33
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Cabrio/3-PC
Boot width profile 
Narrow
Medium
Wide
Also in this Collection 
any width available, 92-114mm
Special Sizes 
XXL (32.0 and larger)
Cantology Compatible 
No
The 2020/2021 DaleBoot VFF is reviewed in the women's All-Mountain Traditional narrow, medium & wide categories based on tests at Silver Mountain Resort & Mt. Bachelor Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit Media.

The Gist

DaleBoot 2020-21 Update: New shell and liner designs are in the works for 2021 and DaleBoot also intends to retire their unique snap-on alpine soles for a better traction screw-on style that will transmit skier inputs more directly to the ski, and they’ll still offer canted options.

The DaleBoot VFF (women's) is DaleBoot's softest model and intended for lighter and less aggressive skiers. Testers rewarded the VFF with a perfect score for convenience, warmth and features and high marks for its custom fit, all largely based on the luxuriant feel and fit of the highly insulative and lightweight DaleBoot/Intuition spiral wrap liner that eases entry and exit into the VFF's three-piece shell like no other boot on the market.

The Fit

The VFF (women's) shell shape was built at DaleBoot's Salt Lake City factory based off of measurements and tracings of the testers' feet and legs. A variety of different cuffs and lower "clogs," or shells, can be combined and pre-molded to suit the skier's shape. At the boot test the Intuition liners were custom fitted—as they would be by a DaleBoot dealer—and their fore-aft and lateral stances were checked prior to testers skiing the boots. Unanimously our test team found the initial fit spot-on after going through the fitting process.

Performance

The VFF's softer flex is able to be adjusted within a 20 point range using the Variable Forward Flex spring-and-cable system which restrains the three-piece shell's forward flexion without fixing the upper cuff to the lower, maintaining a true three-piece shell's flex feel—long in travel and with a progressive resistance against the leg. Testers loved the rangy feel of their flexing movements while skiing, but cautioned bigger, more aggressive gals to consider stepping up to the stiffer VFF Pro. Testers found the same classic, close-to-snow feel on the VFF as with the other DaleBoot models, enabled by a three-quarter length bootboard which puts the forefoot directly on the floor of the boot.

Cool Features

An array of different Intuition liner options can be implemented to achieve an ideal fit, the boot's ramp angle is adjustable with the turn of a screw on the three-quarter length internal bootboard and final stance fine tuning is accomplished with DaleBoot's exclusive, snap-on, canted soles.

Shell/Cuff/Tongue 
polyether/polyether/polyether
Tech Compatible 
No

DaleBoot VFF Pro

Gender 
Men's
Sizes (MP) 
23-33
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Cabrio/3-PC
Boot width profile 
Narrow
Medium
Wide
Also in this Collection 
any width available, 92-114mm
Special Sizes 
XXL (32.0 and larger)
Cantology Compatible 
No
The 2020/2021 DaleBoot VFF Pro is reviewed in the men's All-Mountain Traditional narrow, medium & wide categories based on tests at Silver Mountain Resort & Mt. Bachelor Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit Media.

The Gist

DaleBoot 2020-21 UpdateNew shell and liner designs are in the works for 2021 and DaleBoot also intends to retire their unique snap-on alpine soles for a better traction screw-on style that will transmit skier inputs more directly to the ski, and they’ll still offer canted options.

The DaleBoot VFF Pro's top scores were for its initial fit and feel, its quickness and its ease of entry and exit—and that fairly sums up the best elements of this fully custom-built boot. Its fit is built to a customer's individual specs and a variety of DaleBoot/Intuition custom liners fine tune that personalized shape. The thin shell and all-polyether plastic construction was light and cool way before lightweight was cool. The three-piece design, in concert with a spiral-wrap liner is hands-down the absolute easiest to slide in and out of.

The Fit

There's really no way to go try on a DaleBoot to decide whether or not to buy it—well, you could try on some generic sample at a DaleBoot dealer shop to get a feel for how it goes on and buckles up, but that's about all you'd get. You might even get scared off—the non-customized DaleBoot experience is so different from the full-meal-deal custom program which is their business model. We know because to be fair to other brands at the test we have asked them to submit off-the-rack models in addition to their custom-built-for-tester models. Some testers loved the generic test samples, others not so much, but every tester was stoked on the VFF Pro that was built just for him. The shell and cuff are selected to match the foot and leg, then modified as needed prior to leaving the Salt Lake City factory. The pre-selected Intuition liner is molded to the skier at his local dealer shop to finalize the fit. So, the fit isn't a narrow or a medium or a wide—it's you.

Performance

The VFF Pro now comes with a revised upper cuff design (taller with a stiffer, thicker back area) to create a stronger feel on snow over previous versions we've tested. This did not create any loss of feel in the lower shell, which remains one of the most sensitive and in-tune with the ground of any boot we've tested. The lower boot has two unique design features that give it such touch—a very thin but stiff polyether shell wall and a three-quarter length bootboard that puts the ball of foot directly on the floor of the shell. The flex feel is able to be adjusted by the skier with the rear spring-loaded cable closure from long and soft to progressive and firmer—laterally the power comes from the rigid plastic of the lower boot and the new more powerful cuff design. Testers praised the VFF Pro's unique combination of fit, snow feel and smooth flex.

Cool Features

The best feature of the VFF Pro is that all custom fitting, modifications, and stance alignment is included in one price through DaleBoot partner dealer shops. The stance alignment part of the equation is finalized with the application of snap-on, canted soles if needed—a very effective canting solution found only on DaleBoot.

Shell/Cuff/Tongue 
polyether/polyether/polyether
Tech Compatible 
No

Roxa R/Fit W 95

Gender 
Women's
Sizes (MP) 
2.5-275
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Wide
Also in this Collection 
R/Fit W 85, $375; R/Fit W 75, $325
Cantology Compatible 
No
The 2020/2021 Roxa R/Fit W 95 is reviewed in the women's All-Mountain Traditional wide category based on tests at Silver Mountain Resort & Mt. Bachelor Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit Media.

The Gist

Last year our testers found their favorite wide Roxa boot ever in the R/Fit W 95 and this year it returns with the addition of GripWalk soles. It has an ample toebox and forefoot for impressive spreadability, testers agreed, and it skis with more gumption than they expected out of a 95 flex (it’s stiffer than that they say). They agreed that the cuff is slightly taller and more snug than average for the category, so will favor the longer more slender legged. It’s a traditional polyurethane build but testers say it’s light on the foot for all-day charging.

The Fit

Wide in the front (toebox and forefoot) and tapering to a more snug rearfoot (but not too tight in ankle and heel) and then most close up through the cuff, testers said the average to slender legged with wide feet will find a perfect fit match here. The flex feel is stronger than the 95 rating would suggest, testers agreed, and that plus the cuff's slightly taller than average height made this a strong lever for edging moves and pressuring the shovel.

Performance

Testers liked the tall cuff's leverage over the skis' edges and said that strong skiing moves yielded the best results--suggesting that less aggressive and shorter skiers may prefer the softer 85 flex version of the R/Fit W. Straightforward and honest skiing is what this traditional design delivers and testers were just fine with that.

Cool Features

It's a pretty stripped down feature platform--four buckles, two liner pull loops, a Velcro powerstrap and GripWalk soles get you where you need to be (and a set of alpine DIN soles come in the box). There is a calf adjustment mechanism to open up a bit more room at the boot top.

Shell/Cuff/Tongue 
polyurethane/polyurethane/n.a.
Tech Compatible 
No

Roxa R/Fit 130 IR

Gender 
Men's
Sizes (MP) 
24.5-32.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Wide
Also in this Collection 
R/Fit 120 I.R., $700; R/Fit 120, $700; R/Fit 120, $625; R/Fit 100, $500
Special Sizes 
XXL (32.0 and larger)
Cantology Compatible 
No
The 2020/2021 Roxa R/Fit 130 IR is reviewed in the men's All-Mountain Traditional wide category based on tests at Silver Mountain Resort & Mt. Bachelor Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit Media.

 

The Gist

A lightweight, roomy, comfy, easy-on, go-everywhere, do-everything, what else could you want kinda boot is how testers described the new R/Fit 130 IR. Roxa took last year’s 120, juiced up the horsepower a notch and threw in a full-thermo Intuition liner for a more personalized (and more open) fit. Testers said that without molding it’s on the snug side of the wide group, but they loved the evenly anatomical contours and just enough grip on the heel and ankle. They said the flex feel is progressive and strong but still cushioned just enough against the shin. They dig the rip cord style quick-release on the cam buckle power strap that’s going viral this year (no pun intended).

The Fit

The Intuition Roxa (IR) full-thermo liner gives the initial fit a very cushioned feel and should morph into a more contained fit, post molding. Testers also noticed a little shearing of the liner inside the shell during flexion that should lock-out after molding to the interior shell shape and skier's foot. That said, testers like the 102mm fit, which they say initially feels to run to the snug side of the widebody traditional group. Enough room for the average to wide foot but not a bucket to house the meatiest of high volume hoofs. The flex feel is a legit 130 indoors at room temperature and testers liked the even, progressive feel of the flex upon the shin. The Grilamid cuff feels thin and crispy-edgy to the hand on buckle-up but testers said the flex feel once buckled was solid and damp.

Performance

Based on testers' experience with 120-flex version of the R/Fit last year, they expect big improvements. Their only real complaints last year were a slightly collapsing flex under heavy hits in rugged terrain and a too-open heel pocket, even for a wide ride. The step up to a 130 flex fits the bill for testers who skied the 120 flex last year and wanted a little more fore-aft backbone and torque at the top of the turn.

Cool Features

The R/Fit series is a straightforward line up--four buckle overlaps with traditional tongue liners, and our testers like that just fine. The boot comes mounted with GripWalk soles and both a set of alpine DIN soles and a set of groovy-looking Velcro rear spoilers come in the box for a more forward leaning stance. the quick-release pull tab on the cam lock power strap is awesome but we have to give props to Dynafit who did it first, before K2 last year and Roxa this season--imitation is the purest form of flattery, and it's obviously not patented. So, good for us!

Shell/Cuff/Tongue 
polyurethane/Grilamid/n.a.
Tech Compatible 
No

Dalbello DS Asolo 115 W

Gender 
Women's
Sizes (MP) 
22.5-27.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Narrow
Also in this Collection 
DS Asolo Factory 115 W, $950; DS Asolo 95 W, $600
Cantology Compatible 
No
The 2020/2021 Dalbello DS Asolo 115 W is reviewed in the women's All-Mountain Traditional narrow category based on tests at Silver Mountain Resort & Mt. Bachelor Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit Media.

The Gist

The Dalbello DS Asolo 115 W brings a traditional, 4-buckle overlap narrow width made with polyurethane in the shell and cuff. Bravo! Testers felt the Grilamid-built Asolo Factory was good for the weight-conscious, but they'd prefer a couple hundred more grams and the dampness and stability of PU, thank you very much. Take the creature comfort of the women's medium width DS, keep its Power Cage shell construction that maintains strength while reducing weight, add a little of the race-bred fit characteristics from the DRS line (while keeping the convenience and traction of GripWalk soles) and you've got one in the winner's column. And it's an all-new liner this year.

The Fit

In virtual lock-step with our men's testers, women agreed that the fit this year in the DS Asolo is leaps and bounds better than last year's strange fit (some aggressive and grabby lumps here and there, they said). This time around it's a snug one again, but in a smoothed-out and even fashion, except for the heel pocket and Achilles tendon area where they said it's particularly snug but not painful. Flex feel is on target for the 115 rating and possibly even a touch stronger. They liked that it fit traditionally in length, meaning not overly long, and they mentioned that the cuff is not overly tall on the leg either, so a stiff boot that lots of women will be able to get out over the top of and not always be pushed back onto their heels by a too tall cuff.

Performance

This year's polyurethane construction smoothes out some of the jitters testers felt in last year's Asolo factory, citing a damp stable feel regardless of snow surface. The quickness remains unaffected and they say the increased comfort made for a better all-day experience.

Cool Features

We think the DS Asolo 115 W's coolest feature is its traditional, straightforward approach to a top tier performance boot. Four-buckle overlap construction in polyurethane throughout, simple 40mm Velcro power strap, removable Velcro rear spoiler, dual liner pull loops, elliptical cam lateral cuff adjustment, bolted rear spine and race-bred buckles--nothing fancy, nothing extraneous. Yes, we like the revised IF liner with its Ultralon tongue padding and sure, GripWalk soles are nice for apres strolling. Testers also said the sublimated purple/black hue was cool.

Shell/Cuff/Tongue 
polyurethane/polyurethane/n.a.
Tech Compatible 
No

Tecnica Mach1 MV 105 W

Gender 
Women's
Sizes (MP) 
22.5-27.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Medium
Also in this Collection 
Mach1 MV 95 W, $660
Cantology Compatible 
Yes
The 2020/2021 Tecnica Mach1 MV 105 W is reviewed in the women's All-Mountain Traditional medium category based on tests at Silver Mountain Resort & Mt. Bachelor Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit Media.

 

The Gist

Year after year, test after test, the Mach1 MV 105 W has amazed our test team by how well it pairs comfort with downhill performance and this year's all new version is no different. One tester said of the MV, there's a magical power fairy onboard for translating its luxurious fit into deep trenching edge engagement. Another’s comment was that the MV takes any skier to the next level. A third said, cushion that rips. All mentioned that the polyurethane shell felt strong underfoot, and they agreed that it has a bit more instep room than many and now an even better fit across the bony top of the foot—a plus for high arches.

The Fit

The new mold shape for shell and cuff in the new MV boots increased the anatomical sculpting for the average width foot shape and opened up more room in the toebox while straightening and increasing the height of the cuff. Also improved this year is the liner, with more surface area for C.A.S. (Custom Adaptive Shape) custom modifications and a larger and better shaped soft area over the top of the foot. Testers have always praised the MV for a nice blend of cushioning and retention and they say that is not lost with this year's revisions.

Performance

As with the MV 105 W of the past, on-snow this new boot takes no prisoners--unless that's what you want. It can go either way--total domination on-piste and off-, or it can simply cruise from late-day start to early-apres toddies. One of the keys to the Mach1 line's success is its neutral stance set up that allows almost any skier to buckle-up, click-in and get to shredding without having to modify style or terrain selection. Testers continue to mention that they instantly felt dialed and recommended it to any good skiing gal looking to up her game—or one who just wants to keep on doing what she's doing.

Cool Features

One of the coolest features of the Mach1 boots is the fact that many of their design elements are created with the help of a few of the best bootfitters in the USA—Project 165 is Tecnica's partnership with select bootfitters and their collaboration has been evident in the last couple seasons for Tecnica. One of their Women to Women crew is an ABB tester—Samantha Tischendorf! The Mach1's Custom Adaptive Shape (C.A.S.) shell construction offers pre-dimpled areas on the shell where a heat stretch is more easily accomplished and will hold better over time. The C.A.S. liner this year is more highly shaped to match the foot's anatomy and is both moldable and grindable, due to its firm EVA foam construction. The C.A.S. Cuff Adapt feature utilizes a taco-shaped heating pad that warms the low-temperature plastic calf insert and liner to a molding temperature, and then simply wearing the boot will move the cuff to an ideal position for both slender or thick lower leg shapes.

Shell/Cuff/Tongue 
polyurethane/polyolefin/n.a.
Tech Compatible 
No

Tecnica Mach1 LV Pro W

Gender 
Women's
Sizes (MP) 
22.5-27.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Narrow
Also in this Collection 
Mach1 LV 105 W, $780; Mach1 LV 95 W, $660
Cantology Compatible 
Yes
The 2020/2021 Tecnica Mach1 LV Pro W is reviewed in the women's All-Mountain Traditional narrow category based on tests at Silver Mountain Resort & Mt. Bachelor Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit Media.

The Gist

The slender foot gals get another upgrade to the Mach1 LV W this year with a new heat customizable tongue that molds to the shin both internally via a layer of EVA foam and externally by way of highly adaptable Surlyn plastic (also found on the rear part of the cuff where it can be molded to better match the lower leg and calf). Testers universally applaud the step up to 120 flex in the Pro W as a solution to the 105’s occasional fold-over fails for aggressive skiers in rugged terrain. It’s one of the tightest in the rightest of ways, they say.

The Fit

Testers are stoked with the LV Pro W's out of box fit, calling it consistently low volume and tight everywhere with just enough extra room for the toes. But they are equally impressed with the various fit adaptations that are available for different needs. The rear spoiler style Cuff Adapt feature can be heated and auto-molded around the calf area, either opening up more room or better wrapping the slender leg shape. There is an additional cuff volume reducing kit that can enhance that tightening effect at the boot top as well. The new C.A.S. (Custom Adaptive Shape) Tongue is also low-temp heat moldable to the leg volume and shin shape via a highly adaptable internal foam layer and a moldable outer plastic called Surlyn (the same stuff used in the rear Cuff Adapt feature). The revised cuff design last year plus the new tongue design this year have eliminated our testers' complaints about an uneven and sharp shin fit in the women's low volume line up. Testers still say the ankle pockets and heel area are ideally snug without feeling harsh, and the fit over the bony top of the foot is as good as it's ever been in the Tecnica women's narrows.

Performance

Our test team's hard chargers and the long-legged were huge fans of the Pro's 120 flex for driving aggressively through chopped up mank at speed, saying they loved the way it drove big skis exactly where they pointed them without collapsing in flex on heavy hits. They said the quickness and agility factor was equally high, however--this is not an overly damp beast of a boot, but a well-balanced all-mountain attacker. Our slighter and less aggressive testers found the 120 flex to be a little more than they needed and recalled having more fun in the 105 flex LV last year.

Cool Features

One of the coolest features of the Mach1 boots is the fact that many of their design elements are created with the help of a few of the best bootfitters in the USA—Project 165 is Tecnica's partnership with select bootfitters and their collaboration has been evident in the last couple seasons for Tecnica. One of their Women to Women crew is an ABB tester—Samantha Tischendorf! In addition to the fit customizing features listed above in the Fit description, the C.A.S. shell remains in play this year with its dimpled areas to reduce mass in common heat stretch zones to make for easier and more permanent punches (with a bootfitter's help) and the C.A.S. liner revisions made last year remain as well, with more grindable, moldable surface area and a larger, better shaped instep cutaway over the top of the foot. The 45mm non-stretch power strap is affixed with a metal cam style buckle using the Power Lock hook that avoids having to feed the strap end through the cam buckle each time. The lambswool and Celliant (incorporates thermoreactive minerals to help increase circulation, they say) liner does seem warm, testers say.

Shell/Cuff/Tongue 
polyurethane/polyolefin/n.a.
Tech Compatible 
No

Special thanks to all of our sponsors!

Platinum

Gold