The Trinity 95 surprised testers with how much fun it was to ski once they tuned into its unique flexion mojo and they pushed it into gold medal status in the All-Mountain Walk category.
Testers liked what they saw working in the new G1 130 Powerfit WTR which is an adapted version of the previous (and loved) spartan crusher and non-hiking G1 130. This makeover slims down the weight, re-approaches the liner with an EVA thermo-job, adds a cuff release feature and revises the exterior paint for the better.
What was working? The G1 130 retained its characteristic accuracy on edge and perhaps even pumped up its agility quotient, sporting a newer more lively feel edge to edge. It's more surgical, less hammer-down now. The boot was lightweight underfoot and close fitting through all control points of the liner. Testers liked the improvement between the liner and shell interface after fully heat molding the liner.
Beyond that, testers said that much remained a work in progress here—and as a matter of fact this was a not-quite-done version that we got to see in April. Testers noted simple things like the buckles simply being set too tight for comfort on their loosest possible position and a hike mode release mechanism that had a smaller gauge wire pull loop that made it difficult to get enough purchase to easily switch modes. As a group the test team was looking forward to the next generation of tweaks to what could be a winner for Scott.
We have tested this boot previously (as both the Scott and formerly Garmont Delirium) and so we knew that much of this boot's potential was hidden beneath its stock fore-aft stance set up. The forward lean of the boot is adjustable--not easily, but once done will remain so—but it comes in a more forward than average setting, for what reason we aren't sure. Every tester agreed that the boot stood, fit and skied better in the more upright setting.
This boot is a touring tank. It is strong on edge and stable through all sorts of snow (once that forward lean has been set upright, testers who didn't make that change didn't find the boot's strength as the cuff collapsed under load.) The Delirium fits short in length as well as low through the instep and over the top of the foot, yet offers a wide forefoot feel. There were a few testers who found this a highly likeable fit arrangement, but most mentioned that they would go up one size to find the sort of relaxed fit tension and toe comfort they were expecting from a 103 mm last.
Scarpa's a backcountry brand, right? Does the Freedom SL belong here? You bet it does. Well, assuming you're okay with race boot level edge power and quickness, featherweight construction and one of the best hike modes on the market. Our test team loves it for those reasons, and we think you will too.
The Freedom SL returns unchanged for this season to unanimously positive reviews, again. Testers love the light and snappy Pebax plastic construction and continue to marvel over how strong it skis—vastly superior to other Pebax boots we've tested in the past. Its secret is a carbon fiber I-beam built into the boot sole that stiffens the boot laterally and torsionally but without adding weight. This, in combination with a best-in-class touring range of motion made this boot a dual category winner—here, in the All-Mountain Adventure category with alpine soles, and also in the Backcountry category where it was tested by a different team using the Freedom's lugged and toe-rockered tech-compatible soles.
This medium-fit 101mm overlap boot sports an evenly distributed fit tension from toebox through instep and up into the cuff, but whether that's a tight-medium or a roomy-medium depends on sizing. It fits long enough in length that many testers were able to ski it a size down for a seriously snug, area-based performance fit. Other testers stuck with their more normal boot sole length for a luxurious toebox and forefoot better suited for off-trail and hike-to forays. Note that Scarpa's shell sizing breaks at the half-size, meaning that the 26.5 and the 27.0 shared the same boot sole length (307mm).
Testers note that in its stock stance settings the boot is a bit more upright than most and the cuffs are tipped outwardly, which translated into strong inside edge angles. Adding to the strong-edged feel of the boot is the fact that the bootboard is also tipped out slightly (i.e. varus). This makes it a ripper on smooth, firm surfaces, but at times a little hooky and unmanageable with wider, softer skis in deeper snow. The Freedom SL is highly adjustable, with an eight-degree fore-aft range and single-sided cuff adjustment with threaded, metal attachment points on the cuff.
The synergy of Quest line cuff release technology with the crowd-pleasing morphology of the Pro series boots brings forth the new Quest Pro family, of which we tested the capo--Quest Pro 130. What's this boot the boss of? Comfort and convenience like no other, blended with a penchant for chopping up pow-laden, off-piste lines.
Testers liked the easy entry, silky liner feel and surprisingly complete closure from the revised three buckle system. They noted the Salomon-family extended length fit, and some testers rolled with extra wiggle room in the toebox while others were able to drop down a size for testing. Testers liked the Quest Pro 130's ample room at the forefoot for a fine-tuned ground feel and its hold through the instep that enabled targeted steering moves. Testers didn't have many tight spots to complain about, but we did try the 360 Custom Shell molding protocols and got as-promised shell movement that opened up the fit at points of firm contact.
Smooth and snaky through crud, crust or corn the Quest Pro is not like its edge-heavy piste pals on the X-Boot side of the family--testers found this set-up much looser, and good for rolling up on edge in soft snow and making playful arcs through chop and chunder. The fit along the shin is cushioned and the flex feel is springy with a long, progressive travel arc—perfect for bump thumping off-piste. Testers looking for more edge power on smooth, firm surfaces were left lacking, and without a cuff adjustment. Skiers in that same boat could employ Salomon's new, Cantable Alpine Pads as a back-shop solution.
The Quest Max 130 returned to the boot test this year unchanged, and testers again gave it majority approval.
One way testers liked this boot was as a medium width off-piste cruiser—they got that strain by sticking with their regular size and enjoying the long and open toe-box fit. The other way testers liked the Quest Max 130 was by sizing down and heat molding the shell. We did each of these custom shell tests carefully and monitored the results closely. In each instance, testers gained a little length and as much width as they needed for a snug but well fitted shape. They also noticed subtle changes to the boot's stance geometry that improved its on snow performance.
Testers applauded the modular touring soles, available either with or without tech-compatible fittings. This feature, the gripped arch outsole, the always solid Backbone cuff release and the lighter weight 360 Custom Shell construction added up to a well-adapted backcountry machine with on-area street cred.
The X-Turn's boot test return (with updated cosmetics) got the attention of our team again for its ease of fit, smooth flex range, and good-enough power scores to make this one to consider. Testers gave the boot high marks for comfort and warmth, and all testers were in agreement that this was a medium that bordered on wide category status, particularly in forefoot width and ceiling height over the top of the foot. This vertically generous fit plus the cabrio style lower boot could make the X-Turn a great match for skiers with higher volume feet looking for a boot with a cuff release mechanism.
Testers were not as excited about the buckles and closure system, citing that the buckles tended to get tangled upon entry and contacted each other when tightened, during flexion.
One of last year's category favorites returns unchanged to re-claim a spot in the category's top group—and why would you change anything? What does the Alltrack Pro 130 offer that sets it apart from other solid contenders here? Testers say it's this boot's nearly ideal initial fit for a comfort and performance combo that's so hard to beat. Easy going and comfy, yet powerful on edge and ready to go to work—the Alltrack Pro rides the comfort and performance fence better than any other.
As a medium width boot the Pro has a little longer- and wider-than-average fit in the toebox for warmth and some room to spread out but it is tied back into firm and precisely-shaped ankle and heel contours. The liner has a soft and fleecy feel against the foot upon entry, but the liner's construction is solid and closely connected to the interior shell shape. The stance is upright and relaxed, but with a long-enough flex pattern for moving forward against the well-padded tongue to load pressure on the front of the ski. Laterally, angles are neutral for a balanced attack off-piste or on.
Testers do mention still that the boot feels soft in flex when temperatures are warm—colder days make for a solid 130 flex feel. The well-distributed shin fit and progressive flex range is awesome, they said, regardless of the weather. Lateral rigidity remains bankable 24-7 for good edge power, so don't judge this one by its in-the-shop flex, testers say.
Got a wide, high volume foot and a larger calf? Ski pretty hard? Want a cuff release for hiking or hanging out for extended après ski sessions? Well, there are only three 102mm boots with hike modes that made the medals cut this year, and the Alltrack 120 is one of them—and it would suit the skier described above perfectly. But it will be a great option for a lot of other skiers too—many of our test team's narrower-footed folk loved the way this boot skied, and they also appreciated a little extra room for their forefoot to spread and find balance. That's one thing about the Alltrack 120, it may be wide, but it's stance and solid shell construction give it a great feel for the snow—even when some testers' skinny feet weren't feeling much of the shell.
The Alltrack's target market is probably not a serious out-of-bounds trekker, but it certainly could be—it's lightweight enough, with adequate range of motion in hike mode and it has a comfortable, moisture-wicking liner with a Thinsulate layer integrated into it. But all these elements in a ski boot work pretty good for, well, just skiing too. And the easy-to-use cuff release pull tab is like flipping the convenience switch to on—standing in lines is almost fun with a boot in walk mode. Almost.
Sometimes simplicity succeeds where frills and features fail. The Ace 1 Star is like that—bare bones and basic, it offers what most skiers need at a smoking price. While this isn't the softest of the Ace group, it's one spot shy of that, and yet this guy held up to abusive testing from guys of all sizes at our boot test. Why did we test it in the All-Mountain Adventure category? Well, it's not really a Traditionalist's boot and it ain't a Backcountry boot—so we say it's adventurous. It was also Nordica's value/soft entry and this was as good a place to test it as any.
The Ace 1 Star fits tall on the leg, with a firm feel against the top of the shin, yet the shell moves through a long-travel arc to a firm stop, so our taller testers found this particularly well suited to them. The stance is fairly upright and ready for relaxed cruising or more freestyle-oriented pivots and presses—a technical carver it's not.
Testers found the 101mm last a comfortable middle ground of room to spread out and find balance in the lower boot but with enough contact to get the job done. The instep height here is very high, so a high-arched and bony foot as well as the thicker, high-volume hoof will do well in this fit zone.
As good as all the versions of the XT that we've skied over the years have been, this one stood out to our test team as the best yet .This year's XT 130 came with three changes that re-set the bar for itself (it already sets the bar for the category) for skiing performance and comfort. The lightweight Polyolefin HP upper cuff is slightly stiffer this year, and that in conjunction with improvements made to the Power V-Lock cuff release gave the XT an even more locked-on-target feel fore and aft as well as more stability during aggressive off-piste skiing. Testers had no complaint of any rearward slop in the cuff or folding on big impacts—rock solid, they said.
The other big improvement for the XT lineup this season is a revised lightweight liner that's slightly stiffer and denser than previous versions—more on par with the RX style liners but in a lighter construction. Testers noticed a better-mated feel between liner and shell for a no-slip grip on the foot, especially in the well-shaped ankle and heel areas. The XT without the LV (low volume) means medium fit, and fit scores were right down the middle of the column that indicated how a performance medium should fit—a little extra room in the forefoot, over the instep and at the calf but without drifting into wide status.
We don't think any of our testers were particularly surprised to find the XC 120 in their top tier—it's a little like cheating for Lange, right? Take the perennially strong XT line and merge it with last year's new, wide-last winner SX to create the 102mm, releasable cuff XC. Of course it rocks—all you'd have to do is not screw it up. Well, Lange didn't--the boot was a test favorite. Some testers called it a roomier XT boot. Some testers called it a cooler SX boot. The XC might suffer from a bit of an identity crisis, but that's not a bad problem to have as a boot—this one will appeal to a lot of different types of skiers.
It's a comfortable flexing 120, testers said, with plenty of travel for smooth ankle flexion and happy shins. It's a roomy 102mm last, with a particularly vaulted ceiling over the top of the foot and a relaxed calf fit. The Power V-Lock cuff release is as easy to use as they come. So, this may just be the ultimate convenience and comfort boot of the test. Not everybody seeking boots in the all-mountain adventure category is looking to go have an adventure. Sometimes getting the family to the hill, outfitted with tickets, into their gear and into lessons is enough adventure already. An easy-to-wear, all-day warm, easy-walking boot that also happens to ski well is going to appeal to a lot of skiers—dads in particular. The price ain't bad here either, but just look at the $150 savings by stepping down to the XC 100.
And by the way, testers did like the way it skis—spot on stance angles (same as other Lange models), a monoinjected polyether lower boot and a smooth flex range did the trick for arcing turns on demand with no wasted movement or loss of energy. Surprisingly strong skiing, testers said.
Why did the Pinnacle 130 LV do so well at this year's boot test, coming through the finish in a four-way tie for best of category? Well, first there's the liner revisions that were made to reshape the toebox, opening up more breathing room in the out-of-box fit (which testers noticed and loved), but there's also the fact that when you put this boot in a category where it's up against other like-kind models, it dominates.
Testers found very few flaws with this boot—they like the stance where it is (though its adjustments are good), they approved of the new initial fit and feel, they gave it top notch quickness and snow feel scores and they rated it in the top of the group for edge power and stability. On top of all that, the Synchro Interlock hike mode was judged one of the category's very best, especially amongst the more area-based boots.
The Pinnacle 130 LV has a tall and cushioned-feeling tongue against the shin—bred for off-trail bashing and ideal for medium- to taller-legged skiers. This year's iteration offers a wider third buckle just under the powerstrap that bolsters the cuff's wrap and stability. The overall fit through the lower boot is perhaps a shade on the relaxed side of average for narrow boots in this category and as such will appeal to a broad spectrum of skiers. The Intuition PrecisionFit Tour liner fit better off the rack this year but is highly moldable with cooking on a high-heat stacks.
