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.
The Shiva MX remains on the short list for skiers who actually want to put the skins on and earn their turns. It’s one of only a handful of boots in this category that really impressed testers with its hike mode range of motion and quality. The Shiva's unique cuff release design provides a huge cuff rotation range, both forward and backward, that’s rivaled by only one other boot in the category, the Scarpa Freedom SL Women's. A set of rockered, tech-compatible sole blocks are included; that helps make the Shiva MX a smart choice for backcountry minded skiers who still want an area-worthy ride.
Testers said the Shiva provided a “commanding feel” when skis were set on edge. The soles are through-bolted with metal-to-metal interfaces into the shell's internal bootboard. That minimizes torsional distortion and energy transmission loss. Our testers attest that the connected underfoot feel is definitely more than marketing hype.
The fully thermo-moldable liner is pre-shaped for out-of-the box convenience, but a few testers noted an overly snug toebox and an abrupt feeling at the top of the shin; both fit zones improved after a complete cook job.
The Waymaker Carbon 100 W artfully dips into the race-born technology parts bin of its Redster counterpart. It super-charges the edge power of this three-buckle design with a carbon-infused rear spine and a Redster-like rearfoot grip. That creates a control center that generates powerful lateral moves on any snow surface. Testers were impressed with how strongly this hike mode 100 flex rolled skis up on edge and held steady at speed.
The women's Waymaker also swipes Live Fit technology, integrating it into the lateral side of its Medium width lower to provide 6th toe relief. Testers say the toebox and forefoot is ample, bordering on wide territory. Good skiing women with higher volume feet will do well here, especially given that the Waymaker instep height is tall for a medium width.
Testers liked the well-cushioned shin feel and long-travel flex feel. They said it had a springy quality and promoted active skiing moves in a variety of turn sizes and shapes.
Scarpa took the Alpine ski boot world by surprise two years ago with its Freedom SL. Now it has built in some extra horsepower and torque to it and changed two letters. We're not sure what RS stands for—Really Sick? Rad Shoes? What we do know is that our test team liked the Freedom RS for its step-up to 130-flex, approved of the slightly taller cuff design and were seriously stoked on the beefed-up and re-designed cuff release mechanism.
The RS remains featherweight compared with other hike mode boots in our test. The Pebax Rnew plastic in the lower, reinforced with a carbon fiber I-beam sole, is now combined with a polyamide and carbon upper cuff. This is a light and stiff combination that's connected with the larger Ride Power Block XT cuff release mechanism. The result is a stiffer, stronger beast of a backcountry hybrid that skis like a race boot but tours just like its anorexic-aerobic partner, the Mastrale RS. Based on our tests, the Freedom RS represents the strongest skiing, lightest weight, best-touring Alpine hybrid on the market today.
The fit in the lower boot remains is identical to the SL version (which is still available), but the upper cuff is now a bit of a monster (all of 130, tall and upright). Teamed with a new Cross Fit Ride RS liner, several testers experienced an abrupt, firm feel against the shin at the top of the cuff. Our liner molding tests improved the fit there marginally, but this seemed to be the boot's Achilles heel.
The Freedom RS carries on the lightning-quick and inside-edge dominant tradition started by the SL. The cuff geometry is tipped out more than average, providing a lot of inside edge. The lateral cuff adjustment range is substantial and most will want to take advantage of that to find a more neutral set-up.
The Cliff Notes 120 is a unique assemblage of divergent parts: three-piece shell with four buckles of various design and direction, hike modality and alpine soles with tech compatibility, Intuition liner with traditional tongue and laces.
Testers were in agreement on the ease of entry and exit with the Cliff Notes, and they also concurred that the hike mode's range of motion was better than most in the category and with a nice friction-free feel while touring. They were in partnership on the long-travel flex feel that occasionally folded under big loads (i.e. big guys) but was comfortable enough along the shin—perhaps suited for lighter weight and less aggressive skiers.
Lateral strength was better than expected for how soft the forward flex felt, they said, commenting that there was no loss in translation from foot to boot to ski when moving purely side to side.
Testers liked the Intuition liner for evening out the fit, which for many offered multiple hot spots and gaps
The BD Factor MX returned to the boot test unchanged from last year, and testers again found it an able performer, both on the down and on the up. Black Diamond's plans for their boot line are undefined, with no plans for a new boot model in the near term and a pending sale of the company on the horizon. That said, BD plans to continue to sell their existing boot line "For as long as we have plastic."
Having a chance to test the Factor MX in the All-Mountain Adventure category with its Alpine DIN sole set up against more on-area style hike mode boots made for interesting comparisons. It became apparent to testers that the Factor's through-bolted foundation made it one of the strongest boots in the group. For as light as this boot is (it and the Scarpa Freedom RS are the lightest of the category) the Factor MX impressed the test team with how well it drives a ski. Hard snow, variable junk—it didn't matter, the Factor resisted twisting off or deflecting no matter what testers threw at it.
The key to its lateral stability is the fact that the modular soles are bolted through the shell and directly into the rigid internal bootboard, solidifying the interface with the ski bindings and providing a more positive and immediate link to skiing movements. Testers called it surprisingly quick and powerful on edge.
The boot's simple, traditional appearances are misleading as the core features are sophisticated and highly functional. The hike mode is solidly engaged for skiing, but when released, the cuff is wide-ranging both backward and forward due to a uniquely engineered internal shell cutaway that allows for softer forward movement in hike mode. This, in concert with a low-friction and unobstructed glide path, makes the Factor MX one of very few boots that can claim a tour mode which operates on the same high level as its skiing performance.
Alpina returned to the boot test with a feature-laden utility vehicle in the Elite Stealth, flagship model of the 5 boot line-up descending from 130 down to 80 flex. Veteran testers found this to be the best fitting and skiing of any Alpina boot they'd tested–ever.
This 102mm fits a little more snug than expected in the lower boot, with testers noting a shorter-than-norm length fit and a medium-tight fit in the toebox and forefoot. The 130 offers the densest liner construction of the line, and fits on the more snug end of the Elite Stealth range's spectrum. Softer models will offer a more relaxed fit.
Testers liked the easy to actuate hike mode lever (ski pole tip works!) and slotted the hike modality as convenience feature for line-standing and parking lot strolling as the range is somewhat limited and the boot slightly heavier than most hike mode models. This is a luxury cruising unit and as such is proud to offer an integrated heater system--all pre-wired in a thin mylar wrap around the liner's toebox—all you gotta do is cough up the extra 100-bucks for the battery pack and you're cookin'!
Testers liked the predictable-reliable roll edge to edge of the Elite Stealth (if a little edgier than most)—good for sneaking up on unsuspecting pow stashes or just grooving the groomed. Quickness scores were subdued and a few testers cited fore-aft stance and a lack of rearward support—but majority opinion called it an able all-mountain cruiser (with a heater!).
In a year where new releases were dominated by fixed-cuff, traditional boots, a handful of hike mode models continue to stand apart from the field, providing a flawless combination of fit, skiability, convenient cuff release and range of motion. The Cochise Pro 130 is one of them. It rolls back into our test this year with an improved, Cochise-specific CAS (Custom Adaptive Shape) liner but this winning package is otherwise unchanged.
The focus on foot-shape driven design is apparent in the Cochise. Testers lauded additional contouring at the navicular bone, asymmetrical ankle pockets, a more ergonomic groove for the Achilles tendon and a taller, squared-off toebox that makes skiing and hiking more enjoyable. It's right down the middle of narrow-class fit tension but with grip and relief placed right where needed.
The Cochise skied like a solid Alpine boot. Testers loved its solid flex feel and absolute trenching torque that spools up quickly turn-to-turn. It can hang on locked-up frontside boiler plate, tear through breakable crust, or float along in well-earned untracked pow. All in a day's work, ma’am.
For those who choose to work for their turns, the metal-to-metal Cuff Mobility release mechanism is simple, intuitive and bombproof. For an Alpine-esq sidecountry boot, the cuff's range of travel is better than most and has a gliding, low-friction feel.
The G1 130 Powerfit WTR returned with a more polished look and refined liner construction to earn scoring upgrades across the board. It retained its characteristic accuracy on edge and still sported a lively (if long-travel) flex feel. For as lightweight as this boot is, testers were impressed with its ability to hold skis on edge at speed through a variety of terrain variations.
Testers liked the improvement between the liner and shell interface after fully heat molding the liner so that those interior surfaces could become better mated and avoid slippage. The thermo-molding process also did wonders for the overly tight initial toebox fit (mold with toe caps) and the aggressive hold over the top of the foot (pre-pad any midfoot bumps).
Testers were left wanting a bit more from the hike mode cuff's range of motion, and they still had trouble with the hike mode switch itself which didn't lend itself to intuitive operation.
The Alltrack Pro 130 WTR makes a return engagement under a slightly new stage name, adding three initials to its tag. The color has been slightly modified and the power strap techified but other than that Rossi held pat with what it brung before—and why wouldn't it?
The Alltrack excelled—again—by playing its fit first card. It's awesome, testers said. A perfect out-of-box fit match with the average-volume foot and perfectly-sculpted curves for the forefoot, navicular, ankles and heels.
Testers loved the ideally padded and progressive flex feel against the shin—one of those deal breaker fit areas that you don’t have to worry about here. It’s that flex (still a little soft at room temp but testers said the new pigment may have made the plastic a bump stiffer and it firms right up in the cold) that keys the all-mountain power moves the Alltrack Pro claims as its hallmark. Testers said they could drive this one anywhere on the hill and operate in the upper 90th percentile. It’s unstoppable downhill.
Its hike mode is not its headlining draw. It’s more a convenience feature and boot pack assistant than any sort of long-tourer and you have to flex the boot firmly to get the Posi-Block release where you want it. But this year’s version comes stock with a set of Walk-to-Ride (WTR) soles (regular Alpine soles are included as well) and many of our testers say the rockered toe makes walking easier than any hike mode ever can.
The 2.0 moniker means that this XT is all new. But unlike computer software from which it drew its nomenclature inspiration, this one is bug-free. Testers placed the XT 2.0 130 into their favorites folder based on a slate of changes that elevated its fit and performance above previous versions.
The lower boot shape is completely revised and fits noticeably higher across the midfoot and instep—testers happily clamped in without fear of impinging blood flow or having to unlatch on the chair. The fit is characteristically modern Lange—open in the toebox and forefoot, tapering progressively to the rear where it firmly engages the heel, ankle and lower leg shaft. That’s a recipe for sending commanding inputs to the ski.
The cuff and lower boot link has been refined; there’s a long, juicy flex feel that starts from a tall, upright position (with the spoiler in) and progressively loads energy to the ski. Team that with rock hard lateral strength and you’ve got an agile, active boot with race level edge hold. The on-snow scores were all first flight.
The new Power V-Lock cuff release system partners with Walk-to-Ride (WTR) soles to improve off-piste mobility options. Still, most skiers will pick the XT for its dialed fit and strong skiing acumen, rather than sacrifice those attributes for a lighter weight tourer with less gumption.
The Pinnacle 130 LV retained its solid position among the best of the All-Mountain Adventure class. It returns largely unchanged (thankfully) but with a couple of refinements that were well-received by testers. The Syncro Interlock mechanism found on all the Pinnacle models is now a stronger, extruded metal assembly that solves some past breakage problems. Optional, fully rockered, tech-binding compatible soles open up a few more backcountry doors.
The Syncro Interlock cuff release allows for an exceptionally long hike/walk range of motion; among the best in the Alpine-based Adventure class. It increases forward as well as rearward range, but its ski personality was what really won over our testers. "Skis like the best of the fixed cuff Alpine boots," several wrote. It's legit—frontside to backside and all points in between.
It fits well too. Testers found the toebox a little tighter than expected upon initial entry but it shaped to the foot quickly. But this is no slipper; it’s a low-volume affair and it puts a clamp on the foot in an appropriate 97mm way, especially at the navicular and over the top of the foot. But as with the toebox, a bit of seat time had the Intuition liner adapting. A full cook job is the next step but testers all liked the way the liner conformed to their feet within a few runs.
K2's stance angles continue to impress and the shin fit and flex feel of the Pinnacle 130 LV were tops with testers.
Comparing siblings is a no-no in the world of good parenting. It's not right to define one (especially the younger) by traits of the big bro which he lacks. But these aren’t our kids and these siblings are ski boots so we're gonna do it here. K2’s Pinnacle 110 HV is slightly shorter, slightly chubbier and slightly softer that the 130 version. Sorry dude, that's life. But hey, at $100 less, you are a much more affordable kid to raise. Who doesn’t like that?
The point is that the 110 HV doesn't really lack much that the 130 offers other than some macho-man stiffness and that hook thing on the Powerbuckle power strap (which is a nice touch). This is a kick ass boot for any good skier who has an average to somewhat wider foot and doesn't have the weight or ego issues that demand a 130 flex. The 110's cuff rides a touch lower on the leg, testers felt, so it's a particularly good match for shorter and younger skiers or guys with thicker calves that don't like a tall cuff climbing up their leg.
The LuxFit Tour Intuition liner is softer than the denser 130 model, giving the 110 more of a relaxed comfort feel during initial try-on. It doesn’t mean it’s any less fierce on-snow. The 110 HV turns it on with the pent up rage of a pissed-off younger brother and matched the bigger boys turn-for-turn.
