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.
Great initial fit. The liner has been updated and provides a well-cushioned, close-to-the-foot feel. A long-travel flex makes smooth work of the downhill. It’s easy-up the mountain thanks to a smooth gliding hike mode and its overall light weight.
A little snugger than expected in the toebox for a medium-width hybrid, testers said. They found even, 101-ish fit tension throughout the rest of the lower boot. The cuff rides a little lower on the leg than others in the category. Testers said that made for supple, slinky steering moves and amplified quickness scores. The room in the calf is a little more pronounced than that in the lower boot. That made for an easy calf fit but also led to a little searching for the fore-aft sweet spot, testers said.
Testers liked the agile, able feel underfoot. It prompted on-demand transitions and rapid turn initiation. Laterally, the stance set-up is a little soft to the inside edge. The boot requires a bit more roll toward the inside of the turn than normal but there was definitely meat on the bone once the ski hooked up. Testers felt the flex was softer than the 120 label.
The Hike Ride Lock cuff release is deceptively simple to use but still confuses some testers. The Ride feature (locked cuff, soft flex mode) was not useful to testers. They all liked the rigid flex (Lock position) best. The cuff attachment points look like adjustments, but alas, they are not, and there’s none of Fischer’s Vacuum technology to make stance corrections. If you’ve got substantial stance issues, this is not for you. The cosmetics (Kermit the Frog on acid?) worked for some more than others.
Built for Comfort—amen to that, testers said. This is a huge, cushy bucket with an awesome hike (bar) mode (hey even K2 calls it an Apres Mode). It is not built for expert skiers (or advanced ones) but would be a great starter boot for big footed bubbas with large calves.
The entry and exit is without parallel—so easy and smooth (no hands). And once in, the fit is a cushion-monger's dream—so silky soft it's sick (say that with a lisp). The stance is upright, open at the boot top and the cuff is fairly low on the leg, so big-ass calves need to be in there to fill up that space and move the leg into a balanced position. Testers gave the fit scores an even stroke down the maximum and just-shy-of-maximum width column—open, easy and even.
This boot is a surprisingly strong edger if a skilled skier tips the boot sideways. But the edge power sweet spot requires a skier to maintain a balanced position fore and aft, as the boot's low, soft cuff isn't going to help much with that—failing to the rear and collapsing to the front when taxed (some bite, mid-shin for some), testers said. So, it’s a good low-edge-angle cruiser for après-ski-centric folk who will absolutely love the hike (bar) mode here.
Did we mention that the Synchro Interlock cuff release system is super? Easy to use and creates a ton of smooth mobility fore and aft. Did we mention they call it “Après Mode." Tres bon. It also has K2's sweet upper cuff adjustment mechanism.
The next evolution of the Pinnacle, K2 revises its perennial winner in the On-Off Area category. New this year is a lightweight Pebax plastic construction and a real 4th buckle at cuff top. These changes are successfully integrated into a boot that was already a top edge power scorer. The Pinnacle Pro will appeal to hard-charging area skiers who actually plan to do some skinning.
It’s a medium that sits on the snug side of the group, testers said. It’s especially compressive at the instep, ankles and navicular bone. The toebox offers quite a bit of breathing width.
Peak pressure points relaxed for most testers after full molding of the Precision Fit Tour Light Intuition liner. The upper cuff wrapped the lower leg well and was nicely padded along the shin. Some testers noticed a bit of spongy "free play" at the beginning of the flex range.
The entire Pinnacle family skis well and the Pinnacle Pro is no exception. It’s surprisingly strong on edge given its lightweight Pebax construction, testers said. They hammered the Pinnacle Pro everywhere they go at Solitude and couldn't ever push it to edge grip failure. It was a deep trencher through crud and crust. A few of our bigger, heavier testers thought that the flex felt softer than 130 and that it maxed out under heavy load.
Testers continue to validate the Synchro Interlock hike mechanism design. It’s easy is to use and has a huge range of motion. It’s smooth both forward and backward making for efficient skinning and hiking. Rockered Vibram soles are a newly-available option this year. The toe and heel lugs have integrated tech fittings making the boot compatible with both alpine and tech bindings. That’s the mark of a true On-Off Area performer.
A minor liner change to this year’s XT 130 bumped up its fit scores with testers this time around. It was on the On-Off Area group’s podium for the second straight year.
Well shaped and nicely padded around bony prominences making for a no-hot-spot fit. It hovers just to the snug side of medium group fit tension scores. Testers all green lighted the new interior lining that makes entry and exit easier without making it too slippery.
They gave it consistent medium-width scores in all areas with a few ticks indicating a bit of extra snugness at the heel and ankles. A new, perforated foam tongue construction over the midfoot keeps it snug but not crushing. The cuff is slightly roomier than the lower, but the buckles worked well to wrap every leg shape as needed.
The hallmark of the XT 130 is its lively, snappy feel. The long-travel, spring-loaded flex generates energy and pop with every turn. Testers said it was at the heart of what makes this boot so much fun to ski. The polyolefin HP cuff construction also shaves some weight without sacrificing power and stability in the lower (polyether plastic).
Testers said it was easy to dial-in on a good lateral stance set-up. Super-strong edge engagement with power to hold a precise arc.
Fore and aft balance proved elusive for some who thought the ramp angle was a bit low and cuff angle too upright to keep them out of the trunk. A simple 3-5mm heel lift and rear spoiler would push them to perfection, they said.
All agreed the Power V-Lock 2.0 hike mode was solid.
Testers liked the hike mode range of motion. It’s longer and more friction-free than past XT iterations. Grippy replaceable alpine soles and rockered Walk to Ride (WTR) soles come with the XT 130.
A warm, roomy cush-monster with a hike mode—perfect for guzzling beers at the bar while you wait for the pond-skim. Testers said this boot is built to party. Super high perceived comfort upon initial fit, and the entry and exit is top-shelf.
Testers gave the N-Move 120 even 4's (out of 5) for its fit throughout the lower boot—so it's roomy but not huge. The liner feel is caressingly cushioned, said one, and downright gooey, said another. The initial fit is the boot's best trick—feels like a litter of fluffy kittens humping your foot, a third tester said. The stance is upright with a lowish feeling cuff on the leg (good for larger calves). Ease of entry and exit is without compare—your foot goes in like it's been lubricated.
Testers said they'd need larger calves and heel lifts to find a balanced stance here. Testers found themselves driving from the back seat and said the boot lacked rearward support. Laterally testers had a hard time finding the edge of their skis, citing a generally weak linkage for side to side movements.
The ACP (Adjustable Calf Profile) further opens the boot top to engorge a massive calf—awesome for colossal-calf guys.
The Alltrack Pro 130 returns unchanged to reclaim a top spot in the On-Off area category. Testers were mixed on the color scheme, but all voted “aye” on fit and skiability.
The initial fit is well-draped and welcoming with a warm and padded feel against the foot. The toebox width and length is roomier than average. Some low-volume footed testers said it’s feasible to think about down-sizing to gain a very compact fit. If you like that kind of painted-on feel, this is a good boot to try with. Most liked the Alltrack Pro just fine as-sized on the wider side of the medium group.
The ankle pockets are noticeably well formed, a sensation noted on many test forms. They contour to the shape of the ankle bones and hold them in a comfy and firm fashion that says, “Let’s go ski.” The cuff is neutral with ideal flex feel and tongue cushioning, testers said. Some thought the boot felt soft at room temperature but found it perked right up in the cold.
This is more in-area boot than backcountry touring machine, unless you don't care much about the up but absolutely must have the goods to lay waste to the descent. It skis well, testers agreed, in all conditions, turn radii, speeds and terrain. It steers and schmears, rails trenches, absorbs big hits, bashes bumps. Really, what else is there to do?
Many testers thought Rossignol must have changed something on this year's model as it seemed to ski better than prior editions, but no, the company says, it's the same old same old.
The hike mode is not the best of the group. It's difficult to pop the Posi-Block mechanism in and out as needed. The hike range of motion is limited and moves rearward only. Testers didn’t think of this boot as a long-touring option and neither should you. It’s primarily built for the downhill and has ample rearward support for that.
The lateral cuff adjustment is single-sided and the grippy soles are replaceable and swappable to Walk to Ride (WTR) rocker-toed versions ($80 option). Thinsulate laminate in liner boosts warmth retention.
A shock-absorbing off-piste master with a ton of useful features, the X-Face 120 appealed to skiers looking to explore the whole mountain and beyond. The lower boot fit is roomier than expected up front but comfortable and warm as a result.
Exceptionally open in the toebox and forefoot for a 99mm last, but the fit tapered nicely into the heel and ankle and the spiral wrap Intuition liner, once molded, allowed for a more curve-hugging feel up front. The stance was slightly more forward than average and the calf fit on par for narrow class rides. Entry and exit was amongst the best of the test—super easy glide.
Testers were surprised by the power transmitted to the edge here—laying fat trenches through a variety of snow and terrain. Testers thought that the slightly too-forward stance and firm flex feel reduced a bit of ankle flexion range but only minimally. They felt that the liner's bulk, prior to molding, sapped some of the boot's quickness but mentioned that post-mold the better contouring around the foot translated into better quickness and feel for the snow.
The hike mode feature is simple and standard but avails a respectable range of motion and Dynafit tech inserts open up options for exploration beyond the ski area boundary. The Fast Buckle cam lock powerstrap is techie and functional.
A controversial decision was rendered, along the lines of the epic April 2016 Pacquiao-Bradley boxing match. Some testers liked the spacey looking QST Pro 130 while others were less enthusiastic in their judgement. Where they fell on its skiability depended on where they took it and their instep height. Those with low insteps were comfortable. It was more at home on soft snow with a lighter touch than ramming it on the hardpack.
The unique experience that is the QST begins with entry past the distinctive-looking Endofit tongue construction. It’s not an overlap shell but it’s also not a three-piece design. The cutaway, open-throat style lower is mated with a unique rigid exoskeleton tongue whose edges remain tucked underneath the shell opening. Getting the boot on requires pulling on the tongue loop enough to slide the foot past the instep area but without pulling the entire tongue assembly out of the shell (oops; we did that and it was a pain to put back).
Once inside, testers found the fit very close along the top of the foot and up through the instep and shin. Testers with low insteps liked the painted-on hug over the top of the foot; those with high insteps got a bit tingly and embarked straight away on Custom Shell molding.
The ankle and heel pockets also received tight fit scores, placing the QST's lower fit on the snug side of the medium range. The shin fit and flex feel is funky and long in travel. Lighter weight testers generally called it progressive and firm while some of the bigger guys claimed it was uneven and collapsed easily.
Testers all agreed that the boot moves laterally like a cobra, weaving in and out of turns with a slimy, silky lightweight touch for the snow. Agile and accurate side-to-side moves were best executed with finesse rather than an aggressive assault. Don’t push it.
The stance is on the upright side of the fore-aft range and set up very flat laterally; there’s no grippy inside edge bias here. Testers found that rolling edge angles up high unlocked the QST's power, especially on soft snow. At lower edge angles its steering ability was precise.
Aggressive moves to the front of the boot were met with, again, mixed results. Some testers found the long travel flex snappy and resilient while others claimed it folded over mid-shin and felt much softer than its marked 130 flex. The combination of polyamide (lightweight nylon-like) and polyurethane in the lower boot with polypropylene (lighter than PU) in the cuff creates a very light feeling boot, testers said.
The Surelock cuff release mechanism is sideways mounted and awesomely easy to release for touring and hiking. It provides a solid connection for descent. Releasing the cuff also eased entry and exit. The Custom Shell molding process is a must for testers with higher insteps or bony prominences midfoot. Pre-padding hot spots prior to undergoing the process was important. Our tests showed the 20 minute procedure opened up the instep fit nicely.
Did it again. Testers said the Freedom RS continues to offer the best combination of light weight, frictionless touring range of motion and skiing power in the On-Off Area category. It misses the medium-width fit target to the narrow side with insanely narrow heel grip.
The Freedom RS's revamped Intuition Cross Fit Ride liner is thicker and provides a more padded feeling, especially at the top of the tongue. That’s a spot testers cited as a fit concern last year. It's still firm and performance-oriented but it’s now more comfortable on the shin. The liner snugged the entire fit of the lower boot compared to previous versions, leading testers to mark down a lot of low volume ratings at the instep, navicular bone, ankles and heel.
The heel fit was among the tightest of the test, so skiers with low rearfoot volume will find this a great match. After liner thermo-molding, testers unanimously reported a much improved lower fit but still felt the boot fit snugger than a typical 101mm last.
Sets the bar for uphill quality amongst alpine sole tourers. The range of motion is free both fore and aft with a smooth gliding feel that adds hours to the ski day via efficient hiking and less fatigue as a result. The instep clamps down a bit while striding, so consider having your boot tech pre-pad the top of your feet during liner molding. That will open up the fit there a touch.
Its downhill prowess is masked in the backcountry. You might not recognize that you have a boot that can tip and rip like a World Cup plug model until you click into a front-side ski, take it on hard snow and jack it up to 50 mph. Oh yes it can.
The carbon insert in the Pebax Rnew lower boot stiffens the feel underfoot like an overdose of Cialis. The polyamide (similar to nylon and Grilamid) upper cuff delivers power to the edge without losing a beat.
Testers liked the metal-to-metal hike mode lever. It’s exceedingly simple to use and bombproof. Testers thought the boot stood a touch too upright in the stock forward lean setting and recommended employing the on-board forward lean adjuster. Comes stock with tech binding compatible, rockered, Vibram Mountain Plus soles. Mountain Piste alpine soles we tested are available as a $40 option.
Name is the same as before but the design is completely new. Tecnica kept the elements that made the Cochise Pro 130 a winner and sweetened things further. There are huge improvements in fit and performance combined with a reduction in weight. It's little wonder this was the highest scoring boot in the On-Off Area category and the second-highest scoring boot of the 100 models we tested.
The Cochise line adapts the foot anatomy driven design that has proven so successful in Tecnica's Mach1 range and splits the difference between narrow and medium widths checking in with a 99mm last.
Good idea, said testers, who felt it snug enough to roll with the narrow group but shapely enough where it mattered (toebox, forefoot, navicular bone, ankles, Achilles) to satisfy a medium width foot. A best of both worlds fit, they said. A few testers mentioned overly snug spots upon buckle-up, but all said the liner adapted quickly and molded closely to their foot without feeling sloppy.
Noticeably lighter than before yet it skied with a more powerful and snappier feel turn-to-turn. How possible? Tecnica’s Power Light Design utilizes a polyether plastic frame with a higher density, but thinner, shell wall to reduce weight. That increases power and snow feel. The new Cochise feels more like a scalpel than a sword.
It’s accurate and “poppy,” powerful underfoot at high speeds and over all surfaces. The Mobility Cuff functionality is one of the category’s best. It has a simple to use actuator and glides smoothly fore and aft with the cuff disengaged; when engaged for descents, the metal-to-metal connection locks down tight.
Where to start? There's so much here. Tech binding compatible toe and heel lugs offer access to lighter weight touring bindings. The C.A.S. shell and liner offer Tecnica's bootfitter-friendly construction details that allow for targeted and precise modifications where needed. Testers raved about the new Lift Lock buckles that peel back and stay completely out of the way so they don't accidentally catch during entry and exit.
The name's the same, but for many testers the Cochise 130 Pro may as well have been a brand new boot—and for all intents and purposes it is completely remodeled, from floor to ceiling. The shell shape is redesigned around a closer anatomical match with the human foot, with more contouring for the navicular bone (you can see the small bulge on the medial side), asymmetrical ankle pockets, a tighter heel but with a deeper groove for the Achilles tendon and a more squared-off toebox shape. Testers unanimously approved of the shape—both for a comfortable fit right out of the box but also for the control and performance it enabled. It's a shapely 98mm last, testers said, with curves in all the right places and hovering on the relaxed-fit side of the narrow group.
The Cochise has always been a stout-skiing beast and it's still one of the strongest of the cuff-releasing bunch, but the new design and use of new Triax 2.0 plastic has given the Cochise fresh legs—testers noticed the flex feel was more lively and energetic. It's still a stable boot, just not damp to the point of dull. The cuff has a tall feel along the leg and is on the upright side of neutral—not to mention this is a 130 flex that means it, so big, aggressive skiers will have plenty of throttle to work with. The boot's firm flex feel doesn't block good flexion, testers say, but it does reward a skier who knows how to drive the tongue when needed.
The metal-to-metal Cuff Mobility release mechanism found on all the Cochise boots is one of the best for simple actuation and a rock-solid performance linkage, but this year the Cochise Pro 130's hiking range of motion was shockingly good, testers said. Tecnica attributes the improved range and quality of movement to the new shape interface between cuff and lower boot that reduce friction and blockage between the two.
Testers who had no love for the Cochise 120 in the past loved it this year. Even testers who somehow didn't like the narrower, stiffer Pro this year still loved the Cochise 120. Everybody loves the Cochise 120, it's like a rave. Well, testers raved about it at any rate. They like the new fit, the new flex, the new liner and the newfound range of motion in its hike mode.
The easygoing medium-width fit is shared with fraternal twin, non-hike Mach1—the characteristic bulge for the navicular on the arch side of the shell, the wider and more-square toebox shape, asymmetric ankle contours--those are all family traits. The heel is also tighter but more carved out along the path where the Achilles tendon rests. All this goodness is wrapped in a revised Ultra Fit liner, closed within the anatomically redesigned upper cuff and connected with the Mobility Cuff release mechanism (a tester favorite).
Neither the cuff release switch itself nor its metal-to-metal linkage is new, but the way the cuff rotates fore and aft when released is. The range of motion and the quality of the movement are both improved due to the changes in shell and cuff shape as well as the use of new Triax 2.0 in the lower shell. Testers were amazed at how much better the cuff range was this year.
