2023-2024 BOOT NEWS & The Boot Test's Top Brands
We tested every BOA model available that fit into our test categories from Atomic, Fischer, K2 and Salomon and our men’s and women’s test teams both came back with net-positive responses on the spool and cable closure system. For this year the dials were utilized on the lower shell and all the configurations were the same, though how these brands designed their lower boot to utilize the external lacing varied slightly. Testers widely liked the one-click-at-a-time micro adjustment of the cable tension and most of the models we tested posed no barrier to entry into the boot. We expect that we’ll see the technology expand into other brands next year and even creep upward onto the boot cuff, and we’re okay with that—it’s the reel deal.
The Lange Shadow represents a reimagining of overlap boot design in the way that the cuff attaches to the lower shell and more to the point is an all new lineup in their All Mountain range. There are interesting resilient anchor points and a gliding rear spine apparatus that combine to offer improved connectivity between human and ski as well as a mechanically-leveraged power boost to flexing movements. We dived into the nuts and bolts of the new makeup in extensive tests on four Shadow models for men and women and can attest that not only did we believe the hype—we probably added to it.
The new Tecnica Cochise HV models offer a truly wide fit in a performance Freeride boot and while that may seem pedestrian, it gets our bootfitter tester types wound up! There haven’t been legit performers in the wide ride, tech-compatible boot space in, well, forever, as far as we can tell. Sure there have been some good semi-wide Freeriders but nothing that would match the sort of fit and performance that we’ve seen explode on the 102mm fixed cuff scene. Not anymore—for those of size with eyes on an uphill prize the Cochise HV will not disappoint.
Oh, and which brands won at the test? Here’s the top 7 brands, in order, based on their entered models’ average score: Lange, Rossignol, Tecnica, Nordica, Head, K2 and Fischer.
