The Gist
We tested prototypes of the new 2018 DaleBoot AK 130 at this year's boot test and testers saw potential for this re-born On-Off Area medium (the shell is the former Black Diamond Factor MX) as well as some current flaws in the system—both stemming from the current Intuition liner.
The Fit
The fit game is one of partnership between shell and liner—and much will be evolving with the AK 130 as DaleBoot finalizes liner development this Fall. The shell fits shorter than other boots of a given size (and this was the case in its previous BD form as well) and fairly average medium-width throughout the lower, with the exception of the heel, which is quite tight (and was before). The lace-up, tongue-style Intuition liner we tried was a little low and thin in the tongue, which gave the boot a short feel against the leg and allowed the leg to spill forward a bit out of the front of the boot. DaleBoot tells us that those elements will change in the next phase of development. Even with these few liner glitches, testers agreed that the liner feel of the new DaleBoot generation AK 130 is already better than the former BD liner.
Performance
The AK 130 is made of polyurethane in the upper cuff and shell, and the rigid bootboard is through-bolted to the soles with metal bushing connections, so this is a stiff and powerful ride—laterally testers thought it was Frontside powerful for driving edges on firm snows but a few found it overly rigid off-piste, where bumpy terrain rattled them a bit. Testers liked the side-to-side alignment straightaway but were disconcerted by the way the liner we tested allowed the leg to dump overly forward during flexion. We will be re-testing the revised version as soon as it's available. The AK 130 sports one of the best hike mode actuation switches in the business, and the range of motion is top-tier, both forward and rearward.
Cool Features
We are waiting to hear from DaleBoot how they plan to handle the sole-canting issue with the AK boots and what other former BD models may be rising again like the Phoenix.
