The Gist
Rossignol adds a new hike-mode boot to its stable and testers say this one's a prize bull—the Rossignol Track 130 is big. As far as our research shows, the Track 130 is the only 130 flex in a true 104 mm last with a hike mode on the market. Wide, stiff boots made for walkin'.
The Fit
The lower boot isn't boat-like, it's a shipping-container ship of a boat, with maxed-out width available in toebox, forefoot, navicular area and along the lateral side of the foot! Testers liked the shape—it was foot-like, just not much like their feet. It will take a lot of hoof to fill the shoe here, but there are plenty of guys looking for just that, and often they can use a stout 130 flex cuff. Speaking of the cuff, we found it slightly firmer and narrower at the boot top than might suit a big muscular calf but liner molding helped relax that fit zone, as well.
Performance
As with other Rossignol boots, testers love the stance angles (if a tad upright) and can bank on a predictable turn initiation and finish regardless of terrain or snow surface because even if the boot is roomy, the heel and ankle are always held properly. The Track 130 utilizes the same Posi-Block cuff release as the rest of the Alltrack family, and testers like the simplicity of the actuation and the solid way it connects upper to lower for performance skiing but they gave it demerits for the cuff's lack of range of motion when released.
Cool Features
The Track 130 offers a larger, co-molded soft plastic insert at the shell's instep for even easier entry and exit—stuff 'em in there no-handed in the parking lot and kick 'em off later in the bar! Unique to the Track line-up for men and women, WinTherm "active" thermal insulation (micro-perforated aluminum membrane) is incorporated in the liner to reflect heat back toward the foot. For enhanced walkability, aftermarket WTR (Walk to Ride) soles are available for use with WTR bindings.
Kudos
Caveats