Nordica Strider 130 Pro Dyn

Model Year
2019-20
Category
All-Mountain Freeride
Last Width
100
Flex Index
130
Price (MSRP)
$850.00USD

The 2019/2020 Nordica Strider 130 Pro Dyn was tested in the men's All-Mountain Freeride medium width category at Silver Mountain Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.

The Gist

Though it returns this year with a flip-flopped shell-cuff cosmetic change, testers did not flip-flop on their previous adulation for how strongly the Strider 130 Pro Dyn skis. Skis like a real boot, was a common refrain (poor hike mode boots get no respect, unless they earn it, and this one did) from testers who scored it highest for a balanced stance and edge power. The 3D Cork Fit Lite liner fit is initially aggressive (firm and snug for a medium), they said, but assured that it settles in with some wear time or heat molding.

The Fit

This year testers agreed that the Strider Pro 130 Dyn sat just on the snug side of the medium-fit centerline, with a quite snug initial fit on the lateral side of the foot, heel and ankle. Testers noted that after skiing a few runs the liner relaxed just enough to even-up the fit throughout, though it didn't blow out—it's a performance medium fit, they said. The flex-feel is firm but on target for a 130, they said, with just enough cushion for the shin. The 3D Cork Fit Lite liner is articulated for touring and is light weight, but still manages to both cushion and control the foot. The Tri-Force design Grilamid lower shell can be custom fitted with Nordica's Infrared molding system, but there weren't many testers calling for it, as liner molding took care of most of their fit needs easily.

Performance

One tester said, form has high-fived function here, and the rest of the crew agreed. Testers were surprised by the Strider Pro 130's power-to-weight ratio as the thin-shell-wall Grilamid lower boot and carbon reinforced Triax cuff teamed up to produce a noticeably lightweight boot that pumped out remarkably strong and quick turns. It didn't take many of those turns for a tester to forget it wasn't his own daily driver and go start looking for fresh lines. The hike mode got pretty decent marks for mobility range and quality of movement—one of the best of the alpine-strong tourers for sure, testers agreed. The wire-bale cuff release actuation was simple and effective, they said, though took a little practice to get latched initially.

Cool Features

The lightweight, Spartan Velcro power strap was a favorite—no silly pulley-buckle B.S. here, thank you Nordica. The wire-loop-hooky buckles were disdained by some and loved by others, but they got the boot buckled just fine with a little fiddling about along the learning curve. The combination of Dynafit certified tech inserts and GripWalk soles made this boot viable in a variety of different bindings: low-tech, alpine GripWalk, or A.T. frame, and testers appreciated that versatility (as will retailers). Testers were divided on the boot name's coolness, since it sounds an awful lot like an elliptical trainer found on the Home Shopping Network—but hey, you can get exercise with this one too, and with way better views.

Gender 
Men's
Sizes (MP) 
24.5-31.0
Hike Mode 
Yes
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Medium
Also in this Collection 
Strider 120 Dyn, $750
Cantology Compatible 
No
Total Avg Score 
4.15
Shell/Cuff/Tongue 
Grilamid/carbon Triax (polypropylene)
Anatomical Fit and Initial Feel 
3.92
Dynamic Balance 
4.50
Edge Power & Fore-Aft Support 
4.25
Quickness, Steering & Feel 
4.17
Convenience, Warmth & Features 
3.92
Tech Compatible 
Yes

Kudos

  • “Fits quite snugly for a 100 mm and provides a solid foot hold at a variety of speeds. I really like the way it grabs my foot. For a releasable cuff boot the stance set-up was very good and did not have the usual moveable feast of positioning where the cuff slides back to its landing zone--it felt like a pinned cuff boot. Skis with ease and diversity—and I was railing it purdy darn good.” -- Jim Schaffner
  • “Wow, initial fit is tight like a race boot. Great stance set-up—quick, fun and very well balanced. Yeah buddy, this sucker is a ripper! Go fast, then go faster—this one will beg for more. Nordica is doing everything right in every category. ” -- Kevin Gabriel
  • “Snugly contained fit—has a firm hold on the lateral side of the foot that relaxed a bit with time. Its secure fit suggests a strong level of performance. The Strider has a solid connection to the edge and drives arcs with control and authority. Effective power and ski drive—a good 50-50 tour and ride the mountain boot.” -- Bob Gleason

Caveats

  • “When I flex forward the tongue bites the top of my foot pretty seriously. And this tight heel may lead to touring problems for some—cook the liner!” -- Kevin Gabriel
  • “Buckles take some fiddling to align, but once set, they tighten the boot efficiently. Quite upright in stance with limited flex that isn't particularly supple in absorbing terrain variations.” -- Bob Gleason

This boot available at...

Steamboat Springs, CO
Plymouth, MI
Killington, VT
Stowe, VT
Costa Mesa, CA
Plymouth, NH
Wethersfield, CT

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