Roxa R3W 105 TI I.R.

Model Year
2020-2021
Category
All-Mountain Freeride
Last Width
99
Flex Index
105
Price (MSRP)
$750.00USD
The 2020/2021 Roxa R3W 105 TI I.R. is reviewed in the women's All-Mountain Freeride medium category based on tests at Silver Mountain Resort & Mt. Bachelor Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit Media.

 

The Gist

The R3W 105 TI I.R. enters the fray for next year with an updated graphic and a tongue-style Intuition-Roxa full thermo liner to remain our test team’s favorite three-piece freeride boot. It's a svelte 99 mm three-piece (cabrio), contouring closely along the curves of the foot and lower leg and minimally padded by the custom liner to maintain a direct, connected feel with the ski. The Grilamid shell and Polyurethane cuff combine for a unique blend of light weight and strong flex feel. The hike mode's range of travel is impressive and GripWalk soles add to its easy rolling stride, testers said.

The Fit

Testers say this 99 mm rides the fit fence between the medium width and narrow groups. The toebox is snug, and the shell feels very close to the navicular and ankle bones—most testers had a full liner molding on their to-do lists. The heel pocket is a bit tight, they say, but right. The calf offers a bit of relief from the squeeze, so average legs attached to slender feet will do well here. Testers noted a sharp feeling tongue against the shin, and again were hopeful that cooking and molding the tongue-style I.R. liner would put that to bed.

Performance

Uncharacteristic of most three-piece boots, testers said the flex feel is stout (stiffer than the 105 labeling) and because it starts from an upright position it required some push to find a fore-aft sweet spot. Testers liked the power that the solid cuff generated in lateral moves and said it tipped all manner of skis onto edge and held them there well. The boot's performance sweet spot is in the lateral moves, testers agreed, allowing the stiff, thin-shell-walled lower boot to feel the snow surface and sink its teeth in. Transitions between turns were lively and quick and edging response was immediate, testers said.

Cool Features

Testers like the collection of gadgetry here. The power strap buckle is wide and easily dialed in for tension. The 45-degree second buckle retains the foot at the instep effectively. The ski-hike cuff lock is simple to actuate, and in conjunction with a long and friction-free range of travel in hike mode, they liked the easy roll of the GripWalk soles when walking. Note that the R3W 105 TI I.R. is tech compatible, and that if a skier plans to use them with alpine bindings, be sure those are GripWalk compatible--a set of alpine DIN soles does come in the box.

Gender 
Women's
Sizes (MP) 
22.5-27.5
Hike Mode 
Yes
Construction 
Cabrio/3-PC
Boot width profile 
Medium
Also in this Collection 
R3W 95 I.R., $700; R3W 95, $625; R3W 85, $575
Cantology Compatible 
No
Shell/Cuff/Tongue 
Grilamid/polyurethane/Grilamid
Tech Compatible 
Yes

Kudos

  • “Surprisingly good coverage with only having 2 buckles and a jumbo combo buckle power strap. Super easy on and off. The measurement marks on the power strap seem like a really smart idea. Tall and upright, it feels especially good from the ankle down to my toes. It’s a rock solid carver, and if you can flex it you can get some juice out of it, though happiest when you ski it from the midfoot or heel. ” -- Megen Johnson
  • “Love the colors and cool graphics. There is a lot of strappy plastic to deal with but once you get the system figured out you’re golden. Skis top of the line and versatile. Would fit a woman with a skinnier ankle and calf. ” --
  • “Great boot for someone looking for a backcountry-ish boot and has a keen engineering brain so they can sort out how to get it on. ” -- Melodie Buell

Caveats

  • “Buckles are awkward, and it’s a bit too upright and hard to flex for a 105. ” -- Megen Johnson
  • “Skis off the calf. Stiff, stovepipey boot. Not forgiving.” -- Liz Elling

This boot available at...

Steamboat Springs, CO
Portland, OR
Mammoth Lakes, CA

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