The 2021/2022 Head Formula 130 was tested in the men’s All-Mountain Traditional medium category by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.
The Gist
Our test team had been waiting for Head’s real replacement to the Vector medium width (Nexo didn’t really count for us) but we hadn’t been expecting an all-mountain version of a fully revised Raptor! Testers said thank you Head for finally showing up to the medium width performance party, and doing so in style. The Formula 130 will be a slam dunk for skiers looking for a classic performance ski boot with modern shape and fit features—virtually no flaws found by our testers.
The Fit
The Formula presents a proportionately “opened-up” fit map to overlay the narrow Formula RS’s, testers said, differentiated enough to be its own boot but sharing all the narrow’s performance cred and also not straying into “wide-ish” fit territory. The new toebox shape is long for a Head, and perhaps a little longer-feeling than many in the category, and yet the barely increased boot sole length wouldn’t have given it away. The toebox is generous in width and height, as is the forefoot fit, and then the grip begins to tighten behind that point to a firm but shapely grasp on the ankles and heel. The heel is just slightly more relaxed than the RS’s Achilles anchor, which testers liked for a touch more comfort straight out of the box. The calf fit was right on the money for a 100mm testers said, and they liked the liner’s rear spoiler left in place for fit and stance.
Performance
Testers loved the instantly accessible power (it did receive a perfect score for edge power) of the Formula 130—no adjustments needed to the boot’s quirks, as there were none. They all clicked in, pointed downhill and began having a great time through all manner of terrain, speed and snow conditions. That is one of the hallmarks of a great boot—that many different testers can go skiing, have a few super runs and have nothing bad to say about the boot. It’s a scalpel, a sledgehammer, a paintbrush—a performance multi-tasker.
Cool Features
Testers didn’t feel any need to inject the liner with Liquid Fit as they said the ankle and heel was money right out of the box, but they all like the idea of it after some time spent skiing it in. Our experiences with Liquid Fit are all positive, but don’t do it unless you need it, and don’t over do it is our advice. The Form Fit shell offers some cook-wear-and-form moldability, but similarly none of our crew felt they’d need it. Testers still don’t love the Spine Flex buckles, but as one said: just take a pill and get over it. The new bilateral cuff adjustment (aka canting) system is simple and functional—just swap in the 0.5-degree circular inserts and off you go. Many testers preferred the Formula’s fat 50mm Velcro power strap with Head’s gliding Power Plate pressure distribution piece over the Raptor-style double-power stretchy pulley, but both work well.
