The Gist
The all-new Strider Elite 130 Dyn takes the tester-favored Strider Pro 130 and squeezes it into a lighter weight package via a new liner and buckle (thank you!) design this year. Unchanged is its snug-medium fit character and cork-clad liner heel and ankle pockets that grip the rearfoot fit for hard-charging lines. Testers again put the Strider in the “real-boot” sub-category among Freeride boots, meaning it won’t disappoint serious skiers on the descent and it offers an adequate and user-friendly set of uphill skills. Testers are impressed with the rare combination of light weight and a damp, stable feel engineered by the Grilamid shell and carbon-Triax cuff.
The Fit
Testers agree that the Strider Elite 130 Dyn sits just on the snug side of the medium-fit center line, with a much-improved fit this year in the ankle pockets and heel by way of the revised liner. The aggressive ankle fit is now relaxed and while it still remains snug it's better shaped and more cushioned. The flex-feel is firm but on target for a 130, they said, with just enough cushion for the shin. The Laced 3D Cork Fit Primaloft 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. Testers have always loved the closure of the Strider, but they are ecstatic this year for the revised buckle design (it's a regular buckle, sweet!).
Performance
One tester said last year of the Strider Pro, form has high-fived function here, and the rest of the crew agreed--things haven't changed there. Testers were surprised by the Strider Elite 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 45 mm Velcro power strap was a favorite—no silly pulley-buckle B.S. here, thank you Nordica. The Strider Pro's wire-loop-hooky-bale buckles that were disdained by some and loved by others are gone, gone, gone here, and nobody's gonna complain about that. 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 are still 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.
