The 2021/2022 Salomon S/Pro 100 W GW was tested in the women’s All-Mountain Traditional medium category by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.
The Gist
The all-new liner in this year’s S/Pro 100 W won over testers upon first try-on across the board. The noticed that the transition from shin to instep to foot in the seamless liner felt—well, seamless. And the ankle pockets were properly shaped, properly placed and somehow firm and cushioned at the same time, they said. While they were most impressed with the all-around comfort (even the calf!) they would’ve ditched it if it hadn’t skied well, which it did too.
The Fit
Fit scores for the S/Pro stayed to the wide side of the median for the 100mm group, allowing for a warm and relaxed toebox and room for the forefoot to splay a bit and find balance without numbness. The lateral side of the boot is well-flared and the opposite side offers more room for the navicular than one would expect, looking at the location of the power-creating Core Frame apparatus. Our thicker-calf testers were very excited to find a performance medium that suited the thick-of-leg, and when testing the Custom Shell HD molding process they found additional calf adaptation without a loss of good fit elsewhere. Testers liked the cuff height and lateral stance alignment but a few of the slender legged mentioned feeling a bit upright.
Performance
Testers liked how trouble free the S/Pro 100 W was in every all-mountain spot they could put it in—predictable starts to turns of all sizes and solid enough for experts at high speeds and through tricky snow. Earning its highest marks in the quickness and steering category, testers said it's light enough and quick enough underfoot for tight spots and dynamic maneuvers. They were impressed with the broad bandwidth of this 100 flex medium.
Cool Features
This year’s Customfit 4D liner’s Talyn exterior material sandwiched against a softer, customizable foam in the ankle pockets made a difference for our test team—before they knew what had been changed the talk was about the improved comfort level (in a boot that was already damn comfy). The Custom Shell HD molding process works for evening out fit inconsistencies and creating more space, and testers typically feel more in-balance after going through the process. Testers had zero complaints about the toebox, thanks to a revised elastic liner construction there. GripWalk soles come mounted.
