The 2021/2022 Tecnica Cochise 130 DYN GW was tested in the men’s All-Mountain Freeride medium category by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.
The Gist
Tecnica was in a position with the Cochise 130 where they had very little to gain by changing it—it was already one of the very best freeride boots on the market. So what did they do? Changed the whole damn thing… shell, liner, cuff release mechanism, all of it. They must have puffed out a big ol’ sigh of relief when everybody absolutely loved it. Our testers sure did. Better fit. Better skiing. Better hike range-of-motion. Better gizmos. Better price. Well, no, the price is still the same. But it didn’t go up!
The Fit
Testers said this is a benchmark example of how a 99mm lasted boot should fit—with the exception of the ankles, which were freakin’ snug until things got warmed up and broken in (or cooked, or CAS liner grinded—yes, grinded. Ground?). The in-between narrow and medium width realm has been defined by the Cochise for years and still is. It’s tight enough in control zones but relaxed a bit in all the right places for improved blood flow and zero hot spots . Testers said the cuff angles, height and flex feel were on the money for a 130 and just cushioned enough for all day shin love without feeling spongy. The fit over the top of the foot is firm, but not aggressive.
Performance
The Cochise 130 averaged 4.67’s in all of its performance categories, except for edge power where it received a 4.83. The medial side of the shell is thickened to provide more power to the inside edge and the new T-Drive style cuff release mechanism is more rigidly designed and also locks out to avoid a premature release, which everybody hates. This year’s Cochise skied stronger, so we’ll give it to those two new elements—nicely done for a boot with a hinge. It stomped the majority of the boots in the narrow and medium width fixed cuff category too.
Cool Features
The bootfitter driven C.A.S. fit features remain on board the Cochise, with nice adaptations to both the shell and liner for enhanced fit tweaking. The new articulated liner is a nice blend of performancey firmness and comfy soft stuff, and it does move better fore and aft while the cuff is released. The integrated lock system on the cuff release arm is small but testers said they were able to deal with it no problem with gloves on—if you can’t figure it out at the end of the day, don’t drive down from the hill, maybe? The power lock hook grabber thing on the power strap is generally approved by testers—just hard to sling em over your shoulder at the end of the day. Get a Transpack. Also, hard charging women skiers or guys with small feet should take note—it’s available down to a 22.5.
