Fischer RC4 Pro LV ZF CFC GW

Model Year
2023-2024
Category
All-Mountain Traditional
Last Width
98
Flex Index
140
Price (MSRP)
$1050.00USD

It's nice to see that as much as things change and evolve, some things stay the same--in a good way. Take the Fischer RC4 Pro LV ZF CFC GW for example. Yes, the name is new and a bit cryptic, but the character of the new RC4 very much stays true to its heritage. We've always counted on the low volume RC4 to set the fit tension standard for what is a true narrow, and this year's test showed that remains true. The RC4 Pro (the pro means it's a 140-flex) LV had the tightest fit scores in every single tested fit zone of all the narrow All-Mountain entries this year, with a particularly tight fit identified at the navicular, heel and ankle pockets. Did some testers with prominent ankle or navicular bones complain about that? Yes, they did, but that still made them happy, because narrows that don't irritate those testers' particular spots should be called something else, namely mediums.

However, testers said that much of the initial harshness of fit on bony prominences began to vanish with time spent in the boot as the ZipFit liner (that's the ZF in the code name) became warmed by the foot. They said that some movement and pressure from the act of skiing further improved the fit, as the firm cork and resin filler used in the liner slowly migrated to match the skier's shape. Testers also conducted some secondary tests where they cooked the liner using both a hot stacks and a convection oven and reported the best results of all for fit, and while they didn't go so far as to say a full-blown liner molding was requisite, their elevated praise for the positive changes it brought on makes us feel like it should be the first thing someone does once they plunk the money down for this one.

Stance and performance feedback from testers also harked back to RC4s of old, but in a subtle way. This RC4 Pro LV offers a slightly stronger inside edge set-up than most of the all-mountain narrows we tested and a slightly more forward leaning cuff angle, but not by much. The RC4 of old was raked very aggressively forward and had a tipped out cuff that was almost unmanageable in off-piste terrain. This modern take on the venerated model will favor the technical skier who spends a fair amount of time on hard snow, at high speed but who will tear off into the junk on the sides of a run with high edge angles and a commitment to the outside ski rather than a park-influenced swivel and schmear. If the out-of-box stance is too aggressively forward and outboard for skiers looking for a more relaxed quad and flatter ski, both are easily adjustable with Velcro rear spoiler and fixed cuff adjusting inserts (of which the latter do not come in the box).

For skiers who need a bit more help for their navicular or styloid process hot spots, an 80-degree (C.) convection oven and Vaccum mold is not an option on this solid beast. It's a polyurethane lower shell coupled with a carbon-infused polyurethane cuff (the CFC in the code name)--so, more traditional bootfitting methods will be required to bend this one to a skier's will and shape. Testers were just fine with this, as they said this more traditional plastic build (and stiffness) put skis on edge in serious fashion and helped maintain a stable attitude over unpredictable surfaces regardless of mach-level. Not surprisingly, the RC4 Pro LV's highest score was for Edge Power, with a near-perfect 4.91.

Gender 
Men's
Sizes (MP) 
22.5-29.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Narrow
Cantology Compatible 
No
Total Avg Score 
4.56
Shell/Cuff/Tongue Plastic 
polyurethane/carbon-infused polyurethane
Anatomical Fit and Initial Feel 
4.55
Dynamic Balance 
4.45
Edge Power & Fore-Aft Support 
4.91
Quickness, Steering & Feel 
4.73
Convenience, Warmth & Features 
4.18
Tech Compatible 
No
  • Fischer RC4 LV Pro with Zipfit Liner and Gripwalk sole

Kudos

  • “Firm and comfortable liner--f this were my boot to keep I'd probably add Zipfit OMfit material to both sides of the heel pockets. I'm liking the near uniform fit and feel of the Zipfit liner as it is though.” -- Jim Morris
  • “I love the liner--the lace-up system and fit, especially after heating, are outstanding.” -- Scott Blackwell
  • “Once I heat molded the ZipFit liner the boot had great connection to the foot and ankle--made changing direction effortless. It skis like a race boot!” -- Jim Schaffner
  • “Skied high speed groomers like it was the boss!” -- Dallas Goldsmith
  • “The RC4 Pro LV is a very different animal than the MVs with a pretty aggressive fit--quite tight on the styloid and navicular and very snug through the lower leg shaft, ankles and heel. Probably the tightest fit of the test so far--and that's not a bad thing!” -- Mark Elling
  • “In addition to the improvements in fit, the skiability of this boot also changed dramatically upon cooking liners. It helped with every aspect of stance and performance. ” -- Kevin Gabriel

Caveats

  • “It's awkward to get on.” -- Jim Morris
  • “The ZipFit liners is one of its best qualities, but the fact that it moves inside the shell is one of its worst qualities.” --
  • “I like the Zip Fit partnership but I don't like putting liners on first, before the shell!” -- Dallas Goldsmith
  • “You have to heat fit the liner.” -- Christian Sigvartsen

This boot available at...

Glenmont, NY
Columbia, SC
Avon, CO
Chicago, IL
Westborough, MA
Morris Plains, NJ
Teton VIllage, WY
Costa Mesa, CA

Special thanks to all of our sponsors!

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