The new Atomic Hawx Prime 115 S W BOA impressed testers with its performance-oriented grip on the rearfoot mated to a relaxed forward cabin and flared boot cuff--a Hawx Prime fit combination that has been a successful one for several years. Testers said that the addition of a BOA closure on the lower shell added a welcome addition in the way of further fit fine tuning and rounded out an already robust set of useful features.
For years, our testers have lauded the Hawx Prime for its versatile 100mm fit profile--enough extra room for the toes and ball of foot paired with a firm grip on the heel and ankles. Testers felt that the heel fit this year was particularly snug, with a couple mentioning that they'd need to cook the Mimic liner in hopes of relieving a bit of that squeeze. The calf fit has always offered a nicely flared shape in both shell and liner to accommodate the more muscular or higher volume lower leg shape, and this year was no different--testers said the out-of-box fit on the calf was fantastic, with additional buckle adjustment available if needed. In fact, with a bolted-in but removable rear spoiler and the moldable Memory Fit shell cook job as a modification option, the Hawx Prime 115 S W BOA stacked up as one of the most versatile calf-fitters in the test.
Testers like the BOA system on the Hawx Prime for its small-increment adjustability and well-wrapped closure feel, but they also like that the Hawx Prime is still available with buckles--unless of course the 115-flex is a requirement, and then you're getting a BOA reel, at least for this year. One tester thought that the BOA offered a slight impediment to entry but it was not the majority opinion. They all liked the stock forward lean set-up and firm flex feel that they said was on-target for the 115 label, though there were some mentions of an uncomfortably edgy liner tongue fit that they hoped would be resolved with some more wear time or a liner cook.
Ski power and quickness was not lacking for the traditional polyurethane-powered Hawx Prime 115 S W BOA according to testers who gave one of its highest scores to its Edge Power rating, though that high score was matched in the Convenience, Warmth and Features criterion. The features set is substantial on the Hawx Prime BOA boots--in addition to aforementioned shell-morphing Memory Fit modifications, removable rear spoiler and a BOA system, there are dual cuff adjusters, the Power Shift 2.0 forward lean adjustment, dual liner pull loops, a 40mm Velcro power strap and GripWalk soles.
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