The Head Formula is well-named, we think, Formula like F1, as in a race department development project or secret off-the-books prototype for a World Cup boot spin-off. And that’s just what the Formula 130 MV is, a medium-width, off-piste Raptor, essentially. Think about that. Take the edge power and synapse-blurring responsiveness of Head’s race and piste WCR boots and re-tune the suspension and fit for all-day expert-level skiing on the entire mountain. Sounds fun, right? Testers say, uh huh, it is.
This is not a new project for Head, quite the opposite—it’s been a work in progress for a few years, and Head is nothing if not dogged in its commitment to improve its products and tenacious about getting things right (the Nexo project notwithstanding). If you haven’t heard of the Head Formula before now, not to worry—this is the year to find it! The first iteration of Formula was a little aggressive to the edge for soft snow charging, while another model had an exceptionally tight heel that required immediate grinding—this version is without flaw, testers say, and they’ve been tracking the Formula’s ascent to gold medal status with interest. Oh, but you say you have tried on the Formula in the past. No, you haven’t. This is the Formula—those other boots were practice swings to this one’s monster drive straight down the fairway.
Sorry to mix sporting metaphors but racing and golf are not so far apart. Both require an incredible amount of care and work in the design and manufacture of the tools of the trade, be they race cars, race skis, boots or clubs—and yes, some of these tools are so specifically tailored to PGA-, World Cup- or F1-level applications that the only drivers or skiers who can properly manage those implements are the gods of their sport, the best of the best operating at the finest upper limits of the activity.
Therein lies the challenge for a race-derived all-mountain boot intended for mortals like us—sure it may be close-to-race-worthy but can it cart our out-of-shape asses around the whole hill and make us look good in the video? Can it hold up to our heavy payloads under maximum (read, out-of-control) speeds through unforgiving terrain that we really should have avoided? Will it forgive our many trespasses and yet respond with readily available Freeride Tour level power and quickness in that one moment when we somehow get it right? The answer to this for our test team regarding the Formula 130 was a resounding yes this year.
Our test team said the 100mm fit hit the bullseye for how a medium width boot should fit. Scoring showed a preponderance of 3’s, indicating ideal middle-of-the-road fit tension, with a few roomier 4’s thrown at the toebox and calf and a few tighter 2’s in the mix for ankle and heel. One tester said: what a fantastic medium width fit--very even and consistent feel throughout. Another said: this is the best fitting Head boot, ever!
Testers said ease of use, from entry to closure to all-day adventure was, indeed, one of the Formula 130 MV’s strong suits now, and accordingly gave its second highest scores in the Convenience, Warmth and Features metric. The Power Plate driver on the 50mm Velcro power strap remain a test favorite for delivering a well-distributed but easily skier-tuned flex feel, and our test team appreciates race-level accoutrement like offset cuff adjustment disks and rear spine flex tuning hardware that can take the flex to 140. From top to bottom, skiers said the Formula nailed its list of secret ingredients this time around.
Interestingly, testers gave the Formula 130 MV its highest scores in the Dynamic Balance parameter, supporting testers’ claims about a perfectly neutral set-up fore-aft and side-to-side. This is an improvement over previous versions that were a little strong to the inside edge for off-piste mung mashing on fatter skis. Testers said the current Formula could drift and schmear at will, then hook up the ski into a more directional, full-pressure drive off the outside ski without worry or special effort. It’s easy to be a very good skier in this boot, one said.
Kudos
Caveats