The Dahu is a unique boot that our testers have enjoyed in the past for its ease of entry, great flex feel and fantastic walk-around options and this year's updates to the 02AM MV 90 got a positive response.
The most noticeable change for the 02AM was the newly fixed buckle straps. Where before they were fully releasable from the boot outer shell to facilitate unobstructed access to the liner but to the detriment of an easy buckle-up, now the two buckle straps stay where they belong for straightforward closure and without any hindrance to entry or liner access. Testers continue to dig the one-of-a-kind boot entry options that the Dahu offers, and that bears some further explanation.
The inner boot, liner, or so-called Cambium Boot in Dahu parlance, is designed to be easily removed from the outer shell and left on the foot as a fully functional (and pretty damn fashionable) winter boot but that's not necessarily what has to happen. A lot of testers prefer to leave the liner mated with the shell and treat it like a regular (sort of) boot--enter, buckle, click-in, go ski. The first part of that, entering the boot, is shockingly easy given how the shell's tongue hinges away from the inner boot which can be unlaced to offer a smooth-as-silk slide in. Alternatively, the inner boot can be donned separately from the shell and then slid into place within its rigid confines when it's time to ski, and vice versa. As far as so-called walk modes go, there isn't a better walking system than being able to stroll about in a form-fitted but comfortable lace-up winter boot.
The beauty of the Dahu is that the comfort of the inner boot when it's on outside the shell environment remains largely the same once it's mated with its hard exoskeleton--testers agree the 02AM MV 90's shell shape is properly contoured to suit the average medium width foot, instep and lower leg. They particularly like the room along the outside border of the forefoot, where the shell's shape arcs widely to offer ample room for the foot to spread out and find balance against the floor of the boot.
While the shell's boot sole length runs longer than traditional boots of the same size, testers mention that the internal length fit runs slightly shorter than the norm, per size, and they recommended that skiers be sure to go to a Dahu dealer where they can try on both their possible sizes.
Testers like the liner tongue's tall feel against their shin and the smooth-wrapping closure it offers through the lacing system. Coupled with the shell, testers thought the flex feel was firm for a 90-flex and reported that the fore-aft stance offered was a good starting point for skiing movements. Several testers commented that the ramp angle of the combined liner and shell felt steeper than current norms, which would work best for folks with limited ankle flexion.
Kudos
Caveats