The ST1's new spiral-wrapping fully thermo-moldable liner lit up test scores this year and made this year's First Degree boots (same liner on the stiffer ST2) the best versions that we've tested yet. The three-piece shell design's ease of entry and exit was unlocked by the overlapping liner material that pads the foot from feeling the edge of the cabrio throat and increases the liner bulk in the cuff, improving closure and wrapping around the lower leg.
The liner's initial feel is a bit firm and had our crew wondering about some fit inconsistencies and minor hot spots, but across the board testers mentioned that a couple runs worth of warm up and the liner settled in nicely, evening out peak pressure points and letting the heel seat deeper into its pocket. Testers who took the time to fully mold the EVA construction liner got even better results.
The ST1 skis much stiffer than the 110 rating, and as such was tapped as the better value between it and stiffer ST2 (130 flex). Some testers successfully experimented with the rear-spine-mounted forward lean adjustment's flex control to free up the cuff's range of travel. Laterally, the ST1 ain't bad, testers said, putting a ski on edge and holding it there just fine in all conditions tested. The thick liner underfoot muted some feel and reduced agility scores for more technical testers, but for skiers looking for a compliant, cushy all-mountain set up with best-of-rest entry and exit, look no further.
Kudos
Caveats