This mouthful-named model returns to claim a place among the very best of the technical frontside boots with a highly-effective custom technology option. Our testers put the RC4 130 Vac through its paces both in its stock form and after full Vacuum molding. Its custom scores for both fit and performance were among the highest of the entire test.
As in the past, the RC4’s crispness and precision wowed testers. They linked carved arcs in such reliable succession that to keep things interesting, they just skied it faster and faster and never did bump up against an upper limit. Liner modifications—a taller and wider toebox and a seamless tongue construction—helped to boost its conviviality scores. It still fits shorter, closer through the instep and lower in cuff height than the category average but testers said this was the most comfortable version yet.
But back to that Vacuum molding process. Testers were once again impressed with how much change occurred throughout the procedure. They noted significant fit enhancements (most testers pre-padded bony prominences for extra interior forgiveness and some placed pads externally between the shell and the Vacuum jacket to enhance tightening) as well as stance improvements. Many of our testers are acutely aware of their personal stance alignment needs and know how they like their boots set up, both for cuff angle and cant. Virtually all of our discriminating stanceaholics said they came out the other side of the molding process with an acutely tuned alignment. That's saying something.
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