Head Vector 105 W

Testers unanimously pinned the Vector 105 W with the “Walk Softly but Carry a Big Stick Award.” There is no gap in the Vector's game—except for the price gap between it and the other boots that cost a hundred bucks more that it handily matches. The Perfect Fit liner is another gap-closer for testers who loved how cushy-snug it wrapped the foot and lower leg on first entry (on the snug side of the medium boot group) but also loved how it relaxed just enough after skiing to maintain all-day comfort levels.

The Vector 105 is a half-step ahead of expectations in all ways, testers said, starting with well-contoured grip on the foot and merging with the understated flex index. The boot's officially called a 95 flex, but there were no complaints of folding under load. In fact, many testers said it was as strong as many of the 110 flex boots they'd tested. The feel on snow was balanced to a tee and powerful on edge—while it was damp through crud and stable at speed, testers mentioned that it was surprisingly agile and responsive in all turns.