The Gist
Solid and snugger-than-medium ripper for on-area charging and the occasional jaunt, the Minaret 100 was a tester favorite for its ready skiing game and long range of motion in hike mode.
Fit
Testers concur that the fit across the top of the foot and in the toebox is something of a problem until the liner is properly heat molded with toecaps and pre-pads for one's midfoot bump. After that was accomplished, testers loved the snug-all-over fit (even though it remains on the tight side of medium). The flex feel is on target at 100, they said, and they like the flex feel and cushion of the tongue against the tibia.
Performance
Testers just put it on and went skiing—no having to figure out how it worked or modify their stance and style. They just went out and ripped around the mountain. A few said the fore-aft stance was a little forward, but nothing that couldn't be improved by modifying the rear spoiler. Solid at speed, solid on hard snow, agile and accurate in tight spots—there wasn't anything holding this boot back on the down. Testers liked the function and range of motion (forward and back, both) of the Synchro Interlock mechanism but said the boot felt too heavy for long sorties beyond the area boundary.
Cool Features
Sole lug-integrated tech fittings provide the option to use a lighter weight, low-tech binding or stick with alpine norm bindings. This year rockered, Vibram soles are available at an additional charge.
Kudos
Caveats