If you're only going to offer one narrow lasted boot aside from your race product, it better be a good one. Perhaps Rossignol put extra effort into developing the Experience SI 130 since it's surrounded by a bunch of mediums and wides and extra wides. Or maybe the brand’s lone soldier feels like it has to work that much harder for lack of back-up.
No matter the reason, it did it again—top of the class for the second year running on the All-Mountain Traditionalist category podium shared with a very select few. It actually got better scores than the RX 130 LV (its psychic twin), and you know that has to tweak the Lange folks, them being so performancey and all.
Why does the low-key, Mr. Nice Guy, under-the-radar Experience SI 130 do so well? Some testers like to say its strong genetics drawn from the long-gone B Squad line. The bloodlines have finally thinned out to a point where the masses can appreciate the power and accuracy that remains. Others said that it's the new pigment in the shell plastic that gives it renewed juju. Most just pointed to a flawless stance, a great flex feel, and a liner that grips the heel and ankle like a race boot with a relaxed fit around the rest of the foot. That’s the key to building a great narrow boot in the all-mountain category.
Minor liner changes this year continued to bump the fit scores forward. There were few fit complaints cited on test forms. It's tight, but middle-of-the road tight for the 97mm group and evenly so. There’s a little extra forgiveness up front in the squared-off toebox and slightly open forefoot. Testers noted that the cutaway plastic instep pocket on the tongue helps relax fit over the top of the midfoot.
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