Race/Expert
These aren’t brick-like World Cup plug boots but they still produce more horsepower than most skiers can saddle. If you’re at the top of the skills pyramid, cherish speed and power, hope to move up a few places in the town race league standings this winter while still rambling down the off-piste, theses are your boots of choice. They are generally loaded with no-frills top-line technology including micro/macro adjust buckles, heat-moldable liners and strong power straps. Most of their attributes translate nicely from the race course to the rest of the mountain.
Atomic’s Tri-Tech platform has always made a lot of sense. Instead of a solid one-piece lower shell, the toe and heel lugs are separate units linked with the body of the shell by a floating stabilizer that free-flexes longitudinally inside the toe housing. That minimizes the flat spot under foot when the ski is flexed and permits it to work more naturally. Unfortunately, Atomic’s fit and finish was always a bit off. No more. The slippery soles that caused parking lot pratfalls have been coated with zebra stripes of grippy material and the liners are now better contoured and padded. The lateral support has been strengthened by smartly thickening the exterior shell walls while keeping the kept the interior space consistent.
On the Hill
A solid all-mountain performer that stomps it right out of the box. Fun and fast, it rolls the ski on edge and stabs the snow with authority. There’s no flinching from responsibility here. If you find yourself in the backseat it’s definitely operator error, not a design problem. Several testers liked stance and flex better without the rear spoiler.
Beware
Tight Achilles pocket snaps at heel on exit.
In an era of look-alike boots, the Krypton is distinctive. With input from renowned free skier Glen Plake, Dalbello has created a worthy successor to the legendary Raichle Flexon Comp, a Plake fave that disappeared with the Swiss brand in the Nineties. The classic Cabrio (nee open throat) design utilizes a lower that is completely carved away above the forefoot. An extra-long cuff is fixed to the shell at the ankle’s natural flex points. The boot offers a bevy of fine tuning possibilities. A choice of two ribbed flex tongues of different stiffness attach at the toe box. In between, there are enough fiddle-faddle gizmos to keep an aircraft engineer entertained. Don’t misplace the parts bag! A variety of eccentric washers plug in to divert cuff angle. Flex Bars click into one of two slots in the interior spine to change rear cuff flex. Two-pronged inserts slide between a shelf on the lower and the upper cuff to adjust forward flex. Everything works effectively but you need either a competent boot fitter to help you set this up or lots of patience and understanding of ski boot dynamics. When you’re done, though, you’ll have a highly tailored shoe.
On the Hill
Park jibbers will most appreciate this neo-retro throwback. Some testers ran from the boot like it was green Kryptonite, fearing the big bag ‘o parts that comes with it would weaken their resolve. But those that too the time to get to know it, discovered a slick, good fitting performer. The flex is deep and easy, the foot articulates dramatically and the stance is upright tall. No boot in the category has a greater ability to stand the body up straight. The cuff and tongue flex remarkably well with the leg to eliminate shell distortion.
Beware
Don’t misplace the parts bag or you may be stuck in the wrong gear. Tight over midfoot.
Ignore the lengthy and cumbersome name the Austrian manufacturer has hung on this elegant package. The RS 100 employs Head’s tightest production forefoot last (100mm) and a precision fitting heat-moldable liner. Without looking like a well-decorated Christmas tree, it manages to include lots of adjustments including the revolutionary Full Custom System insert (removable to increase overall interior volume), twin spoilers, flex adjuster, tongue grab strap and Instep Ad-adapt buckle which personalizes closure axis. High marks to the old-school inspired bail buckles that employ high-tech materials and micro functionality.
On the Hill
A versatile, go-anywhere boot that will inspire confidence in advanced to expert skiers. The foot to ski link is snappy and the RS 100 slides through turns without being scolded. It is light underfoot and has a nose for the finish. The Full Custom System provides an exceptionally wide fitting range.
Beware
Liner very thick for high-end boot. Support reinforcements tend to create pressure points and may require a little scalpel work.
Since Bob Lange’s first-ever plastic ski boot ripped the leather competition to shreds at the 1968 Grenoble (France) Olympics, Lange has been a fixture on top podium steps at all levels of racing. While its recreational offerings have been greeted with less enthusiasm, its top end boots, including the Comp 120, continue to be favorites of racers worldwide for their quickness and precision. What you won’t get is slam dunk soothing comfort or ego stroking. The fit is narrow, the forward lean aggressive and most skiers need to become intimately familiar with their bootfitter to tailor the shell and stance. If you can handle the beast within, you will be rewarded with improved split times. New liner technology uses a proprietary heat moldable material that forms well around the foot. Optional cantable soles are effective for adjusting stance but only come up to 1.5 degree increments. The Comp 120 comes in both LF (low-fit) and MF (medium-fit) shell lasts. We tested the LF.
On the Hill
A standard bearer. The 120 is a powerful skiing boot that rewards good movements. Very predictable, the sole flex provides supple snow feel. It retains Lange’s traditional feel combining simple features with a modern look and performance.
Beware
Liner may be short lasted and tends to crumple upon entry.
Nordica has so many Dobermann models running around these days you’d think the cages were left open at the breeder. Don’t get confused. The Pro 130 is just a step below—and a 3mm shade wider at the forefoot—than the World Cup 150 monster. It’s a stiff affair but flex can be softened with removal of rear spine screw studs. Buckles—both the lever and ladder sides—are screwed for quick replacement. The rear spoiler is removable and the leather liner is first rate. This was the priciest boot in this category and matches up better with the Plug-A-Bees.
On the Hill
This boot is ultra-reactive and hunts down gates with the tenacity of a hungry dog. It clutches the foot like a tick on skin—tight but almost imperceptibly. It lacks the versatility of others in the category and harshly penalizes gross movements. If you are not a highly accomplished driver, you will be tossed in ragged conditions.
Beware: Rock-like flex. If you’re a wannabe, you’re going to want to step down to the Dobie 100.
Only Salomon could figure out how to find a performance and marketing advantage from literally nothing. Its Spaceframe concept—a hexagonal honeycomb web of holes pierced through the lateral side of the lower shell—has found considerable success on the World Cup circuit and race hills everywhere. The asymmetrical softening permits the lower to bow outward ever so slightly to increase uphill edge contact and facilitate fluid edge change no matter what the conditions or terrain. The Course is loaded with thoughtful features and its fit and finish is superb. It has a thermo-moldable liner with three layers of foot forming material and a stiffening plate on the medial side of the cuff for improved power transmission. The clever 3D instep adaptation buckle (a former Bootie Award winner), twin cuff adjusters and super-beefy power strap complete the package.
On the Hill
The Spaceframe significantly softens the upper edge engagement which many believe lead to most bobbles at top level racing. By sweetening the boot’s ability to “bounce” and absorb shock, it’s wickedly easy to steer the uphill ski without losing snow bite. That results in a buoyant, super-smooth flex. It has quick return-to-center without being harsh. The stance is solid and balance and it feels like it was built around your foot. Exceptionally versatile, it will do anything, anywhere, anytime. Our women felt the cuff rose too high on the leg for all but tall women to handle.
Beware
Not typical Salomon cushy “shop feel.” The tolerances are low and the fit is tight. Begin a relationship with a good bootfitter.
The surname is short for High Performance but it might as well be spelled hyper since this boot will make you ski with all-day manic pleasure. Before introducing the Diablo series last year, Tecnica smartly studied how skiing was changing and how it could better integrate the changes required to execute modern, four-edge ski technique into its new boot. It typically responded by loading up its new platform with useful features. Twin upper cuff flanges better distribute pressure laterally. The last positions the foot to better pressure downhill and uphill edges at the same time. Ramp angle is shallow, forward lean aggressive and sole clearance maximized to accommodate extreme lateral angles. The Magnesium also has all the regular Tecnica goodies like Rapid Access and Dual Pivot (former Bootie Award winners) plus too many extras to detail. Available with Hot Form custom liner for only $50-$65 extra.
On the Hill
Gliding on a single ski is an instruction trick for determining how well a skier is balanced and one our testers routinely execute on the flats. This boot noticeably enhances your ability to do just that by letting you work both edges. That skill translates to better control all they way up the terrain pyramid. This is an excellent skiing boot with strong performance angles. Its relatively easy flex and low cuff makes it a strong choice for shorter, lighter skiers. The heel sits lower and the forward lean is greater than on other boots in this tier. The shell wraps the lower leg and ankle securely providing strong rear support. The liner is exceptionally cushy for this class and there are a lot of interfaces in the cuff region. Most enjoyed the comfort but some felt it muffled feedback.
Beware
Runs big! Consider downsizing. Liner tends to chomp down on navicular bone.
