race | all mountain expert | new technology | new technology comfort | out for fun

These boots aren't meant to handle gnarly off-piste junk and super-steeps but they do need the guts to stay on-target during a ramble around the lift-served in challenging snow conditions. They offer a wide range of adjustability, easy entry and exit and “relaxed fit” comfort that doesn't leave feet screaming for relief come 3 p.m. Still, strong rearward and lateral support and a reasonably stout flex are a must. They are strong enough to handle the demands of a young buck pushing hard up the charts or an aging once-expert on the way, uh, well, letting off the throttle.

Dalbello CRX Superride/Impulse L

$460/$425

Until this season, Dalbello has always been a brand sold purely on value not star power. The CRX line still represents excellent value but with the endorsement of Glen “The Mohawk Monster” Plake, they've gained a certain cache as well. Dalbello has cleverly integrated a three-piece shell with classic overlap design. The CRX's “trap door” design significantly eases entry and separates the flex function from support creating a secure but relaxed feeling. The second buckle crosses directly over the instep and is linked to band running around the rear for secure heel hold. A bevy of features make the Superride and Impulse highly customizable: heat-moldable liner, micro-adjust forward lean, two-position flex control with free-hinge release for easy walking and heel height adjustment. Our women tested the Impulse, which is the first boot in the CRX collection with a female last. It is also pre-wired to accept Therm-ic footwarmers.

On the Hill

It's two, two, two boots in one. In “carve” mode it's easy to dawdle the day away on the blue. In “ski” mode it's a genuine all-mountain performer. Versatility like that is hard to come by these days. This is a very high caliber product that speaks the language of performance. These translucent ruby red slippers will take you anywhere but Kansas (where there are no alpine ski areas).

Beware: Liner is difficult to reinsert after removal.

EASE OF ENTRY/EXIT: Smooth. Easy to slide in and out.

EASE/QUALITY OF ADJUSTMENTS: Tied for tops in the category. Flex adjuster dramatically alters the resistance with the flick of a switch.

EFFECT OF ADJUSTMENTS: Cave mode substantially softer than ski mode providing a range of performance options.

LINER: Nice touch with unique contour pocket of differentiated material for lateral forefoot. Lateral ankle discomfort noted by some testers.

CLOSURE SYSTEM: All four buckles mounted with screw rivets providing excellent customization opportunities.

LATERAL QUICKNESS: Rolls on edge with alacrity. Snaps energetically from turn to turn.

REAR SUPPORT: Will hold you up when you get in the backseat.

FORWARD FLEX: Set firm (“ski”) for ripping it up. Set to carve for intermediate skiing or romping around the hill with your kids.

STEERING POWER: Like swinging a well-balanced mallet, it offers a feeling of precision and command.

DYNAMIC COMFORT: Comfy and snug. Toe length a bit smaller than others for marked size. Some testers noted discomfort with outside ankle pocket.

Lange CRL 90/W

$475

Lange teams up again with Porsche designer Pininfarina to create a bold, sporty look for its new CRL collection. The CRL 90 uses a bi-injected lower with flexible plastic over the instep for easy in-out and a secure fit without discomfort. The liner is heat moldable with flow material pockets around the ankle and spine for increased heel retention. The attractively styled buckles open and close with the silky smoothness of a Victoria's Secret teddy. The toe buckle is spring-loaded making it easy to get a finger below it to pop open. The CRL provides great customization possibilities by adding removable heel and toe lugs available in differing heights and cant angles for pinpoint stance adjustment.

On the Hill

Finally, a Lange that fits a “normal” foot. It has just the right amount of overall volume (albeit a bit short in the toe box). The anatomically close shell feels like a vacuum is sucking the foot into the liner. As with most Langes, it flexes naturally and is full of positive energy. It's snappy while smooth, sort of like a good scotch. It requires a confident, athletic pilot to soar down the hill but will forgive small mistakes when flown at slower speeds. Our female testers had many more fit issues and scored the boot lower than our male testers.

Beware: Still geared toward the narrow foot. Velcro needs more beef. Toe dam leaked a bit.

EASE OF ENTRY/EXIT: Nips like an angry Bijon on way out. Easier than typical Lange getting in.

EASE OF ADJUSTMENTS: Cuff adjuster uses tiny head Allen wrench but works fine.

EFFECT OF ADJUSTMENTS: You feel each turn of the buckle. Cuff adjuster allows reasonable range of adjustment. Rear set screw can be removed to ease flex.

LINER: Anatomical shaped. Thin enough for precision feel, thick enough to provide adequate warmth. Tight in toe box with rigid materials. Rear tab eases removal.

CLOSURE SYSTEM: The attractively styled buckles open and close with the silky smoothness of a Victoria's Secret teddy. The toe buckle is spring-loaded making it easy to get a finger below it to pop open. Power strap is underwhelming.

LATERAL QUICKNESS: Smart and crisp. Finishes turns sharply.

REAR SUPPORT: Very good. Spoiler integrated into shell is effective at standing you up when tossed into backseat.

FORWARD FLEX: Smooth and adequately stout but long range of forward travel and short cuff left some testers wishing for more..

STEERING POWER: True and sure at moderate cruising speeds but doesn't respond to the whip when you demand a quick giddy-up to the finish line.

DYNAMIC COMFORT: Upper aspects of the boot are roomy but the toe box is confined.

Nordica W8/W

$445

Remember that kid's game “Mother May I?” Seems here like Nordica asked to take three steps down from their kick-ass line-topping Beast but mother demanded performance be maintained. The W8 give up a bunch of niceties: it utilizes a much softer polyester shell and loses The Beast's Outlast toaster liner, flex adjuster and easy-open buckles but retains strains of the performance-oriented heritage and the nifty translucent shell. It's hinged shell components over the instep makes for exceptionally carefree on and off. The Flex Toes design utilizes stretch material at the hood of the toe box to graciously accommodate feet with prodigious digits. Using technology licensed from the wildly-popular aftermarket Booster Strap, the power strap is partially elasticized for quicker return to center flex.

On the Hill

The W8 packs sufficient punch will inspire confidence. It is solid and responsive in the bumps and delivers very reliable edge hold at medium speeds; it loses some stability when stressed at higher speeds or severe turn shapes. If you ski weekends regularly and a pack away for a week some time during the winter, you will not feel underclassed. It is a fine choice for skiers looking to ski most of the mountain effectively.

Beware: Cam-type cuff angle adjuster can move during forceful skiing. Big and powerful skiers may find flex too soft. Fit is generous.

EASE OF ENTRY/EXIT: Yawns open wide like the hood of a Kenworth truck.

EASE OF ADJUSTMENTS: Cam system for cuff angle adjustment spins easily and offers a suitable range of adjustment.

EFFECT OF ADJUSTMENTS: All-alu buckles twist the night away efficiently; cam cuff angle adjuster can slip setting when stressed.

LINER: Slipper-like comfort but with snug fit. Stretch toe box a great feature.

CLOSURE SYSTEM: Simple and efficient lightweight buckles provide a broad range of adjustability.

LATERAL QUICKNESS: Transmits effectively to skis.

REAR SUPPORT: Provides solid and effective support.

FORWARD FLEX: Gentle yet effective. May feel a bit buttery in shop but meshes smoothly with modern shaped ski sidecuts.

STEERING POWER: Pivots predictably and reliably.

DYNAMIC COMFORT: Boxy fit is great for higher volume foot. You'll find no pressure points here but there may be slippage with narrow dogs.

Rossignol Power 70/W

$469

There's as much color here as on an I Love Lucy rerun. But what The Power 70 lacks in palate, it makes up in being palatable. It is clean and simple with a two-position flex adjuster, a single cuff alignment device and a substantial power strap. It is powerful and gets up on edge quickly thanks to the proprietary Inverted Overlap shell (inner flap closes over outer, the opposite of all other boots on the market). The liner has a layer of thermo moldable foam and a honeycomb tongue for shock absorption.

On the Hill One of the favorites in this class, especially with our female testers who liked its fit, performance and finish. We never get tired of touting Rossignol's Inverted Overlap concept. It simply puts the foot right over the power zone providing a strong connection to the ski without demanding a lot of energy input. It steers easily with a tweak of the ankle and skis naturally and effortlessly. Like most Rossis, the Power 70 needs some manipulating of and cuff flanges to get in and out but once you learn the drill its not too bad.

Beware: Cockpit cage has tendency to rap on ankle bones.

EASE OF ENTRY/EXIT: Like most Rossis, needs some manipulating of and cuff flanges to get in and out but once you learn the drill its not too bad.

EASE OF ADJUSTMENTS: Allen key required but everything moves easily.

EFFECT OF ADJUSTMENTS: Cuff adjustment has only moderate range. Flex adjuster difference is evident.

LINER: Comfortable, snug, no rough spots but tight around ankles.

CLOSURE SYSTEM: Spring-loaded buckles have nice, positive snap.

LATERAL QUICKNESS: Quick to the mark.

REAR SUPPORT: Stiff, strong, reliable.

FORWARD FLEX: Consistent and progressive.

STEERING POWER: Tops in class. Provides confident control.

DYNAMIC COMFORT: Cramped instep and ankle pockets limits broad appeal of otherwise stellar boot.

Salomon X-Wave 7.0/W

$495

It sits at the bottom of Salomon's extensive X-Wave series but the 7.0 doesn't get sucked into any undertow here; it was first in class in this category. It has all the must-have features you'll find on the more expensive models. The heat-moldable liner is firm without being painful. The gold colored 3D buckle changes plane with a single set screw obliging both low and high insteps. The top cuff buckle has a hidden latch for meaty calves. The women's version comes with a softer flex, a female lasted liner and shell cuff and a strip of slippery fabric on the liner spine for extra easy entry/exit. Not quite the no-hands-entry of Salomon's Performa series but it topped the Entry/Exit ease docket.

On the Hill

The top overall performer in the group with leading scores in seven of 10 categories. It has the genes of a race boot with the manners of diplomat. High cuff allows exceptional leverage to the skis and is good for women with long legs. Easy to flex with buoyant rebound. Excellent choice for skiers who really want to improve—and those just wanting to prattle around all day. Oh heck, it's really good for everyone.

Beware: High cuff may be too blocky for short skiers.

EASE OF ENTRY/EXIT: Slips on and off with little effort.

EASE OF ADJUSTMENTS: All worked flawlessly. Easy to swap 3D buckle setting with single screw setting.

EFFECT OF ADJUSTMENTS: Versatile to provide extreme degree of custom fit.

LINER: Good heel and ankle padding, anatomically shaped. Plastic extension flaps wrap nicely to keep tongue centered.

CLOSURE SYSTEM: Amazing what you can accomplish with four quality buckles and a wide power strap. 3D buckles provides quick customization.

LATERAL QUICKNESS: Solid and confident. Very good for its class.

FORWARD FLEX: Friendly front allows for great control of skis.

STEERING POWER: Put the pedal down. It will not stall.

DYNAMIC COMFORT: Through the roof. There will be no rush to take them off for first beer.

Tecnica Rival X9/L

$495

Like all else Tecnica produces, every detail on the X9 is flawless. That includes the major components—like the clever Dual Pivot System that aligns the cuff in two dimensions, accommodating for leg shape discrepancies while also tailoring axis alignment to improve edge pressure efficiency. The clever Rapid Access cuff swings open for easy entry and better leg wrapping. Tecnica also sweats the small stuff —like the tapered tab on the power strap for easy threading. Extensive use of bi-material construction makes for a lightweight, shell that contours closely to the foot without sacrificing body integrity. An insert of flexible plastic at the instep permits independent closure of shell and cuff and easy entry and exit. The X9 is also available with Tecnica's new Hotform liner which features a metal mesh that evenly heats a layer of expandable foam encased inside the liner custom tailoring the foot to the liner--and the liner to the inner shell walls. Car and home adapters are available to warm the liner on the way to the slopes and dry it after skiing.

On the Hill

More Lexus LS 430 than SC 430. Sporty and quick it's not. Cushy and luxurious with a stable ride it is, feeling most at home in medium to large arc turns up to moderate speeds. If you fill the boot with enough leg and foot you will be rewarded with a steady ride. If not, the parts may like they don't quite mesh. Dual Pivot will conquer stance problems be they bowleg or knock-knee.

Beware: Get an escort and Strap a “Wide Load” sign across the rear. Those with E+ width feet will find this a very welcome shelter.

EASE OF ENTRY/EXIT: Rapid Access is like having a micro-doorman on your staff.

EASE OF ADJUSTMENTS: Nothing requires a heavy hand but the Dual Pivot is best adjusted by a professional boot tech.

EFFECT OF ADJUSTMENTS: Dramatic. Dual Pivot effects greatest change of any boot on the market. Forward lean and flex differences are demonstrable.

LINER: Nice wrap around calf with plush feeling. Very roomy toe box.

CLOSURE SYSTEM: Rapid Access is inventive solution to upper cuff woes but give thick feel to cuff.

LATERAL QUICKNESS: If you fill the boot it has enough gumption side to side. If you are slight of leg and foot it lags.

REAR SUPPORT: Capable of providing adequate support if you get caught in the back seat but it's no Jolt Cola.

FORWARD FLEX: Stiff enough to please advanced skiers without being harsh.

STEERING POWER: Input comes more from leg than foot.

DYNAMIC COMFORT: Comfortable materials and commodious inner make this a No. 1 choice for skiers with thick legs and wide feet.

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