race | all mountain expert | all mountain cruiser | new technology | new technology comfort

Ski boot makers have significantly improved the quality of conventional overlap boots in the last half decade. Like computer chips, you get more for your money all the time. Features once the exclusive province of expert boots--heat-moldable liners, micro-macro adjustable buckles, brawny power straps—have trickled down to economically priced models. If you consider skiing one of your recreational activities but not something that's always on your front burner, these boots will provide you with years of reliable service at reasonable prices. You'll find they reward good technique when you're at the top of your game and forgive momentary lapses without severe punishment.

Atomic CR9

$450

Atomic snuck this one into the category. We had requested the less expensive CR8 but it was unavailable. The CR9, however, won our testers over with its excellent performance. It is part of the Tri-Tech collection that features a floating stabilizer and bolt-on toe and heel lugs to separate the shell from the chassis. Letting the sole free flex lengthwise eliminates dead spots when the ski is decambered and reduces weight giving the boot a feather-light feel. New this year is the availability of Atomic's cant shims that won a 2003 Bootie Award. These ramped, spring steel shims install between the boot's shell base and heel and toe pieces to compensate for bowleg or knock-knee conditions. The buckles on the CR9 are much improved over last year, opening easier and closing with greater snap.

On the Hill

The CR9 pumps out smooth turns with finesse in both wedge and parallel modes. It is flexible but not noodle soft like so many lower level boots. It will let you dawdle down greens but also provide friendly assistance if you venture to tougher parts of the hill. The toe box is roomy giving it excellent warmth but it contains the foot amply in all key fit zones.

Beware: Upper cuff is designed for skiers with two-liter soda bottle calves.

$375

Like all Dalbellos, this is what's known in the industry as a long margin boot. Meaning you'll probably pay a lot less than the suggested retail price. By no means will you get less. The NX 8.5 scored well in most of our performance categories. Gracefully styled in black with two-tone copper buckles (the men's version only; the ladies is all silver) Dalbello has loaded the boot with numerous useful features. The twin overlap shell is uniquely designed to promote easy entry and exit and a donut-shaped pull tab on the liner tongue helps the cavity split open wide. A dial on the spine provides soft-hard-walk flex resistance and heel height is adjustable by an external screw. That's a feature women who want to ramp up will appreciate since it eliminates the need to purchase heel lifts. They'll also appreciate the tapered heel and heat-retaining microfleece liners in the women's versions. Both men's and women's models feature a high-rising rear spoiler that's easily removed to provide more cuff volume and lower cuff height for skiers with bulky calves. The liner is graced with a layer of heat-moldable foam and pre-wired to accept a Therm-ic foot warmer system.

On The Hill

This one has the goods. The NX 8.5 is so strong and positive in its turns that some initially felt it might be too much boot for the category. It ran through thickening muck on the darkest of blue terrain with no trouble, a good sign for skiers planning to tackle tougher stuff. But then it also dialed down to an idle and linked slow speed turns with ease. Both casual skiers and those looking to turn it up a notch will find this boot a great friend at a great price.

Head Edge 9.5/L

$375

Same basic concept as the 10.5 that earned Best Buy in the New Tech performance league but without Head's acclaimed buckle tricks. It does use all-metal micros and the top two have super-easy macro-adjust mechanisms. A two-spot flex adjuster, height variable spoiler, twin cuff alignment dials and an adjustable arch wedge complete this impressively featured package. On the Hill

On The Hill

The combination of performance, price and comfort makes this boot a player. The 9.5 moves smoothly with enough resistance laterally to put some juice into a turn. “A heck of a nice boot for the entire spectrum of skiers at the beginner and intermediate range,” summed up one tester.

Beware: Stay centered. It's won't prop you up from the backseat.

Rossignol Salto STS/Saphir STS

$389

It's hard to put a finger on what makes the Salto (for men) and Saphir (for women) combo a Best Buy. Certainly, it's not their names, which are goofiest in class. And they didn't score big in any specific categories. Instead, they took the tortoise route and were steady in all phases, earning respectable scores in every column. The liners make generous use of thermo-moldable foams to personalize fit and polar fleece for warmth and comfort. The shell extensively employs bi-material construction with softer plastic at critical fit junctures and a rigid frame for power transfer. There's also a standard compliment of personalization features--cuff cant, macro buckles (that require a tool to set), a walk mode switch--that all work adequately. One stick-out feature is the replaceable, rubber toe and heel pieces that make walking a breeze and provides superior traction. Fit and finish quality does nothing to hurt Rossignol's stature as one of the leading ski equipment manufacturers. Both the shell cuff and the liner in the Saphir respect female morphology with a lower, wider profile and a narrowed heel.

On the Hill

Extraordinary pillow-like comfort with oodles of toe room. But don't be fooled. The tranquil environment belies a good degree of nimbleness and strength. The Salto and Saphir are very capable when challenged and provide spicy, spirited rides on a variety of terrain from groomers to dancing through widely-spaced trees.

Salomon Performa 5.0

$325

Sometimes, simpler is indeed better. Salomon has packed considerable punch into a boot that is the lowest price Best Buy in this group. It's blissfully free of gimmicks, relying on a well-tailored shell and liner and four micro-adjustable buckles (two metal, two plastic) to wrap the foot. A descendent of the original no-hands-entry boot (the Performa 7.0)—the instep flaps flower open like hibiscus on a sunny summer day—it earned near perfect marks for entry/exit ease.

On the Hill

An excellent choice for intermediate skiers looking to jump to the next level—or those content to twist down Easy Street and spend the rest of the day relaxing in the spa. It is incredibly comfortable but it also secures the foot with the strength of a boot several steps up. That gives adventurous skiers the stability to test the edge of the envelope. We skied cruddy bumps and fast groomers—well beyond the boot's intended capabilities—and it held like a cat on a living room curtain.

Beware: Not much. Most testers left the docket empty. Best they could come up with is that big and heavy skiers will turn it to pulp.

Tecnica Entryx 9/L

$425

While everyone else was attempting to better squeeze feet into ski boots through a tube, Tecnica engineers stepped back and mused, “Isn't it easier to walk through a door?” Enter Entryx, named for its signature feature, a swinging gate upper cuff called Rapid Access. It's so cool and innovative—without being gimmicky—that it earned a 2002 Bootie Design Award. Besides offering convenience, Rapid Access also improves performance as the two cuff pieces better taper to the lower leg for more effective wrapping. The Entryx 9 has all the techy features you could want: A soft/hard flex adjuster that actually works, smooth macro/micro-setting buckles of rugged aluminum and Tecnica's signature Vibration Absorption System in the sole.

On the Hill

Dr. Jekyll meet Mr. Hyde. This is two very different boots depending on where you set the flex adjuster. It can befriend the most cautious skier when set soft and ratchet up nicely in the hard setting for those putting energy into their turns. Best of all, no tools are required to change personality (but the selector works better when the buckles are unclamped. Focus is thankfully on foot geometry not flashy design. Better than others in this class--and several a notch above.

Beware: Tecnicas run big for marked size and this one is for a high volume foot.

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