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

The world seems to have taken to calling this group of boots ‘soft' but that's like calling a photocopy a ‘Xerox.' Soft is actually a Rossignol trademark that the company is rabidly protecting. But in an era where Viagra ads exhorting “harder is smarter” slip into email boxes every 15 minutes or so, is the ski industry's pumping of “soft” boots a wise strategy? Judging by our tester's feedback, it appears not. Only a few earned ABB Best Buy awards. We separate these new designs into New Tech Performance (those boots whose goal is to provide performance skiing characteristics) and New Tech Comfort (those designed primarily to provide foot bliss).

Head Edge 10.5 SuperHeat3/L

$475

Head chose a cautious route to New Tech success and built the Edge collection on classic architecture. The Edge 10.5 is essentially a traditional four-buckle boot graced with a bunch of clever features. The lower is an open-throat design with a couple of soft plastic flaps bolted over the instep to create an overlapping effect. That makes it easy in and out but with good hold down power when latched. All of Head's novel and effective buckle tricks are here: the spring-loaded Dynamic Response buckle for even load distribution in closing; the Ad-Apt which sets in two positions for instep fit customization; and the fabulous, fold-out Power Buckle that turbo boosts closure leverage. The 10.5 also has Comfortoes stretch toe box, double cuff alignment, adjustable arch wedge and a height-adjustable rear spoiler.

On the Hill

Our guys are very traditional and had a hard time accepting all the Inspector Gadget stuff on the boot. Still, they gave it positive marks, especially the killer buckles. Said one skeptical male, “Surprisingly, it did everything well.” The women embraced the gizmos with greater enthusiasm. The 10.5 is very comfortable with strong energy transfer capabilities. It feels low to the snow. It is a good choice for an intermediate with aspirations or a mom or dad chasing around after pre-teens all day. Definitely best for high volume feet and legs.

Beware: Remove adjustable arch wedge if you are using custom insoles.

EASE OF ENTRY/EXIT: Easy. Has substantial tab on tongue to ease maneuverability.

EASE OF ADJUSTMENTS: Bunch o' things to mess with but worth the effort. They all do something.

EFFECT OF ADJUSTMENTS: Dual cuff adjuster effects significant change. Great for bowlegs and knock-knees.

LINER: More good stuff. A stretch toe box, good padding and Drilex for wicking moisture.

CLOSURE SYSTEM: Simply the best combo of buckle ideas on any boot. They are big and easy to handle.

LATERAL QUICKNESS: Responds to commands but don't push it too hard. Forward flex is soft.

REAR SUPPORT: Enough without being pushy.

FORWARD FLEX: Friendly and progressive on soft setting, gets a bit blocky when pushed in hard position.

STEERING POWER: Likes long, well-planned turns best. Doesn't react as well to quick commands.

DYNAMIC COMFORT: Good. Snug at heel, lots of room in toe box.

Rossignol Soft 1/L

$589

This first-ever “soft” boot has spawned this entire category of textile-based boots. Yes, it is easy to get in and out of. It scored tops in this category among Best Buy New Tech Performance boots. It uses a unique three-part construction: a minimalist plastic shell and cuff strut; an exposed rugged leather structure bonded to the inside of the shell from the toe box to the cuff top with see-through bits in the back; and a fairly conventional liner. There's also a simple, single-side cuff cant that doesn't have much travel. For this year, Rossi has jettisoned The Strapper Velcro band buckle from the top of the men's Soft 1 and added a conventional buckle for more positive closure. The ladies version remains unchanged.

On the Hill

Those three layers of material give the Soft 1 a comfy fit and make it smooth and consistent if not overly energetic. It's more Caddy moving down the highway than Beemer tearing up a road course. It's damp so it absorbs frozen washboard nicely and gives good assistance in controlling edging throughout moderate arcs. A number of testers noted buckle pressure from closure bands. Cuff adjuster has only minimal range.

Beware: Those who it fit it well gave it good marks but a fair number of testers felt discomfort at the arch and instep. Buckles are finicky to engage and freeze-up in icy conditions.

EASE OF ENTRY/EXIT: Foot slide like in a lubricated, well, you know.

EASE/QUALITY OF ADJUSTMENTS: Slot and blade buckles difficult to engage. Strapper (women's version) provides reasonable boot top security but deforms shell at anchor point when reefed on hard making it difficult to snap closed.

EFFECT OF ADJUSTMENTS: Everything latches tight but skiers with sensitive forefoot/instep may feel buckle pressure from closure bands. Cuff adjuster has minimal range.

LINER: Balloon feel but warm and comfortable. Heat-moldable material wraps from heel to forefoot area and in tongue for form fitting feel. Carry strap is flimsy and hard to get fingers under.

CLOSURE SYSTEM: Pulls shell and liner strongly to the foot but buckles slots tend to ice up.

LATERAL QUICKNESS: Very controllable through a range of turn shapes and reasonably quick. You can relax and still get down the hill just fine.

REAR SUPPORT: Good everywhere except bumps and crud.

FORWARD FLEX: Smooth and consistent, very easy to activate with slight shin pressure.

STEERING POWER: Not the quickest off the mark but very easy to spend all day piloting.

DYNAMIC COMFORT: Good marks from those it fit well but a fair number of testers felt discomfort at instep and arch. Fit a bit short for long sole length.

Salomon Ellipse 10.0/W

$560

You can always count on Salomon to turn to the beat of a different flake. The all-new Ellipse is being touted as “not soft, but a modern boot concept.” Whatever. It is fresh, different and the best received of the New Tech Performance group by our testers. The Ellipse collection is designed off the broad-range fitting X-Wave series last but uses much softer plastic over the instep for easy in-out and only three buckles for closure. A unique internal speed lacing system snugs the liner tight to the foot with a hearty tug. Uniquely, the liner has a grippy sole and can be removed from the boot for light-duty indoor walking use. It can be reinserted into the boot without removing it from the foot. Twin, second-generation versions of Salomon's 2002 Bootie Award winning 3-D buckle adapt for ankle and instep closure angle without tools. All Ellipse models come with a female-specific liner and upper cuff.

On the Hill

Yes, Virginia you can eat lunch with your boots off and not soak your socks with melt-slop from the base lodge floor. The Ellipse blends uncanny comfort and convenience with competent performance. It may have only three buckles but it will let you ramble all around the blue and easier blacks at legal limit speeds. “Don't let your ego get in the way,” suggested one tester. “It's the perfect replacement for rear entry lovers who can ski.”

Beware: Ski/walk lever is tiny and difficult to activate with gloves on. It lacks positive “click” to let you know when you are engaged in each mode.

EASE OF ENTRY/EXIT: May just be a rip-off of snowboard boot technology but speed lacing on liner is a winner. Liner-on-foot-into-shell concept really works. Makes lunchtime with boots off a reality.

EASE OF ADJUSTMENTS: 3D buckles slide adjust with ease.

EFFECT OF ADJUSTMENTS: Laces and buckles do the job with great command.

LINER: Thoughtfully engineered. Lots of thinking pays off in secure comfort.

CLOSURE SYSTEM: Speed lacing grasps like a boa. Only problem is no obvious spot to store the excess lacing.

LATERAL QUICKNESS: Not the quickest puppy in the litter but will please except when stressed.

REAR SUPPORT: Provides enough gumption at all but highest speeds.

FORWARD FLEX: Soft but with lively rebound. Caves on steeper slopes.

STEERING POWER: At moderate speeds and mid-arc turns it hooks up nicely. Again, doesn't like to be pushed too hard.

DYNAMIC COMFORT: Wraps foot tight like a bakery box without crushing the pastries.

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