While the Fischer RC4 105 LV BOA is a Vacuum boot and one of the unique qualities about the Fischer Vacuum molding system is that it can compress the shell around the foot, actually making a heel p
The Gist
The debut of the women’s S/Max was met with widespread tester approval last year and it returns unchanged for another go this season. While some boots are powerful but heavy, and others might be agile and light, yet unstable, testers said that the new S/Max 120 W combines all performance elements in a perfectly even blend. They also like its true to narrow class fit—very snug in all the right places. One tester said, look out ladies, there’s a new boss b!#(% in town--powerful, driven, and tight. Very quick Custom Shell HD molding made subtle but good changes, they said.
The Fit
Testers put this on the tightest end of the narrow class for its fit in the lower boot and cuff. It's a true narrow and testers with slender legs and narrow heels absolutely loved the evenly contoured grip on every nook and cranny. Our thicker legged testers didn't like the cuff fit as much. Testers said that the shape is anatomical in every way, so long as the calf isn't too big, though Custom Shell HD molding could open that up a bit. The instep fit is close and testers said the flex feel is firm (a real 120) but evenly distributed on the shin. A few testers commented that it was not the easiest on or off in the group.
Performance
Our test team loved how this boot skied everywhere on the hill, from firm groomers to dicey crud. They called it light and reactive but simultaneously stout and damp. Some testers felt the flex lacked a little rebound, but all appreciated the 120 flex power and relayed that transitions turn to turn were synaptically quick.
Cool Features
One tester said the best feature of the S/Max 120 W was the fact that it was a real boot without a bunch of girly fluff and B.S. And along those lines, the features are stripped down here. Yes, it can be custom molded--the Custom Shell HD process is fast and effective for subtle shape changes our tests have shown. Testers like the Sense Claw 45mm cam buckle style power strap for cranking the cuff closure and dual liner pull loops are nice for getting this one on.
The Gist
The Pure Elite 120 has always earned its highest marks for its balanced stance, rapid-fire quickness and its high level of comfort, warmth and convenience. Testers remind not to let its fuzzy, furry liner fool you into thinking that this isn’t a top tier performer. They say it’s one of the stiffest and strongest of all the women's all-mountain boots, and while it is the roomiest of the narrow class in virtually every fit parameter, it doesn’t stray into true medium volume. Ease of use, good looks (testers like this year's graphic update) and great skiing get it perennial gold.
The Fit
Testers agree it's one of the roomiest of the narrow category—borderline medium—with a tall and upright feeling cuff and a roomy toebox (length, width & height). A few of our low-volume testers successfully dropped down one size in this model. On the whole, testers don't mind the extra room, and they say that the anatomical shaping is spot-on for the human foot and leg. They all love the faux fur, and universally praise the evenly progressive flex feel, if firm, at a legit 120.
Performance
Our taller, more aggressive skiers loved the Elite 120's tall, upright and stiff cuff in their normal size—they had the long leg leverage to get over the top of this boot and uncork its raw power and quickness. So too, did the shorter testers who were able to size down and get a lower cuff fit. Average height and shorter testers who stuck with their normal size felt a little pushed back onto their heels by the cuff and commented that they wanted a little heel lift to help put them in the driver's seat. Every tester, to a woman, agreed this is one powerful and responsive ride.
Cool Features
The fuzzy liner is made with Merino wool, so high warmth scores were not a figment of testers' imaginations. A set of GripWalk soles is available as an accessory (nice for walking, compatible with GripWalk bindings only).
The Gist
Last year one tester said, as you buckle, the engine revs! And out of more than 20 individual tests the comments about a tight yet perfectly-mapped fit were virtually universal. The combination of a tightly, deep-seated heel fit with just enough room over the top of the foot for circulation and uniformly snug contact throughout the rest of the boot had testers fired up to ski. Testers said the light-but-strong Tri Force shell construction did not disappoint while on edge (trenching) or in rapid fire transitions to set the next rail. It was the highest scoring boot in its category and this year remains unchanged outside of cosmetics.
The Fit
One tester said of the Promachine 130, just trying them on sets high expectations, and that sums up testers' fit impressions pretty well. They were excited to get this one on snow as soon as they buckled up, because they felt that this narrow fit like a narrow should. However, testers were simultaneously shocked that it did so with such well placed curves following the foot that it avoided the usual narrow boot hot spot map. Only testers with high, bony insteps and prominent styloids (base of the 5th metatarsal) had any complaints that would require a bootfitter's assistance.
Performance
The slimmed down, thin-shell polyurethane shell and cuff gives the Promachine 130 a light feel in hand, but testers assure that there is no resulting deficit in the power department. That it scored an average of 4.86 (out of 5) for Edge Power & Fore-Aft Support after 16 individual tests is a validation of the fact that lightness doesn't only mean quickness—though its scores there bear out that it wasn't a slouch there, either. Testers repeatedly commented that the Promachine 130 had race boot guts, especially on hard snow at high speed, but maintained an easily moderated throttle feel and could feather and smear on demand, a skill which Frontside boots often lack.
Cool Features
The Tri Force shell and cuff construction utilizes a mix of thinner and thicker plastics in different stiffnesses to create a rigid, transmissive boot that still wraps the foot and goes on and off easily—good features. The IsoTherm 3D Cork Fit liner is well sculpted to match the foot and the shell's interior incorporates its namesake wicking laminate to keep this slim boot warm and dry. Testers liked the GripWalk soles which come mounted on the boot, as well as the standard feature stuff you'd expect at this trim level like dual lateral cuff adjustment, dual liner pull loops, 45 mm power strap (with the Power Driver plate) and removable Velcro rear spoiler.
The Gist
Edged for first place by a mere two-hundredths and sporting a nearly perfect score for edge power and stability, last year testers said the Promachine was an absolute powerhouse that needed not a single fit modification out of the box. Lively and balanced, they said it’s also tall and firm against the leg, and they liked that just fine. This is a real skier’s boot, they said, the kind that appeals to an all-mountain shredder who might often opt for a stiffer men’s model. One tester said, this boot has your back! This year, the teal highlights are gone--oh well.
The Fit
Testers used lots of evenly sprinkled 2's (1 tightest, 5 loosest) to rate the Promachine's fit in both the lower boot and the cuff. It's not race boot tight, but just right tight for the category, they said. Its tightest score was for the heel pocket and its roomiest was for the calf—that's a fit blueprint that will work for a lot of women. One tester whined about the heel pocket being too tight around the Achilles tendon, but our custom tests showed the 3D Cork Fit Primaloft liner did a good job of opening the fit where needed without losing a firm grip elsewhere, so we told her to quit whining.
Performance
Though testers called it the perfect mix of power and agility, it received a perfect score average for Quickness, Steering & Feel so apparently testers corroborated Nordica's claim that the thin shell wall Tri Force construction lightens the boot and provides better ground feel without a loss of torque. While the boot's lightness was noticed, it wasn't the primary element that testers were attracted to. They were far too focused on how well they skied everywhere on the mountain on the Promachine 115 W to worry about the boots myriad other good features, of which less weight certainly is one.
Cool Features
Testers like the rolling, grippy stride of the GripWalk soles that come mounted on the boot and noticed (and appreciated) the soles' aqua highlights that matched the rear spine and Power Driver power strap plate (which they also liked for its shin pressure displacement). Our techie testers also appreciated the full complement of useful stuff, like dual lateral cuff adjustment, a removable Velcro rear spoiler, two liner pull loops and four easy to use buckles (yes, with aqua highlights).
The Hawx Prime 130 S hard plastic self returns unchanged this season and for good reason. Testers said that its winning combination of light weight, instant comfort and strong skiing skills remains intact. Testers say the thin-shell wall polyurethane puts the foot in direct contact with the ski and snow surface and gave it high marks for it feel and precise steering moves without getting twitchy. The all-new Mimic liner takes the already snug heel and ankle pockets and contoured shin fit to another level with a thin, heat moldable layer close to skin to maintain a constant medium width fit connection throughout the boot. Testers say its slender lower leg fit flares nicely at the top of the cuff for muscular calves.
The Hawx Prime fits the same as ever in the toebox and forefoot, according to our team who've consistently thrown 3's and 4's at that area, but it tapers to a closer fit at the throat of the boot where the base of the lower leg, ankles and heel are held a bit more closely than in years gone by—testers gave those zones 3's and 2's. Anatomical wrapping would sum up the way the Hawx Prime 130 S contours around the shape of the foot and leg. Testers liked the way the shell and liner worked to accommodate common bony spots like the ankles and also praised the way the slightly taller-than-average cuff flared progressively to suit the calf muscle. Thinner, stiffer plastics seem to get a little more stiff in the cold, and testers mentioned that taking the boots off was quite a bit more difficult than putting them on.
If you haven't skied a Hawx Prime in a few years, the updated design brings a new feel to the Hawx Prime experience—edging movements are now much more crisp and reactive than in the past, testers reported, and fine-tuned steering movements are now rewarded with immediate ski reaction without any slop-induced lag. The creature comfort of the medium width Hawx remains, but comes with newfound performance gains. Testers liked the stance angles of the boot board ramp and cuff, and also liked the fact that dual cuff adjustment and forward lean adjustments are still on board, just don't lose the Atomic tool with the two little pins for turning the apparatus, testers remind.
Testers liked the no-slip soles and the lightweight, wide but minimalist Velcro power strap with its simple pulley loop. Memory Fit shell molding is cool for auto-customization of the fit by cooking the shell in an oven, though few testers found the out-of-box fit problematic enough to consider it. The Power Shift feature (which accounts for the "S" in the model name) allows for adjustment of the forward lean and/or stiffness. The new Mimic liner utilizes a thin layer of heat moldable material close to the foot contact layer to provide a fine-tuned fit, post oven cooking.
One of our favorite women's boots over the years, the Hawx Prime W, went and took a risk a couple years back, changing its mold, changing her name and following in slender sister Ultra's tracks by slimming the shell wall and cuff construction for the sake of weight reduction. We thought she looked good before, but we have to hand it to her—the new Hawx W fits better, skis better and does both at a fraction of its former weight. This year Atomic brings a 115-flex version of the Hawx Prime W to the game with all those same design elements in place but with more horsepower and an all-new Mimic heat moldable liner, and our test team couldn't be happier for the performance step-up.
Testers (still) found a substantial amount of room in the toebox and the forefoot—a Hawx Prime hallmark, but (still) discovered teamed with an evenly snug fit in the heel pocket and ankles—even more so than in the past, they said. They liked this blend of warmth and comfort where needed up front combined with performance controls at the rearfoot for good skiing moves, though they mentioned that for a performance boot the liner feel is definitely on the plush side. Testers liked the way the boot top is flared enough for the bigger calf without a loss of fore-aft positioning, though testers concurred that the skinny legged needed to max the buckles. The stance is a touch upright—no quad burn here—but testers felt the fore-aft position was good. The Hawx Prime 115 S W's Mimic Platinum liner is slightly more dense than the 3D Gold liner found in the 105 flex version, so a slightly more snug, performance feel is noticed at initial try-on.
The new Hawx Prime 115 S W got highest marks for quickness, steering and agility—this is a light and responsive ride that favors an accurate sortie on the slope, not a bludgeoning onslaught. The flex feel is long and springy and the close fit through the ankle and heel allowed for powerful lateral edging movements. Heavy handed forward flexing by our most aggressive testers was met with new backbone that pushed back with authority--testers approved.
For women with wide forefoot and a bigger calf, the Hawx Prime W line-up deserves a close look—it fits generously in those spots to begin with and the Memory Fit shell-molding feature allows those areas to be expanded using just the skier's foot and leg in the boot to get the job done in a matter of minutes. The Power Shift feature (which accounts for the "S" in the model name) allows for adjustment of the forward lean and/or stiffness. The new Mimic liner utilizes a thin layer of heat moldable material close to the foot contact layer to provide a fine-tuned fit, post oven cooking.
The 2021/2022 Tecnica Mach1 MV 105 W was tested in the women’s All-Mountain Traditional medium category by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.
The Gist
With the highest score of all the women’s boots and the second highest score of the entire test, men’s boots included the Mach1 MV 105 W maintained its position as one of our test team’s favorite boots of the past 5 years. It cannot seem to fail impressing good skiers for its perennially surprising combination of luxe comfort and plush fit with real, ass-kicking downhill performance. This is one of those boots that suits almost every tester to a T (and does it without T-Drive).
The Fit
It’s a generous medium width, testers agree. In fact, the average of eight fit parameters produced the roomiest total of all the medium All-Mountain Traditional boots in the women’s test. That is not to say that testers didn’t like this—apparently they loved this given the perfect score for anatomical fit—but for good skiers caught between a decision to go medium or go wide, this test team would point you straight here. The toebox and forefoot is especially roomy, but the overall fit in the lower boot tapers back to a more controlled fit tension, with the ankle pockets being its most snug fit zone score. The MV’s calf fit is ideal for the average to muscular or thicker calf, our testers raved—and in fact, its roomiest fit zone was at the boot top where it flares nicely. Slender calf testers didn’t mind it but also knew that the CAS Cuff Adapt feature could snug the calf fit by 5% (or open it up another 10%).
Performance
The Mach1 MV’s balanced stance enables all its other performance assets, testers concurred. They said it’s cuff angles and internal angles were all right on the money—and gave it another perfect score for stance. It received an equal number of positive comments about its edge power and stability as well as its quickness and agility—and as such posted scores of 4.86 in both of those categories. Many testers said that this boot skied well above the expectations set by its 105-flex rating, and so we’ll say its price also performs well, at over 100 bucks less than the guys’ top shelf MV Tecnica.
Cool Features
It’s a cool-feature reminder that a well-balanced and properly executed boot with a polyurethane shell, polyolefin cuff and closed up with four buckles doesn’t need much else. It managed to beat its bling-laden and stiffer skinny-sis (okay, only by six-hundredths) without a hooky cam buckle strap or carbon cuff splint. So, here’s to double screwed cuff canting and a single liner pull loop. Keepin’ it simple, keepin’ it real. Nice work Tecnica, again.
The 2021/2022 Tecnica Mach1 MV 130 was tested in the men’s All-Mountain Traditional medium category by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.
The 2022 Mach1 MV 130 isn’t exactly new, it was released last year, but with our boot test getting canceled due to Covid we missed its debut—we asked for it back this time around, and we’re glad we did. Testers loved it and rewarded it with the highest score of the entire test. This is a 130-flex that no good skier should be afraid of, one tester said, highlighting the ease of access this boot provides in every way: entry, fit and downhill performance. Never has ripping been so easy, they said. Another tester said that If you don’t like this boot your first task is to get a lesson, and if that doesn’t do it, a trip to your therapist to work on the anger issues.
Testers call this a perfect medium width fit and anatomically sculpted to a perfect match with the average foot and leg. It offers a little extra room in the toebox, forefoot and calf, and is a little more snug over the instep and against the ankle bones. Testers liked the combination of comfort and control distributed in the proper places for each, and the very few complaints were typically mentioned with a suggested solution that involved the CAS shell or the CAS liner bootfitting options. Few problems and easily solved was the general sense.
One tester asked about the Mach1’s stance angles: Does this boot have gyroscopic abilities? It was impossible to get out of balance! In every test parameter related to stance and balance the tester remarks were either “ideal” or “neutral.” This laid down the foundation for both a strong and stable delivery of energy to the ski edge and a lithe connection with the snow and rapid fire reactions between turns. One tester described it this way: Good snow feel and feedback through the boots sole. Powerful to and through the edges. Testers found the power and quickness blend to be evenly weighted and seamless. Another tester: Snappy and proficient, it delivered all sorts of action with very subtle input.
The Custom Adaptive Shape shell and liner continues to impress our bootfitter-by-day testers. The shell’s dimpled patches in common work zones make for easier stretches with less deformation to adjacent areas and with less return over time. The microcell foam exterior around the ankles and quarter panels is pre-sculpted but can be re-molded and even grinded on to relieve peak pressure points at the ankle bones. Testers like the Power Lock power strap with the up-hook for easy release and re-connection and appreciate that Tecnica maintains performance basics like screwed double cuff adjustments and regular old alpine DIN soles, thank you very much.
The 2021/2022 Tecnica Mach1 LV 130 was tested in the men’s All-Mountain Traditional narrow category by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.
The Mach1 LV 130 has been on the podium every time we’ve tested it over the past few years of its existence. This year it returns redesigned to incorporate the stiff but spring-loaded T-Drive cuff to shell connector and testers approved the update with two thumbs way up. Out of a potential perfect score of 5.00 the Mach1 LV received a 4.88—was this the highest score of the men’s narrow All-Mountain Traditional category? Yes. Was it the highest score of the entire test? No. But only the men’s and women’s Mach1 MV’s beat it.
The Mach1 LV stays true to how a narrow class boot should fit, testers said. A 130-flex, 98mm boot should not be devoid of pressure points for any feet other than truly slender dogs. A fit-issue free feel is generally called a medium width. This is not to say that the LV is painful or overly compressive—it is not—but testers assure that it will grab the foot and leg with a mind to go rip the mountain to pieces. The fit over the top of the foot is assertive, let’s say, (high-arched testers said aggressive), and the heel is particularly snug. Testers considered these observations to be more evidence of awesomeness rather than criticisms. The LV’s total average fit tension score was the lowest (i.e. tightest) of the men’s test.
None of the guys who tested the Tecnica Mach1 LV 130 happen to use Tecnica as their daily driver boot brand—and yet there were several comments made about it easily becoming their boot. A boot’s ability to stir brand defection discussions among testers is high praise. This year’s LV got high marks for both its power (4.80) and quickness (5.00) and testers attributed some amount of this to the new T-Drive connection between cuff and shell. They noted a more resilient feeling flex and a snappier return to center between turns. Testers continue to applaud the use of tried-and-true polyurethane (polyester) throughout for its strong and vibration dampening qualities, and give credit where it’s due for a light-enough feeling boot that hasn’t given up any performance points simply for heft’s sake.
The Custom Adaptive Shape shell and liner continues to impress our bootfitter-by-day testers. The shell’s dimpled patches in common work zones make for easier stretches with less deformation to adjacent areas and with less return over time. The microcell foam exterior around the ankles and quarter panels is pre-sculpted but can be re-molded and even grinded on to relieve peak pressure points at the ankle bones. Testers like the Power Lock power strap with the up-hook for easy release and re-connection and appreciate that Tecnica maintains performance basics like screwed double cuff adjustments and regular old alpine DIN soles, thank you very much.
The 2021/2022 Tecnica Mach1 LV Pro W was tested in the women’s All-Mountain Traditional narrow category by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.
The Mach1 LV Pro W offers a no-frills color palette, but is very sleek and traditional—classy, like a black and white photograph. That’s what one tester wrote about the new women’s narrow from Tecnica. It returns this year with an updated liner, an easier entry and the addition of T-Drive, the upper to lower carbon connector piece that makes the magic happen. Yes, they liked how it looked, but loved how it fit and skied, saying that it fits like a narrow boot should and skis like a 120-flex Tecnica should. It was outscored by only two other women’s boots in the entire test—and one was its medium-width little sis.
Let’s let testers talk fit too: Wow! The perfect narrow! The stock fit is so good that I can feel all of the energy transfer points perfectly. This boot genuinely fits as well as the men’s—no corners were cut. A ski boot! Skis as well as if I was stuffed into a smaller size—and it’s comfy. Fits like a narrow boot in a great way. No pressure points. Our fit tension scores over 8 zones (toebox, forefoot, instep, navicular, lateral column, heel, ankles, calf) averaged to 2.67, so a comfy narrow, let’s call it. Testers noticed that the entry and exit was easier due to the softer instep plastic that was able to be used due to the more structural anchoring of the T-Drive shell-cuff connection.
The fact that eight of our veteran women testers put this boot through its paces and it came out the other side with a perfect score for edge power and stability is a testament to how strong and stable the Mach1 LV Pro is, but testers said it was fluid and playful in transitions turn to turn and agile in tight and tricky spots. A couple testers said its torque curve was its strong suit and yet it still pulled a 4.86 for quickness! Several testers made mention of the boot’s high level of feel and connection to the ski and snow surface—tuned in, strong and reactive.
Tecnica women’s boots are keeping it real with features that matter to skiers, our test team says. They like that all the core features of the men’s boots are on board: CAS shell and liner, Power Lock strap with hook, dual screwed cuff adjustment. But they really like the women’s specific CAS Cuff Adapt and CAS tongue for improved shin fit, and they loved the high tech Celliant liner that converts body heat to infrared energy for increased warmth.
The 2021/2022 Salomon S/Pro 120 GW was tested in the men’s All-Mountain Traditional medium category by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.
The fit compliments gushed and oozed out of testers in a flood of love for the revised S/Pro 120 GW—and they didn’t know what had been changed until after their tests. The all new Customfit 4D liner boasts a seamless design from tongue to instep to toebox and a revised, sandwich laminate of firm and soft foam layers around the ankles. Testers were so focused on talking about the cushioned but simultaneously firm fit they almost forgot to mention how well the S/Pro skis—but they did, calling this one a seamless, mindless solution for all-mountain performance and fun.
While new liner’s initial entry (so easy and smooth) and cushioned first-feel stole the show with testers, the S/Pro’s characteristic fit map hasn’t changed dramatically since last year. Testers say that the wider-than-medium fit through the lateral forefoot remains intact, and the wide-forefoot, skinny heel folks find that combo to be a perfect solution for their needs. The ankle and heel pockets were on the snug side of the medium class and the cuff retains its known snug grip along the leg shaft, with just enough flare at boot top for some muscle mass.
Testers love the push-button, auto-focus style all-mountain attack the S/Pro 120 offers. No need to alter one’s technique or manage any boot-fussiness, they said—just get to skiing wherever and however you want. The cuff geometry is cited as neutral in the front-to-back plane and testers said that side-to-side there was no over-powering inside edge feel to mess with silky soft snow sliding and deep-gouging off-piste slashing. The blend of power to quickness was evenly balanced, with a nod to edge power over agility according to test scores. Note that the S/Pro’s highest scores still came in the fit and comfort, warmth and convenience categories.
The tried-and-true shell molding Custom Shell HD system is still a go-to for folks looking for a convenient way to mellow out minor hot spots and open up some needed extra space, and it serves to make some subtle stance alignment improvements for skiers who typically need a cuff adjustment (isn’t one here without using the Salomon Oversize Pivot drill-out kit). GW means GripWalk, and testers like that for standing and strolling. A 45mm Velcro power strap is simple and functional.
The 2021/2022 Salomon S/Pro 100 W GW was tested in the women’s All-Mountain Traditional medium category by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.
The all-new liner in this year’s S/Pro 100 W won over testers upon first try-on across the board. The noticed that the transition from shin to instep to foot in the seamless liner felt—well, seamless. And the ankle pockets were properly shaped, properly placed and somehow firm and cushioned at the same time, they said. While they were most impressed with the all-around comfort (even the calf!) they would’ve ditched it if it hadn’t skied well, which it did too.
Fit scores for the S/Pro stayed to the wide side of the median for the 100mm group, allowing for a warm and relaxed toebox and room for the forefoot to splay a bit and find balance without numbness. The lateral side of the boot is well-flared and the opposite side offers more room for the navicular than one would expect, looking at the location of the power-creating Core Frame apparatus. Our thicker-calf testers were very excited to find a performance medium that suited the thick-of-leg, and when testing the Custom Shell HD molding process they found additional calf adaptation without a loss of good fit elsewhere. Testers liked the cuff height and lateral stance alignment but a few of the slender legged mentioned feeling a bit upright.
Testers liked how trouble free the S/Pro 100 W was in every all-mountain spot they could put it in—predictable starts to turns of all sizes and solid enough for experts at high speeds and through tricky snow. Earning its highest marks in the quickness and steering category, testers said it's light enough and quick enough underfoot for tight spots and dynamic maneuvers. They were impressed with the broad bandwidth of this 100 flex medium.
This year’s Customfit 4D liner’s Talyn exterior material sandwiched against a softer, customizable foam in the ankle pockets made a difference for our test team—before they knew what had been changed the talk was about the improved comfort level (in a boot that was already damn comfy). The Custom Shell HD molding process works for evening out fit inconsistencies and creating more space, and testers typically feel more in-balance after going through the process. Testers had zero complaints about the toebox, thanks to a revised elastic liner construction there. GripWalk soles come mounted.
