Tecnica Mach1 MV 115 W

The perennial favorite Mach1 MV W has returned but in a burlier, badder build--the 115 flex model!

Category 
All-Mountain Traditional
Last Width 
100
Flex Index 
115
Price (MSRP) 
$750.00USD

Fischer RC4 Podium GT 130 VFF

Gender 
Men's
Sizes (MP) 
22.5-29.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Narrow
Also in this Collection 
RC4 Podium GT 140 VFF, $850; RC4 Podium 110 VFF, $850
Cantology Compatible 
No
Total Avg Score 
4.10
Shell/Cuff/Tongue 
Vacuplast/Vacuplast/n.a.
Anatomical Fit and Initial Feel 
3.46
Dynamic Balance 
3.92
Edge Power & Fore-Aft Support 
4.69
Quickness, Steering & Feel 
4.46
Convenience, Warmth & Features 
3.33
Tech Compatible 
No

Dalbello DS 130

Gender 
Men's
Sizes (MP) 
24.0-30.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Medium
Also in this Collection 
DS 120 GW, $850; DS 120, $800; DS 110, $650; DS 100, $550; DS 90, $400
Cantology Compatible 
No

The 2019/2020 Dalbello DS 130 was tested in the men's All-Mountain medium width category at Silver Mountain Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.

The Gist

Testers again used apex predator descriptors to call out the Dalbello DS 130’s strong edge work--but with comments that it’s less like a cheetah and more like a big, well-fed lion. It ambles through large radius turns at high speeds as if it were born to—solid, strong and drivey, like a souped up Mustang, said one tester. Most testers liked the dark green. Hulk. Strong. Smash--that’s how another tester put it. Instantly comfy, though a bit on the roomy side of medium, most agreed.

The Fit

Testers unanimously checked the easy entry and exit boxes for the DS 130 and they liked the simplicity of the closure system. They also unanimously say the boot runs long, fit wise, to the point where skiers traditionally somewhat in-between sizes might be able to drop down a size in the DS. The overall fit in both the lower shell and in the upper cuff was anatomical in nature, matching the curves of the foot and leg well, but in an outsized way—testers used a lot of 4's to describe the DS's fit tension, where a 3 would indicate ideal medium fit tension. A couple testers couldn't get over this fact, but the majority simply made the observation that it sits on the roomy side of the category and moved on to enjoy the luxurious feel of the cushioned liner and its stellar downhill skill set.

Performance

The DS 130's stance angles allow for a balanced starting position that rewarded good skiing movements, testers said, and lots of "ideal" boxes were checked for flex feel and liner tongue cushioning during flexing movements. Testers had virtually no complaints about edge power and fore-aft support, citing a solid-as-a-rock boot spine and an excess of torsional and lateral rigidity to hammer an edge home on the hardest snow and hold it there. A few testers commented that the extra room in both the length and height of the toebox and throughout the instep meant a loss of foot retention resulting in some forward foot slippage, sending the hips back—a thicker than average foot will do well with this fit, so wide footers shouldn't be scared off by the 100 mm tag.

Cool Features

The Power Cage shell and cuff construction utilizes a framework of thicker, stiffer polyurethane in the boot rail (very bottom) and into the rear spine of the boot to provide power and stability where it's needed while incorporating a thinner, softer polyurethane in less critical areas where better wrapping for improved fit is needed—seemed to work for testers. The DS's single sided upper cuff adjustment is renamed Intuitive Canting—not our favorite terminology—meaning that three words (Neutral, Sport & Race) are used to describe the cuff positions 0.0, +0.5 and +1.0, respectively, achieved via the rotary cam mechanism. The boots come set to the 0.5 "out" Sport position. The Variable Ramp Angle feature is an insert that increases the bootboard ramp angle by 1.0-degree.

Total Avg Score 
4.08
Shell/Cuff/Tongue 
polyurethane/polyurethane/n.a.
Anatomical Fit and Initial Feel 
3.63
Dynamic Balance 
4.38
Edge Power & Fore-Aft Support 
4.38
Quickness, Steering & Feel 
4.00
Convenience, Warmth & Features 
4.00
Tech Compatible 
No

Atomic Hawx Magna 130 S

Gender 
Men's
Sizes (MP) 
25.0-31.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Wide
Also in this Collection 
Hawx Magna 110, $600; Hawx Magna 100, $475; Hawx Magna 80, $300
Cantology Compatible 
No

The 2019/2020 Atomic Hawx Magna 130 S was tested in the men's All-Mountain Traditional wide category at Silver Mountain Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.

The Gist

There were lots of Flintstone and Sasquatch references in testers’ reviews for the Hawx Magna 130 S this year, so we’ll let it continue to wear the category’s Widest Boot championship belt for another season! Though we should revise the title to read: Widest Boot That Still Skis Like a Champ because testers say there is absolutely nothing wrong with how this boot stands or tips to rip. Best have a lot of volume in foot, instep and lower leg to truly tap the torque reserves here, they said.

The Fit

The fit is large, Marge! One tester said he felt like a single bean in a very large burrito. Another said if you're foot is shaped like a potato, you're in the ballpark. Still another simply wrote: canyonesque. We like that, so eloquent. There are plenty of skiers with wide feet, high insteps and big, muscular calves. Those can be comfort deal-breakers and make skiing a total drag. The Hawx Magna 130 addresses all those issues, with a comfortable flex feel and enough backbone to support the big dude attached to the big feet.

Performance

It's Magna—not magma or magnum—so it skis not like a volcanic explosion or a dirty Harry 357, nor an over-sized condom, but rather like the perfect combination of the three. Testers say it's strong enough, quick enough, and slippery enough to manage all terrain and snow conditions for a variety of different skiing styles. Testers agreed that the edge power is there once the boot rolls a ski up on edge, and given enough foot and leg volume to fill the canyon, quickness and steering marks would go up. A few testers thought it had a slightly over-edged feel (inside edge bias), which a cuff adjustment should sort out for any in the same boat.

Cool Features

For a skier with a calf and instep so megalithic that the Hawx Magna 130's out-of-box fit is still too tight, he's in luck! The Memory Fit customization features allows the shell to expand around the foot and leg automatically after cooking the shell in an oven for five minutes—a great way to improve the fit at those tricky-to-modify areas. The 3D Gold Liner is loaded with Thinsulate for additional warmth. The Power Shift feature (which accounts for the "S" in the model name) allows for adjustment of the forward lean and/or stiffness.

Total Avg Score 
4.13
Shell/Cuff/Tongue 
polyurethane/polyurethane/n.a.
Anatomical Fit and Initial Feel 
4.17
Dynamic Balance 
3.83
Edge Power & Fore-Aft Support 
4.00
Quickness, Steering & Feel 
4.00
Convenience, Warmth & Features 
4.67
Tech Compatible 
No

Atomic Hawx Prime 130 S

Gender 
Men's
Sizes (MP) 
24.0-32.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Medium
Also in this Collection 
Hawx Prime 120, $725; Hawx Prime 110, $600; Hawx Prime 100, $475; Hawx Prime 90, $350
Cantology Compatible 
No

The 2019/2020 Atomic Hawx Prime 130 S was tested in the men's All-Mountain Traditional medium width category at Silver Mountain Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.

The Gist

Last year’s completely re-made Hawx Prime 130 S 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. Snug heel and ankle pockets provide a solid anchor within the medium width fit through the rest of the boot.

The Fit

The new Hawx Prime fits the same as ever in the toebox and forefoot, according to our team who threw 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 the past—testers gave those zones 3's and 2's. Anatomical wrapping would sum up the way the new 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 a bit more difficult than putting them on.

Performance

The new 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.

Cool Features

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.

Total Avg Score 
4.09
Shell/Cuff/Tongue 
polyurethane/polyurethane/n.a.
Anatomical Fit and Initial Feel 
4.27
Dynamic Balance 
4.09
Edge Power & Fore-Aft Support 
3.82
Quickness, Steering & Feel 
4.09
Convenience, Warmth & Features 
4.18
Tech Compatible 
No

Tecnica Mach1 MV 130

Gender 
Men's
Sizes (MP) 
24.5-29.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Medium
Also in this Collection 
Mach1 MV 120, $720; Mach1 MV 100, $600; Mach1 MV 90, $480
Cantology Compatible 
No
The 2018/2019 Tecnica Mach1 MV 130 was tested in the men's All-Mountain medium width category at Silver Mountain Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.

The Gist

The 2019 Tecnica Mach1 MV 130 returned again to take its place amongst the very best of the medium width All-Mountain boots at this year's test with a score that put it in silver medal position in a very strong field. Testers cite its nearly perfect blend of stance, performance and comfort elements as the key to its success for a variety of foot shapes, skiing styles and in all manner of snow conditions. While the Mach1 MV 130 comes with a full slate of cool bootfitting features, few testers mentioned needing them given the clean out-of-box fit.

The Fit

Testers approved of the boot's firm grab on the heel and ankles achieved by the well-mated shell and liner shape, but they also liked the way the fit tension relaxed toward the forefoot and toebox—well suited to the "V-shaped" foot, they said. A few testers noted a more-snug-than-medium-width fit over the top of the foot at the instep, though some found that this pinch point relaxed with some wear time. The lower leg shaft is encased in a firm and anatomically shaped cuff, which testers liked for a direct connection to the ski. They mention it has a firm feel against the shin at first, but appropriately so for a 130 flex.

Performance

The stance geometry is dialed, according to testers who unanimously gave fore-aft and lateral angles "ideal" scores. This, combined with a firm and progressive flex feel and an immediate edging response to lateral moves earned the Mach1 MV 130 high performance scores. While testers gave it solid-sole Frontside boot style power ratings, they like the off-piste tuning of its grippy plates for a slightly more dampened ride through chop.

Cool Features

The Custom Adaptive Shape (C.A.S.) bootfitter-centric toolbox is well crafted for simple fixes of common problem areas, but few testers reported needing to implement them. The C.A.S. shell is marked by dimpled fit zones where heat stretches would commonly be needed. The reduced mass in those areas makes for a more-defined stretch and better retention of the modification over time. The C.A.S. liner's signature exterior is made of a dense microcell EVA foam which can be heat-molded or ground upon to offload pressure on hotspots.

Total Avg Score 
4.33
Shell/Cuff/Tongue 
polyether/polyether/na
Anatomical Fit and Initial Feel 
4.22
Dynamic Balance 
4.67
Edge Power & Fore-Aft Support 
4.44
Quickness, Steering & Feel 
4.11
Convenience, Warmth & Features 
4.22

Tecnica Mach1 LV Pro W

Gender 
Women's
Sizes (MP) 
22.5-27.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Narrow
Also in this Collection 
Mach1 LV 105 W, $720; Mach1 LV 95 W, $600
Cantology Compatible 
No
The 2018/2019 Tecnica Mach1 LV Pro W was tested in the women's All-Mountain narrow category at Silver Mountain Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.

The Gist

The 2019 Tecnica Mach1 Pro W LV pleased testers with its comfortable liner and strong 115 flex that delivered smooth, solid turns through soft, variable terrain and over hard surfaces alike. One tester claimed that these were sexy enough for super models, and another said they provided everything a ripper girl could want, so we're going with that—looks good, skis well. This is a true narrow fit in the lower boot, they vouch, noting that the forefoot is quite tight on the bony points and will need a light grind or punch for all but the most slender of feet. Bravo, we say—narrows should be narrow!

The Fit

In combination with a narrow-snug fit in the lower boot—particularly in the heel pocket and forefoot-- the upper cuff remains remarkably comfortable along the calf, which testers widely approved of. Women with narrow feet and slightly thicker lower legs should not be scared off into medium-width territory, as this one may suit nicely. Several testers mentioned that the top of the shin fit was a bit edgy feeling, but each was won over by how well the boot performed on snow—meaning it wasn't a fit deal-breaker for them.

Performance

Our test team applauded the 115 flex—perfect for solid skiers who have a history of over-powering women's boots at the 100-105 level. There were no such comments here. While firm in its flex-feel, testers commented that the power supply was predictable and smooth, not harsh. This was easily tapped power that did testers' bidding in a variety of conditions.

Cool Features

The signature Mach1 Custom Adaptive Shape (C.A.S.) technology is expanded here beyond just the pre-dimpled stretch zones for common fit problem areas and a moldable-grindable EVA liner. Here the calf is moldable—both shell and liner, simultaneously—by way of the C.A.S. Cuff Adapt feature. A unique heating pad warms the low temperature plastic insert (and liner) to a moldable state, and then the boot is worn to match the cuff to the leg. The cuff can reduce its volume by 5 percent for slender legs or increase its volume by 10 percent for thicker legs. This is the sort of bootfitter (and skier) friendly feature that Tecnica's Project 165* team is becoming known for.

*(their bootfitter consultants group, one of which is on our ABB test team: Greg Hoffmann)

Total Avg Score 
4.60
Shell/Cuff/Tongue 
Pebax/polyolefin/na
Anatomical Fit and Initial Feel 
4.60
Dynamic Balance 
4.60
Edge Power & Fore-Aft Support 
4.80
Quickness, Steering & Feel 
4.80
Convenience, Warmth & Features 
4.40

Tecnica Mach1 LV 130

Gender 
Men's
Sizes (MP) 
22.5-29.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Narrow
Also in this Collection 
Mach1 LV 120, $720
Cantology Compatible 
No
The 2018/2019 Tecnica Mach1 LV 130 was tested in the men's All-Mountain narrow category at Silver Mountain Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.

The Gist

What do testers like most about the 2019 Tecnica Mach1 LV 130 (aside from a consensus that it skis like a weapon of downhill domination)? They like that this narrow fits like a narrow! Meaning, there's an obvious differentiation between the fit tension (squeeze factor) of the medium-volume MV and this narrow class LV. The anatomical shaping for the wider points of the foot's anatomy is still here in the LV, just slimmed down to grab a hold of the foot and leg with the death grip of a zombie reaching up through the dirt. And testers said that's a good thing!

The Fit

Most testers had a few minor hotspots at the typical locations, depending on their particular fit issues—and they made mention of these mainly in the form of praise. Meaning, they cited the boot's tightness as a virtue, and agreed that in the narrow width group, some bootfitting should be needed for all but the most slender of kangaroo feet. Fit scores were evenly arranged along the tight side of the spectrum, however, indicating that the anatomical shape is right, with curves where they belong to better match the shape of the human foot. More than a few testers mentioned that the tongue and flex feel is firm against the shin—not in a problematic way, they said, but they cautioned that the boot is not for sissies.

Performance

Strong like bull. Sports car flat cornering. Pure polyurethane power. Testers loaded their test cards with comments like these about the Mach1 130 LV. Many mentioned that this boot drove the ski on hard snow as strongly as the race-bred boots of the Frontside category, but managed off-piste junk with ease and forgiveness. Virtually all testers approved of its stance angles for athletic skiing. The way this boot skis justified it's tied-for-first-place position in the category, testers said.

Cool Features

The Custom Adaptive Shape (C.A.S.) bootfitting features are the same here as they are on all the Mach1 boots for men and women—the C.A.S. shell is dimpled in common fit problem areas to aid with heat stretching and the C.A.S. liner is both heat moldable and grindable. In addition to these helpful fitting tools, the Lift Lock buckles are handy—they stay locked open when pushed to their end stop and the Power Lock power strap hook-in-loop connection sidesteps having to thread the strap webbing through a cam-lock buckle every time. These top-shelf niceties are found on the Mach1 MV 130 as well.

Total Avg Score 
4.49
Shell/Cuff/Tongue 
polyether/polyether/na
Anatomical Fit and Initial Feel 
4.38
Dynamic Balance 
4.77
Edge Power & Fore-Aft Support 
4.62
Quickness, Steering & Feel 
4.62
Convenience, Warmth & Features 
4.08

Tecnica Mach1 HV 130

Gender 
Men's
Sizes (MP) 
24.5-30.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Wide
Also in this Collection 
Mach1 HV 120, $720
Cantology Compatible 
No
The 2018/2019 Tecnica Mach1 HV 130 was tested in the men's All-Mountain wide category at Silver Mountain Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.

The Gist

Testers say that the newest addition to the Tecnica line, the Mach1 HV 130, is the perfect example of how the DNA of a top-shelf narrow boot should be passed down to its wide-last brother. All the dominant family traits (stance, power, quickness, comfort) remain intact, and without any downside, testers said. Testers suggest that with the arrival of the new 103 mm Mach1 HV and softer Mach Sport HV lines Tecnica has the most well-defined group of narrow, medium and wide All-Mountain boots on the market.

The Fit

The Mach1 HV 130 (and 120) are the "performance wides" of the now two-tiered HV group. The Mach1 HV 130 is distinctly wider and more open through the instep and at the boot cuff than its narrower bro, MV in about the same amount of differentiation as the MV is from the LV, testers said. The Mach1 HV 130 is designed to perform as well as both the other Mach1's and as such has a still-firm feel in the ankle and heel. Testers said this is no bucket, but will make a lot of thick footed rippers very happy. For those looking for a boot where the premium is placed on comfort with some limited trade-off in performance, the Mach Sport HV boots (not tested) may offer a perfect match.

Performance

Testers were hopeful that the 103 mm Mach1 would deliver on the performance promises made by virtue of their experiences with the LV and MV Mach1's and they were not disappointed. Test forms were filled with many comments that the line-up had not lost a step in stepping up the volume of fit. Solid, powerful, quick were oft-used terms to describe the HV's descent attitude. Some testers said the flex was a little shy of the 130 mark established by MV and LV.

Cool Features

The Custom Adaptive Shape (C.A.S.) bootfitting features are the same here as they are on all the Mach1 boots for men and women—the C.A.S. shell is dimpled in common fit problem areas to aid with heat stretching and the C.A.S. liner is both heat moldable and grindable. In addition to these helpful fitting tools, the Lift Lock buckles are handy—they stay locked open when pushed to their end stop and the Power Lock power strap hook-in-loop connection sidesteps having to thread the strap webbing through a cam-lock buckle every time.

Total Avg Score 
4.36
Shell/Cuff/Tongue 
polyurethane/polyurethane/na
Anatomical Fit and Initial Feel 
4.00
Dynamic Balance 
4.60
Edge Power & Fore-Aft Support 
4.40
Quickness, Steering & Feel 
4.40
Convenience, Warmth & Features 
4.40

Tecnica Mach1 MV 105 W

Gender 
Women's
Sizes (MP) 
22.5-27.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Medium
Also in this Collection 
Mach1 MV 95 W, $600; Mach1 MV 85 W, $480
Cantology Compatible 
No
The 2018/2019 Tecnica Mach1 MV 105 W was tested in the women's All-Mountain medium width category at Silver Mountain Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.

The Gist

Our test team said that this year's medium category first-place 2019 Tecnica Mach1 MV 105 W still splits the difference between a performance boot and a comfort boot seamlessly. Its fit is contoured and the grip is firm against the foot and leg, but with an amount of cushion that makes the initial slip on inviting and warm. They said to put boot to bindings and head it downhill and discover that balanced turns come effortlessly, with minimal inputs, but then roll the dial to max and find that this boot's top end may exceed yours! As with so many boots that appeal universally, some testers wished it was more creature comfort while others wanted more ski crushing power—that's an indication that this one's slotted right where it needs to be for most accomplished women skiers.

The Fit

Fit scores came in dead down the middle for a medium-width, with a few testers mentioning that it might trend a touch roomier than the category average. Most of the crew thought that the cuff height was right on the money, while a couple said it trended a bit taller. There were zero complaints about a too-tight calf, but with its moldable plastic insert at the back of the calf good skiing gals with muscular lower legs should keep this boot in their top tier for Fall try-on.

Performance

On-snow this boot takes no prisoners--unless that's what you want. It can go either way--total domination on-piste and off-, or it can simply cruise from late-day start to early-apres toddies. One of the keys to the Mach1 line's success is its neutral stance set up that allows almost any skier to buckle-up, click-in and get to shredding without having to modify style or terrain selection. Testers mention that they instantly felt dialed and recommended it to any good skiing gal looking to up her game—or one who just wants to keep on doing what she's doing.

Cool Features

One of the coolest features of the Mach1 boots is the fact that many of their design elements are created with the help of a few of the best bootfitters in the USA—Project 165 is Tecnica's partnership with select bootfitters and their collaboration has been evident in the last couple seasons for Tecnica. One of their crew is an ABB tester—Greg Hoffmann! The Mach1's Custom Adaptive Shape (C.A.S.) shell construction offers pre-dimpled areas on the shell where a heat stretch is more easily accomplished and will hold better over time. The C.A.S. liner is highly shaped to match the foot's anatomy and is both moldable and grindable, due to its firm EVA foam construction. The C.A.S. Cuff Adapt feature utilizes a taco-shaped heating pad that warms the low-temperature plastic calf insert and liner to a molding temperature, and then simply wearing the boot will move the cuff to an ideal position for both slender or thick lower leg shapes.

Total Avg Score 
4.47
Shell/Cuff/Tongue 
polyurethane/polyolefin/na
Anatomical Fit and Initial Feel 
4.33
Dynamic Balance 
4.67
Edge Power & Fore-Aft Support 
4.33
Quickness, Steering & Feel 
3.33
Convenience, Warmth & Features 
4.67

Salomon X Pro 130

Gender 
Men's
Sizes (MP) 
24.5-33.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Medium
Also in this Collection 
X Pro 120, $725; X Pro 110, $650; X Pro 100, $600; X Pro X90, $475
Special Sizes 
XXL (32.0 and larger)
Cantology Compatible 
No
The 2018/2019 Salomon X Pro 130 was tested in the men's All-Mountain medium width category at Silver Mountain Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.

The Gist

We have tested the Salomon X Pro in different stiffnesses and versions--we were happy to test it again this year in our favorite variant, the 130 flex in the original polyurethane TwinFrame shell and polyurethane cuff. One tester said it felt like home, another said it skied like a Mack truck and a third said comfort is king—classic X Pro commentary from testers with a perspective on this iconic boot. Testers said that for the vast majority of skiers it remains an ideal combo of off-the-shelf fit, performance and custom fit options.

The Fit

Once in and buckled, most testers praised the well-padded and evenly proportioned fit in the lower boot. Testers especially like the room along the outer border of the foot and the ease of fit at the forefoot (improved from its previous polyamide shell iteration) Some testers mention there's a little slow-down on entry to get past the throat of the boot, where the fit was close over the instep for some testers. Many love the command center this instep fit creates while others mentioned they'd go for the 360 Custom Shell process to relax the fit there. Testers unanimously liked the ideal, luxuriant feel against the shin and they said the cuff height was perfect, as were its angles in every direction.

Performance

If some boots are plundering beasts and others are flitting waifs, the X Pro 130 finds a nearly ideal spot in the middle, but perhaps hedging a touch toward the strong and stable, more manly side of the spectrum. It's a predictable, damp and confidence-inspiring ride, say testers, rather than a finicky, fast-twitcher. Most testers commented that the off-the-shelf fit was good to go and so was the performance attitude—put it on, go ski, have fun. A couple thought its damp nature made it a touch sluggish but we told them they were slow.

Cool Features

Salomon was one of the earliest adopters of the whole-shell cook and customize craze, and the 360 Custom Shell fit process still remains one of the coolest fit options for the X Pro 130. We've found the process most useful when the boot is slightly too tight everywhere after liner molding, but it's also extremely effective in opening up the fit at the instep and at the boot top where more traditional methods may not always nail it on the first try. There's no cuff adjustment here but we've found that Custom Shell molding will allow some stance adaptation for the better when needed.

Total Avg Score 
4.03
Shell/Cuff/Tongue 
polyurethane/polyurethane/n.a.
Anatomical Fit and Initial Feel 
4.00
Dynamic Balance 
4.13
Edge Power & Fore-Aft Support 
4.00
Quickness, Steering & Feel 
3.88
Convenience, Warmth & Features 
4.13

Salomon X Pro 90W Custom Heat Connect

Gender 
Women's
Sizes (MP) 
22-27.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Medium
Also in this Collection 
X Pro 80W Custom Heat Connect, $600
Cantology Compatible 
No
The 2018/2019 BRAND-MODEL was tested in the GENDER-CATEGORY at Silver Mountain Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit.

The Gist

The all new 2019 Salomon X Pro 90W Custom Heat Connect comes with the blend of ideally cushioned-but-firm medium-width fit and proven all-mountain downhill skills that our test team has come to expect from the X Pro family, but this one comes with a slick on-board heating system that's controlled via a phone app! We weren't sure what our testers were going to think—lame or game? They loved it! And they loved the rest of the X Pro as much as they always have.

The Fit

Few outliers, fit-wise, from what testers expect of a medium width performance boot with the exception of a wide-ish toebox (not a bad thing). All other fit zones came in with right-down-the-fairway medium width scores. Testers liked the cozy, initial fit—a Salomon liner standard and right on target for the 90 flex performance tier, they said—and they found the closure system super easy to manage.

Performance

Reliable, consistent power and easy transitions turn to turn found here, testers agreed, saying that this boot is perfect for the intermediate who's stepping up her game and doesn't need her gear getting in the way or for veteran experts who prefer a slightly more supple flex feel. Testers remarked that the price paid for stability and predictability was some lack of snap, but not enough to scare anyone away. Prefer a dreamy G.S. turn over a spastic short-radius? Perfect, this boot's for you, they said.

Cool Features

Obviously, a phone app that controls the heater system is about the coolest feature ever, right? Well, regardless of your opinion on the matter, our testers said download and operation was a snap, and they thought it was very cool. Salomon was one of the earliest adopters of the whole-shell cook and customize craze, and the 360 Custom Shell fit process still remains one of the coolest fit options for the X Pro 90W Custom Heat Connect. We've found the process most useful when the boot is slightly too tight everywhere after liner molding, but it's also extremely effective in opening up the fit at the instep and at the boot top where more traditional methods may not always nail it on the first try. There's no cuff adjustment here but we've found that Custom Shell molding will allow some stance adaptation for the better when needed.

Total Avg Score 
4.15
Shell/Cuff/Tongue 
polyurethane/polyurethane/n.a.
Anatomical Fit and Initial Feel 
4.00
Dynamic Balance 
4.25
Edge Power & Fore-Aft Support 
4.00
Quickness, Steering & Feel 
4.00
Convenience, Warmth & Features 
4.50

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