Fischer RC4 105 LV BOA

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

Category 
All-Mountain Traditional
Last Width 
98
Flex Index 
105
Price (MSRP) 
$800.00USD

Full Tilt First Chair 130

Gender 
Men's
Sizes (MP) 
24.5-30.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Cabrio/3-PC
Boot width profile 
Medium
Also in this Collection 
First Chair 120, $750; First Chair 110, $625
Cantology Compatible 
Yes
The 2020/2021 Full Tilt First Chair 130 is reviewed in the men's All-Mountain Traditional medium category based on tests at Silver Mountain Resort & Mt. Bachelor Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit Media.

The Gist

We’ve tested this boot in many different iterations and stiffnesses, and while it has always appealed to cabrio stalwarts and jib kids, for the old guard there’s always been the nagging question about whether the Full Tilt spiral Intuition liner has somehow besmirched the legendary Raichle Flexon lineage that spawned the First Chair et al—oh, for a traditional tongue liner again (and made with wool, they say). Well, no heavy mid-80’s wool liner, sorry guys, but this year you can have a traditional style Intuition Pro Tongue liner, thank you very much. Yeah, we may be old-school, but we’re pretty stoked about this new development!

The Fit

The new Intuition Pro Tongue liner makes all the difference in this latest version of the Fist Chair--it's a fully moldable job, but it's a stout beast of a liner. The liner tongue is buttressed by a stiff and contoured plastic front, and the upper cuff is similarly reinforced with a flexible plastic full-circumference gauntlet. This gives the First Chair an entirely new backbone, standing up the leg in a more upright fashion and addressing the shin in a full-length performance grip that's just padded enough to be comfortable, but this is a solid 130 flex and a game-changer for traditionalists waiting for a Raichle renaissance. The liner offers hook-and-loop attachment points for included L-Pads (or J-Bars as Full Tilt calls them) to further snug the heel pocket, but it's a good one out of the box. This is a snugly mediumish fit throughout but with a more controlled feel in the heel and ankles.

Performance

Where is Seth Morrison now? This is the strongest Full Tilt ever, say our testers who have been in this boot many times over the years. The look is updated, the buckles a bit more tech looking, and the overall feel is beefed up.

Cool Features

Testers like the newer version buckle system with the Widetrack buckles for their improved ease of use, and GripWalk soles are a welcome addition for better traction trekking on a boot pack or through the parking lot. Yes, there's still the option to make the forward lean more upright or more forward by removing or adding plastic wedges at the base of the cuff, and yes, the lateral cuff adjustment is still made with the vintage, oval plastic cams.

Shell/Cuff/Tongue Plastic 
polyurethane/polyurethane/Grilamid
Tech Compatible 
No

K2 Anthem Pro

Gender 
Women's
Sizes (MP) 
22.5-27.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Narrow
Also in this Collection 
Anthem 110 LV, $750; Anthem 100 LV, $650; Anthem 80 LV, $5000;
Cantology Compatible 
Yes
The 2020/2021 K2 Anthem Pro is reviewed in the women's All-Mountain Traditional narrow category based on tests at Silver Mountain Resort & Mt. Bachelor Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit Media.

The Gist

The Anthem Pro answers our testers' wish list for an upgrade to last year's Anthem 110 LV--at a sturdy 120 flex with a rebuilt Pebax cuff and an all new, thicker, denser PowerFit Pro liner this is the performance based answer to the question: Can a boot be too comfortable? Believe it or not, that was a negative on the Anthem 110's report card. The Pro puts that notion to rest, literally squeezing our former doubters into happy submission--tight like a 98mm should be and ready to ground-pound the entire mountain, given it's guided by an aggressive skier.

The Fit

The Anthem Pro shares the same shell and cuff mold as the Anthem LV boot from last year, but slightly firmer and more snug everywhere due to the thicker, denser PowerFit Pro liner, which is also used in the Anthem 110's this year. Stronger against the shin with a better connection over the top of the foot, testers say of the new fit, which is more in line with other benchmark narrow boots in the category.

Performance

Testers say all the ease and auto pilot of the Anthem remains on-board, with just a little more throttle response and fore-aft stability--gone is the fold-over hinging of the cuff in gnarly conditions at high speeds, replaced by a solid hand on the tiller through all manner of junk. Testers say that the well-balanced stance remains unchanged, for good reason as the K2 angles are always a test team favorite--no surprises.

Cool Features

Testers like the straightforward attitude of the Anthem Pro: adjustable cuff, cam buckle power strap with cool Ripcord release, dual liner pull loops, cantable DIN soles and a moldable shell and liner. Pretty much everything you need.

Shell/Cuff/Tongue Plastic 
polyurethane/Pebax/n.a.
Tech Compatible 
No

K2 Recon Pro

Gender 
Men's
Sizes (MP) 
24.5-30.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Narrow
Also in this Collection 
Recon 130 LV, $750; Recon 120 LV, $650; Recon 100 LV, $500
Cantology Compatible 
Yes
The 2020/2021 K2 Recon Pro is reviewed in the men's All-Mountain Traditional narrow category based on tests at Silver Mountain Resort & Mt. Bachelor Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit Media.

 

The Gist

The new Recon Pro delivers on our test team's wish for a stronger-feeling Recon. Beefed to a 140-flex rating using a Pebax cuff and all new PowerFit Pro liner, this is the Recon build we've been waiting for. With a stealthy, murdered-out black color way and an optional power plate in the box for an even burlier flex-feel, it's apparent that this boot means business and will appeal to those all-mountain chargers who felt the Recon 130's were a touch under-gunned. However, all this manliness doesn't mean it doesn't remain what testers have called the most comfortable boot in the category. Testers still agree the Recon Pro, like its softer brothers, is an easy-on, trouble-free fit as well as a point-and-shoot performer everywhere on the hill.

The Fit

Testers say the narrow class fit is now on the money for anatomical curves and nice blend of both cushion but with newfound grip in the more dense PowerFit Pro liner, which testers mention will help the softer Recon 130's as they share that same new liner.Testers say that the Recon Pro remains one of the best fitting (comfortable out of the box) boots in the category, but where before it was simply too comfortable to proudly wear its high-performance badge, now it's just right.

Performance

Testers were in lock-step that the Recon Pro continues a K2 tradition of a perfectly grounded stance, quickness Bruce Lee would approve of and a strong, stable attitude while on edge at any speed, on any snow, through any terrain—all heightened by the fact that it does it with less mass. 1740 grams worth of real boot is how one tester described the thin polyurethane and Pebax newcomer. One tester said that the Recon Pro straps a turbo-charger and rally suspension onto the Recon 130.

Cool Features

K2 built the Recon with four different stiffnesses of polyurethane in a variety of different shell wall thickness--going very thin where possible for weight reduction but keeping things thick in areas critical for power and stability. Testers thought they accomplished this mission and were appreciative of the shell's bootfitting-centric material that will support all common heat stretches and grinds (where the shell wall is thick enough) and a bit confused by the Pebax cuff. Still at play for K2 boots is the Powerfuse Spyne, which links the cuff to lower shell in a firm but slightly elastic fashion—not blocked and locked but neither is it free to dump forward. The K2 dual upper cuff alignment system is still effective and still a bit of a puzzle for first-timers, though now they are anchored internally with regular T-nuts (bootfitters in the know thank you for that, K2) and the Recons also have cantable soles. The PowerFit Pro liners are still full-thermo Ultralon affairs, but now they are anatomically sculpted and, testers said, vastly superior to K2 liners of the past. The Recon shell is designed to be wholly moldable by wearing after an oven-cook, which we tested. The shape and volume change was dramatic but easily over-done. Testers suggest molding the liner first, then later consider oven cooking the shell if the overall fit still feels too tight. 

Shell/Cuff/Tongue Plastic 
polyurethane/Pebax/n.a.
Tech Compatible 
No

Head Edge Lyt 100 W

Gender 
Women's
Sizes (MP) 
22.0-27.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Wide
Also in this Collection 
Edge Lyt 90 W, $550; Edge Lyt 80 W, $500; Edge Lyt 70 W, $375; Edge Lyt 60 W, $325
Cantology Compatible 
No
The 2020/2021 Head Edge Lyt 100 W is reviewed in the women's All-Mountain Traditional wide category based on tests at Silver Mountain Resort & Mt. Bachelor Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit Media.

 

The Gist

Head did right with their wide one—that was what one tester said of the new Edge Lyt 100 W, which returns unchanged for this season save minor cosmetic changes--and that sentiment was mirrored universally among the team. A fault-free performance from this light and airy cavern was what the they agreed on—no problems with fit for the high volume foot and leg, no problems with speeding up the cadence when needed, no problems putting a big ski on edge at speed, and certainly no problems sliding this one on and off. Extra leverage buckles and Liquid Fit liner technology sweetened the deal.

The Fit

One tester said upon trying it on for the first time, I can't wait to ski this--it feels awesome! And that about sums it up for this wide performer. Testers felt the length ran true to size and it was an easy, one-handed slide on followed by a straightforward buckle-up without confusing straps or overlaps. The toebox and forefoot got quite roomy fit scores with a more tapered fit back into the ankles and heel for a controlling grip on the foot. The instep was appropriately vaulted for the thicker foot and the lower leg fit had none of the jabby fit zones that have plagued some of Head's medium and wide women's boots of yore. Some testers thought the calf was a little tighter than it should have been but they noted that Form Fit shell molding would solve any pinch there with ease.

Performance

Our test team was shocked at how strong and accurate this boot was, considering it's a thinner shell wall model and wide and comfy as well. Testers put this boot at the top of their list in the All-Mountain wide group right alongside the Lange LX 90 W, so it's among good company there at the top, and they agreed it was Head's best-skiing wide boot they'd ever tested. Testers who underwent the Liquid Fit injection process found that the snugging up the open, stock heel pocket powered up the Edge Lyt's lateral moves, quickening its pace turn to turn.

Cool Features

Though is visible set of features is straightforward--35mm Velcro power strap, double (for the women's model) cuff adjustment, single liner pull loop--the internals of the Edge Lyt 130 are pretty cool. The lower shell extends higher than most in the front portion, blending the instep up into the cuff wrap in so-called "Hi-Top Tech" which testers felt gave the boot a seamless flex feel and more direct transmission to the shovel of the ski. Graphene is used as an additive to the polyurethane construction as a way to strengthen the plastic without adding weight. Testers like the flip-out Double Power buckle levers for easy cranking with gloves or mittens on. GripWalk soles are available as an add-on, as are Head canted sole options in 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 degrees.

Shell/Cuff/Tongue Plastic 
polyurethane/polyurethane/n.a.
Tech Compatible 
No

Head Raptor 110 RS W

Gender 
Women's
Sizes (MP) 
22.0-27.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Narrow
Also in this Collection 
Raptor 90 RS W, $600
Cantology Compatible 
No
The 2020/2021 Head Raptor 110 RS W is reviewed in the women's All-Mountain Traditional narrow category based on tests at Silver Mountain Resort & Mt. Bachelor Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit Media.

The Gist

The 2021 Head Raptor 110 RS W returns with a new Liquid Fit liner after receiving many perfect scores the last time we tested it, where it dominated the women's Frontside category and scored highly enough to put it in the top 3 of all the women's narrow All-Mountain boots. Testers have simply loved this boot over the years for how well it made them ski, and it's been hard for new Nexo narrow to compete with the traditional construction found here for aggressive women skiers with truly low volume fit needs. This remains one of the most snug narrows going, testers remind.

The Fit

Testers rate this 96 mm last as one of the very tightest fits of the test (especially in the lower boot), but they liked the shape of this super snug All-Mountain Traditional narrow. There were very few complaints of hotspots, except over the top of the foot, where high-arched or bony midfoot folk got a little crunched. The liner's tongue is fairly well padded, but easily modified by a good bootfitter to open up space there. Testers praised the positive grip on the foot for its confidence-inspiring control of the ski. You say you don't like your heels lifting up? The Raptor 110 RS W is your solution. Need a little more room for your calf than for your heel? It's got you covered there too, for as snug as the lower shell is, the upper cuff runs a touch low and slightly open, suitable for many leg shapes, so long as the rear spoiler is removed.

Performance

For many testers, the Raptor's good fit is just a bonus—they'd like this boot for how it skis, even if they had to suffer a bit. Across the board, the Raptor rings the winner bell for quickness and lateral power to the edge—testers unanimously said they chose to ski harder and faster in this boot because they could, in confidence. While the Raptor 110 RS W is was originally entered in the Frontside category three years ago, testers have repeatedly praised its off-piste power and balance and said it shouldn't get pigeon-holed as a groomers-only sort of boot. Some testers thought the cuff's more forward-leaning stance angle gave a skier a bit more leverage over the boot's flex, making it feel a little softer than 110, but this did not affect fore-aft support scores, which were tops. The forward lean angle is more aggressive than the current fore-aft cuff stance norm, and will pair best with flatter sloped (less positive delta) bindings to avoid a skier feeling over-flexed.

Cool Features

Testers like the straightforward Velcro powerstrap and traditional buckles on this year's Raptor 110 RS W—no fiddling around, just get it done up and go. They also appreciate the dual-sided cuff adjustment for dialing lateral stance where needed. The Liquid Fit liner injection protocol is simple and effective for snugging up the heel and ankle area--which would make this boot the tightest heel and ankle this side of a World Cup race boot, we think.

Shell/Cuff/Tongue Plastic 
polyurethane/polyurethane/n.a.
Tech Compatible 
No

Head Edge Lyt 130

Gender 
Men's
Sizes (MP) 
25.0-32.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Wide
Also in this Collection 
Edge Lyt 110, $600; Edge Lyt 100, $550; Edge Lyt 90, $375
Special Sizes 
31.0 and larger
Cantology Compatible 
No
The 2020/2021 Head Edge Lyt 130 is reviewed in the men's All-Mountain Traditional wide category based on tests at Silver Mountain Resort & Mt. Bachelor Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit Media.

 

The Gist

The Edge lives on, again! And testers agree that the Edge Lyt 130 is the best wide boot we’ve ever tested from Head and last year was in our top 3 wide rides of the test. Testers could find no fault with this boot—its liner is lush but not spongy, its flex feel is solid but even on the shin and adequately cushioned, its ability to transmit foot and leg movements to the ski was top notch. For a lightweight model, its edge power and stability were a welcome surprise. Bravo Head! It returns this year unchanged outside of minor cosmetics updates.

The Fit

Testers repeatedly commented on the evenly distributed fit in this newest iteration of the Edge family. Yes, it's wide, they said, but widest where it needed to be without losing hold of the thicker foot and leg for performance skiing. They said the calf was tall and flared enough for muscular legs, the instep high enough for the big volume hoof, and the forefoot broad enough that the foot could splay under whatever considerable load was being placed on it. All this and it maintained high levels of comfort (great liner, they said) and ease on and off.

Performance

Our test team was shocked at how strong and accurate this boot was, considering it's a thinner shell wall model and wide and comfy as well. Testers put this boot at the top of their list in the All-Mountain group alongside the Lange LX and Tecnica Mach1 HV, so it's among good company there at the top. Testers who underwent the Liquid Fit injection process found that the snugging up the open, stock heel pocket powered up the Edge Lyt's lateral moves, quickening its pace turn to turn.

Cool Features

Though is visible set of features is straightforward--40mm Velcro power strap, single cuff adjustment, single liner pull loop--the internals of the Edge Lyt 130 are pretty cool. The lower shell extends higher than most in the front portion, blending the instep up into the cuff wrap in so-called "Hi-Top Tech" which testers felt gave the boot a seamless flex feel and more direct transmission to the shovel of the ski. Graphene is used as an additive to the polyurethane construction as a way to strengthen the plastic without adding weight. GripWalk soles are available as an add-on and canted Head soles are available in 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 degrees.

Shell/Cuff/Tongue Plastic 
polyurethane/polyurethane/n.a.
Tech Compatible 
No

Fischer RC4 The Curv 105 W

Gender 
Women's
Sizes (MP) 
22.5-27.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Medium
Also in this Collection 
RC4 The Curv 115 W, $700
Cantology Compatible 
Yes
The 2020/2021 Fischer The Curv 105 W is reviewed in the women's All-Mountain Traditional medium category based on tests at Silver Mountain Resort & Mt. Bachelor Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit Media.

The Gist

The new The Curv 105 W utilizes the same shell mold as last year's My Curv women's medium boot, but that is where the similarities end. The Curv 105 W incorporates new shell material, and entirely new liner and new shell hardware. The last time we tested the My Curv 110 it was one of our test team's favorite All-Mountain boots for its even, customizable fit, its progressive flex feel and dialed stance angles. They liked the way this boot skied through a variety of terrain and in every turn radius. We're excited to test this new and improved version of one of our favorite Fischer women's boots.

The Fit

Testers felt that the stock, non-Vacuumed fit was on the roomy side of the narrow fit group, but they suggested it might be snugged up with a high-pressure Vacuum molding session. They liked the new liner's, pre-shaped 3-D ankle pockets, and of the flex-stabilizing inlaid composite panel on the lower shell's medial side, one tester said this boot had the most consistent-feeling flex of the test for her. Testers did mention that the out-of-box calf fit was tighter than the general tension of the lower boot.

Performance

Testers liked the stock stance angles of the My Curve 110—this was a marked improvement over testers' take on Fischer's narrow women's boots of the past. Lively and full of energy with snappy, crisp transitions is how one tester described it. Another commented that turn initiation was effortless. Testers thought it was a fine All-Mountain boot for virtually any skier, from intermediate to expert.

Cool Features

The Curv boots are all built on a platform of thinner shell walls where wrapping and compliance is needed and thicker shell walls where stability and power is maintained--for a total reduction in weight over former models in the Fischer line-up. All are designed on almost 30,000 foot scans to determine the best three models to offer all skiers an anatomical fit that suits their foot and leg volume. 115-flex The Curv models for women offer cam-buckle style power straps, with softer models outfitted with Velcro. All The Curv boots, men's and women's, come mounted with GripWalk soles.

While we didn't custom test Fischer Vacuum Full Fit boots at last year's test using Fischer's complete fit station, our previous tests have shown this to be an effective fitting and stance alignment tool. We did, however, perform Vacuum Zone Fit customization of the lower boot with Fischer's cool, adhesive heating pads, and testers agreed that it was a very effective way to make spot expansions using the skier's own foot in the boot as the press.

Tech Compatible 
No

Fischer RC4 The Curv GT 115 W

Gender 
Women's
Sizes (MP) 
22.5-27.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Narrow
Also in this Collection 
RC4 The Curv GT 105 W, $700; RC4 The Curv GT 95 W, $500
Cantology Compatible 
Yes
The 2020/2021 Fischer The Curv GT 115 W is reviewed in the men's All-Mountain Traditional narrow category based on tests at Silver Mountain Resort & Mt. Bachelor Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit Media.

 

The Gist

The RC4 The Curv GT 115 W is a completely unique animal this year, distinct from the Podium race boot line, with a unique women's specific mold, new adjustable forward lean mechanism, new liner and new shell material. Its last is designed from the data pulled from almost 30,000 scans from Fischer's iFit 3D foot scanning system, and pointed toward this new 96mm as the optimal women's All-Mountain narrow shape. Fischer core technologies like Vacuum and Somatec stance position remain on board but with a move toward great out-of-box fit and performance, and additions like mounted GripWalk soles, micro-Velcro fitting pads and stealthy bootfitter's access to the liner tongue for clean modifications made over the top of the foot.

Cool Features

The Curv boots are all built on a platform of thinner shell walls where wrapping and compliance is needed and thicker shell walls where stability and power is maintained--for a total reduction in weight over former models in the Fischer line-up. All are designed on almost 30,000 foot scans to determine the best three models to offer all skiers an anatomical fit that suits their foot and leg volume. With Vacuum fitting options and a forward lean adjustment (14- or 17-degrees) the Curv GT 115 W virtually guarantees fit and stance perfection. 115-flex The Curv models for women offer cam-buckle style power straps, with softer models outfitted with Velcro. All The Curv boots, men's and women's, come mounted with GripWalk soles. Note, that if all you need is a 95-flex, you'll shave 200 bucks of the price tag.

Tech Compatible 
No

Fischer RC4 The Curv One 130

Gender 
Men's
Sizes (MP) 
25.5-29.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Wide
Also in this Collection 
RC4 The Curv One 120, $700; RC4 The Curv One 110, $600
Cantology Compatible 
Yes
The 2020/2021 Fischer The Curv One 130 is reviewed in the men's All-Mountain Traditional wide category based on tests at Silver Mountain Resort & Mt. Bachelor Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit Media.

 

The Gist

The all-new The Curv One 130 takes the top spot on Fischer's all-mountain wide last team, sitting close to the hike-enabled cousin Ranger One 130 to one side and just to the roomier side of medium-width fixed-cuff bro The Curv 130. See, One means wide. GT means narrow. And just The Curv? A medium width. The Curv One boots are designed for the widest common foot shapes based on over 25,000 3D foot scans using Fischer's iFit device but come appointed with all the same performance tier features as medium and narrow Curv boots, like mounted GripWalk soles, cam-buckle power strap, double liner pull loops and a specially modifiable liner tongue for tricky fits over the top of the foot.

The Fit

Don't let the 101mm last marker fool you, testers said, because it fits as roomy as 102's. But that was not a critique, just an observation. Testers love the amount of space for the critical parts of the high volume foot: toebox, forefoot, instep, calf, and they like even more that the space is well cushioned by the liner.

Performance

Based on testers' experience with the hike enabled Ranger One 130, which The Curv One 130 lower mold is based off of we expect powerful, quick skiing (so long as the foot and leg can fill up this roomy boot). This was one model we weren't able to get on snow this Spring.

Cool Features

The Curv boots are all built on a platform of thinner shell walls where wrapping and compliance is needed and thicker shell walls where stability and power is maintained--for a total reduction in weight over former models in the Fischer line-up. All are designed on almost 30,000 foot scans to determine the best three models to offer all skiers an anatomical fit that suits their foot and leg volume. 130-flex The Curv models offer cam-buckle style power straps, with softer models outfitted with Velcro. All The Curv boots come mounted with GripWalk soles and an option on thin, Velcro fit pads for snugging the liner where needed.

Tech Compatible 
No

Fischer RC4 The Curv GT 130

Gender 
Men's
Sizes (MP) 
25.5-29.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Narrow
Also in this Collection 
RC4 The Curv GT 120, $700; RC4 The Curv GT 110, $600
Cantology Compatible 
Yes
The 2020/2021 Fischer RC4 The Curv GT 130 is reviewed in the men's All-Mountain Traditional narrow category based on tests at Silver Mountain Resort & Mt. Bachelor Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit Media.

 

The Gist

This is an all new player on the All-Mountain narrow field for Fischer. The RC4 The Curv GT is a completely unique animal this year, distinct from the Podium race boot line, with a unique mold, new forward lean mechanism, new liner and new shell material. Its last is designed from the data pulled from almost 30,000 scans from Fischer's iFit 3D foot scanning system, and pointed toward this new 96mm as the optimal All-Mountain narrow shape. Fischer core technologies like Vacuum and Somatec stance position remain on board but with a move toward great out-of-box fit and performance, and additions like mounted GripWalk soles, micro-Velcro fitting pads and stealthy bootfitter's access to the liner tongue for clean modifications made over the top of the foot.

The Fit

Testers said the new The Curv GT has some, (curves, that is), but just barely--it's a snug one that grips the foot the way a true narrow (96mm) should, they said. The anatomical shaping is just enough that the low volume foot will find a happy home but bony prominences will probably need a little relief, either via Vacuum fitting or traditional bootfitters' modifications. The fit over the top of the foot is close, but with the ability to access the foam there for grinding via a slick micro-Velcro release closure.

Performance

The RC4 lineage lives on in The Curv line-up, mind blowingly quick edge to edge and strong enough to drive stiff skis on hard snow or through variable chunder with authority. Tests performed on last year's RC4 The Curv GT 130 yielded top scores for its damp and stable nature at high speed on hard snow--testers said its command over the edge was unstoppable in powerful carved turns.

Cool Features

The Curv boots are all built on a platform of thinner shell walls where wrapping and compliance is needed and thicker shell walls where stability and power is maintained--for a total reduction in weight over former models in the Fischer line-up. All are designed on almost 30,000 foot scans to determine the best three models to offer all skiers an anatomical fit that suits their foot and leg volume. With Vacuum fitting options and a forward lean adjustment (14- or 17-degrees) the Curv GT 130 virtually guarantees fit and stance perfection. 130-flex The Curv models offer cam-buckle style power straps, with softer models outfitted with Velcro. All The Curv boots come mounted with GripWalk soles.

Tech Compatible 
No

Dalbello DS Asolo 130

Gender 
Men's
Sizes (MP) 
24.5-30.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Narrow
Also in this Collection 
DS Asolo Factory 130, $950; DS Asolo 120, $850
Cantology Compatible 
No
The 2020/2021 Dalbello DS Asolo 130 is reviewed in the men's All-Mountain Traditional narrow category based on tests at Silver Mountain Resort & Mt. Bachelor Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit Media.

The Gist

The Dalbello DS Asolo 130 brings a traditional, 4-buckle overlap narrow width made with regular ole polyurethane in the shell and cuff. Bravo! Take the creature comfort of the medium width DS, keep its Power Cage shell construction that maintains strength while reducing weight, add a little of the race-bred fit characteristics from the DRS line (while keeping the convenience and traction of GripWalk soles) and you've got one in the winner's column. Last year's Grilamid-built DS Asolo Factory 130 is still around, but both boots sport all new liners this year--good move, testers said.

The Fit

Testers say the fit this year is improved over last year's narrow Asolo--both the new shell mold and new liner contribute to a more-evenly-narrow fit throughout the lower boot, they said. Last year's lumpy mid- and rear-foot fit has been eradicated, replaced by a well-distributed squeeze on the entire foot, en-masse, and testers thought it fit true to its 98mm claim--narrow the way narrow should fit. The toebox is not overly long or boxy, but well-contained, and testers said the instep is on the closer-fitting side of average for the category, so perhaps high, bony arches may get a little crushed there without some strategic bootfitting. Low-volume feet will love it, essentially. The cuff fits close and testers dug the flex feel and adequately padded shin fit. They agreed that the cuff height is a little lower than the category average, and so might appeal especially to shorter guys or guys with muscular calves as well as women looking for a 130 flex that didn't run too high on the leg.

Performance

Stronger than last year's narrow Asolo due to the polyurethane engine block, but didn't lose a step, quickness wise, and all-day skiing is now an option given the improved fit. Testers like the stance angles and simple adjustments.

Cool Features

We think the DS Asolo 130's coolest feature is its traditional, straightforward approach to a top tier performance boot. Four-buckle overlap construction in polyurethane throughout, simple 40mm Velcro power strap, removable Velcro rear spoiler, dual liner pull loops, elliptical cam lateral cuff adjustment, bolted rear spine and race-bred buckles--nothing fancy, nothing extraneous. Yes, we like the revised IF liner with its Ultralon tongue padding and sure, GripWalk soles are grippy and walkie.

Shell/Cuff/Tongue Plastic 
polyurethane/polyurethane/n.a.
Tech Compatible 
No

Atomic Hawx Prime 115 S W

Gender 
Women's
Sizes (MP) 
22.5-27.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Medium
Also in this Collection 
Hawx Prime 105 S W, $600; Hawx Prime 95 W, $480; Hawx Prime 85 W, $425
Cantology Compatible 
No
The 2020/2021 Atomic Hawx Prime 115 S W is reviewed in the women's All-Mountain Traditional medium category based on tests at Silver Mountain Resort & Mt. Bachelor Resort by the experts at America's Best Bootfitters, powered by Masterfit Media.

 

The Gist

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.

The Fit

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.

Performance

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.

Cool Features

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.

Shell/Cuff/Tongue Plastic 
polyurethane/polyurethane/n.a.
Tech Compatible 
No

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Platinum

Gold