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

Atomic Hawx Ultra 110 W

Gender 
Women's
Sizes (MP) 
22.0-27.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Narrow
Also in this Collection 
Hawx Ultra 90 W, $475; Hawx Ultra 80 W, $350
Cantology Compatible 
No

The Gist

Testers loved the 2018 Atomic Hawx Ultra 110 W enough to put it at the very top of the All-Mountain narrow field, and it was also the fourth highest scoring women's boot of the entire test. Light isn't always right, but in this case, testers said it was—for fit and performance combined.

The Fit

Narrows should be narrow, that's our stand, and here's what testers said about the Hawx Ultra 110 W's initial fit: Great for the true, narrow foot. Great, narrow, firm fit. Well-defined heel pocket. Good low-volume, snug, firm fit. Locked and loaded! Testers gave it such even fit scores, right down the narrow side of things, that the averages for five cards were the same as for fifteen. The team agreed there's a little bit of extra room in the toebox and at the calf and that's about it—evenly snug-side everywhere else. They all loved the spring-loaded flex feel, perhaps just a bit softer than the 110 billing, but a few mentioned that the inside half of the tongue was a bit jabby on the shin.

Performance

Extremely energetic was the consensus among testers, who enjoyed how the lively forward flex (powered by the Grilamid upper cuff) loaded and released energy with every turn. Feedback levels were high—with testers saying that they could feel every ripple in the snow beneath them, perhaps to a fault, with a few testers saying the transmissive feel could get jittery at times. Power to the edge was immediate and unfaltering.

Cool Features

For those who find perfectly snug just a little too constrictive, cooking the shell via the Memory Fit customization feature is a slick way to open up a little bit of extra room everywhere without blowing out the fit. Aside from being able to modify the flex and forward lean with the Power Shift mechanism on the rear cuff and make lateral stance changes with the on-board cuff adjustment, canted sole shims are available in 0.5- to 3.0-degree increments as an optional purchase.

  • 2017-18 Atomic Hawx Ultra 110 W at America's Best Bootfitters Boot Test
  • 2017-18 Atomic Hawx Ultra 110 W at America's Best Bootfitters Boot Test
  • 2017-18 Atomic Hawx Ultra 110 W at America's Best Bootfitters Boot Test
Total Avg Score 
22.20

Atomic Hawx Magna 130

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 Gist

You a big guy? Got a massive foot and calf? Like to ski but don't like the boot pain? The 2018 Atomic Hawx Magna 130 might be your solution—testers say the comfort level is high, entry-exit is category tops, and they say this boot will prop-up a large dude in a super skiing stance.

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.

  • 2017-18 Atomic Hawx Magna 130 at America's Best Bootfitters Boot Test
  • 2017-18 Atomic Hawx Magna 130 at America's Best Bootfitters Boot Test
  • 2017-18 Atomic Hawx Magna 130 at America's Best Bootfitters Boot Test
Total Avg Score 
19.83

Atomic Hawx Prime 130

Gender 
Men's
Sizes (MP) 
24.0-31.5
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 Gist

The classic medium width Hawx, which has spawned so many others (wide, narrow, backcountry), returns to remind testers why it's one of skiers' favorites. The 2018 Hawx Prime 130 is still one of the best for an easy initial fit and a surprisingly strong and agile performance on snow.

The Fit

Just to the relaxed side of the medium width centerline, testers said the fit is notably tall over the top of the foot and through the instep—a great fit solution for the high-arched foot or thick, high-volume foot whose owner doesn't want to drift into wide territory. The tallish, upright cuff's calf fit is also user-friendly in its amount of flare that will allow the thick leg an anatomical home with the rear spoiler removed. With spoiler in, the average of calf thought the fit was spot on for the medium target. Entry and exit is a category-leading easy one.

Performance

Just nothing wrong here, move along, was the word. The stance is neutral and forgettable (meaning, you notice nothing out of the ordinary and you just go ski). The edge power and stability is brick-house strong (not a single tester had any complaint there). The quickness and agility scores were aces—aided by the Hawx characteristic, flexy sole construction that allows the boot to bend a bit with the arc of the ski but remain laterally and torsionally stiff. In the strongest field of the boot test (All-Mountain medium width) it still remains one of the best for instant balance and fun, testers said.

Cool Features

Testers liked the no-slip soles and a functional upper cuff adjustment. Memory Fit shell molding is cool for auto-customization of the fit after cooking the shell in an oven, though few testers found the out-of-box fit problematic enough to consider it. The Power Shift features allows for adjustment of the forward lean and/or stiffness.

  • 2017-18 Atomic Hawx Prime 130 at America's Best Bootfitters Boot Test
  • 2017-18 Atomic Hawx Prime 130 at America's Best Bootfitters Boot Test
  • 2017-18 Atomic Hawx Prime 130 at America's Best Bootfitters Boot Test
Total Avg Score 
20.75

Atomic Hawx Ultra 130

Gender 
Men's
Sizes (MP) 
24.0-30.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Narrow
Also in this Collection 
Hawx Ultra 120, $725; Hawx Ultra 110, $600; Hawx Ultra 100, $475
Cantology Compatible 
No

The Gist

In its sophomore year the 2018 Atomic Hawx Ultra 130 reminded testers why it was a favorite last year too—so light and so snug, with surprising toe room for such a compact package. Super-charged power and snap characterized this unique all-mountain narrow's on-snow M.O.

The Fit

The boot sole length (BSL) of the Hawx Ultra 130 is shorter by 5 mm than average and yet it fit as roomy in length as the rest of the group and might even sport a little extra width for the toes than most narrows. The Hawx Ultra Progressive Shell design leaves plastic thick where needed for support and stability but thins it out where better wrapping is required—this reduces weight and opens up some bonus interior room. Incorporated with the thin and feely Memory Fit 3D Platinum liner the Hawx Ultra 130 provides a locked-down fit from the midfoot to heel and up through the cuff while maintaining an open toebox. The feel against the leg was a little tall with an elasticized flex feel that gripped the calf firmly but without a pinch, testers said. Several testers mentioned that it's not the easiest on and off.

Performance

That snappy flex feel that testers noticed indoors translated to rapid-fire edging moves and loaded-up, slingshot-style, rebounding transitions on snow. The thin-walled Grilamid cuff wraps the leg shaft and gives a skier two joy-sticks for driving skis in all directions with no-delay transmission of movement. On first feel, the thin, springy cuff gave testers cause for power concern, but no such trouble existed with the Hawx Ultra 130—it put skis of all widths on a rail and drilled turns at all speeds in all terrain. A few bigger, taller guys said they could over-power the cuff during Flintstonian flexing, but generally it held up to normal all-mountain abuse. The Grilamid cuff and thinned-out polyurethane lower boot gives the boot a noticeably light feel, which combined with the snug fit translated into serious agility, testers agreed.

Cool Features

The Memory Fit shell molding feature allows a skier to oven-cook the boot, wear it for a couple minutes, cool it down and enjoy a more personalized fit. Most of our testers liked the out-of-box fit just fine, however. The Hawx Ultra 130 also comes with slate of handy stance-alignment options, from lateral cuff

  • 2017-18 Atomic Hawx Ultra 130 at America's Best Bootfitters Boot Test
  • 2017-18 Atomic Hawx Ultra 130 at America's Best Bootfitters Boot Test
  • 2017-18 Atomic Hawx Ultra 130 at America's Best Bootfitters Boot Test
Total Avg Score 
21.45

Apex XP-L

Gender 
Women's
Sizes (MP) 
23-27
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Exoframe
Boot width profile 
Medium
Also in this Collection 
HP-L, $699
Cantology Compatible 
No

The Gist

Our test team, comprised of Apex-testing veterans and newbies alike, took the all new 2018 Apex XP-L through its paces and came out the other side with praise for the comfort and convenience of the system's inner walking boot and an appreciation for Apex's unique approach. Testers said that if the act of having to walk in ski boots is what keeps a skier from skiing, then this may be her sport's salvation.

The Fit

Testers reported that the inner boot fit was anatomical and secure, by way of the dual Boa reel closure system. However they reported a variety of fit inconsistencies when the inner boot was mated with the exterior open-chassis. Custom molding the liner did help to moderate the fit tension somewhat, they said, but some found that issues persisted at the navicular, ankle bones and shin.

Performance

Testers familiar with previous women's versions approved of the changes made this year, adopted from the men's XP. The boot sole length is shorter, providing a smaller footprint on the ski, and the docking tolerances between the soft boot and the exterior frame are tighter, for better transmission of movement from skier to ski, both of which they could feel. These veteran testers also noted that the lateral power of the boot was improved over previous iterations, partly due to a new carbon-fiber-infused nylon heel cup on this year's frame. Testers agreed that when compared to other boots of the category at this year's test, the XP-L's edging quickness and general fore-aft support lagged a bit behind the group.

Cool Features

A few testers took advantage of the stance and flex adjustments on board the XP-L. As with the men's version, the flex is adjustable in three settings using elastomer bushings, and the forward lean can be set in one of four positions. A dual-sided lateral cuff adjustment functions to better match leg angles for a flat ski position on snow.

  • 2017-18 Apex XP-L at America's Best Bootfitters Boot Test
  • 2017-18 Apex XP-L at America's Best Bootfitters Boot Test
  • 2017-18 Apex XP-L at America's Best Bootfitters Boot Test
  • 2017-18 Apex XP-L at America's Best Bootfitters Boot Test

Apex XP

Gender 
Men's
Sizes (MP) 
25-31
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Exoframe
Boot width profile 
Medium
Also in this Collection 
HP, $799
Cantology Compatible 
No

The Gist

Testers ran the 2018 Apex XP through the gauntlet of indoor fit tests, custom liner tests, on-snow performance tests, and as with last year's test of the XP, they liked the way the open-chassis frame is now better connected with the inner boot than in the past and they appreciated the now shorter boot sole length than was found on previous versions.

The Fit

The initial slide into the dual Boa reel walking boot is a sublime comfort experience for boot testers--the best part of the Apex fit system is the fact that the "walk mode" is a heat moldable snowboard-boot-like inner with a soft, traction sole. Our custom molding tests performed on the liner showed subtle improvement over the already well-padded, comfy fit, testers said. Engaging the inner boot into the open-chassis frame is a toe-first, then drive the heel in, affair. After corralling and securing the long, buckle straps, several testers mentioned that the pleasant, even fit of the inner boot was negatively affected by the external frame. They cited hotspot areas cited at the navicular, the outside of the foot at the styloid and heel pocket. Apex confirms that in situations where fit issues are not fixed by liner molding the open chassis can handle some light grinding and heat stretching with the help of a skilled bootfitter.

Performance

For a skier whose primary complaint about ski boots is how difficult they are for him to walk in, the Apex is an obvious solution—exit the open chassis, throw the skis over a shoulder, hold the poles and the pair of frames in the other hand, and off you go! One of our testers needed to ski down, drive to shipping/receiving, load boxes, return to the chairlift carrying gear and then slide to the mid-mountain lodge—he wore the Apex boots for a reason! Testers had the most success with the XP on smooth, predictable and low-angle surfaces. Laterally the boot is strong and smooth and glides groomers in tall-standing, stately arcs, but testers said that variable snow and more demanding terrain resulted in more pilot effort, and fewer smooth transitions.

Cool Features

The stiffness and forward lean position is adjustable on the XP using the rear Flex-Arm, and the walking boot employs a high-traction Vibram Icetrek outsole and a Thinsulate inner. A dual-sided lateral cuff adjustment is key for getting edge angles dialed, and it's available on the XP.

  • 2017-18 Apex XP at America's Best Bootfitters Boot Test
  • 2017-18 Apex XP at America's Best Bootfitters Boot Test
  • 2017-18 Apex XP at America's Best Bootfitters Boot Test

Roxa Bold 120

Gender 
Men's
Sizes (MP) 
24.0-30.0
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Medium
Also in this Collection 
Bold 100, $500

The Gist

The Bold 120 is a super value for skilled skiers with higher volume feet (height-wise especially)  seeking a blend of creature comfort and cushioning with real edge power.

Fit

Roomier than the category average and noticeably cavernous over the top of foot and instep—a great fit solution for the very high-arched or thick instep skier. The Intuition liner is well cushioned and on the soft side, which most skiers appreciated for the pillowy intial feel but a few also mentioned it allowed for a bit too much shearing movement while skiing. A thick foot and full liner molding will put it in its place, testers surmised.

Performance

Our test team was impressed with the power to the inside edge—derived from a slightly bowlegged stance set up that loaded-up the inside edge more than average—but testers said that the boot held that edge at speed and loved hard carves on smooth surfaces best.

Cool Features

The articulating instep construction made for superior entry and exit, according to testers, who also liked that there was a two-position (hard/soft) flex adjustment.

Apex ML-3

Gender 
Women's
Sizes (MP) 
23-27
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Exoframe
Boot width profile 
Wide

The Gist

The ML-3 returns unchanged but our test team ran it through the wringer in rigorous fashion, testing it both off-the-rack and after custom modifications—it remains a great solution for skiers seeking a supreme walking boot and a unique downhill solution.

Fit

Testers love the smooth, easy going feel of the inner boot and its dual Boa closure zones that allowed for personalized fit tension throughout. They were less enthusiastic about the overall fit when mated with the open chassis frame, citing a few hot spots, notably at the navicular bone. Tester agreed that the calf fit was open and great for women with higher volume legs. All agree that the fit runs short—sizing protocol for the ML-3 is to go up one size larger than normal.

Performance

As they have in the past, testers were impressed with the lateral power of the Apex design—the rear frame that supports the back of the inner boot is rigid and transmissive. They said that edging is strongest and most consistent when the leg remains in the sweet spot of the frame, i.e. engaged against it, which a few testers mentioned put them on their heels. The forward lean and lateral angles are both adjustable.

Cool Features

The ML-3 has an adjustable flex feature involving different density elastomer shims for the rear control arm. The liner is thermo-moldable, which testers liked.

Atomic Hawx Magna 90 W

Gender 
Women's
Sizes (MP) 
22.0, 22.5--27.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Wide
Also in this Collection 
Hawx Magna 80 W $350, Hawx Magna 70 W $300

The Gist

The Hawx Magna 90 W is ideal for women with wide feet and bigger calves looking for a comfortable off-the-shelf fit and solid all-mountain performance. It doesn't hurt that it practically puts itself on the foot.

Fit

The Hawx Magna has huge volume throughout the lower shell, testers said, but with enough anatomic shape to follow the foot's curves and hold the heel and ankle for skiing movements. The cuff is upright and open, ideal for big calves. The entire shell can be Memory Fit heat molded if there is a need for more room. Testers said it would take a massive foot to require more room.

Performance

Strong snow management skills considering its cushiness and massive volume, testers said. Great lateral balance and an even flex feel made turn initiation automatic and helped maintain a smooth and stable ride regardless of speed or turn shape.

Cool Features

As with other Hawx models, the Power Shift feature can alter forward lean angle (three positions) as well as tweak flex.

Atomic Hawx Prime 100 W

Gender 
Women's
Sizes (MP) 
22.5, 23.5—26.5, 27.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Medium
Also in this Collection 
Hawx 90 W $475, Hawx 80 W $350

The Gist

Fits so many different feet and legs and suits many different skiing styles—the Hawx Prime 100 W sets the bar high for medium-width versatility.

Fit

Medium to wider feet and thicker legs did best in the Hawx Prime (Prime is new name indicating medium width in the Hawx line) but the well-padded Thinsulate liner did a great job of cradling lower volume foot and leg shapes. Some testers felt a lack of anatomical shape at the forefoot (flat and tight against bunions) and wanted to fire up the oven for a Memory Fit shell test, which some did to an improved fit at that location after five minutes cook time, two minutes molding and two minutes cool-down.

Performance

Testers love the feel of the lower boot on the snow—the legendary Hawx flex sole still impresses with how it bends to match the arc of the ski and tap into a deep and lively feel from turn-to-turn. The upper cuff was a little lacking in power at times for some testers on hard snow but for an all-mountain SUV with auto-pilot predictability they were okay with some minor on-piste performance compromises.

Cool Features

In addition to Memory Fit as a shape shifting element, the Power Shift feature allows for three-position forward lean tweaks and a hard or soft flex setting.

Atomic Hawx Ultra 110 W

Gender 
Women's
Sizes (MP) 
22.0, 22.5—27.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Narrow
Also in this Collection 
Hawx Ultra 90 W $475, Hawx Ultra 80 W $350

The Gist

Our female testers are a tough, skeptical bunch. New-fangled plastics and high-falutin' gizmos don't impress them much. Unless, of course, the boot fits great and rips. The new Hawx Ultra 110 W made quite an impression on them because it's got all those attributes and wraps them in a noticeably lightweight and compact package.

Fit

Snug everywhere except the toebox where there's some welcome wiggle room. Despite its smaller than average boot sole length, the Hawx Ultra somehow manages to supply a little extra length, width and height for the toes while maintaining category-standard narrowness elsewhere. Fit notes were repetitive, all reading "ideal, ideal, ideal, ideal" for flex feel, tongue cushion, cuff height and stance.

Performance

There's no point in fussing with backcountry-boot-inspired plastics like Grilamid (similar to Nylon, super stiff and thin-walled) if it doesn’t make the boot ski well. In this case, it sure did. Testers could feel the thin-wrapping feel of the Grilamid cuff and easily noticed the lighter weight both in hand and on the foot. They said it skied stiff and snappy with a resilient, powerful feel that was highly reactive. The lower shell is traditional polyurethane, but with varied shell wall thicknesses to reduce weight and increase power while providing a shorter boot sole. Well done, testers said.

Cool Features

Memolink is a plastic additive used in Hawx boots as well as a few others in the Atomic line. It allows for shell molding to the foot and leg shape. Our tests have shown subtle results that even out peak pressure points and slightly increase volume. The Power Shift mechanism tweaks forward lean angles and modifies stiffness. Most testers didn’t monkey with it, finding the boot well set-up as is.

Dalbello DMS W 100

Gender 
Women's
Sizes (MP) 
22.0, 22.5—27.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Narrow

The Gist

The DMS W 100 is a great technical boot for frontside skiers with thicker, higher volume feet than can't typically get into the frontside category (usually narrows). This one skis strong and with more volume than billed.

Fit

The consensus among testers was that the overall fit of the boot was a generous medium-width and many testers scored the toebox, forefoot and instep fit as that of a wide ride. The forward lean was slightly more raked forward than the category average and testers liked the flex feel which was on-target for a 100 flex, they said.

Performance

The rearward support was solid and laterally the DMS W 100 puts a ski on-rail with the best of them, testers said. They gave it reduced quickness and feel scores due to the excess room up front and through the throat of the boot. They did like the warmth and relaxed fit, in general, but thought it missed the target for the category.

Cool Features

The My Fit System is a liner and shell molding option, available on 60% of Dalbello's line, which is cool, but testers say it would take one heck of a thick foot and instep to need it here.

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