The perennial favorite Mach1 MV W has returned but in a burlier, badder build--the 115 flex model!
There is now a veritable flock of Hawx models; 13 on the men's side in three width options. Magna is the big bird, the Golden eagle, no, the friggin Andean condor of the group. It’s marked as a 102mm width but it fits huge. Testers said this was the very best of the “buckets;”megafeet will do well here.
Though massive in overall volume, it's not a box. It has shape for the normal parts of a foot and leg, just on a larger anatomical scale. Testers found decent heel hold and ankle grip. There was enough for lower volume foot testers to still enjoy the ski experience. Our thicker footed guys that could partway fill up the Hallowed Halls of Magna loved the way it matched their curves.
Hawx Magna 130 is deceptively quick edge-to-edge and of course, strong as an ox (or a condor) on all manner of snow surfaces. High speeds did not daunt it, nor did our biggest, heaviest guys who said the 130 flex handled everything they pushed it with. Testers said this is a perfect match for technical skiers with massive dogs.
The Power Shift feature is on all Hawx models. It adjust forward lean angles (three-positions) and stiffness (two options). The cuff adjustment on the Magna 130 is dual-sided for additional lateral adjustment range. In case the Magna still isn't big enough, the Memory Fit shell molding process can expand the cave even further. The molding process involves five minutes of cooking followed by a two minute molding session and rapid two minute cool down period.
Magna, Ultra and now Prime. If we didn’t know better we’d think Atomic cribbed its naming scheme from a condom manufacturer. Prime is new in name alone; it is Atomic’s venerable 100mm Hawx model, sitting in the middle of husky-sized brother Magna and skinny brother Ultra. The Prime 130 is not concerned, confident in its position as a medium-width icon whose status is borne out by years of boot test success and soaring sales.
While this is an “everyman boot” and both our skinny, low-volume foot testers and thicker, heftier footed folks climbed in and made it work, the real attraction of the 100mm Hawx fit is its vaulted ceiling over the instep and its open, flared boot top. That makes it a great mate for skiers with thicker feet and muscular calves who want the performance response a medium width boot would provide. Easy on and off and straightforward closure make the Hawx a favorite slam dunk fit with testers (many of whom come from ABB shops that sell lots of this boot all season long).
The Hawx Prime 130 shines as one of those boots that any skier can slam on and go skiing everywhere and anywhere in any snow, on any terrain and at any speed with control and confidence. Stance angles are a bit on the upright side of the spectrum but dead-on balanced. Flex is on target and progressive. Testers made many comments about its strong edging skills.
As with other Hawx models the Power Shift mechanism allows adjustment for forward lean (3-position) and for stiffness and Memory Fit shell molding provides an option for the really wide or thick of foot or calf to cook, stand and go.
Hey, let's capitalize on Hawx name but do it in a narrow last and let's risk it all on a totally new mold concept using completely different plastic—hope we don't screw it up! They didn't. Hawx Ultra was the biggest and best surprise of the test. Testers unanimously agreed that it meets or beats current standard-bearers for fit and performance and does so in a compact and lightweight package. Nicely done.
Testers were pleasantly shocked at the amount of extra length, width and height the Ultra's toebox offered. With a boot sole length 5mm shorter than average. The new Progressive Shell shaping employs thick and stiff plastic in power control zones; shell walls are thinner in non-critical areas which accounts for the increased internal length dimensions.
The forefoot has an ample medium fit; it tapers snugly to the rearfoot with a very firm grip on the ankles and heel. The Grilamid (aka nylon) cuff is thin and wraps well around the leg shaft creating an exceptionally even fit along the shin. The Grilamid cuff and mass reduction of the polyurethane lower boot combine for a noticeably light feel.
What's the benefit of using lighter weight plastics used in all-mountain ski boots? Not much if it doesn't ski as well as the polyurethane and polyether category stalwarts. Well, it only took testers about three turns each to know that the Hawx Ultra 130 was not only in the performance ballpark but was actually knocking one out of it. Home run!
Strong, snappy, agile and awesome. Testers said it skis like a super-lightweight race boot with a tuned-in feel for the snow underfoot. The flex is surprisingly long but comes to a firm stopping point without folding or collapsing. It loads heaps of energy onto the front of the ski for fun, dynamic turns.
The Hawx Ultra has a heat-moldable Memory Fit shell. That means the Memolink additive is in the plastic. The molding process involves five minutes of cooking followed by a two minute molding session and rapid two minute cool down period. It provides an even and open fit.
Testers stressed this was an entirely optional process. The Ultra fit fine right out of the box. As with other Hawx models, the Power Shift adjustment can tweak both forward lean angles and flex resistance. In addition to dual-side lateral cuff adjustment, cant shims specific to the Ultra are available in half-degree increments from 0.5 to 3.0 degrees. Stance geeks approve.
This creature of leisure is more wide body than medium but testers loved the initial liner feel and said it skied surprisingly well.
Once testers accepted the huge amount of room (for a claimed 100mm last) and judged it more like a wide ride, they found lots to like here. The liner is pure, dreamy-lazy pillow talk on the foot. It was one of the nicest initial comfort feels of the test. The instep is tall and the cuff is wide open for big calves.
Cadillac comfort while swishing big sweeping S-curves. It’s doesn’t reload quickly but its more than adequate in medium- and long-radius arcs. Its low ramp angle bootboard and upright cuff makes this a dreamy pow-skiing ride, but testers said it took some pilot effort to get into the driver's seat (tongue) and engage the shovel.
The My Fit System is a liner and shell molding option, available on 60% of Dalbello's line. It keeps Dalbello in line with the custom Joneses but it takes one heck of a thick foot and leg to need more room here.
Fully custom-built in every way possible to each owner’s personal foot and leg dimensions. Local dealers take measurements and send them to DaleBoot’s Salt Lake City factory where shell components are tailored in tricky fit areas. It’s fine-tuned with a full thermo-molded Intuition liner. Stance is adjustable with DaleBoot's unique and effective snap-on canting soles. Like DaleBoot’s more popular VFF Pro, the ST utilizes a thin shell wall construction that puts the foot in direct connection with the ski, but it has a much stiffer cuff lay-up for carving man-size trenches.
We tested the ST built as a wide but it can be made plug-boot narrow or cataclysmically large. Dealer partners take foot measurements and tracings and the factory delivers each boot customized for the individual skier. Dealers do final fitting and make other modifications as needed upon delivery. All that personal attention is included in the price.
Our testers tried a variety of different DaleBoot liner styles. ST liners are available in spiral wrap and traditional tongue designs as well as in different densities and volumes. Testers liked the ability to make those personalized choices. Testers new to DaleBoot's signature three-piece closure system, old-school buckle bales and reverse throw levers always struggle a bit at first, but the learning curve is swift.
The ST's on-snow character is a unique synergy of its brutishly powerful upper cuff and its thin-walled high density polyether lower shell. The combination yields ridiculously strong edging in a lightweight package with highly sensitive feel for the snow. Most testers thought the flex was 130-plus and with more time might have softened the flex a bit during our custom tests. So there’s plenty up top.
DaleBoot’s three-quarter length bootboard puts the forefoot directly on top of the shell’s thin plastic floor for a hyper-aware foot feel you don't find in other boots. The bootboard is also adjustable for ramp angle and rearfoot varus or valgus via threaded posts.
Slam-on, out-of-box skiing performance for the thicker medium width foot. No molding process to worry about and an extra $200 in your pocket. Testers liked the RC Pro 120 Thermoshape for its predictable performance and easy fit.
Testers unanimously agreed that the toebox and forefoot room was more on par with wide last boots than the medium width Fischer says this boot is. The instep and navicular bone fit zones, however, were true medium-width snug. A snug fit through the ankles and lower boot shaft handled lower volume legs well. For guys with enough forefoot width and toe splay, this can be a magic boot. The cozy, comfy liner was praised by all.
With an upright and balanced feel, the RC Pro 120 Thermoshape rallied through off-piste chunkiness and smooth surfaces alike, testers said. Quickness scores were hampered by excess movement in the lower boot for some. Thicker-footed guys found it had a snappy-enough short radius turn in its quiver. Testers liked its steering skills for soft snow schmears, and said it had legit on-edge cred once it was rolled up to a higher edge angle.
First, testers loved the cosmetics; some said it was the nicest looking boot in the test. Second, this a straightforward, honest affair without much bedazzlement. There’s no lateral cuff adjustment, no Vacuum. It does have four buckles, a Velcro power strap and grippy soles. What more do you really need?
For average to wider feet. The Descendant 8's Intuition liner opens up after cooking to take advantage of the Full Tilt Evolution 102mm shell shape. Super soft and a bit forward-leaning. This one's best for shin love and lightweights. Very easy to get on and off.
Testers were generally unimpressed with the Descendent’s off-the-rack fit. It had a variety of hot spots and was much shorter lengthwise than average. After liner molding with toe caps and pre-padding for prominences, testers had a much more favorable opinion of its fit. However, for the Descendent to fit like a 102mm last, testers suggest going up a size from your norm. In fact, Full Tilt recommends that skiers go with their street shoe size whereas most other brands fit properly at least one size smaller.
In edging movements the Descendent 8 is able and fun, especially in soft snow. The padded liner underfoot makes for a muted, dampened ride that knocks down vibrations. Most testers, especially taller heavier guys, felt that the cuff was too soft and didn’t provide enough forward support. They also felt the ramp angle of the bootboard was a bit steep, compounding the feeling of spilling out over the top of the boot.
We like the Intuition liner for its moldability, light weight and warmth. The combination of spiral wrapped liner and three piece shell makes the Descendent incredibly easy on and off.
Light and tight three-piece shell with Intuition custom liner love for the freestyle-inspired all-mountain skier. The First Chair 10 does best in softer snow and bumps when it ventures outside its native park habitat. Characteristic long-travel Full Tilt flex for no-shin-bang bashing around the whole hill.
Prior to custom molding the Intuition liner, testers complained about a cramped toebox and tight fit at the lateral side of the foot. After cooking the liner (then molding with toecaps and pre-padding for prominences), testers could appreciate the available space in the new FTS Soul shell's toebox and forefoot.
Testers said liner molding also softened the abrupt edge feel on the shin. The actual fit runs short on marked size by current standards. Be sure to try on before buying.
Testers with a preference for lighter, softer boots with long-travel flex liked the First Chair 10 best. Despite testing with its stiffest #10 tongue (130-ish flex billing), testers said it ran quite a bit softer than that. Testers like the quickness edge-to-edge and noted that lateral moves were its forte.
It’s light and agile with a cushioned but well-tuned feel for the snow underfoot. Most testers complained that they felt tipped overly forward and considered complete removal of the thinnest forward lean wedge.
The Full Tilt accessories list is longer than its list of available boots. Get different length cables, different flex tongues, stiffer bootboard and more. Lots of ways to customize your fit and performance.
Heaps of room in this cushy hangar for guys seeking comfort above all else. The Advant Edge 125 was one of the absolute easiest boots to get on and take off.
The lower boot has massive amounts of volume with touches of tightness below the calf in the cankle zone. Testers dug the feather bed liner feel. The fit at the boot top was more snug than testers expected given the amount of space down below.
Reliable and strong enough edge-to-edge. Testers liked that it held up under load when they maintained a centered stance throughout the turn. The consensus was that the boot ran softer than 125 flex feel and had a very upright stance. That’s great for cruisers and lighter guys; more aggressive skiers had occasional difficulty maintaining a fore-aft sweet spot.
The Double Power Booster power strap is a hit with virtually all testers. The Form Fit shell molding protocol teams with the Perfect Fit liner to fully customize the entire boot system to the foot and leg.
The Hammer 130 is a unique blend of three-piece design elements and Raptor-bred alpine strength. Big-mountain rippers looking for an upright stance and off-road suspension that sacrifices no edge power will do well here. Modifications to the liner improved overall fit and ease of entry and exit this year.
Testers found that the liner molded quickly to the foot after a few runs and heat molding the Perfect Fit HP liner further improved foot wrapping. Most testers found the fit even throughout, if a little bunchy initially in the toebox prior to the liner warming up.
They slotted the Hammer's fit tension between narrow and medium. The cuff is noticeably tall and the tongue feel is firm against the shin. Our longer legged testers liked this best. A few testers mentioned they had difficulty getting the tongue to feel just right against their leg.
The impact-absorbing boot board, grippy boot sole and thickly padded liner provide off-piste shock absorption during full-throttle charging through mixed gnar. The boot sucks up bumps like a downhill mountain bike. Our new school testers claimed it skied switch like a champ. Old school testers liked that it put a ski on edge like a Raptor's first cousin.
The Form Fit customizable shell process is straightforward. Testers who underwent the protocol found that the boot changed in subtle ways, opening up the fit and allowing the foot to seat more neutrally on the floor of the boot. There’s no upper cuff adjustment here; those attachment points are mounted with dense, shock-sucking elastomer bushings.
The Vector Evo 130 mans-up this season. Gone is last year's high-talking softie, replaced by new, stiffer plastic (legit 130). A robust new liner fits skiers, not cush-craving luxury sedan drivers. Our team judged the Evo 130 one of the test’s best.
The Vector Evo 130 is one of very few boots we would put the "benchmark" label on for 100mm fit characteristics. It avoids falling into the also-ran medium width pit by maintaining a firm and anatomical hold on the foot and lower leg. It's a touch on the strong side of the medium fit target but our test team was okay with that. One suggested that maybe the V in Vector represents the V-shaped taper from open toebox and forefoot to more snug than average instep, ankle and heel.
More than a few testers heaped praise on the way this year’s cuff and liner wrapped the lower leg and let the shin seat into a perfectly contoured tongue. That made for comfy flexing moves in and out of all turns.
Testers were surprised by the horsepower emanating from such a comfortable boot. That has been a hallmark of Vector models over past years as well, but this go-round was a step up in terms of throttle response and top end performance.
Doctor-lawyer model this is not, unless they are chargers. More than a few testers made mention that they'd consider abandoning their narrow-last rides for the blend of strength, agility and comfort found in the Vector Evo 130.
Testers raved about the Double Power Booster power strap’s circumference-cranking cinch-ability and stretchy-snappy return to center. Some testers loved Spine Flex buckles' ability to accurately wrap the curvature of cuff and lower boot, others found them finicky. After a little intimacy they’re easy to figure out.
Head’s Form Fit shell molding process combines with its Perfect Fit liner to tailor foot to liner, liner to shell and shell to foot shape. It works. Our testers with feet thick enough to feel a little tingly in the Vector liked the result of Form Fit shell molding. Others preferred the snug out-of-box fit and said they'd rather just mold the liner alone. So, as always, start with the liner and move on the shell if you still aren’t completely dialed-in comfort-wide.
This is a sneaky one. It packs a solid punch that you wouldn't expect at 110 flex points and $650 MSRP. It brings big boy Spyne cajones to the table in a slightly lower-cuffed package that works great for shorter, lighter guys who know how to turn it on.
Testers unanimously said K2 is white lying about the HV (High Volume) label it slapped on this model. Virtually all testers scored it smack down the middle with medium-width fit scores in our off the rack tests. Even after thermo-molding the liners (an Intuition lower teams with a more conventional upper), testers still didn't feel it really hit the 102mm fit tension target.
However, testers who underwent both liner and shell molding protocols found fat foot freedom. It worked as billed and generated an even, wide fit profile. So keep in mind this wide is sorta like a medium that can become a wide if you need it. But we're not exactly sure which bathroom it's allowed to use.
Like a younger brother who happens to be a jiu jitsu master. Watch out, because this kid has some powerful tricks up its sleeves. And pant legs.
Born out of the dialed K2 stance set up, the Spyne 110 HV will make any turn on any type snow on any pitch, so long as you have the skills and knowledge to command it. It is always at the ready. And able to make it happen.
Shorter testers liked the lowish cuff height more than our taller, heavier dudes but that's as it should be. For shorter, lighter guys or for those looking for a high value boot that performs at a cut above its price point and marked flex, take a close look.
Intuition liner molding should be considered standard op here and is a great place to start opening up the fit of the lower boot without rendering the heel and ankle pockets baggy. Move on to shell molding after that for maximum volume modification.
