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
We're not going to make any perky belle of the ball comments—the Nordica Belle Pro wouldn't go to any silly ball, unless she was going to crash it just to stomp somebody who'd crossed her. This all-new boot means business with a stiffer-than-billed flex feel and stout lateral transmission that puts a ski on edge and lets it work. Testers were impressed with the firm flex feel and tall contour along the leg—great for our more aggressive and taller testers who commonly crush the shorties.
This is a generous medium width fit, testers agreed, but with a very snug grip on the heel. Testers were fans of the new Custom Cork liner here, both for its heat-wear-and-set chipped cork ankle pockets, but also for its shape-shifting ability to relax where overly snug while filling in the fit elsewhere.
The initial fit belies the tough character that the Belle Pro exhibits on snow—the liner is plush and inviting, with ample cush-factor and insulation for containing the medium to higher-volume foot in luxury. Just don't call her a sissy.
LV means low volume, so this boot should be tight, right? 110 is about as stiff as women's boots come, right? Testers say what you see is what you get with the RX 110 W LV, calling it a "true 97mm last," and a "true 110 flex." They really hate it when those numbers lie, and so they really liked this one for telling the truth. While the women's narrow last RX will favor slender feet and legs, testers with medium width fit issues were able to ski in comfort—and to performance raves! Testers also note that while the 97mm last felt snug (the way they'd hoped it would), there was a relaxed-enough fit in the toebox and forefoot, which they appreciated.
Testers' positive vibes started with the RX's turquoise shelf appeal, merged with how easily the boot went on, and continued down the testing flow chart, as they checked off top marks for initial fit and closure, down to stance and on-snow performance. Boot testing is not an exact science—feet and legs and skiing styles are all different—so we use several different ways to tabulate the variety of scores and tester feedback to arrive at our medal-winners. We don't need to get into specifics, but suffice it to say the RX 110 W LV was the boot valedictorian in the All-Mountain Traditionalist category.
This is not to imply that it's a bookish nerd lacking grit—this boot rips, testers state plainly--an ideal match for an accomplished skier or an athletic up-and-comer who wants to elevate her game. The stance sets a skier up for successful and dynamic movements, and the boot's strong construction drives each turn home with a crisp finish.
Testers were impressed all over again with the Spyre 110's boot test performance. Amongst a crowd of power boots in a hard charging category, the sapphire blue newcomer held its own on all testing fronts: power, quickness, dynamic balance and comfort. Testers put the boot well toward the top in power and stability score tallies and mentioned that the boot's lower cuff height enabled a heightened foot feel for the snow and rapid fire movements turn to turn. This same lower cuff and a more-forward-than-average lean angle had a few testers feeling a little out over the top of the boot, but the Velcro rear spoiler is easily removed or can be ground thinner for those looking for a more upright position to ski from.
Testers loved the Spyre 110's generally tight fit tension throughout the lower boot, but some testers also found a bit of inconsistency in the fit there. Subsequent custom liner tests brought much improvement to the fit, especially over the midfoot and in the toebox, so those trying on this boot should keep that in mind.
What is it about the Spyre 100 that put it at the very top of this strong skiing women's category? The fact that everybody loved it. Period. It doesn't hurt that its digits are 100/100—easy to remember and right in the middle where most women find their fit sweet spot and with a flex stiff enough for advanced and expert skiers without being too burly for aspiring chargers. Our test team's variety of foot and leg shapes all found a happy home in this boot—with all testers describing the fit as ideally snug for a medium width boot. Virtually every tester vouched for the quick, powerful character this boot showed on snow, at all speeds tested and through a variety of snow and terrain.
The revisions made to the Spyne's Intuition-made LuxFit liner this year were instantly noticed by testers who gave it much improved marks for initial feel and comfort throughout the lower boot. The toebox shape was redesigned to offer a bit more wiggle room—duly noted. And the liner's overall construction seemed more compliant to testers, for a better mate with the interior of the shell's shape.
Some testers felt the boot was just a touch lower in the cuff height than the average for this category and a few mentioned feeling tipped a little more forward than some—but these comments were in the minority as most of our team felt perfectly dialed straight off the rack, stance-wise. A couple testers noted that the fit over the top of the foot felt a little tight and that the top of the tongue felt initially firm, but these issues got better with more time in the boot—a sign that taking the time to mold the Intuition liner will help substantially.
Testers unanimously pinned the Vector 105 W with the “Walk Softly but Carry a Big Stick Award.” There is no gap in the Vector's game—except for the price gap between it and the other boots that cost a hundred bucks more that it handily matches. The Perfect Fit liner is another gap-closer for testers who loved how cushy-snug it wrapped the foot and lower leg on first entry (on the snug side of the medium boot group) but also loved how it relaxed just enough after skiing to maintain all-day comfort levels.
The Vector 105 is a half-step ahead of expectations in all ways, testers said, starting with well-contoured grip on the foot and merging with the understated flex index. The boot's officially called a 95 flex, but there were no complaints of folding under load. In fact, many testers said it was as strong as many of the 110 flex boots they'd tested. The feel on snow was balanced to a tee and powerful on edge—while it was damp through crud and stable at speed, testers mentioned that it was surprisingly agile and responsive in all turns.
The Soul Sister returns for an encore performance at our boot test and our women's team re-discovered extra room in the toebox and forefoot (a result of last year's Soul shell redesign that opened up the shell's shape, mainly near the side of the big toe). Also remaining from the Sister's makeover are grippy sole plates that continued to make for a little more dampened off-piste ride and more cushioned walking for testers.
Our test team likes how agile and able this boot is all around the mountain—they say the snug fit in the lower boot (except for the very front) helps make accurate steering moves on skis. They also like the full and cushioned feel of the Intuition spiral wrap liner for maintaining good contact all along the shin. Testers felt the boot was a little soft in forward flex to compete with some of the other more traditional boots in the category on edge power, but gave the Soul Sister props for its lightweight and precise feel underfoot.
Testers say the upper cuff of the Soul Sister is designed for average to slender legs, and some of our well-muscled calf gals had a hard time finding enough cable and powerstrap to get locked in. They had better luck in the 102 mm Mary Jane on that matter.
The Mary Jane returns with a new graphic outlook which testers liked (vintage flower print liner), and they also approved of longer buckle cables for easier closure on larger calves and the stiffer #5 tongue (last year's was a #4).
Our women's test team liked how the Mary Jane fit tall but open along the leg, providing a nice fit along the shin for the long-travel flex feel and an easy grip on tough-to-fit calf muscles. Testers said the boot offered a roomy fit through the instep, ankles and heel, a fit tension combo that could work well for thicker, chunkier feet. The fit was generally evened-out after cooking the Intuition EVA liner, but the Mary Jane is decidedly for higher volume feet.
Testers agreed that the boot's stock #5 tongue set-up is still quite soft—good for easy cruising and lighter or less aggressive drivers. An aftermarket upgrade to a stiffer, #7 tongue is available through Full Tilt for fifty bucks. Testers said the lateral reaction was similarly subdued—best for tooling about in absolute comfort and warmth. They agreed that the Mary Jane is a dream to put on and get off—super easy.
The Zephyr 11 Vacuum fit great out of the box with frictionless entry and exit. Testers said it skied flawlessly in all conditions with a ready and balanced stance. It comes with the additional “fit insurance policy” of Fischer’s unique Vacuum molding process that uses pressurized bladders to form the shell to foot shape.
While testers didn't feel like there was any immediate need to undergo the Vacuum forming process, why wouldn't you? Our Vacuum tests show that both fit and stance are improved after the custom forming process.
The Zephyr 11's tapers to the snug side of the medium class average and our test team liked that. Testers said that the ankle and heel were contained enough for precision skiing but with a freedom of fit in the toebox and also at the boot top for slightly larger calves. For skier looking for a snugger fit than the Zephyr 11 offered in its stock shape, they need only take advantage of Fischer's new 2Zone Vacuum fitting kits that let savvy bootfitters target certain fit zones for tightening and others for more relaxed fit tension.
Stance alignment is happily neutral, said testers, with no rear spoiler to worry about (fine out of box), but again, the Vacuum forming procedure has been shown to make positive changes to stance angles as well. Insurance.
Note that we have tested the Trinity 110 Vacuum before, utilizing a set group of custom testers who underwent the Vacuum process. This year we tested the boot straight off the rack. Results and tester commentary was almost exactly the same as previously with the exception of comments made about how forward-leaning the Trinity 110 is out of the box. This is a stance element that can be changed with Vacuum molding, so long as the most upright position is selected by the skier and technician at the time of molding. With that said, the review body that follows is adapted from last year's. The tester comments below are from this year's test.
Why do our women testers love the Trinity 110 Vacuum so much (one of the tops, second year running)? Well, look at that last width range and take a guess—it isn't the second number, it's the first. A 93 mm last width is the domain of world cup race ("plug") boots. It is tight! Some ripping women skiers may choose to try to ski a true plug boot, but not many—they're typically stiff and heavy with thin, cold liners. The Trinity 110 Vacuum is snug like that sort of boot, but with a real world expert's flex rating, lighter weight, a new and much-improved (testers said) Ultralon padded liner, and oh, yeah, that whole Vacuum custom boot thing. Vacuum is last but certainly not least in that run of attractive features. As with last year's test our women's team loved the process and result of the Vacuum protocol—with the Trinity 110 they set the cuff alignment, cooked the boot, put it on, set the stance for width and forward lean, stood still and let 'er rip! The molding process applies pneumatic bladder pressure against the boot, pressing the Vacuplast shell toward the foot and contouring around wide or bony spots and getting slightly tighter in less snug zones.
How'd the boot fit and ski? Like a glove and a bobsled on rails, testers said. The ground feel is sensitive but the boot is not weak—especially after the full cure time post-molding is achieved (skiable after 12 hours, fully cured and at max stiffness after 24).
With its reliable turn-to-turn performance and balanced stance angles this perennial medal winner again scorched test cards. The Mantis 95 is a medium width favorite that won't steer you wrong, both on the hill and at the cash register.
A traditional overlap design, it maintains a slightly lower-than-average cuff height that kept movements agile and tuned into the snow. Testers liked how the lower boot gripped the foot and communicated their desires directly to the skis. Dalbello's tri-injected lower—with the stiffest material employed at the ski-binding interface and softest at the instep—was appreciated by testers for the combination of power and on-and-off ease it provided.
The Mantis shell is tailored specifically for women with a tighter fit through the heel and lower, a flared cuff and room for chronic bony spots like ankles and the lateral side of the forefoot. Testers found the overall fit to be even and well distributed with no problematic zones that distracted them from the task at hand—skiing well regardless of terrain or snow conditions.
Our test team was unanimously surprised at how well this boot skied for an 80 flex—every single tester commented that it felt stronger than billed and balanced in all ways during their on-snow testing, citing the Luna 80 as one of the best of test values.
The also liked how tall the boot fit them over the midfoot and through the instep—a great solution for high-arched feet that have a hard time under that second buckle. The 101mm last was on target they said—widish medium through the forefoot—though a few mentioned that the heel pocket could use a little tightening.
This year's KR 2 Chakra returns with a cool cosmetic overhaul that I test team liked and impressed again for its "yummy" initial fit and liner feel as well as its lateral agility and feel for the snow.
The KR 2 Chakra is the little sister of the KR 2 Pro but she's her own woman—in fact, the lower shell mold is a women's specific shape, which is a rare thing. Usually a women's boot is all liner magic, so a dedicated shell shape, gender specific liner construction (more flared open calf and tighter heel) speaks to our women's test team.
The boot is available all the way down to a size 21.0 and that's junior boot range, so another check in the women's fit issue tally. In fact, smaller and lighter weight skiers would do well here, as our bigger and more aggressive testers said the boot didn't hold up at its billed 95 flex index in. Our petite testers and those with a lighter touch on snow liked the progressive three-piece flex range. Testers all agreed that the lateral stance and feel for the snow from edge to edge was excellent.
With the exception of a shorter than average length fit and a narrowish calf, testers felt the boot had a more medium-ish fit tension best suited to the average to slender lower leg shape. This "relaxed-narrow," plus Contour 4 shell shaping that provides a little extra room for typical bony parts like the navicular and fifth metatarsal makes this boot a potential fit match for plenty of average foot types.
