We're not going to say that the new Nordica Dobermann 5 Stiff is a real man's boot because it's clearly a real woman's boot too given the sizing available down to a 22.5, so let's just call it a re
The 2018 Head Raptor 110 RS W garnered many perfect scores of 25 at this year's boot test, dominating the women's Frontside category and scoring highly enough to put it in the top 3 of all the women's narrow All-Mountain boots if we'd mixed it in there. Testers loved this boot for how well it made them ski.
Testers rate this 96 mm last as one of the very tightest fits of the test (at least in the lower boot), but they liked the shape of this super snug Frontsider. 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. 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 open, suitable for many leg shapes.
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 entered in the Frontside category, testers 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.
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 2018 Head Raptor 140 RS, the capo dei capi, came all the way from Italy (that's where the Head factory is, you know) unchanged (why would you?) to reclaim his spot at the head of the frontside family table, and did so with ease (well, he shared the head of the table with one other boot) and style. Raptor 140 RS continues to impress testers, both veteran and rookie alike, with its near flawless frontside (hell, all-mountain too) game.
Enough with the parenthetical notation, the Raptor's fit is straightforward—tight and right. Testers gave it 1's and 2's--1 is true race boot tight--but also commented that there's enough shape built-in to house the common bony prominences and wider areas, but just barely. The liner is thin and dense, but padded just enough to separate bones from plastic and provide a well-wrapped and connected fit. The sense that the ski is not far from the foot is a common mention on test forms. The flex feel is a strong 130, so sure, 140 works, but the feel on the leg is accessible to good skiers—this isn't a World Cup race boot. Yes, testers mention some spots that'd need work for their particular hotspots (styloid process is a common one in the Raptor) but that's what a monoinjected polyurethane shell, cuff and a good bootfitter are for. The Raptor 140 RS fits traditionally lengthwise (i.e. not overly long), so if the other narrows seem to be growing of late, this will remind you how they should fit.
The stance set-up is strong, meaning with a little extra oomph to the inside edge, and this along with the beefy, solid-sole lower boot construction and a bolted cuff creates monstrous leverage over the ski for sick-and-wrong trenching on-piste. It's just as strong off-piste, but it's not forgiving of mistakes and is transmissive of terrain hits back into the skeleton—so, highly skilled all-mountain skiers will be thrilled, but keep in mind a smooth surface is the Raptor's native habitat. Most testers find the fore-aft stance just right without the rear spoiler installed, which is the way the boot comes boxed. The Flex Performance tuning anchor for shell and cuff is designed to be drilled and pinned for an even stiffer flex rating—you won't need it, just make sure the one set-screw is tight and then fuggetabout it! Old school racers who've tried going wider and softer and hated it…well, goomba, come home to the family.
Testers like the Double Power Booster power strap that combines a Booster strap with a three-to-one mechanical advantage pulley for serious leg wrapping crankage and a snappy return to center. Dual-side cuff adjustment is a worthy amenity for fine-tuning edge angles, and the Spine Flex buckles wrap the radius of cuff and lower boot (and very few complaints about them from testers this year, they've pretty much given up).
The all new 2018 Fischer My Curv 110 Vacuum Full Fit was our test team's favorite Fischer women's boot for its even fit, progressive flex feel and dialed stance angles. They liked the way this boot skied through a variety of terrain and every turn radius.
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.
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. While this boot was entered in the Frontside category, testers thought it was a fine All-Mountain boot too, and much more solid than the 90-flex My Curv that was entered in that category.
While we didn't custom test Fischer Vacuum boots at this year's test (Fischer's decision), our previous tests have shown this to be an effective fitting and stance alignment tool. With the My Curve 110 testers didn't make much mention of needing it outside of a few individual fit match issues or for trying to tighten up the lower boot.
We tested the 2018 DaleBoot ST in the Frontside category because it's the stiffest model DaleBoot makes, and testers thought it fit right in there alongside powerhouses like the Lange RS 130 and the Head Raptor 140 RS—and that's saying something. Testers liked the power-to-weight ratio the ST brings to the table—stiff and strong with a close-feeling connection to the ski.
The guys at DaleBoot set up our Frontside test model as a narrow last to better match the other boots in the category, and they also chose to load it with their higher density liner option for a firmer, more transmissive Frontside feel—both choices that were favored by testers who gave the painted-on, custom fit the double thumbs-up. However, the ST could be built as a medium or a wide, and with a variety of different Intuition liner styles and densities. Similarly the height of the cuff is variable—selected for the particular skier the boot will be made for. The flex feel of the ST is pretty rigid—DaleBoot's stiffest set-up—and that appealed to testers in this particular category, though for bigger, taller guys the ST is a good All-Mountain option too.
The ST's rigid cuff design allowed testers to bury the rail at high speeds and on hard snows, but did so without loss of a tactile feel for the snow. Testers liked the way the three-quarter length, adjustable bootboard supported the rear foot and set the ramp angle but left the forefoot to sit directly on the thin shell base—as close as the foot can come to ski. Very high durometer (stiff) polyether plastic is used to make the lower boot rigid but with an unusually thin shell wall. This gives the boot a feely, connected character but without being flimsy. Light and sensitive but strong on edge—a unique combination, testers agreed.
The three-quarter length bootboard is adjustable laterally to better support the rearfoot or provide mobility there and can be set up for use with a posted or non-posted custom insole. A large part of the DaleBoot customizing process, beyond just fit, is ensuring that the skier's stance is dialed, and their unique, snap-on canted soles are a quick and effective way to fine-tune the boot's performance.
Testers like the creature comforts found in the fit and liner feel of the 2018 Dalbello DRS 130, and many sang the praises of its power and balance, but others couldn't get past its out-of-category roominess.
The anatomical curves are there for the thicker of foot to appreciate, but low volume feet will swim a bit in the DRS 130 unless they're able to downsize, which a few of our testers did. The liner is pretty plush and cushioned for a Frontside category contender, in which a few testers luxuriated while others whined that the fit seemed to be getting larger as they skied it. Generally testers thought the DRS's uber-comfy fit was a better match in the All-Mountain category where it might be classed as a quite generous narrow or even a medium width.
Testers liked the tall and upright cuff for loading tons of power to the edge. Guys with a bit more foot volume gave it good quickness scores and liked the underfoot connection with the snow.
The green and white paint job was a split decision for our team—so lucky that there's an all-black version (DRS 130 AB, with replaceable soles)! There are also 80- and 90-flex versions with a lower cuff for women or kids, and a 110 version with the taller cuff like the 130.
The latest evolution of Dalbello's consumer race line impressed testers with a surprising ease of fit that pairs with serious power and accuracy.
Testers agreed across the board that this did not fit like a 98mm last. Medium width fit scores dominated test forms, with a few notes of peak pressure points over the top of the foot and at the navicular. Testers liked the firm grip at the heel and ankle but most commented that for a traditionally-snug fit one expects from a narrow-lasted frontside boot it would require a fairly thick foot to fill the gaps. That said, this is a great frontside option for skiers with higher volume feet, and testers mentioned that the cushy, comfy liner feel was a nice element here.
No matter what testers may have thought about its fit, there was no question that the DRS 130 skis with the best of them. Uncanny balance and feel for the snow mates with a wide and torquey power band for deeply scribed arcs on any surface. Testers mention that the forefoot feels particularly well planted on the ski for précised big-toe to little-toe transitions and fine edge feathering moves—skivot to carve like you're Ligety! Sorry Head.
This is a far cry from Scorpion days with regard to entry and exit—super easy now. Testers applaud the green and white cosmetic tradition here, and similarly dig the simple, straightforward features like dual-sided elliptical cam cuff adjusters and a cam lock power strap.
It’s called Raptor but it’s more like a Boa. This is one tight package! The 110 RS W was the snuggest fitting woman’s boot in our entire test. But it is well-sculpted for a woman's foot and lower leg, provided it's a low-volume foot and leg. Precise command over the ski is the name of the game here, whether for making quick steering moves or rolling the ski over and driving it hard at high speeds.
This is not a convenience model. The Raptor 110 RS W's form follows its primary function: to kick butt edge-to-edge without wasting a joule of energy. The heel and ankle pockets are tight, the instep is tight, the toebox is tight. Get it? It’s tight. But all this made our testers very happy. This boot is built to ski and skiers looking for no-compromises, low-volume performance will be delighted.
The cuff is a bit low which our taller testers didn't like. A few testers said it wasn't the easiest to get on and off, and several commented that the fit over the top of the foot was low and caused some numbness on higher instep feet.
Its lateral edging game was top notch. The Raptor was super reactive turn-to-turn and strong on edge, making this a platinum-level piste performer. Steering moves are spot-on, testers said, on account of the vacuum-bagged fit which translated every nuanced move directly to the ski.
The cuff's forward lean angle is a bit old-school forward. Coupled with its low cuff height, some testers experienced over-flexed stances and a lack of shin contact. That hindered its off-piste performance scores.
Standard race boot style fare here though dual cuff adjustment is a bonus and the removable hardware at those junctions allows the cuff to be taken completely off for easier and more precise bootfit modifications. As at every boot test, a few testers complained about the Spine Tech buckles. They’re definitely not as cool or user friendly as the men’s Spine Flex style.
Perhaps the most decorated women's boot in our last half-decade of testing. The RS 120 SC is the go-to model for ripping women who opt for performance and snug fit over creature comforts and fireplace fur liners. It's tight everywhere, balanced to a T, strong on edge and ready for all comers. Improvements to the liner tongue give this boot the best Lange shin fit ever.
Testers said that this one was snug everywhere, especially in the heel and ankle. It was a touch too snug right over the top of the foot for some though all said the fit relaxed after a few runs. Race-bred, the RS 120 SC is not for skiers who demand a perfect out-of-the-box fit at typically bony spots.
There will be a few grinds and punches necessary for most feet to fit happily. Testers also said that entry and exit was not without some bargaining, but they happily dealt with it in return for the sort of skin tight closure that results. Most testers loved the cuff height (SC stands for Short Cuff and differentiates this model from the men's version) but a few of our taller, bigger women felt support lacking there.
“Confidence-inspiring” was an oft-used descriptor. Testers were able to lay the boot over and trust the edge to drive a commanding arc. The snug fit, snappy progressive flex feel and dynamic flexion and extension gave rise to quick steering.
Some of our more petite testers felt the 120 flex, upright cuff and low-ramped bootboard combined to nudge them into the backseat at times. They said heel lifts and rear spoilers would solve that issue. Taller and heavier testers complained that the 120 flex felt under-gunned. But if you are closer to everywoman, this one hits the sweet spot.
Some testers felt the fit over the top of the foot was firm but it’s much improved over RS boots of old due to a perforated foam tongue construction directly over the midfoot. Testers liked the orange highlights on the buckles and liner. Women on the edges of the foot length spectrum take note: this boot (and RS 110 SC, RS 90 SC, 70 RS SC) is available down to size 21.5 and up to a 28.5.
Lightning quick out-of-the-box performance and characteristically close Fischer fit through the instep, ankle, heel and cuff. The RC4 140 is agility underfoot personified. Its close-to-the-ground foot feel lets you fine tune the arc from start to finish. Its tipped-out cuff angles and extra-forward-leaning stance make for strong side-to-side edging on smooth surfaces.
Without the aid of a Vacuum station at this year's test we were reminded that in stock mode, it fits like a race boot. Tight in the toebox and shorter than most, tight at the forefoot and noticeably tight (crushing for some) over the top of the foot. Most testers lamented the absence of the Vacuum station and cited that process as the remedy to the RC4's fit ills. They weren’t all that bad but they were noticeable enough to bump this one out of the category top spots it held in previous tests.
Side-to-side, arc-to-arc, the RC4 140 is classic Fischer race stock, cutting deep trenches like an excavator. Testers liked the upper boot’s aggressive forward lean angle for full commitment charging on hard surfaces but said it's not a sustainable fore-aft position for all-day skiing.
Testers also commented that the upper boot's tipped-out geometry makes for strong inside edge bias but also makes it harder to get outside edge engagement. Based on previous experience, testers agreed that both the fore-aft and lateral glitches should vanish after a Vacuum molding session.
The dual zone Vacuum molding process allows for different pressure to be applied at the front and rear parts of the boot. That means, for example, you can couple a more open toebox and forefoot with a snug, really snug or ultra-tight heel and ankle pocket. It’s up to you to communicate openly with your bootfitter during molding.
Our previous Vacuum tests have yielded positive fit and stance alignment results. While the Soma-Tec abducted stance angle story is less hyped than it once was, it remains a great option for more duck-footed skiers who chronically catch outside edges or adopt an overly knock-kneed stance to compensate.
A perennial frontside powerhouse. It matches strong fit with an agile feel underfoot to create a nice blend of edge grip and quickness that technical skiers will appreciate. The X Max 130 continued to impress testers with its lively, active flex and lightweight underfoot feel.
Particularly snug along the lower leg shaft where the cuff meets the instep. The X Max 130 grabs the skinny-legged like no other and provides an ultra-snug grip on the ankles. Slightly more open than some others in the category through the forefoot and toebox, the X Max 130 allows the foot to find balance on the ski for targeted big toe-to-little toe transitions.
Many testers thought the stock ankle pocket fit was particularly tight (ouch!) and a few felt that restricted their steering movements a bit. Those who underwent the Custom Shell molding process reported that the aggressive ankle fit evened-out and allowed for better ski feel without completely bagging-out the fit elsewhere.
Testers loved the muscular feel of how the X Max 130 moves to the inside edge; it’s strong laterally and the tallish cuff helps leverage heaps of power throughout the turn. Taller, slender legged skiers are the best match with this stove-pipey cuff; some shorter testers had a harder time steering their shortest radius turns. Custom Shell molding had a positive performance benefit for testers who wanted more ankle freedom and for those who preferred a slightly more neutral (less inside edge bias) lateral stance set up.
The 20-minute Custom Shell process is great for general fit enhancement and skiers who find the overall fit just slightly too tight. Don't expect big shape changes in specific spots; better to have your bootfitter do traditional shell stretch work to accommodate bunions and spurs. But Custom Shell indeed mellows the tight spots and makes subtle stance changes that can fine-tune the feel on snow.
Stance-focused testers still gripe about the X Max's lack of upper cuff adjustment mechanisms—the Oversize Pivot anchor points are just that, attachments. If you’ve got severe cuff adjustment needs this may not be the boot for you. The My CustomFit 3D Lab liner has awesome ankle and heel pocket shape right out of the box and both tongue and calf pull loops. Testers continue to say “meh” when asked about the yellow-dominant pastel cosmetics.
Shockingly comfortable, world class performer. Almost anybody CAN wear and ski this boot. Its user friendly fit is coupled with easily accessed power that will be fully tapped by only the best technical skiers. The RS 140 elevates wannabes' game and absolutely catapults real skiers' performance with the closure of four buckles. Wanna buy a podium finish? Look no further.
Sumptuously snug. Forgivingly tight. Lovingly gripping. This isn't your Dad's Lange. Hasn’t been for quite a while. The fit is aggressive at the heel, ankle, and instep; it relaxes toward the forward cabin to ensure toes don’t grow numb or cold. There is a lace-up liner for the Masters racer that wants to look cool by stuffing his laced-up liner foot into the shell in front of his fat, speed-suited cronies. For everybody else, the liner works just fine crammed in the shell sans laces, just like a standard liner.
Don't fret the 140 flex index. Current Lange offerings should be taken with 5- to-10 point grains of salt on the flex index. If you’re a charger get the 140. The number isn't as important as the flex feel. This year's liner changes give the tongue an even more cushioned and wrapped feel. It’s the best, most progressive flex feel in the frontside boot group.
Pick your marketing lingo—Tiptronic, sport-automatic, point-and-shoot, stupid-proof—this boot practically skis itself. It's not too tough on the shin, offering a firm but progressive flex that’s compatible with dynamic flexing movements. It's not too rigid laterally, enabling a skilled skier to feather the edge on and off with a tactile feel underfoot. It's not demanding in any way shape or form, and yet under full-throttle will drop into a gear you probably won’t be ready for.
This is smooth, useful power that's a joy to be in control of. You won't ever drive a super car for real, but you could own this boot and get a little taste of that track-dominating feel.
The revised liner construction (no, really, this is cool…) has perforated foam over the top of the foot where the cuneiform bones sit, which makes it way, way, way more comfortable. That's also where some nerves and arteries call home, so this liner improvement makes for a warmer, more comfortable foot. The RS 140 and 130 have a cam lock power strap, the softer models a Velcro version. Testers liked the new orange highlights on the buckles and liner.
The highest scoring men's boot of our entire test. In any category. Our testers are a diverse lot: all-mountain skiers, ex-racers, park rats, instructors and coaches. And yet they all love this boot. Why? It makes you a better skier the very first time you tip it over. Assuming you're already a pretty good skier. It’s not for learners or pretenders.
This is a 96 mm last but don't be scared off by that. Yeah, it's tight, but just right, the way a race-bred, athletes-only sorta boot should be. The Raptor 140 RS is anatomically shaped and surprisingly comfortable out of the box, but you need a heck of a narrow, normal-shaped foot to not need a visit or two to the bootfitter to get it all-day comfortable.
Astoundingly strong, accurate, agile and just plain all-around awesome. This is the bell-ringer, the justice-server, the prize-winner. Really, it skis that well. You should buy a pair just to know the feeling. And if you can't hack it, then sell it on Craigslist and you still won't have lost much, other than your pride. This is a boot that will sell at retail price. You want to haggle? Go settle for less. It’s virtually flawless. Its stance angles are perfect, its energy transmission absolute, its rear spine supportive. The one nit to pick: it’s white…very white. And it will spank you if you don’t maintain the hand to command it.
No frills but it does have some features that count. The dual-cuff adjuster allows the upper cuff to be removed in the event you need to soften the flex, which you might. You might also chose to pin the boot to a stiffer 150 setting (not necessary unless you are a huge dude).
The Double Power Booster strap is initially a perplexing maze of webbing until you figure it out (it’s not hard!) but it provides an exceptionally stout final lock-down. The Spine Flex buckles are a wiggly, cable-based fish skeleton design (that works much better than the fixed arc Spine Tech look-alikes Head uses on its lesser models). Some testers love the surety and wrap they provide; others find them difficult to latch.
