Speaking of blue, one of our veteran testers had an infamous blue heeler whose whole attitude could be summed up in three words: more, now
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.
The Zay 125 got a lot of attention for how it looked and how it closed—which are by the boot's nature inextricably tied together. It has no lower buckles, but rather a thin cable which encircles the lower boot along two grooves at typical buckle positions. These loops are routed beneath the boot, along the sole and out the back to a single, multi-hinged buckle that tensions them.
The brand new Zay boot also got a fair amount of attention for how tricky the boot was for many testers to get on—the early generation liner tended to crumple down into the throat of the boot, blocking entry, and the cables at times failed to release enough tension to allow an easy slide in. Once on and properly adjusted for tightness using the barrel-nut cable adjusters on the rear buckle, two traditional upper buckles and a snowboard-style ratcheting powerstrap, testers were reminded that this is a serious fit in a serious category.
The rearfoot (heel, ankles, instep and mid-body of the lower) is tight! As tight as anything in the category, testers said, with a particularly snug fit on the navicular and styloid process area. And then the fit opens up to the forefoot and very roomy toebox. The upper boot was snug in a manner characteristic of other performance 98 mm boots. Testers had some hot spots—mostly attributed to the prototype liner—especially at the inside ankle bone.
But damn did the boot ski well, the test team said--as strong as the best performers in this hard-carving group. Agility and precision marks were well above standard too.
Maybe that R at the beginning of the of the model designation stands for “Rodney” cause this boot does not get the respect it deserves. Testers think it’s one of the best ever boots to percolate out of the Tecnica factory. Yet it still seems to fly under the radar. How good is it? Well, it has been one of our top three favorites in this category two years running.
The completely revised liner from last year returns with additional improvements to the tongue, and it continued to leave an impression on testers. They love the shin fit and flex feel of the R9.8. It’s fuller and better padded than previous versions which creates a well-wrapped and even feel during flexion. It easily handles all-mountain, off-piste hits. But as transmissive and powerful as this frontside-oriented boot is, the comfy liner gives it legs in a wide range of terrain.
Speaking of transmission, the no-metal boot sole of the R9.8 packs plenty of edge power punch and precisely broadcasts mere thoughts from skier to ski—but in a lighter (and many said warmer) build-out over previous Inferno versions. Testers often mentioned how this boot made the tune on their test skis feel sharper—a sure sign that lateral and torsional power is top notch.
Testers slotted this boot on the tight side of the category, noting that the heel and ankle area are especially snug—a good thing for frontside performance skiing. One tester said the boot fit like a 98mm boot should. Testers also made mention of its optimal, out-of-the-box stance. They liked the forward lean, ramp angle and lateral cuff geometry. While the boot comes with dual cuff adjusters and a Velcro-attached rear spoiler, not a single tester mentioned touching either during their test jaunts.
Sounds a lot like a plot from a psychological thriller. “Boot exhibits remarkable collection of multiple personalities. Testers alternatively describe it as Snappy, reactive and crisp underfoot while also being tall, smooth and cruisey. Fit tight everywhere; roomy for a 98mm.” How can one boot possess all those contradictory characteristics?
Well, what testers felt depended on whether they stuck with their regular size or chose to size down a click. Salomon's uniquely long interior space and ability to shell morph makes the sizing decision an issue that every tester mentioned. Because of its exceptionally deep interior heel pocket shape, the X Max fits 5mm longer than most boots with a similarly marked sole length. That’s a huge benefit for skiers who have historically struggled with gaining enough toe room in a given size. Many typically move up a size and sacrifice that snug performance feel necessary for high level skiing. That’s not necessary here.
Testers often noted that in boots marked with their regular size, they not only felt the boot roomier than others in the category but they also felt that it sat tall on the leg and promoted a fairly upright stance. Some utilized the included heel lift shim to gain ramp angle and ride higher in the boot cuff. Testers who sized down often mentioned that the proportionately lower cuff allowed them to "get up and over" the boot top for a more forward-leaning angle of attack.
So the takeaway here is to talk seriously with your boot fitter about size if you choose to make the X-Max your boot of choice. It will substantially affect the ski experience you have.
Doberman(n)s are world famous for being tenacious watchdogs. So this boot is aptly named, as we consider it something of a sentinel. By example, it watches over what a true performance boot should be: simple, functional, comfortable by virtue of shape and unadorned by the features and fluff that can sometimes get in the way of the goal: performance skiing.
The Dobermann EDT 130 is the most recent (and we think best) version of several Dobie iterations over the years. While it returns unchanged for this season, it again reminded our test team why it is one of the category’s standard-bearers.
It's one of the narrowest fitting boots in the group. It tapers from its now more open toebox and forefoot to a narrowing grip through the ankle and heel, maintaining a low, close fit through the instep. It favors the truly low-volume foot, though many a thick foot will wedge into the Dobermann with a bootfitter's help, drawn to it for how well it skis.
It is rigid. It sends skier movements to ski with no loss of transmission and it does so without much cushioning in between. The thin liner puts the foot right on the deck of the bootboard. While the bootboard is softer than in previous versions, it is designed to broadcast every electronvolt of energy to the ski below. This set-up favors the smooth, firm surfaces where frontside boots typically excel. The Dobermann loves faster speeds and harder snow. The faster and harder the better.
If you're looking for an off-trail charger look at Nordica’s Patron Pro, which is de-tuned (barely) to better handle off-piste applications.
