The Gist
The 2018 Dalbello Chakra AX 85 is a bargain for intermediates looking for a roomy three-piece boot, testers said. This new AX medium-width fills a gap in Dalbello's cabrio line between narrow Chakra and wide Kyra.
The Fit
Testers say this 100 mm is on the relaxed-fit side of the medium group and has a well-cushioned, cozy liner. They say the heel is also on the roomy side and there's some extra ceiling height over the top of the foot—so this is a good solution for thick-footed folk who swim a little bit in a true wide fit. The entry and exit scores were excellent, though testers unfamiliar with the three-piece shell closure took a little fiddling to figure out the overlaps and buckle straps.
Performance
At an 85 flex, testers acknowledged that the cuff travel was a little longer forward than many preferred, but for the game intermediate, they felt it was right on target. Testers liked the Chakra AX 85's cruisey demeanor but said it also had enough horsepower to roll a ski up on edge with confidence and handle some challenges on- and off-piste
Cool Features
The Thinsulate liner comes with double pull loops and the 45-degree Dynalink middle buckle helps to keep the foot from slipping forward.
Kudos
Caveats