The Gist
Testers liked the 2019 Full Tilt First Chair for its snug (when tested in their regular size) and thickly padded and comfortable grip on the foot and its very lively feel underfoot. Testers still feel overly forward leaning but appreciated the cam-lock Cinch power strap for restraining some forward travel. Due to the short sizing in Full Tilt's line-up, some testers went up a size and found more typical medium-width fit tension and a slightly taller, more upright cuff feel.
The Fit
Testers felt the lower boot was much more snug than the cuff, which offered some unwanted play for slender legs. They liked the strong connection of foot to ski, though preferred it after full liner molding, which allowed the foot to seat a bit more deeply into the base of the boot, due to the thickness of the liner underfoot. Molding the liner with toe caps opened up some needed toe room as the boot fits shorter than average out of the box. The flex feel is even, cushioned and long in travel, testers agreed. Testers suggest sizing up to gain toe room and a more medium width fit.
Performance
Agility and quickness are the First Chair's forte, according to testers who liked its lateral moves and shock absorbing flex—fun in the bumps and tight spots, they said. They felt the boot was less of a powerhouse than it was a nimble freerider, partly due to the more forward than average cuff angle, which detracted from a more strongly stacked leg position, they said.
Cool Features
Testers like the newer version buckle system with the Widetrack buckles for their improved ease of use.
Kudos
Caveats