The Gist
The Edge lives on, again! And testers agree that the Edge Lyt 130 is the best wide boot we’ve ever tested from Head and last year was in our top 3 wide rides of the test. Testers could find no fault with this boot—its liner is lush but not spongy, its flex feel is solid but even on the shin and adequately cushioned, its ability to transmit foot and leg movements to the ski was top notch. For a lightweight model, its edge power and stability were a welcome surprise. Bravo Head! It returns this year unchanged outside of minor cosmetics updates.
The Fit
Testers repeatedly commented on the evenly distributed fit in this newest iteration of the Edge family. Yes, it's wide, they said, but widest where it needed to be without losing hold of the thicker foot and leg for performance skiing. They said the calf was tall and flared enough for muscular legs, the instep high enough for the big volume hoof, and the forefoot broad enough that the foot could splay under whatever considerable load was being placed on it. All this and it maintained high levels of comfort (great liner, they said) and ease on and off.
Performance
Our test team was shocked at how strong and accurate this boot was, considering it's a thinner shell wall model and wide and comfy as well. Testers put this boot at the top of their list in the All-Mountain group alongside the Lange LX and Tecnica Mach1 HV, so it's among good company there at the top. Testers who underwent the Liquid Fit injection process found that the snugging up the open, stock heel pocket powered up the Edge Lyt's lateral moves, quickening its pace turn to turn.
Cool Features
Though is visible set of features is straightforward--40mm Velcro power strap, single cuff adjustment, single liner pull loop--the internals of the Edge Lyt 130 are pretty cool. The lower shell extends higher than most in the front portion, blending the instep up into the cuff wrap in so-called "Hi-Top Tech" which testers felt gave the boot a seamless flex feel and more direct transmission to the shovel of the ski. Graphene is used as an additive to the polyurethane construction as a way to strengthen the plastic without adding weight. GripWalk soles are available as an add-on and canted Head soles are available in 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 degrees.
Kudos