Salomon S/Pro Alpha 110 W

Model Year
2024-2025
Category
All-Mountain Traditional
Last Width
98
Flex Index
110
Price (MSRP)
$700.00USD

A common complaint we hear from our women's test team when it comes to narrow boots is that it's not really a narrow. Well, there is no way that gripe will ever be directed toward the Salomon S/Pro Alpha 110 W. Testers had two words in common in their reviews of this narrow All-Mountain Traditional gold medalist--snug or tight, take your pick. These were terms of endearment, mind you--our test team loves a heel-gripping, ankle-grabbing and calf-squeezing narrow--and the S/Pro Alpha 110 W did not disappoint when it came to a shrink-wrapped foot and leg match throughout the whole lower shell and upper cuff.

Testers made so many comments about how snugly this boot fit that we did some digging. The S/Pro Alpha 110 W was the tightest fitting boot in the women's All-Mountain Traditional narrow group. It was tighter than its next-tightest competitor, the Nordica Promachine 115 W, by 20% in the heel and ankle zones and by 40% in the toebox and forefoot. We took a look at the women's Frontside category where the boots are typically even more snug-fitting, and found that only the Lange RS 120 SC had a more snug heel fit score--however the overall tightness quotient, averaged over all fit parameters still went to the Salomon S/Pro Alpha 110 W, by 15%. So yeah, the Alpha's a tight one, and just right for accomplished skiers with low-volume feet and legs our testers said.

They loved how it skied. Absolute precision of steering inputs, transitions between turns and quick pressure controlling moves were enabled by the painted-on fit. They said that once they placed the ski (exactly where and how they wanted it) the 110-powered cuff over-performed to control their biggest, stiffest skis at high speeds over and through any type of snow surface. They couldn't find its performance threshold--calling it a ninja and a scalpel--except for a couple testers who went numb from the high-performance squeeze-chamber and lost control of their precise foot movements altogether.

Maybe it was too much of a good thing for the S/Pro Alpha, as its lowest score fell in the Anatomical Fit and Initial Feel criterion--most likely driven by a too-tight fit for some testers, especially at the "throat" of the boot where the lower leg transitions down into the instep area. One tester said this performance fit unleashed her inner Hulk, but another said it rendered her locked in a cast. Suffice it to say, a slender leg and lower-volume instep will fit best into this limited berth space.

The Alpha 110 W's highest score was for, not surprisingly, its Quickness and Steering, at a 4.83, but testers matched that high score in the Convenience, Warmth and Features criterion where they gave props to the boot's functional features. They liked its relatively new cuff adjustment ability, fat 45mm Velcro power strap, screw-affixed buckle and strap hardware, GripWalk soles and Custom Shell HD moldable polyurethane up and down on the shell for a maximum variety of bootfitter-friendly modification options.

 

Gender 
Women's
Sizes (MP) 
22.5-27.5
Hike Mode 
No
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Narrow
Also in this Collection 
100, 90, 80
Special Sizes 
22.5 and smaller
Cantology Compatible 
No
Total Avg Score 
4.63
Shell/Cuff/Tongue Plastic 
PU Custom Shell HD/PU Custom Shell HD
Anatomical Fit and Initial Feel 
4.17
Dynamic Balance 
4.67
Edge Power & Fore-Aft Support 
4.67
Quickness, Steering & Feel 
4.83
Convenience, Warmth & Features 
4.83
Tech Compatible 
No

Kudos

  • “Very snug fit throughout, especially so in ankle bone and navicular. Very responsive, snug--good control over the ski! Skis stronger on edge than 110.” -- Kirsten Bjorge
  • “Wow, much tighter than I remember the last time we tested it!” -- Emily Alleman
  • “Sleek and classic shell cosmetics with a tight enough boot throat to bring out your inner Incredible Hulk! Progressive flex feel with big edge power!” -- Kim Holzer
  • “Super tight at the throat of the boot but it seemed to relax somewhat. Very responsive to conditions and turn variations. I think a lot of low-volume women would like this boot for all-mountain use.” -- Kristen Carlson
  • “Snug! Just like a narrow fit should be. Great fit. Snug all around. This boot lives in a dynamic world. Wow, this boot is a front seat driver and totally in charge--so responsive!” -- Linda Parazoo
  • “This is a super small boot--a little tough to get on but once on it’s snug and cushy. The black and purple is simple and good. Skied well regardless of big, small, fast or slow.” -- Liz Elling
  • “It's very narrow. This boot enabled ideal ankle flexion and had a progressive flex feel in the cuff--made really effortless turns, both short and long radius. I had no chatter whatsoever on very firm surfaces and was able to keep a consistent edge angle with no issues. Wow, this boot has a notably smooth flex! I had a blast effortlessly rolling my skis on edge and floating in and out of short and long radius turns. The feeling was akin to being on a small trampoline with a little bounce. This is a narrow boot and you really need to have a narrow forefoot or a bootfitter on standby.” -- Michael Kendrick Powderly
  • “A great fit for the narrow footed female. It's a tight fit but it is comfortable.” -- Mary Slavkovsky
  • “The toe shape definitely tapered tightly into the toe box end and feels like a low volume straight away in the forefoot. The firm liner feel could give that aggressive gal a nice, gripped feeling. The calf shape is very cylindrical and slim with great wrapping. It’s great having the ability to cuff align on this boot, especially for women. The moveable instep buckle is always a great feature to lock down the instep more or less, simple and effective.” -- Sam Tischendorf

Caveats

  • “A little jabby in the calf, for me.” -- Kirsten Bjorge
  • “I'm a low volume foot but I was craving a little more space to spread my toes.” -- Kim Holzer

This boot available at...

Westborough, MA
Columbia, SC
Ann Arbor, MI
Seattle, WA

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