The top-shelf, women's narrow all-mountain boot from Fischer is a complex collection of performance features, and its full name is similarly intricate: RC4 Carbon Pro LV 115+ BOA ZF.
Let's decode that cipher. The Carbon refers to the cuff material where the polyurethane is injected with a carbon additive for increased rigidity, responsiveness and reduced weight--and testers loved the cuff's shape, snug wrap and high energy rebound energy generated by a long-travel flex feel. The Pro means it gets paid to be badass, we think. The LV, as we all know, means low volume and testers say it is, in places (and we'll get to that in a moment), and it bears a 97mm last rating when other narrows in the RC4 line-up are only 98mm--so this one is even more LV, pro-level. The 115+ lets us know that this is almost a 120, but perhaps Fischer didn't want to scare off a potential women's audience, since the boot crosses over, unisex-style, available from a 22.5 all the way to a 30.5. The BOA means, well sure, you get it--but it's just on the lower shell here. ZF is the abbreviation for ZipFit, and that aftermarket liner is made to suit the 97mm LV Pro models (there's a 130+ available too) and comes with the boot.
Allow us to dive deeper into the last thing, first. The ZipFit liner is a somewhat divisive element for our test team, as in some love it and well, others don't. The nature of the ZipFit shape serves as the primary point of division--it's very open and long in the toebox, and widely splayed in the forefoot, then it tapers aggressively into the upper instep, ankle pockets and heel with a chipped-cork-and-resin-powered grip on those bits. This is not a usual out-of-box fit but something unique and specific, targeted for particular preference. For some testers this is a fit match made in heaven (ZipFit has a somewhat fanatical following of adherents) and for others it simply isn't, a dichotomy which understandably led to its reduced average fit scores. On closer inspection, if we averaged scores from only the ZipFit fans on the test team, the RC4 Carbon LV 115+ BOA ZF's total score would have been a 9.77, one of the highest of the whole women's test. If we average scores only from the ZF detractors, we get an 8.67. So, that final score of 9.14 doesn't tell the whole story.
One tester said this: Way roomy in the toebox and forefoot, then like a firm cast everywhere else--which I happen to like! Another said this: The fit doesn’t feel cohesive--overly tight on the navicular and ankles, with an extra-large toebox and forefoot. You get the picture.
The ZipFit continued to divide the test team in other ways--some love the protection the lace-up liner offered the bony top of the foot when donned first, World Cup race style and crammed into the shell per usual ZipFit entry protocol, while others simply don't appreciate this extra, atypical step for boot entry. Testers agree that trying to get the boot on in more typical fashion, with the liner already in the shell was overly difficult due to the liner's somewhat tacky interior material and tendency of the Achilles area to crumple down upon entry attempt. A point of agreement on the laces, however--testers all love how it snugs the liner around their leg shaft and promotes a good connection between tongue and shin.
One thing to note for those initially trying on any of the Fischer boots with ZipFit liners is that the cork-and-resin filler is moldable but dense stuff, and it doesn't move quickly. It takes some heat (either from the body or from a liner cooking device) to get the material to migrate, mold and match the foot shape, and even with some heating it still doesn't happen quickly--ZipFit afficionados will attest to days or even weeks of break-in before the fit is ideally personalized. So, testers who first put on this boot will be feeling the most recent tester's semi-mold shape, which will improve slightly during testing but often not enough to change their initial fit opinion. The other thing that happens over time with the ZipFit liner is that it stretches-out and better mates with the interior shape of the shell environment--prior to that happening the liner can be felt slipping around inside the shell, which can detract from on-snow performance.
All that said, testers love the way this boot skis, hands down. The love the quickness, the power, the stability and the high-energy flex feel that loaded lots of rebound energy against the skis.
They also thought the BOA worked perfectly well here and paired nicely with traditional buckles up top. They dig the elasticized power strap with a quick-releasing cam buckle closure and enjoyed the predictable grip and roll of GripWalk soles for getting to the goods, car or bar.
Its a very good boot or an absolutely fantastic boot, they say, depending on how you like your ZF.
Kudos
Caveats