Our test team was interested to invite La Sportiva back to our boot test and they were subsequently impressed with the Sender's balanced distribution of freeride skills. More than one tester proclaimed that the Sender was the best La Sportiva boot they've ever skied.
What testers thought the Sender did quite well was ski strongly and accurately side-to-side in crisply engaged arcs and accurately placed moves through a variety of dicey terrain and snow surfaces. The Grilamid Bio cuff and Pebax Rnew shell paired well to produce a stable and reactive structure for lateral moves--a pleasant surprise given those lightweight plastics often don't invite descriptors like stable.
Testers also liked the fit of the Sender, especially its shape along the lateral side of the forefoot--testers commented that this zone's shape curved to match the natural arc of the foot, providing enough room to spread out and find a neutral balance point against the floor of the boot but without feeling bulky or disconnected from the ski. Testers who remembered the inside ankle bone agony of La Sportiva Spectre days flat-out rejoiced over the well-shaped and padded ankle pockets of the Sender--well done, they said.
Testers absolutely loved the uphill game of the Sender--from the easy-to-use cuff release actuation, to the range of motion and quality of the cuff's rotation in touring mode, testers had nothing but good things to say. They liked the weight on the foot. The liked the molded GripWalk outsole for its full grip contact patch and its broad compatibility with a variety of bindings.
What were testers' gripes? There were a few but nothing drastic and certainly no deal-breakers there.
First, testers say the boot runs short and fits more like a medium than the advertised wide 102.5mm last. Consider trying on the next size up, they suggested.
Second (and finally), testers said the 130-flex was a boast that wasn't backed-up in aggressive skiing when the cuff collapsed a bit. Testers put it in the 110- to 115-flex range, but they reminded that the lateral and torsional strength of the boot was impressive. So, lighter or shorter skiers or guys with a lighter touch to the front of the boot will do well here.
The overall takeaway on the Sender was, bravo La Sportiva!
Kudos
Caveats