One tester’s written test-form commentary about the Lange Code 130 LV BOA was so succinct in its assessment of the all-new Freeride model that we’ll just share it here:
Wow! Such an improvement on the previous XT3 range in every way. The liner’s comfy, anatomically matched and firm. The entry is easy and the closure is amazing—fits snug throughout and has a perfect flex feel and stance. It skis as strongly as the Shadow boots and the new cuff release connection is proper (finally). Skis so well! Quick, predictable and solid.
The Code is the evolution of Lange’s long-revered XT and then XT3 freeride series, and it keeps the good (skis alpine-boot-strong and fits like a Lange) and improves on the not-so-good (touring functionality). Testers were unanimous in their opinion that the Code serves as the best example of Lange’s hybrid, tech-compatible boots so far.
The low-volume fit is precisely that, testers said—a legitimate narrow fit throughout the boot that applied a performance-fueling grip on the instep, ankles and heel along with a touch of breathing room in the toebox, forefoot and calf. There is a medium width (MV) version of the Code for those who want more middle-of-the-road fit tension, because they won’t be finding it here. The liner and shell collaborated to create a gap-free fit that hugged the foot’s contours and addressed the shin in a nicely wrapped and cushioned fashion. They appreciated the BOA cable closure on the lower shell but mentioned that the fit was so good to start with that it only took a few clicks of the dial to fine-tune their preferred tension level.
Testers liked the fact that this was a freeride boot that you tried-on and immediately knew what you were getting—no need for liner molding or hopeful fit work-arounds. The Code is ready to go play, out-of-the-box, they said.
Lange reportedly worried that modifying their time-tested Active V-Lock cuff release system by adopting an external bar linkage between cuff and lower shell might negatively effect their hybrid boot’s signature progressive flex feel. Testers say not to worry, as the flex feel is dialed for strong skiing through variable terrain, striking an ideal blend of cushion and resistance and handling hard hits and flexion of aggressive skiers driving the skis. One of our heaviest, strongest skiing testers found he could overpower the tested 130-flex, causing some forward cuff collapse, and so he noted that he’d be seeking out the 140-flex flagship model, which is only available in the LV, 97mm last.
The most obvious benefit of the new internal V-Lock design paired with the external linkage bar is the more unhindered cuff range-of-travel for hiking or touring it enables and the ease with which it’s actuated. This is the most friction-free cuff rotation testers have experienced in the Lange freeride range they’ve tested over the years, they said, and while the forward range-of-motion is slightly more limited than the available aft movement, testers said they actually liked the forward stopping point for more typical boot packing and hiking about where a bit of leveraged heel-off is helpful for a clear stride toward the next boot placement point.
