Fischer Ranger 12 Thermoshape

Model Year
2016-17
Category
All-Mountain Walk
Last Width
101mm
Flex Index
120
Price (MSRP)
$650.00USD

The Gist

Great initial fit. The liner has been updated and provides a well-cushioned, close-to-the-foot feel.  A long-travel flex makes smooth work of the downhill. It’s easy-up the mountain thanks to a smooth gliding hike mode and its overall light weight.

Fit

A little snugger than expected in the toebox for a medium-width hybrid, testers said.  They found even, 101-ish fit tension throughout the rest of the lower boot. The cuff rides a little lower on the leg than others in the category. Testers said that made for supple, slinky steering moves and amplified quickness scores. The room in the calf is a little more pronounced than that in the lower boot. That made for an easy calf fit but also led to a little searching for the fore-aft sweet spot, testers said.

Performance

Testers liked the agile, able feel underfoot. It prompted on-demand transitions and rapid turn initiation. Laterally, the stance set-up is a little soft to the inside edge. The boot requires a bit more roll toward the inside of the turn than normal but there was definitely meat on the bone once the ski hooked up. Testers felt the flex was softer than the 120 label.

Cool Features

The Hike Ride Lock cuff release is deceptively simple to use but still confuses some testers. The Ride feature (locked cuff, soft flex mode) was not useful to testers. They all liked the rigid flex (Lock position) best. The cuff attachment points look like adjustments, but alas, they are not, and there’s none of Fischer’s Vacuum technology to make stance corrections. If you’ve got substantial stance issues, this is not for you. The cosmetics (Kermit the Frog on acid?) worked for some more than others.

Gender 
Men's
Sizes (MP) 
25.5, 26.5—30.5
Hike Mode 
Yes
Construction 
Overlap
Boot width profile 
Wide
Also in this Collection 
Ranger 12 Vacuum Full Fit $850

Kudos

  • “The boot has a natural feel and steers well.” -- Joe Driscoll
  • “Coaches, guides, 'trollers, race parents—here's your boot!” -- Marc Stewart
  • “True to category medium width fit tension—engaged and lively, very surprised!” -- Kevin Gabriel
  • “Lots of power underfoot.” -- Chris Wiberg
  • “Pretty sweet initial fit—close and cushioned. Surprisingly good!” -- Mark Elling
  • “Foot fit is well-shaped.” -- Bob Gleason
  • “A friendly all-day boot for an aspiring sidecountry guy.” --
  • “Easy hike mode switch with a good, visible indicator when open.” -- Jorge Yengle

Caveats

  • “No cuff adjustment.” -- Joe Driscoll
  • “Lacks resistance in the cuff—low top sneaker.” --
  • “Had to work hard to maintain fore-aft sweet spot.” -- Charlie Bradley
  • “Lack of leg-hold reduces quickness.” -- Bob Gleason

This boot available at...

Taos Ski Valley, NM
Valatie, NY
Avon, CO
Ann Arbor, MI
Breckenridge, CO
Costa Mesa, CA

Special thanks to all of our sponsors!

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