Maybe that R at the beginning of the of the model designation stands for “Rodney” cause this boot does not get the respect it deserves. Testers think it’s one of the best ever boots to percolate out of the Tecnica factory. Yet it still seems to fly under the radar. How good is it? Well, it has been one of our top three favorites in this category two years running.
The completely revised liner from last year returns with additional improvements to the tongue, and it continued to leave an impression on testers. They love the shin fit and flex feel of the R9.8. It’s fuller and better padded than previous versions which creates a well-wrapped and even feel during flexion. It easily handles all-mountain, off-piste hits. But as transmissive and powerful as this frontside-oriented boot is, the comfy liner gives it legs in a wide range of terrain.
Speaking of transmission, the no-metal boot sole of the R9.8 packs plenty of edge power punch and precisely broadcasts mere thoughts from skier to ski—but in a lighter (and many said warmer) build-out over previous Inferno versions. Testers often mentioned how this boot made the tune on their test skis feel sharper—a sure sign that lateral and torsional power is top notch.
Testers slotted this boot on the tight side of the category, noting that the heel and ankle area are especially snug—a good thing for frontside performance skiing. One tester said the boot fit like a 98mm boot should. Testers also made mention of its optimal, out-of-the-box stance. They liked the forward lean, ramp angle and lateral cuff geometry. While the boot comes with dual cuff adjusters and a Velcro-attached rear spoiler, not a single tester mentioned touching either during their test jaunts.
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