All Mountain/Freeride
You’re skiing better and putting more stress on your gear. You need a better caliber of boot. These boots are capable of taming the entire mountain — no matter what side of the rope you turn on. They trade a bit of hard-snow precision for off-piste terrain-management skills and all-day comfort. They can flap the flags if you push them, but their quick wits are more likely to come into play managing tight aspens, steeps, variable snow and whatever today’s adventure brings. They have increased comfort-management skills for traversing or hiking to choice terrain and landing big air — in steep chutes or in the park. The niceties you get at this level are often subtle but important, providing better performance and greater durability. These boots have more custom moldable materials in the liner usually extending into the forefoot and sometimes tongue. Buckles are lighter, operate smoother and are double riveted to resist damage. Power straps are thicker for greater security.
Second down Atomic’s new M family, the 10 utilizes the Tri-Tech platform. By separating the toe and heel from the shell, the flat spot under foot is minimized and the ski flexes more naturally. The M 10It has a sexy and masculine look thanks to the tiger stripes of grippy material on the toe and heel lugs. A beefy Power Strap wraps the cuff like a boa and cleverly integrates a holder for Therm-ic boot heater battery packs which can be purchased separately. That’s all you need to generate on-board heat since the insole is pre-wired. The boot board has been honeycombed to increase warmth retention.
On the Hill
This boot has all the elements of a class winner so long as you can tolerate the snug fit over the midfoot. A long, juicy throw in forward flex moves with the body, not against it. It slices neat and deep parallel arcs through all terrain. It engenders smooth movements and inspires confidence. Light on the foot, it will go through the day without requiring any tweaking and offers a lot of performance for the money.
Beware
Not for those who need a lot of canting. Soles are ungrindable.
Fischer’s skis have been snatching World Cup hardware for years but three seasons ago the company began developing a boot and introduced the Somatec line. It has a unique, slightly duck-foot stance that puts the body in a relaxed powerful stance, but its blocky flex and harsh feel still hasn’t captured the fancy of our test crew. This year’s new MX line—utilizing a modified Somatec stance with a classically sculpted appearance—was the surprise of our test. With super-easy entry, this classic four-buckle overlap sports a clever hinged rear spoiler that has great ability to adjust to individual calf shape. Dual cuff adjusters and a nicely tapered custom moldable liner make this boot very foot friendly.
On the Hill
Nothing pretty about it but a true performer. The Pro has stout rear support with a bean-bag comfortable tongue. Fischer nailed the anatomical geometry; the instep is firmly but comfortably pressured by the tongue when closed. It’s dynamically comfortable with responsive steering and a snappy, rubber band lateral quickness. The flex is stout enough to stand up to big boys.
Beware
Remove built-in arch if using custom footbed. Cuff flanges were sharp and chomp at hands when removing or inserting liner.
Transparency is good for corporate governance and apparently for ski boots this season. The S 10 see-through orange is bold in looks and performance. It’s loaded with quality materials and useful features including optional Full Custom Frame chassis (a former Bootie Award winner) that reduces shell width dramatically when the bobsled-looking insert is plugged in. The acclaimed Race Double Power flip-out buckles boost leverage and make closure a snap even with the bail set on maximum throw. That’s quite a feat. Other features include: Flex adjustment (by removing screws from the spine), adjustable rear spoiler and single cuff shaft adjuster. The heat-moldable liner is teched-up with numerous reinforcements, an asymmetrical ankle frame and neoprene stretch toe box.
On the Hill
The answer to the proverbial “foxhole companion” question. You want this boot with you in challenging times. The S10 compensates for mistakes and boosts command and confidence in improving skiers. It is exceptionally well balanced with a progressive, smooth flex that engages with just the right amount of resistance in all but extreme situations. The adjustments all work effectively to tailor the fit and function to individual needs. The extension lever on the buckle provides exceptional leverage to achieve a tight wrap. Excellent out-of-the-box fit.
Beware
Personality changes dramatically with Custom Fit insert. It genuinely morphs fit from relaxed to vacuum fit tight.
There’s no mistaking what’s on your feet with this Freeride inspired model. The transparent lemon yellow shell is emblazoned with a big, bold orange Lange logo. In a bit of cosmetic technological magic, the graphic is actually sandwiched between the plastic layers for a cool, ghostly look. Similar to the race-oriented Comp 120, the FR comes only in a MF (medium-fit) last. It employs a lower cuff than the Comp and a boot board fabricated from a softer elastomer. A removable button of even softer material is embedded below the heel for shock absorption. The Custom Air Concept (CAC) liner molds well to the foot. The FR 120 has a neutral rear spoiler to reduce calf fatigue in deep snow and during walking.
On the Hill
We noted significant fit improvement when the CAC liner was heat molded. That makes initial shop feel a difficult quality to judge. “It turned the boot from sour grapes to fine wine,” said one tester. The FR 120 has side-to-side gumption but is fairly soft flexing forward making it best for skiers with a good range of ankle motion. Testers thought it most at home making switch landings in the park but thought it versatile enough to pop through a NASTAR course or dash through the woods.
Beware
Heavyweights can out flex it. Despite Medium Fit designation, wide feet will need a forefoot/toe box punch to avoid pinch. Same with moderate to high insteps.
Like Nordica’s Dobermann and Beast, the once-solitary Speed Machine has morphed into an entire collection with the 14 in the pole position. The translucent red/solid white accented bi-injected shell sports graceful lines. The boot looks fast standing still. It’s chock-a-block with useful features including buckles with “lift up” feature that prevents inadvertent re-closure when opened, two-position flex adjuster, elasticized Booster Velcro strap, twin cuff alignment and quick-set adjustable rear spoiler. Sliding instep flaps and a panel of slick material on the liner spine make for exceptionally easy entry.
On the Hill
Our tester tallied high marks for this boot with one big caveat: it’s designed for skiers with meaty hooves. The cuff closes tight like an aircraft door but the lower has the spaciousness of a first class lounger. “This will be my go-to boot for big guys with thick feet who need bunker strong construction,” said one of our bootfitter testers. Even with flex set on its lowest setting, it provided stout resistance and quick power inputs. Most felt it belonged a step up in category and its price certainly pits it with our Expert boots.
Beware
Bolt-on toe piece means no possibility of sole planning to adjust cant.
Salomon sells so many of these boots that they can cosmetically differentiate the Fast (on-piste action) from the Free (off-trail adventure). Both boots are identical except for the shock absorbing boot board in the latter. Now in its second season, the 10.0 shells have been outfitted this season with Spaceframe flex technology for improve edge contact. Both models have a slick bi-material liner cuff with lateral supports that do wonders to facilitate power transfer. The adjustable 3-D instep buckle (a former Bootie Award winner) does an excellent job of personalizing fit. We tested both versions.
On the Hill
It’s easy to see why these boot has become a best seller. There’s no weakness in their games. The 10.0s are awesome packages of all-day comfort, effective personalization features and outstanding performance. They have the twitchability to zap through tight lies when pushed but with enough forgiveness to handle rougher off-piste junk. Their thoroughbred instincts always lurk near the surface and demand to be satiated. The liners have plenty of feel-good padding, perhaps bit too much over the instep/ankle areas, but not so much that it dulls the senses. The cuff is narrow and upright.
Beware
Rear support is substantial and tweaked the calves of several testers.
Built on the same platform as the Magnesium, the Flame gives up some of big brother’s niceties using heavier buckles and a less sophisticated spoiler and liner (the heel tapering Fit Lock system is gone). It still retains many of the Diablo family’s fine features including Rapid Access Cuff and highly effective but time-intensive Dual Pivot cuff adjusters. Hot Form is a reasonably priced option that nicely tweaks fit.
On the Hill
As with Magnesium, the Flame runs big and long. Downsizing is a must for all but wide footed. It has a large balance zone that sets the foot up well against the inside edge and allows energy transfer along the ski’s entire length. Laterally, it is lively and quick, tipping the ski gradually and effectively. Bigger, heavier testers were not as enthused about the Flame, contending that it’s flex—even when set on stiffer mode—was too soft to stand up in aggressive skiing and mucky conditions. A Booster Strap would help firm things up, one noted. The forward lean is steep and most testers liked the boot better when they ripped out the rear spoiler and stood up straighter.
Beware
Significant forward lean combined with soft flex require binding with shallow ramp angle or quads can catch fire quickly.
