2022 editors choice – alpine boots
BUCKLE UP FOLKS – IT’S TIME TO GET LOCKED AND LOADED IN THESE RESORT-RIPPIN’ BOOTS OF PLENTY
Atomic Hawx Ultra 130 S GW
£490
SIZES: 24-30.5
WALK MODE: N
VOLUME: L
LAST: 98
FLEX: 130
So roll down your ski pants leg and your ski buddies will assume you’ve upgraded to Atomic’s hardcore Redster shell, but on the inside your feet will still be in the Hawx comfort zone.
The Atomic Hawx Ultra 130 S GW is about as close as you’re going to get to a trench-cutting race boot, but with a plusher all-mountain fit, albeit one that is definitely skewed away from flipper feet.
Though its lightweight Prolite shell makes it carry like a tourer, the fixed cuff low-volume shell puts it very much on the frontside of the mountain, making arcs on the groomed.
A mouldable shell with Atomic’s Mimic platinum liner just mean you can ski for longer and with less of a fight to get in and out of the boot.
Fun fact: the regular soles can be replaced with cantable GripWalk pads to keep you perfectly aligned.
K2 BFC 120
£350
SIZES: 24.5-30.5
WALK MODE: Y
VOLUME: H
LAST: 103
FLEX: 120
With an acronym name that translates to ‘built for comfort’ you might expect K2’s BFC to have the punch and performance of a bowl of rice, but there is more to it.
If you’re looking to replace your 92mm Lange World Cups then look away, this isn’t the boot for you.
However, if you want a boot that caters to a higher volume foot and combines punch, support and a cuff release then this ought to be on your list.
There’s lots of tailgate power from K2’s trademark Y-shaped Spyne cuff and the easy-to-reach release makes a walk to the lifts or some mellow climbing as easy as pulling on the tag.
It’s super easy to enter and overall, though K2 may not want to say it, this is the perfect boot for a strong but more mature skier who just wants to ski all day, but to ski well.
Nordica Speedmachine 3.0 120
£420
SIZES: 24-31
WALK MODE: N
VOLUME: M
LAST: 100
FLEX: 120
The Nordica Speedmachine 3.0 is the latest iteration of a concept started in 2005; a medium-volume boot that is powerful, no matter how much you stand on your edge.
Start with a bi-injected shell where a light but rigid support frame wraps the calf, heel and sole, then fill in the gaps with a softer material for comfort.
It’s lighter but more powerful edge to edge than its ancestors.
For a performance fit Nordica uses a race-derived liner with customisable cork inserts and a velcroed tongue that can be moved for fine tuning.
Add precisely targeted Infrared stretching and you have ‘nomen omen’ as my Latin teacher used to say, or if you prefer, it does what it says on the tin.
The feel is of a grand tourer, a boot with a race heritage but one you can use all day.
K2 Anthem 105 LV Grip Walk
£350
SIZES: 22.5-27.5
WALK MODE: N
VOLUME: L
LAST: 98
FLEX: 105
The fixed cuff immediately signals that the K2 Anthem 105 LV GripWalk is designed to love the frontside of the mountain.
This is K2’s light but strong boot for light but strong skiers.
The fit is medium in most areas but with a spacious toe box and a cushy feel from the Precisionfit Pro liner. As with many boots in the category the Anthem 105 uses a dual molded shell with a stiffer rear and ankle area mated with a softer area on the front of the cuff and topside of the clog.
This, combined with the flat, neutral stance, gives a ‘make your feet dance’, quick edge to edge feel.
Skiers who push the speed and power envelope might prefer the 105’s beefier flexing big sister, the 115.
Nordica HF 75 W
£350
SIZES: 24-31
WALK MODE: N
VOLUME: H
LAST: 102
FLEX: 75
Many thought that the days of rear entry ski boots ended around the same time that Nevica killed neon, but for some skiers the convenience of a rear entry boot cannot be matched.
Nordica’s HF 75 takes what was great in rear entry and blends it with the needs of a 21st century skier who wants to power a ski with a deep sidecut.
A monolock buckle on the rear of the cuff releases the spoiler and opens a 40° gap so your foot slides into the shell. Push the buckle down with your foot, hand or ski pole and the shell is locked shut.
By adding a second instep buckle and a double axis hinge the HF skis like a modern ski boot; you can feel your edges and you’re supported when the ski is on its edge.
Will it win a medal? No. Will it make your day better and last longer? Undoubtedly.
Roxa R/Fit Pro 105 W
£390
SIZES: 22.5-27.5
WALK MODE: N
VOLUME: M
LAST: 100-102
FLEX: 105
Roxa might not be the most well-known brand today but they are on a roll.
Roxa’s R/Fit Pro 105 W is a simple, elegant frontside boot for a strong woman skier who wants an all-day fit. As with the men’s version of the boot it uses lots of simple tricks to make what looks conventional a more interesting proposition.
As a company who make lots of boots for lots of folks, Roxa is able to experiment with proof of concepts so they rely extensively on 3D printed prototyping to narrow down what works.
The Optifit instep buckle can be swivelled slightly to get the optimum angle for heel hold.
Though the fit is medium all-round and can be fine turned with the moldable Ultralon liner, the cuff is super adaptable to fit just about any size or shape of calf.
GRAB A COPY OF THE GEAR GUIDE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THESE BOOTS AND ALL THE OTHER STONKY NEW SKI GEAR FOR WINTER 2022!
