2025 Mens Mid Volume Ski Boot Comparison

[@estebana.miralles3619]

Gentlemen, this was a superbly informative video. It is very much appreciated indeed. Bravoooo!!!

[@bearclaw5115]

Excellent job really getting into the boots. Learned some new things here!

[@TheSkiMonster]

@@bearclaw5115 awesome, thank you! More boot videos like this to come, recording LV comparison next week.

[@edwardepperson4947]

@@TheSkiMonsterwhat’s the best boot if you have large calves?

[@TheSkiMonster]

@@edwardepperson4947 HV: K2 BFC // Hawx Magna close 2nd MV: Atomic Hawx Prime LV: Atomic Hawx Ultra

[@PaulBeiser]

Another superb video - thanks - these comparisons are so VALUABLE and I learn so much. Hope you all do a similar comparison with the HV boots! Thanks again!

[@TheSkiMonster]

Thanks Paul, recording LV next week HV soon to follow. Spread the word bro

[@PaulBeiser]

@@TheSkiMonster Will do!

[@PaulBeiser]

@@TheSkiMonster A lot of my ski buddies loved this video, wanted to pass on. Fantastic!

[@mpix8302]

Guy's a few mistakes on the Fischer: Correct me if I'm wrong but my understanding of it is that the Mango color Fischer RC4 Pro Boa DYN (Dynafit tech binding toe compatible), boot seen in this video's clog is made of Fischer Vacuum plastic which is moldable, perhaps not the same as a Salomon or Atomic but heat moldable nonetheless. As far as fit and function, I can't comment on that one. I have only tried the Yellow colored Fischer RC4 Pro Boa which uses a different plastic of which I am told by a highly regarded boot fitter can take a punch for some work but is not considered heat moldable, certainly not in the same way as the Mango RC4 Pro Boa DYN, Salomon, Atomic or Tecnica . I compared the RC4 Pro Boa Zipfit shell to the Salomon S/Pro Supra Boa and the RC4 is a much closer fit everywhere where it matters, heel instep perimeter , mid foot yet has a much welcomed great anatomically shaped toe box across the width of the toes. Also compared it to S/Pro Alpha and ifor my foot I would say it is a happy middle ground between too small for the non masochist and too volumes would work for a few days then too big in no time as the liner packs in. For my foot shape. As far as the Flex of the Yellow RC4 Pro Boa Zip, I'll refer you to the review on SkiTalk dot com as I've yet to ski the boot. You do have me slightly curious about the Nordica Speedmachine BOA however if it fits anything like the non-Boa Speedmachine it'll be a bucket on my foot as is the current non-Boa version. Too volumes HIP, too much void space above my instep, big across the mid foot and pointy across the width ofthe ends of the toes, squeezing my toes together, something that bothers me a lot and both the S/Pro Supra Boa and RC4 Pro Boa Zip got right for me. And Lastly thank you for putting the manufacture Flex #'s and characteristics into some kind of perspective across the various brands. Well done,. Thank you for putting together the video,. if I were located in Boston Mass area you'd have a new customer for sure. :)

[@TheSkiMonster]

You're correct on the DYN vs non DYN, honestly we didn't even order the DYN boot for 24/25 lol -- don't know where that boot came from and surprised we didn't notice. Boot we were discussing was RC PRO MV which isn't vacuplast. Tecnica's are not bakeable shells.

[@mathiashammar1]

Great video. Exactly what I needed to hear. You both confirmed my experience with the different brands. And yes I run speed machine 130 and it's a battle with the instep every time! But when they are on its really nice boot for my feet with grabby heal pocket. Salomon is just a bit more comfortable and more room,not as snug fit .

[@guspachio4977]

Very informative video on boots. I learned a lot of general info I will take with me when I’m looking for boots….much appreciated!

[@jdthood]

Looking forward to the LV boot comparison!

[@Puzzoozoo]

Good video, gives me something to think about in 2030 when I'm change my existing boots - Salomon S/Pro Alpha 100 flex - for a new boot, as the Salomons I will have had for 5 years, and by then all-being-well I'll be on the border of intermediate and advanced skill wise.

[@carterfan80]

Agree with you about the technica 130. I never had Shin pain in 40 Years of skiing until I bought this boot. It fits my foot better than any boot I've ever owned. And the quality is great, but I really am not fond of the flex. I like to ski a lot of bumps and I don't think that it was my best option in retrospect. I think being only 5 foot 5 in 160 lb is also working against me in this boot. I don't have any race experience. Im just a strong recreational skier. I was enamored with the high quality liner. And great fit. It does work really well when I'm carving fast turns, but it's not great when I'm looking for side hits or skiing trees and bumps

[@TheSkiMonster]

@@carterfan80 you’re height and weight aren’t a factor working against you, its just the flex profile, not the flex index, just the flex curve it has blocky points. Boots used to be very blocky in general which is part of the reason 3 piece boots took off as ‘park boots’. But in 2024 there are many options that make more sense for park applications since those profiles have been improved. The quality of Tecnica group liners is top notch. Still some of the best boots available - LV gets improved for 25/26, MV to follow addressing shins. Standby.

[@carterfan80]

@TheSkiMonster thx for the response. I was once told because I'm short ( and have particularly short legs) it's harder for me to flex a boot. A Shorter leg is a smaller lever requiring more force was the explanation... ( play jackass makes sense scientifically??) I'm also cranking the top two buckles to basically the last notch to fit my thinner ankles. I think this is also effecting the flex somewhat. I have since moved the buckles. We'll see how they feel this season buckles in the middle notch....

[@TheSkiMonster]

@ if your knee is over your big toe the boots aren’t too stiff, and in general if the boots aren’t race boot and have a flex index number they’re not too stiff with the exception of Atomic race boots which are changing for next year. Most of the time boots are too soft, almost never too stiff. A lot of times when people think boots are too stiff they are just too upright or the boots feel blocky, which your boots do.

[@carterfan80]

@TheSkiMonster thx again. Like you said must be the flex profile, as opposed the the flex. I did try on the Mach 120. It felt the same as the 130 to me...idk... felt no different at all really. (In the warm store)

[@TheSkiMonster]

@@carterfan80 it’ll feel the same, yes.

[@ducatiguy1000]

One of the best boot comparisons I've seen. very informative - Well done. I ski in an old pair of the Mach 130 MV and always ski with the bottom 2 buckles undone as even the slightest pressure cuts off the blood flow. It's also hard on my shins after a few days of skiing and have put up with these issues as I love the performance when skiing aggressively. Are the new Mach 130s the same fit as the old boots? What would your recommendation be for short wider feet, but with good performance? It would be great to learn more about how custom footbeds work with these boots. Thanks again.

[@TheSkiMonster]

@@ducatiguy1000 for top of the foot the Zappa (boot board) can be ground down. I (George) have to do that in my Mach1 LVs. Fit is really the same, yes. Width wise your ok in the Mach MV?

[@carterfan80]

@ducatiguy1000 I agree with you that this was a great comparison, one of the best online. And that my shins hurt from my MV 130. I've never had Shin pain in my life until I bought these boots. It's a love-hate relationship. performance on groomers is great. Fit is good. Shin pain sucks. And the flex for jumping and bumps is not.to my liking....

[@richienelli1094]

Great comparison guys! I was wondering if we could hear your thoughts on the shadow 120 MV vs 130 MV as a bigger guy. Worried about the 130 being too stiff and 120 being too soft.

[@TheSkiMonster]

@@richienelli1094 the shadows aren’t stiff boots. The shadow 130 MV is softer than the old RX 120.

[@schnappyAl]

Would love you to do a wide foot high volume foot boot review just like this

[@piggyfish2829]

Is the generous length of the Fischer specific to the MV, or does the RC4 130 LV also have a longer toe box? Are there other LV boots with a longer toe box?

[@sabrinamtremblay1]

A similar video coming up for women's boots?

[@strom933]

nice video, would love to see a comparison of 50/50 boots!

[@TheSkiMonster]

on it.

[@svig137]

Do you guys have a 2025 Men's High Volume Ski Boot Comparison?

[@TheSkiMonster]

Not yet.

[@svig137]

@@TheSkiMonster Do you guys have a timeline for one?

[@ryanevans2655]

Does the Promachine retain that relative fore-aft softness vs its LV peers? Or is it more true to flex?

[@TheSkiMonster]

@@ryanevans2655 the pro machine is stiffer but important to note the stiffness of a ski boot is dependent on the foot inside of it. More here kzbin.info/www/bejne/bV6acpWBYtyifrMsi=TcU49Nm6SIaP1tND

[@philipmonroe756]

I have a narrow foot with a low ankle bone and smaller heel/achilles. Sounds to me like the Lang Shadow is the best fit?

[@TheSkiMonster]

@@philipmonroe756 Low Volume boots are too tight?

[@ПавелОвечкин-ь8щ]

Great job! Guys, what is your opinion about Boa, is it worth extra payment (usually about 50-100$? It would be cool, if you made a comparison video of the boot with/without boa, with pro and cons.

[@TheSkiMonster]

@@ПавелОвечкин-ь8щ boas wrap wrap wrap, buckles wrap wrap collapse Yes we did a comparison vid kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnLTnp6Nn6-UfdUsi=Hpo0u-IzTr--UFyN

[@beijihu]

The S/Pro Supra 130 _shell_ is actually really good and quite stiff, it's just the liner that's a bit meh. I now ski a Zipfit Worldup Sidewinder liner in it, really good combination. Also tried the bright yellow RC4 Pro MV Zipfit (without tech-inserts), but that one is waaay to soft. Felt more like a 100 than 140 flex. Hawx Ultra Xtd 130 BOA could be a good option for people looking for a stiff high performance BOA boot. Not suitable for my high-volume feet though, it was like stepping into an unmodified plug/raceboot.

[@TheSkiMonster]

Liners in Supras are very plush. Yea, flex index is a lot of marketing, we did a video on that here -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/bV6acpWBYtyifrMsi=cpt8oucoExwUfQwi

[@guspachio4977]

Since Atomic and Salomon are from the same family tree, how similar or dissimilar are they from each other…fit, performance? Also, if Tecnica are changing their boots should I wait till next year? I need their MV boot.

[@TheSkiMonster]

@@guspachio4977 it’s incredible how different atomic and Salomon are, it’s something we heard. But fully got when we went to atomic HQ in Altenmarkt Austria. Tecnica MV not changing for 25/26, LV is and it’s 🤌

[@cams3425]

Thank you for the info. Boots are tough for skiers. Some people go for comfort and others performance. I like performance boots but I have a wide foot (EE) with a high arch so good performance ski boots have been getting better (more HV options among boot manufacturers). I'm currently in a Scarpa Maestrale XT that I use for both resort and back country skiing. I have looked at the Tecnica Mach One 130 HV or Cochise 130 HV as a viable replacement but would appreciate recommendations from the experts who know many manufacturers nuances.

[@TheSkiMonster]

@@cams3425if a walk mode and tech inserts are a must for a replacement, you should add the Magna XTD to the list as well- new HV hybrid boot for this season. Mach1 will just be an alpine boot, and could work for your foot but not touring.

[@mdpx7]

Hey guys, does Boa fit with a zip fit? Getting in and out?

[@TheSkiMonster]

@@mdpx7 you mean can you put a liner on your foot then slide it into a BOA boot? Yes, can be a little more difficult since shell doesn’t open as easily due to resistance from cable as opposed to no resistance with buckles.

[@mdpx7]

@ yeah thats what i meant. I got a zipfit and wanna get a Tecnica Mach Boa. Thought its a Bit more tricky, But if it works, all good!

[@DroveTheGreen]

@@mdpx7 I have the Fischer RC4 Pro Dyn MV BOA that came with zipfits. To reduce friction on the heel, I bought some teflon tape from amazon and stuck a couple 4 inch pieces on the back of the shell and it made it so much easier to slide in. I think the hardest part with zipfits is sliding them in at the top of the boot, I think with the new double BOA it going to be a little bit harder.

[@guspachio4977]

Just want to clear something up….low volume, medium volume, and high volume are just referring to last width? (Basic example, LV 98, MV 100, and HV 102) Or, does volume also include instep height and heel width, the 3d area of the foot? Thanks!

[@TheSkiMonster]

@@guspachio4977 as the width changes that diameter in the shell increases also increasing instep height. Heels for the most part increases in volume as well. Heels and insteps aren’t published measurments, just width for volumes even though they change and the manufacturer knows how much they change.

[@RyanBruss]

You're supposed to put all ski boots on with the liner first, then stepping into the shell, but that's especially true with ZipFit. When you're putting on the Fischer with the ZipFit, you absolutely shouldn't try to put it on with the liner already in the boot. ZipFit is such an upgrade to ski boots and, in my opinion, should be mandatory equipment for any serious skier.

[@TheSkiMonster]

The only time it really makes sense to put a liner on first is when the liner is laced. By getting the liner laced up tight, the liner is closer to your body, which makes it easier to get the shell tighter and have less dead space, creating a more direct feel. Since most of the population doesn't have lace up liners we illustrated that point in the video.

[@bobschoenfeld4797]

Which of these options have a flat sole available rather than WTR? I have a bunch of skis and some have WTR bindings and some have older bindings

[@johnkieran7936]

None are wtr as far as I know. They are all grip walk, or GW. You should be able to get flat alpine soles for any of them.

[@mrisaax1747]

I’m 20 years old, I’ve been skiing for about 12 years now, I do touring in a Scarpa F1 which is a 95 flex and an older Rossignol 110 model boot at resorts. I’m looking to upgrade to a 130 flex but I am not sure what brand and model to go with. I’m looking at the Atomic Hawx and the Lange Shadow but I am not sure if I want to spend over $1,000 on a 130 flex when it is my first time going over 110. I’m looking for a more performance based boot, so I’m considering the MACH1’s but the shin pain does worry me. If I am going for a more performance based boot but still want some comfort, is the Salomon S/PRO BOA 130 a valid option or should I take my chances with the MACH1’s? Also, how big of a difference will a 4 buckle boot be compared to a BOA system one?

[@TheSkiMonster]

None of those boots are over $1000USD, if your shop has them priced that high, they're overpriced. The shin pain I mention in video is nuanced, I wouldn't let it deter you. Buckle vs BOA: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnLTnp6Nn6-UfdUsi=xMIXbfJalyxyOvcb

[@mrisaax1747]

@@TheSkiMonster Okay, thanks. I'm just looking at the brand websites and it has the Lange shadow at $1000 and the Hawx are sold out but I assume I can find either of them somewhere else in stock for cheaper.

[@TheSkiMonster]

Yea for some reason brands and ski mag, lists retail prices which no one pays.

[@filippomaiani7046]

just a question, what boot would u racomend to someone who skied into a lange rs130 world cup for a long time and now wants something more confortable but with a similar performance?

[@TheSkiMonster]

@@filippomaiani7046 honestly just getting a new pair of boots which will be more anatomical will be more comfortable. You could be looking at Mach1 130 or Redster CS 130 both would be higher performing specifically in Mach LV. May be more comfortable just depends on feet. If we shaved some performance, it would be noticeable Shadow 130, Ultra/Prime 130. What fit problems are you having in your Rs’s?

[@filippomaiani7046]

@ firstly was the wrong sizing, that i think it was a big issue, but they were alto too much stiffer and unconfortable with a thin inside boot and caused me some pain to the shin when pushing forward… i actually was looking for something like the mach1 lv or the shadows. i like to have all the control possible on the skis. what boot would u racomend to me considering i go skiing around 20 days per ski season? sorry for my english but i’m italian and i’m taking this possibility to improve my english😅😅

[@filippomaiani7046]

i tried a k2 anthem 115 lv with the mirus cor last season and it was a very funny confortable and quality experience…so i was orienting also my attention to somthing like a recon 120 lv…

[@filippomaiani7046]

@@TheSkiMonster …

[@samphilx4]

I'm a pretty light guy @ 70kg (~155lb) 5'11. I'm an intermediate - advanced skier looking to get further into bigger lines in the sidecountry. I had a really hard time pushing in a 90 flex rental boot last season and want something much firmer and more connected to the ski - will a 130 boot feel too stiff?

[@TheSkiMonster]

@@samphilx4 give this a watch kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4emZoysdtaraNEsi=GiiXMeqVvn1SZEk9

[@TheSkiMonster]

@@samphilx4 and this one kzbin.info/www/bejne/bV6acpWBYtyifrMsi=JPIE2tkliUkq6CRT

[@DroveTheGreen]

I'm coming from snowboarding and 3 years on skis. Started with a 110 my first year skiing and this season I went and got fitted and left with 130. Maybe its because I'm heavier (195lbs) and pretty athletic but I love my new boots. Great performance but still very comfortable, I feel like I can just charge through and kind of crud or uneven snow. My friend bought his first skis this season after renting the last 2 and local ski shop sold him 80 flex boots. He's pretty tall at 6'2" and went back a week later to return them and get something stiffer.

[@TheSkiMonster]

@ totally, more on that here -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKGudplqj7amadEsi=mSCVachT1Z5ggzOM

[@simonemoreno4324]

How much do these boots run for what are their prices?❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@TheSkiMonster]

Most 120 flex boots will range from $649 - $749

[@ryancavazos50]

I ruptured my Achilles almost two years ago and it left my injured lower leg atrophied and weak when compared to my uninjured leg. I get pretty intense pain along the lateral muscles of my calf. I’m currently wearing Nordica HF Elite rear entry boots, as they were easier for me to step into. But I’m wondering if the amount of flex is contributing to the pain in my lower leg. Have you guys had anyone with Achilles injuries find boots that work well for them? I’m looking for recommendations. Thanks.

[@TheSkiMonster]

@@ryancavazos50 yes, are you lacking mobility on the injured side as well?

[@ryancavazos50]

Somewhat… I’m completely mobile, but my lower leg strength is diminished. Probably 60% strength. In fact, I still cannot do a single leg calf raise. In other words, I can’t go up on my tip toes when standing only on my injured leg.

[@TheSkiMonster]

@ so on injured side you can bend your knee just as far forward as the other. Can both knees go past your toes when barefoot without letting your heel lift up

[@ryancavazos50]

Yes… I have almost my full range of motion. I would say close to 95% range of motion on my injured leg. Another complication is that my injured calf is smaller than my non injured calf. This could also be a contributing factor. 32.5cm compared to 36.5cm around my calf.

[@TheSkiMonster]

@@ryancavazos50 Being on the stiffer side is going to be helpful, New Rossignol Vision would be worth checking out, really easy to step into and you're in a traditional 2 piece boot.

[@MrMarcec85]

No head?

[@connermartin7558]

Hey! this video doesn't mean anything because spoiler alert! you don't have the same foot as this guy

[@TheSkiMonster]

@@connermartin7558in this video we point out objective differences, your foot would feel those objective differences trying all of them on regardless of your foot.