Welcome to a special Resort Guide installment of Gear Spotlight from FREESKIER. Here, we provide a close-up look at the equipment and accessories that everyone should know about. Can’t get enough gear? Click here to see our entire 2019 Buyer’s Guide.
Nordical Promachine 130
With a narrow, 98-mm last and 130 flex, the Promachine is the pinnacle of performance in Nordica’s Machine family. It’s built with Nordica’s Tri Force Shell Construction. Essentially, three stiffnesses of polyurethane are utilized to allow bootfitters to customize the shell, using infrared heat, in places it’s needed without damaging portions of the shell that need to be stiffer for performance. That Infrared Shell Customization process couples with Nordica’s unique liner featuring cork in the heel, to provide a truly customized fit. The Promachine brings the downhill performance heritage of the iconic Dobermann, with the comfort and weight savings developed with the previous two Machine models, resulting in one of the most badass recreational alpine boots on the market.
HEAD Nexo LYT 130
The new Nexo LYT 130 is comparable to HEAD’s touring compatible boot, the KORE 1, but comes with standard alpine soles and is meant for resort skiing, specifically. The Nexo LYT’s name is fitting, as it’s a far cry from the bulky downhill-focused ski boots of the past. Thanks to a Graphene build that reduces weight while upholding performance, the boot comes in at an impressive 1,525 grams per boot (size 26.5). The boot also boasts a 130 flex and 100 mm last. HEAD put huge effort into this boot’s customization capabilities, specifically with its Liquid Fit liner. The design allows a bootfitter to inject incompressible paraffin material into the ankle and heel, which fills gaps and provides an incredible fit. This new boot is the entire package: an eye-opening combination of downhill response, comfort and weight savings.
Fischer RC4 Curv 130 Vacuum Full Tilt
Fit and performance, that’s the name of the game with the RC4 Curv 130. Developed with help from Fischer’s pro athletes, the boot seeks to combine comfort and perfect fit with the stiffness, responsiveness and overall performance they need to excel. On the comfort side, the boot has a heat-moldable shell for improved fit, a tongue without seams to prevent irritating rubbing and the liner boasts a pre-formed three-dimensional shape to further improve comfort. As for the exterior construction, the boot has an asymmetrical wall thickness which provides a consistent flex when the temperature swings, and the shell is designed ergonomically to position the foot in the best place for ultimate power transmission to the ski. Former racers turned all-mountain freeskiers, you’ll drool over this baby.
Dalbello DS130
Dalbello’s new DS130 is part of the crop of boots seeking to provide that top-level downhill performance in a lightweight, warm and comfortable package. The boot’s foundation is a stiff polyurethane “Power Cage,” and Dalbello built out the boot from there. Both sides of the lower shell have a textured surface, allowing designers to thin the shell material that isn’t part of the cage, lowering its profile and weight without compromising the stiffness. An ABS plate is also employed in the cuff to further reinforce the boot, while insulation in the boot board ensures that comfort factor is through the roof. Those who predominantly ski the resort and want to charge from bell to bell, consider this high performance, eye-catching offering from Dalbello.
