A member of the STEEP editorial team participated in a SALOMON model test ride event for next season held at Norn Minakami Ski Resort in Gunma Prefecture. The conditions on the day were sunny with temperatures above freezing. The course mainly consisted of the intermediate slope in front of the venue, and the snow was hard and firm, making it suitable for the lineup of skis that were mainly alpine and demo models
The reviewer is a female editor with an alpine racing background (reference: approximately 30 FIS points), who is 164cm tall and of average weight. This time, she tested the new "S/PRO ALPHA" from the S/PRO series, which features a 98mm last for highly precise turns, and is equipped with the "CUFF BOA® system" and "POWERLINK™ structure"
Boots used for comparison
Before reviewing these boots, I'd like to briefly mention the boots I'm currently using.
For the past three seasons, I've used the "ATOMIC HAWX ULTRA XTD 115 W GW" for a wide range of activities, from all-mountain skiing to freeride touring. It's a narrow-fit boot with a 98mm last, and the stiffest model in the women's ULTRA XTD series, but my choice was based more on comfort than competitiveness.
In fact, I mostly left the selection to the boot fitter after explaining my skiing experience and preferences. I've already had them heat-molded.
According to the New Zealand-born boot fitter who handled the fitting in Niseko, my foot shape is average or slightly smaller than average for a Japanese person in both instep height and width. Of the two pairs suggested, the HEAD model (I don't remember the specific model) felt better the moment I put them on, but the professional judged that "ultimately, what's important is heel hold rather than comfort," so I chose this model.
Given that background, I had high expectations for these boots, which boast both a good fit and heel hold.
About "S/PRO ALPHA C BOA"
Described as "the ultimate boot for racers and experts who demand exceptional power transmission, precision, and control," the most distinctive features of this model are its "evolved fit," developed in collaboration with the world's best boot fitters, and improved power transmission efficiency, allowing for "greater power with less effort."
Normally, the second buckle is secured by the lower shell, but by extending the upper shell all the way up to the ankle, the ankle fit is further enhanced. The "POWER LINK™" system eliminates the internal hinge and directly connects the cuff, which extends to near the sole, to the lower shell, enabling direct power transfer to the skis.
In addition, the liner is heat-moldable and offers a wide range of customization options, and the 4D structure improves heel hold performance. There are
four flex options each for women (85, 95, 105, 115) and men (100, 110, 120, 130). This time, I tested the "S/PRO ALPHA C BOA 130 BLUE".
Try-on review
Ease of putting on and taking off, and comfort
The first thing that surprised me was how easy it was to put them on. The shell opened wide without any stress, and as soon as I put my toes in, my entire foot slid in smoothly, perhaps due to the liner material. There was no need to force the stiff shell open or twist my foot in
Although it boasts numerous customization options, the shoes are so perfectly made the moment you put them on that you feel customization is unnecessary. The unique shape of the cuff is reminiscent of a hat with ear flaps
The last width is 98mm, the same as the boots I've used before. It provides a snug, enveloping fit from all directions. The heel hold is as secure as, or even better than, my own heat-molded boots. It's not cramped, and there's no unnecessary room in the toe area, but there's still enough room for the toes to move naturally
About Flex
The flex feels slightly firmer compared to the all-buckle 115W. However, knee motion is very smooth, and the knees can move easily in all directions, not just forward and backward. There is no stiffness that restricts movement when standing upright or walking; the impression is that it has a "reliable stiffness that you can count on when you want to step."
Powerlink's capabilities
The most distinctive feature of these boots is the "Power Link structure," which eliminates the internal hinge. The cuff area has increased by 37%, and the power transmission rate is said to be 25% higher than other advanced BOA boots.
The cuff and lower shell are directly connected, and the connection point has been lowered from the conventional ankle area to closer to the heel. As a result, the lever principle works more effectively, and a large force can be transmitted to the ski with less input. Consequently, power can be directly applied to the inside edge without any loss.
I'd heard that these boots were "the kind that help someone with a Level 2 certification pass Level 1," and when I actually tried turning, I understood what that meant. The cuff dug into the snow, allowing me to press down harder and deeper than usual. It felt like more weight than I was putting in was concentrated under my feet. For the first time, I realized just how much power I had been losing along the way. When initiating a turn, I had the feeling of gripping a wider area rather than just a single point, and the precision with which my foot movements were transmitted directly to the skis was impressive
Points of concern
The ankle area feels securely held, almost as if it were wrapped in tape. On the other hand, the length of the cuff felt slightly uncomfortable, like there was a splint on the inside. However, this is the only minor issue and does not significantly detract from the overall quality
Information
SALOMON
Official website:https://salomon.jp
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Distributor: Amer Sports Japan Co., Ltd. Salomon Winter Division