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Atomic simply launched the following technology of its HAWX ULTRA (98mm final) and HAWX PRIME (100mm final) XTD BOA GW ski boots. These crossover boots goal to be a do-all ski boot for all-mountain snowboarding and freeride touring.
These boots drive a ski with the ability and precision of an alpine boot, however they’re additionally snug touring. With the buckles open and the heel degree in tour mode, the boots have 54 levels of cuff rotation to make each lap an important lap.
Briefly: The Atomic HAWX ULTRA BOA (examined) is a flexible downhill-focused ski boot that additionally excursions fairly effectively. With good vary of movement and affordable weight, it’s fairly succesful on the pores and skin monitor. It’s an excellent choice for many who need one boot to do every thing, with an emphasis on downhill efficiency.
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Final
98mm - Flex 130
- Weight 1,831 g (4.03 lbs.)
- Sizes 24.5-29.5
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Finest for
Superior to professional downhill skiers who need one boot for inbounds and touring use
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Sturdy downhill efficiency -
Infinitely adjustable forefoot -
Good touring vary of movement
Atomic HAWX ULTRA (and PRIME) XTD BOA GW Evaluate
The Hawx ULTRA and PRIME XTD boots have been a cornerstone of the Atomic line for a number of years. As we examined the ULTRA mannequin, we’ll refer solely to that going ahead. However the PRIME is a virtually equivalent boot, so hold that in thoughts.
This yr’s HAWX ULTRA has notable materials and technical updates. Essentially the most instantly apparent is a BOA Match System that replaces the decrease two buckles.
Whereas it appears each new boot for 23/24 has BOA, it’s nonetheless price explaining. The system has three elements which might be all built-in into the boot shell: a micro-adjustable dial for multidirectional tightening and loosening, a super-strong, light-weight chrome steel cable, and heavy-duty, low-friction lace guides.
By turning the outsized dial, skiers can draw within the overlapping medial and lateral of the forefoot of the boot for a comfortable match. As your foot adjustments in the course of the course of the day, it’s straightforward to fine-tune the forefoot tightness with bidirectional micro-adjustments of the BOA knob for a extra relaxed match uphill or a tighter match downhill — even with gloves on and with chilly fingers.
It’s Not Simply the BOA That’s New
The HAWX ULTRA XTD has reinforcements within the decrease shell and higher cuff that make the boot 25% extra steady than its predecessor, in response to the model. It weighs round 1,800 g. The up to date Free/Lock 4.5 ski/stroll mechanism affords 54 levels of rotation to maintain skiers environment friendly when uphill skinning. Full rubber GripWalk soles are suitable with a variety of alpine and touring bindings. They’re additionally simpler to speak in than alpine soles.
Atomic’s Mimic liner, which is anatomically pre-shaped and heat-moldable, was thinner than the liner in my go-to alpine boot, Technica’s Mach 1 MV 120. Although it was thinner, it had Thinsulate so it was nonetheless heat. It molded completely to my foot, and it was snug climbing because of an Achilles flex zone. Ripping powdery arcs down the Blackcomb entrance facet and within the Vermont backcountry, I forgot about my boots and misplaced myself within the turns, which is the final word praise to any piece of drugs.
Atomic positions the 98mm final HAWX ULTRA XTD for slim toes, and the HAWX PRIME XTD (100mm final) for medium to wider toes. As a skier with a large foot, I discovered that the BOA lacing made this boot extra forgiving width-wise. I heat-molded the liner, however I didn’t want any shell work, which I do on many boots I check.
Because of BOA, the forefoot securely wrapped my foot, giving the boot a exact match. Because the liner heated up on hotter ski days, I might dial within the BOA with out crushing my foot or having to fiddle with the buckles to get the appropriate strain.
Atomic Hawx Prime XTD 130: What I Beloved
I examined Atomic’s Hawx ULTRA XTD 130. The flex was completely progressive. There was no collapse level after I pressured the entrance of the boot and skied aggressively.
The BOA system did its job. In actual fact, after snowboarding a boot with BOA-adjusted lowers, I’m hopeful that BOA might also introduce a dial-fit system for higher ski boot buckles. The boot was enjoyable to ski in. I didn’t really feel like I used to be compromising efficiency on the resort for the boots’ capacity to tour. The Hawx ULTRA XTD is highly effective and it made even 120mm underfoot skis straightforward to regulate.
Touring within the Crested Butte backcountry, it was gentle sufficient that I by no means obtained left behind. And even in steep terrain, I felt like I had loads of rotation to comply with a technical pores and skin monitor full with numerous kick turns. Principally, I liked having a boot that I might journey with and ski at house with when the day included quite a lot of pursuits — from frontside to bottom.
Atomic did a incredible job of changing what are historically the decrease two buckles of this boot with a single-strand BOA tightening system. It labored seamlessly. In 15 days of snowboarding this boot, I by no means kicked it off or had any difficulty with the burly dial. Atomic says that if a skier does kick the BOA dial off the boot, it snaps again into place.
Whereas it’s not the simplest boot to get into. It’s additionally not the toughest. I had the very best luck getting this boot on and off with the cuff in tour mode. Huge webbing loops on the tongue and again of the calf helped me wriggle in. I additionally pulled aside the overlapping plastic over the forefoot and ankle to get out and in.
The 302 boot sole size for a 26.5 was in vary with different boots, so I used to be capable of modify each touring skis and alpine skis I already personal to suit this boot.
What I Didn’t
My most important frustration with this boot got here from the higher two buckles. After I clicked them open for touring, the wire would transfer right into a tighter-than-I-wanted place on the buckle, so I needed to work it again to the setting I wished after I transitioned from tour mode to ski mode, which wasted time. The clip that overlays the buckle didn’t hold the buckle wire in place.
It’s essential to securely Velcro the boot liner tongue into place earlier than you ski and to concentrate on tugging too laborious on the tongue when placing them on. One of many first days I skied these boots, I had top-of-foot ache. It was a person error. The tongue had been pulled out too far and it was overlapping the physique of the liner uncomfortably. However I didn’t determine it out till I got here inside and took my boot off.
The worth will make this boot a deal-breaker for some. At $950 a pair, these boots price greater than most Atomics skis. Price it? For some, sure, however not for everybody.
The Deets
The brand new HAWX ULTRA XTD 130 BOA in measurement 26.5 weighs 1,791 g per boot. The final model with out the BOA weighed round 1,550 g per boot. However it didn’t tour as effectively. Whereas it’s heavier than its predecessor, the burden of the brand new boot isn’t out of line with different crossover boots like Tecnica’s Cochise. It’s additionally simply barely heavier than its fixed-cuff sister boot, Atomic’s Hawx Extremely.
The 2024 Atomic Hawx Extremely XTD BOA and Hawx Prime Extremely XTD BOA can be found in 130 unisex and 115 girls’s variations. The boot additionally comes with out the BOA at a cheaper price level.
In Conclusion
For the skier who desires one boot for resort and side-country or backcountry snowboarding, Atomic’s HAWX ULTRA XTD and HAWX PRIME XTD have the stiffness and energy to drive a giant ski in deep snow, however they’re gentle sufficient with ok cuff rotation that you just gained’t be hating life touring. Would uphills be quicker with a lighter boot? Positive. Would downhills be as a lot enjoyable? No means.
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