Head Formula RS 120

Flex: 130
Last: 98mm (at 26.5)
Price: €530 / £450 / $875

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Built from the race heritage of Head Skis, the all-new Formula RS 120 doesn’t make any compromises on either performance or all-day comfort. This has been achieved by taking the extremely successful Head Raptor WCR model, and applying some comfort-enhancing technologies from the Nexo range of ski boots.

The result? The Head Formula RS 120 brings performance to advanced – intermediate skiers looking to progress to the next level. A flex rating of 120 or 130 (it can be adjusted by inserting a screw into the cuff) brings an impressive level of performance – all in a last that won’t trash your feet.

Chosen for the 21/22 Ski 100. Check out our Head Formula RS 120 Review here

Lange XT3 130 LV

Flex: 130
Last: 97 mm
Weight (per boot): 1,790 (26.5)

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The Lange XT3 is Lange’s latest iteration of their extremely successful XT range of ski boots.  The XT range has been built with the highest level of performance possible, while still giving you the option to ascend with the addition of a walk mode. The XT3 takes this a step further, coming in at a lighter weight and offering an improved walk mode.

If you’ve found your touring boots have been lacking in performance, and your foot matches the narrow 97 mm ‘LV’ last, the XT should be at the top of your shopping list for this season. They offer top end downhill performance, in a fit that’ll provide vice-like grip for the downhill market.

Chosen for the 21/22 Ski 100. Check out our Lange XT3 130 Review here

Head Raptor WCR 120 S

Flex:120
Last: 96mm
Weight (per boot): 2,480g
Price: £500 / 550€

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You’ll spot these black and white boots with their skeleton-like buckles peppering World Cup race circuits as well as freeride faces on the soles of everyone from Wendy Holdener to Hedvig Wessel. Updated for 2021/22, the Raptor WCR 120 S leads the pack in Head’s line up of general-purpose race boots, second only in stiffness and narrowness to Head’s athlete-specific range.

The Raptor WCR 120 S is built for downhill technical finesse and aggression, and not for versatility; this is a boot for race-inspired and downhill-focused skiers. Hazard warning aside, expert skiers who find their 120 flex boots are giving out under pressure, the Raptor WCR 120 S may well be your answer. If you love slicing ice with high angle carves – whether between gates, piste markers, or choppy terrain – the Raptor RS 120 has you covered for ultimate stiffness, accuracy, and speed.

Chosen for the 21/22 Ski 100. Check out our Head Raptor WCR 120 S Review here

Full Tilt First Chair GW

Flex:100
Last: 99 mm
Weight (per boot): 2,050
Price: £350

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Updated for 2021, the First Chair 100 replaces the successful First Chair 8. Given its flex rating of 100, it sits in the middle of Full Tilt’s First Chair family, offering a great freeride and freestyle boot for strong intermediates, or lightweight advanced skiers.

This is a great ski boot that can do just about anything a resort skier requires. Its 100 flex rating is ideal for those lightweight, or intermediate, skiers who are looking for a slightly softer flexing boot. The addition of a GripWalk sole unit makes it capable of hiking to lines, while the increased shock absorption means the boots are also comfortable in the air.

Chosen for the 21/22 Ski 100. Check out our Full Tilt First Chair 100 Review here

Dynafit Radical Pro

Flex: 120
Last: 103.5
Weight (per boot): 1,400g (26.5)
Price: £560 / 600 / $800

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Built and designed by freeride skiing legend, Eric Hjorleifson, the all-new Dynafit Radical Pro offers a flex rating of 120 in an extremely lightweight package of 1,400 grams per boot. The Radical Pro is ideal for skiers looking to dive into backcountry exploration, without having to sacrifice too much performance as a result.

A slightly wider last of 103 means that the Radical Pro will fit a wide range of feet, while offering comfort for big days in the backcountry. The walk mode is a thing of beauty, too, with a single motion flipping three buckles at once, instantly putting you into the friction-free 60 degrees of ROM.

Chosen for the 21/22 Ski 100. Check out our Dynafit Radical Pro Review here

Dalbello Quantum Free Factory 130

Flex: 130 mm
Last: 100 mm
Weight (per boot): 1,313g (27.5)
Price: £600 / €660 / $750

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On first impressions, the Quantum Free Asolo might look very similar to the first Quantum boot but Dalbello has borrowed a few bits from their other, extremely successful, freeride boots to help juice up the flex rating of this extremely lightweight boot.

If you’re looking for a ski touring boot that can tour as well as it can ski, then you don’t really need to look any further than the Dalbello Quantum Free. The 130 flex, combined with the excellent 65 degrees of range of motion make for an unrivalled freetouring package.

Chosen for the 21/22 Ski 100. Check out our Dalbello Quantum Free 130 Review here

Tecnica Cochise 130

Flex: 130
Last: 99 mm
Weight (per boot):  1,850g
Price: £520 / $750

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The Cochise range from Tecnica has been built to make zero compromise on the downhill, while offering a (relatively) decent walk mode for accessing those secret powder spots. For 2021, Tecnica has made some handy updates to the Cochise range which helps to further cement the range as the go-to option for freeriders. 

The Tecnica Cochise 130’s combination of performance, responsive flex pattern and adequate touring comfort are fused together to create a boot that offers very little compromise for advance – expert skiers who put downhill performance at the front of their buying choices.

Chosen for the 21/22 Ski 100. Check out our Tecnica Cochise 130 Review here

K2 Recon 120

Flex:120
Last: 100
Weight (per boot): 1,700g
Price: £450

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Normally, if you’re after a high-performance downhill ski boot, you’re forced to look at heavier boots for a boost in stiffness. But now, thanks to the development of some clever plastics and shell structures, K2 has managed to develop the Recon range – a range of boots that keep the weight incredibly low, without sacrificing an ounce of downhill performance.

This is a seriously exciting boot release from K2. If you’ve previously groaned about the feeling of skiing with a pair of breeze blocks on your feet, then you’re going to love the energetic feeling of these boots. The blend of agility and performance is something that’s previously been reserved to ski touring boots; now it comes in an alpine boot package.

Chosen for the 21/22 Ski 100. Check out our K2 Recon 120 Review here

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