The Atomic Ski Boot Thread

[Jean Poudreuse]

Questions for ONK or those who knows.
First about the Rester WC 130. Is the CS shockstopper bootboard can be adapted in a Redster WC? 0.5° degree of canting too? How's the stiffness compared to a CS?

Second, did you try the new salomon shift alpha boa? How's the fit compared to the ultra xtd?

[onenerdykid]

Questions for ONK or those who knows.
First about the Rester WC 130. Is the CS shockstopper bootboard can be adapted in a Redster WC? 0.5° degree of canting too? How's the stiffness compared to a CS?

Second, did you try the new salomon shift alpha boa? How's the fit compared to the ultra xtd?

Depends on the generation of Redster WC you have. If it is the first generation (circa 2012-2016) and looks like this picture below, then no.


If it is the second generation (2017-2020) without Carbon Spine (like below) then yes, the CS ShockStopper boot board will fit into your WC.


Re: Shift Alpha BOA - I have not had this boot on my foot yet, but if it is anything like the normal S/Pro Alpha, then it will be higher volume, particularly over the instep.

[Jean Poudreuse]

Thank you for the reply. As always.

I was able to try side by side the ultra vs shift alpha
My 2 cents :
heel pocket and cuff narrower in the ultra, so better support for the rear foot
ultra maybe a tad longer (could be liner related)
maybe i need a 6 toe punch in the salomon

For my foot ultra > alpha shift

[gregL]

. . .did you try the new salomon shift alpha boa? How's the fit compared to the ultra xtd?

The new Shift BOA is slightly roomier in cuff circumference and slightly taller right at the bend in front of the ankle (not so much instep itself) compared with the Ultra XTD. It's still a great call for people with a skinny ankle/heel retention issues looking for a hybrid; also those who complain about difficulty in putting on the Ultra XTD or those whose heel spurs don't get along with the Ultra heel pocket. Not so sure about the purple, but it isn't costing the boot any sales; our first batch of men's is already gone.

[SnowMachine]

The new Shift BOA is slightly roomier in cuff circumference and slightly taller right at the bend in front of the ankle (not so much instep itself) compared with the Ultra XTD. It's still a great call for people with a skinny ankle/heel retention issues looking for a hybrid; also those who complain about difficulty in putting on the Ultra XTD or those whose heel spurs don't get along with the Ultra heel pocket. Not so sure about the purple, but it isn't costing the boot any sales; our first batch of men's is already gone.

I freaking love the Ultra XTD, but mentioning that they're difficult to put on is worthwhile. I definitely fight with mine when I can't put them in a heated bag.

I assume the standard Hawx Ultra would be the same? I need a new resort boot this year. Debating resurrecting my Lange RX's with new Mimic Platinum (LOVE) liners, grabbing some Hawx Ultra's or trying on a Nordica Speed Machine.

Also RE the Hawx: I'm running a spacer under my orthotic and a piece of filler (foam) over the top of my toes. I assume the Hawx fit is the same. When I ski hard my feet cramp from lifting hard on my forefoot trying to find the top of the boot. Might be the BOA shell, too. I'd like to try the buckle boot.

I've said it before.... Otherwise the Ultra XTD is a great boot. Mine need a refurb already because I skied them so much last year. Inbounds and out. They turned into my one boot quiver. I need to get on it and order soles, pivot bushings and new liners.

[Jean Poudreuse]

I freaking love the Ultra XTD, but mentioning that they're difficult to put on is worthwhile. I definitely fight with mine when I can't put them in a heated bag.

I assume the standard Hawx Ultra would be the same? I need a new resort boot this year. Debating resurrecting my Lange RX's with new Mimic Platinum (LOVE) liners, grabbing some Hawx Ultra's or trying on a Nordica Speed Machine.

Also RE the Hawx: I'm running a spacer under my orthotic and a piece of filler (foam) over the top of my toes. I assume the Hawx fit is the same. When I ski hard my feet cramp from lifting hard on my forefoot trying to find the top of the boot. Might be the BOA shell, too. I'd like to try the buckle boot.

I've said it before.... Otherwise the Ultra XTD is a great boot. Mine need a refurb already because I skied them so much last year. Inbounds and out. They turned into my one boot quiver. I need to get on it and order soles, pivot bushings and new liners.

The Grilamid XTD is more difficult to putt on/off than the new PU version or the non XTD

[gregL]

Debating resurrecting my Lange RX's with new Mimic Platinum (LOVE) liners, grabbing some Hawx Ultra's or trying on a Nordica Speed Machine.

A 100mm Lange RX, the Hawx Ultra, and the Speed Machine are drastically different fits. At least compare an RX LV (or Shadow LV) and a Pro Machine with the Ultra. Yes, the PU Atomic Ultras are easier to put on, but they're still tough for people with tall insteps. On the flip side, you only put your boots on once a day and no other boot offers such a precise fit around the ankle (IMO the most important area of the foot to fit properly). Move the buckle ladders over and heat mold the shells and the fit for skinny ankles is $$$.

[iriponsnow]

Really Really Really excited to ski the Hawx Ultra, but GD! Those rivets did not want to get drilled out to get a booster on.

[gregL]

Those rivets did not want to get drilled out to get a booster on.

Don't drill, it'll heat up and spin and make the hole bigger. Try intermittant grinding with a Dremel or Foredom.

[iriponsnow]

Don't drill, it'll heat up and spin and make the hole bigger. Try intermittant grinding with a Dremel or Foredom.

Ended up using the Foerdom

[turnfarmer]

After years of drilling rivets, using a
Foredom with a carbide burr to remove rivets is a pure joy!

[Qilimanjaro]

Just my experiential 2 cents

I have very lv heel and ankle. Best fit is Ultra, im on my 3rd pair on those.

What is killing me is a tallish instep (not huge, I believe, but tallish). I can't for the life of me put any lv Tecnica on. Ultra is manageable (in PU, not Grilamid), but I can put the on once a day and remove once a day. It's harder on day 2 because of bruised insteps from pulling them off.

Im now considering making my Lange LVs and deal with larger heel pocket and no boa.

[alpinevibes]

Just my experiential 2 cents

I have very lv heel and ankle. Best fit is Ultra, im on my 3rd pair on those.

What is killing me is a tallish instep (not huge, I believe, but tallish). I can't for the life of me put any lv Tecnica on. Ultra is manageable (in PU, not Grilamid), but I can put the on once a day and remove once a day. It's harder on day 2 because of bruised insteps from pulling them off.

Im now considering making my Lange LVs and deal with larger heel pocket and no boa.

Same here; on my 2nd pair of Ultras. I have a 10y/o pair of RX130 LV that I use every so often that feel pretty agreeable for my higher instep coming out. Never worked for me to get into a Tecnica...

[tupp_]

The new Shift BOA is slightly roomier in cuff circumference and slightly taller right at the bend in front of the ankle (not so much instep itself) compared with the Ultra XTD. It's still a great call for people with a skinny ankle/heel retention issues looking for a hybrid; also those who complain about difficulty in putting on the Ultra XTD or those whose heel spurs don't get along with the Ultra heel pocket. Not so sure about the purple, but it isn't costing the boot any sales; our first batch of men's is already gone.

Can you explain more about how these might fit someone whose heel spurs didn't get along with the ultra's? This could be me. Overall, is the Salomon deeper in the heel pocket but equally low volume in the lower shank area?

[gregL]

Can you explain more about how these might fit someone whose heel spurs didn't get along with the ultra's? This could be me. Overall, is the Salomon deeper in the heel pocket but equally low volume in the lower shank area?

The inward curve of the Shift Alpha above the calcaneus is a little higher up, plus there's no heel latch attachment there so it can be punched. If by "lower shank" you mean the maleolus-navicular area, they feel similar.

[GoldenBC]

Just my experiential 2 cents

I have very lv heel and ankle. Best fit is Ultra, im on my 3rd pair on those.

What is killing me is a tallish instep (not huge, I believe, but tallish). I can't for the life of me put any lv Tecnica on. Ultra is manageable (in PU, not Grilamid), but I can put the on once a day and remove once a day. It's harder on day 2 because of bruised insteps from pulling them off.

Im now considering making my Lange LVs and deal with larger heel pocket and no boa.

Lace up your liner and step into the shell with your liner on World Cup style. This will save your instep from getting beat up. Use a boot horn to make life easier.

[SnowMachine]

A 100mm Lange RX, the Hawx Ultra, and the Speed Machine are drastically different fits. At least compare an RX LV (or Shadow LV) and a Pro Machine with the Ultra. Yes, the PU Atomic Ultras are easier to put on, but they're still tough for people with tall insteps. On the flip side, you only put your boots on once a day and no other boot offers such a precise fit around the ankle (IMO the most important area of the foot to fit properly). Move the buckle ladders over and heat mold the shells and the fit for skinny ankles is $$$.

My RX is the LV. Sorry.... I definitely meant the LV versions. As far as I know, my XTD's are PU. '23-4 version.

I have race orthotics in them (sticky top material) which doesn't help. I open them way up and kinda wiggle my toes down into them. Lots of pulling on the tongue and opening the instep. Once in, I'm very locked down and still comfortable. The shells took very little work with just one return trip to the shop.

I was spoiled by my RX with Zips. Sliding the Zip on, then into the boot is so easy. Unfortunately or fortunately, I like the Mimic Platinum better. It's a bit taller, has changeable tongues and just works for my lower leg and foot.

I did try the Mimic Platinum with my RX's and it felt great in the shop. I'm tempted to try it on the hill

FWIW, I put boosters on the Ultra XTD's after breaking one of the cam buckles. My boots had allen bolts, not rivets. It was a easy swap.

[Physicist]

In the 24/25 range, the TI and STI liners will not have Mimic in them. The ankle space in the shell is simply too narrow in these boots and people complain about it.

Just got a pair of 2023/24 TI 130's (24.5), and that's exactly what I'm finding. The low-volume V3 HV tongue is superb (the best stock tongue I've tried—kudos to the designer), and a great match for that boot. But the liners are, for me, too bulky around the ankle. I get the best fit by combining the V3 tongue with my old Rossi ZB liners.

Did they end up doing the switch to a non-Mimic WC liner and, if so, is it as thin as a ZB liner, and available for purchase?

Separately, I need more room above the instep. Any boot-specific tips&tricks I can pass on to my bootfitter if he decides to try either thinning the tongue or upstretching the instep?

[turnfarmer]

Just got a pair of 2023/24 TI 130's (24.5), and that's exactly what I'm finding. The low-volume V3 HV tongue is superb (the best stock tongue I've tried—kudos to the designer), and a great match for that boot. But the liners are, for me, too bulky around the ankle. I get the best fit by combining the V3 tongue with my old Rossi ZB liners.

Did they end up doing the switch to a non-Mimic WC liner and, if so, is it as thin as a ZB liner, and available for purchase?

Separately, I need more room above the instep. Any boot-specific tips&tricks I can pass on to my bootfitter if he decides to try either thinning the tongue or upstretching the instep?

It’s surprising how much room can be gained with tongue surgery, if he is capable of putting it back together.
A winbag and lacrosse ball work great for instep punches. Putting a large popsicle stick on the edge of the overlap will prevent the edge of the overlap from being deformed.

[Physicist]

It’s surprising how much room can be gained with tongue surgery, if he is capable of putting it back together.
A winbag and lacrosse ball work great for instep punches. Putting a large popsicle stick on the edge of the overlap will prevent the edge of the overlap from being deformed.

Thanks, I'll mention the popsicle tip to my fittter. I assume the stick goes between the ball and shell?

And just out of curiosity, can punches be done to raise the break, or is that tricky (as opposed to in front of the break)?

You may already know about these, but Jim Schaffner has a good couple of videos about thinning the tongue and liner to make room for the instep:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_BEjxTSGzI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0l2eylUfSck
And for upstretching the instep, Southern Ski has an Instep Jack (don't know how much better it works than the lacrosse ball):
https://www.southernski.com/toe-jam-...step-jack.html

But the reason I posted here is I was wondering if the Atomic boot techs have anything they've found works especially well, or should be avoided, for that specific tongue and shell. For instance, that tongue is already pretty thin, and its stiff plastic is probably effective at spreading pressure. So if you remove the plastic, do you change a pressure area (bad) into a pressure point (worse)? Fortunately, if you mess up a tongue, it's easily replaced.

[resolute goggles]

I freaking love the Ultra XTD, but mentioning that they're difficult to put on is worthwhile. I definitely fight with mine when I can't put them in a heated bag.

I assume the standard Hawx Ultra would be the same?

I have the Ultra 130s and a hight instep and they are difficult to get on.

However, I find it much easier when I spread open both the upper shell (cuff buckles zone) AND the lower shell (mid-foot buckle zone) at the same time before stepping in. Even just spreading the lower shell amount a little bit allows me to get into the boots without fighting the boot. Bit of technique to do it simultaneously but no expertise needed.

This is with the liners in the boots and at room temperature. Good luck.

[plugboots]

^^^So Mrs and I now have Atomic overlap whatevers with zipfits. It’s an ongoing joke with us in the parking lot, all the crap we have to do to get those damn things on our feet.

[SnowMachine]

I have the Ultra 130s and a hight instep and they are difficult to get on.

However, I find it much easier when I spread open both the upper shell (cuff buckles zone) AND the lower shell (mid-foot buckle zone) at the same time before stepping in. Even just spreading the lower shell amount a little bit allows me to get into the boots without fighting the boot. Bit of technique to do it simultaneously but no expertise needed.

This is with the liners in the boots and at room temperature. Good luck.

I'm going to go try the Hawx Ultra's on. I'm OK fighting them on/off if they fit and ski like the XTD (I'd imagine they'll be stiffer and more damp). I really hope the buckle boot let's me close tighter over my toes. I'd prefer not to have to run the additional spacer (pad?) on my liner.

[plugboots]

It ain’t as bad as my plugboots, (were), of course.

[GoldenBC]

What’s the difference between the Hawx ultra 130 RS and s? I thought it was the softer lower on the S but the website says it’s the cuff that is softer.

Bummed that the RS is sold out before even having a chance to order them.