The Atomic Ski Boot Thread

[gregL]

@gregL, Matt mentioned that Euros won't buy 140 boots so I think the solution is make the 130 stiffer but still call it the 130. There is lots of margin to increase it's stiffness without making it too stiff for the average customer.

Funny, Matt also told us Euros won't buy 120 flex boots even though they'd be better off in them because they're worried their friends will call them wussies . . .

[mc_roon]

Need new liners for my Atomic Hawx Ultra 130 S purchased new in January of 2022. Any idea when they will be back in stock on the Atomic website (or alternate source)? I like the way the stock liner skis so not looking to go the Intuition or other after market route if I can find the OEM liner.

What size? I have some brand new 27.5 mimics that came with my 130 XTD that were immediately swapped with GFT

[JaytaeMoney]

What size? I have some brand new 27.5 mimics that came with my 130 XTD that were immediately swapped with GFT

Close but no cigar, I'm a 26.5 and a very tight fit. Thanks for the offer tho.

[onenerdykid]

Funny, Matt also told us Euros won't buy 120 flex boots even though they'd be better off in them because they're worried their friends will call them wussies . . .

Also true, hence why we have two 130s in our range...

[GoldenBC]

Also true, hence why we have two 130s in our range...

Haha. Well played. Do any of these people actually care about the real flex of the boot or are they all hung up on what it says on the box? If the latter is the case, wouldn’t it be easy to make the boot significantly stiffer and just call it a 130?

I thought euros were all in super stiff and low volume groomer zoomer boots because they all wear them a size big anyways.

[Afg]

@gregL, Matt mentioned that Euros won't buy 140 boots so I think the solution is make the 130 stiffer but still call it the 130. There is lots of margin to increase it's stiffness without making it too stiff for the average customer.

@MtSlackcountry , the 130 RS is not thick plastic. It is very thin and grinding the heel to any substantial degree is not feasible. I'd guess 2mm in the thin spots that butt up to the 7mm ish ribs.

@herrgard, the heel is exactly the same shape and thickness in the 130 RS and the 130 XTD. The RS just doesn't have the awkwardly placed walk mode that makes it nearly impossible to punch. Also the RS is stiffer so you get less of a death pinch from overflexing. However, for some people, just the shape alone is terrible for heel spurs. It is very low, agressive, and has a funny rib that runs along the top of the heel cup.

Uh oh… Need some input on the Atomic Ultras. My son has skinny ankles and lower calf. Medium instep and medium to wide forefoot. Also has haglunds deformity. Developed some significant Medial Malleolus issues with his old Full Tilts. Currently skiing in newest version of Cochise 120 with custom footbeds and booster strap. Overall, they are kind of working for him, but looking for a more robust inbounds boot with good heel hold. 19yo and freeride comp level skier, 165lbs 5’9” on 190 Wildcats 108s.

Currently have a pairs of Hawx ultra 130 RS, Hawx U 130 XTD (plus gnar bar), Mach1 LV 130, Nordica Promachine 130, and Head formula 130, Lange shadow 130 heading to our house via Black Friday deals. Plan was to pick 3 boots that seem like good shell fits and go to local bootfitter (hard to find 130 flex at local shops hence the mass online order)—if they have a better fitting boot , we’d go that route.

I was thinking the Hawk ultra 130 RS would be the ticket for inbounds only given his issues. The 130 XTd with gnar bar seemed perfect to go along with his CAST set up if he wanted more versatility. But this heel pinch issue and his Haglunds deformity seem like a mismatch. Plus sounds like the plastic may not be as smooth flexing as the Tecnica or Lange. Thoughts?

[GoldenBC]

I hate to be hogging the atomic boot thread space with this advice, but in general I would say, if he has heel spur issues, don't go with the Ultra RS. It might be perfect for him, but that's a red flag for sure. If he puts them on and crushes the boot, loosen the buckle to make it softer and see if he can feel it. Get him to lift his heel in the boot to see if he feels that bite too. It doesn't have to hurt right away but if it feels sharp, stay away.

The Cochise is not a super low volume boot so he will probably have some good luck with a few boots out there. Don't compete in Freeide comps with a boot with a walk mode (even with gnar bar). He needs that rearward support for big landings on shitty snow. I would dock him points for hanging out back there too long if I were still judging Get him two boot set ups, so keep the Cochise for touring and get a solid boot for comps.

Not sure why you wouldn't bring all the boots to your bootfitter. You might as well have the options.

[Afg]

I hate to be hogging the atomic boot thread space with this advice, but in general I would say, if he has heel spur issues, don't go with the Ultra RS. It might be perfect for him, but that's a red flag for sure. If he puts them on and crushes the boot, loosen the buckle to make it softer and see if he can feel it. Get him to lift his heel in the boot to see if he feels that bite too. It doesn't have to hurt right away but if it feels sharp, stay away.

The Cochise is not a super low volume boot so he will probably have some good luck with a few boots out there. Don't compete in Freeide comps with a boot with a walk mode (even with gnar bar). He needs that rearward support for big landings on shitty snow. I would dock him points for hanging out back there too long if I were still judging Get him two boot set ups, so keep the Cochise for touring and get a solid boot for comps.

Not sure why you wouldn't bring all the boots to your bootfitter. You might as well have the options.

Good points all around. Thanks for the advice.

[FullStop]

Close but no cigar, I'm a 26.5 and a very tight fit. Thanks for the offer tho.

Uh oh… Need some input on the Atomic Ultras. My son has skinny ankles and lower calf. Medium instep and medium to wide forefoot. Also has haglunds deformity. Developed some significant Medial Malleolus issues with his old Full Tilts. Currently skiing in newest version of Cochise 120 with custom footbeds and booster strap. Overall, they are kind of working for him, but looking for a more robust inbounds boot with good heel hold. 19yo and freeride comp level skier, 165lbs 5’9” on 190 Wildcats 108s.

Currently have a pairs of Hawx ultra 130 RS, Hawx U 130 XTD (plus gnar bar), Mach1 LV 130, Nordica Promachine 130, and Head formula 130, Lange shadow 130 heading to our house via Black Friday deals. Plan was to pick 3 boots that seem like good shell fits and go to local bootfitter (hard to find 130 flex at local shops hence the mass online order)—if they have a better fitting boot , we’d go that route.

I was thinking the Hawk ultra 130 RS would be the ticket for inbounds only given his issues. The 130 XTd with gnar bar seemed perfect to go along with his CAST set up if he wanted more versatility. But this heel pinch issue and his Haglunds deformity seem like a mismatch. Plus sounds like the plastic may not be as smooth flexing as the Tecnica or Lange. Thoughts?

I’m about the same size as your son, 32 year old former freeride competitor.
The ultra XTDs are quite soft, even with the gnar bar. Putting some zipfit garas’s in them has helped stiffen them, but I’d definitely be looking for something stiffer for huck to hardpack comps.

[SnowMachine]

I agree with both of these guys. The XTD isn't enough boot unless you want to replace them halfway through the season. I'm going back to my Lange RX with Gara's today. My XTD experiment is ending. Per what I said earlier, it's a rad do-it-all boot. The best for my foot shape currently available, but if you ski 100+ days and expect a lot from your boots, you'll thrash them.

I do think they'd be a great match for his CAST if he isn't going to daily them and they fit.

I'm going to try the Ultra RS and the Lange RS. The Lange RS flexed really nice when I put them on in the shop. Like a RX on steroids.

Your sons foot sounds a lot like mine, minus the heel issues and I would say that I have a high-ish instep.

Oh, and Fulltilt.... What's up with kids and Fulltilt?!? My freeride comp son is on his third set. He still loves those things, but he's smaller and lighter.

[gregL]

I'm about your son's size and have had success with the Hawx Ultra RS 130 (running a Redster CS Pro liner and HV Redster tongue and dual Pro strap and the flex is good for me). This is probably about the stiffest package you can put together with the Ultra last using stock parts at present. Punching the upper part of the calcaneus worked fine on the RS, not so much on the XTD due to the walk mode nobs.

As Golden says, stick with a riveted boot for comp skiing; I would also consider a Redster CS or Lange RS 130/140 with some stickier soles for booting to the start. The Shadow 130 LV feels soft to me, but they now have a Shadow 140 LV Pro that I tried on this week and would also consider.

[Afg]

I'm about your son's size and have had success with the Hawx Ultra RS 130 (running a Redster CS Pro liner and HV Redster tongue and dual Pro strap and the flex is good for me). This is probably about the stiffest package you can put together with the Ultra last using stock parts at present. Punching the upper part of the calcaneus worked fine on the RS, not so much on the XTD due to the walk mode nobs.

As Golden says, stick with a riveted boot for comp skiing; I would also consider a Redster CS or Lange RS 130/140 with some stickier soles for booting to the start. The Shadow 130 LV feels soft to me, but they now have a Shadow 140 LV Pro that I tried on this week and would also consider.

Thanks for the feedback. It sounds like the best move is to keep his Cochise for the occasional touring day and focus on an inbounds boot.

[SnowMachine]

Thanks for the feedback. It sounds like the best move is to keep his Cochise for the occasional touring day and focus on an inbounds boot.

Yup....

[SnowMachine]

I tried going back to my RX's yesterday's and I'm just too used to the Hawx. The Lange felt very upright and the forefoot is sloppy. I dropped by my boot shop to BS with the guys and ended up coming home with the RS. I'm going to ski them today, but I think it'll be the ticket for me.

Edit for an update: The RS is a badass boot. Way more substantial forward and backward than the XTD. Exactly the same fit. I'm running the shell completely stock. I dropped my XTD liners in for now and they feel really good. So far I like the boot a lot and I think it'll take my daily abuse. There's more than double the plastic at the cuff pivot vs the XTD.

As for the XTD, not that anyone cares what I think... I LOVE that boot, but it needs a more substantial cuff pivot. Just double the plastic there. The Skywalk sole is great for walking. Give it a replaceable heel piece. Those two fixes would make that boot perfect. I'm fine with the BOA and had zero complaints there. I guess I'd also love a 3-4mm foam pad on the liner that is velcro removable over the toes. The RS has the same toe box. Perfect width, but I'm running a 2mm spacer under my orthotic (I could fix this by getting away from a thin race boot orthotic) and a 3mm foam spacer over the toes to remove some volume. Maybe I'm picky, but I hate when my toes can move up/down.

I'm definitely an Atomic boot convert.

[K1mJ0ngTr1ll]

We're waiting!!! The Ultra's fit my feet so well. Almost no boot work required. The Platinum liners are amazing, also. I think the RS could work well for me just not sure I'm ready to buy another inbounds boot right now. I don't really mind being on the softer side of 130 if the boot has good suspension. The XTD is definitely on the soft side compared to fixed cuff 130's.

I just tried the ultra XTD on in the shop and am in the same boat. The fit for me is money out of the box. I’m wanting to start touring Alta’s side country with a 50/50 set up and these seem like the ticket. Currently in a Lange RS and the instep is just too high and am looking for a bit more forward lean out of the box.

Anxiously awaiting this new LV alpine boot from Matt and team as I really like the new prime plastics but in the meantime thinking the XTD with the Gnar Bar may fit the bill.

My second thought is a redster CS and taking them up to Brent at PC ski boot. Only hold back I’m thinking is maybe it’s not as forgiving as I would like. Kind of in a know thy self situation.

[alpinevibes]

Just got a new pair of 2025 Backland Carbon's from Atomic warranty dept. Big props to those guys!

Anyone skiing the Backland Carbon much on a 105+ waist ski? I had the non carbon Backland from 2022 but only skied it on a skinny ski. Curious what the feedback is on pushing the Carbon with a bit more ski

[oetk2]

I just tried the ultra XTD on in the shop and am in the same boat. The fit for me is money out of the box. I’m wanting to start touring Alta’s side country with a 50/50 set up and these seem like the ticket. Currently in a Lange RS and the instep is just too high and am looking for a bit more forward lean out of the box.

Anxiously awaiting this new LV alpine boot from Matt and team as I really like the new prime plastics but in the meantime thinking the XTD with the Gnar Bar may fit the bill.

My second thought is a redster CS and taking them up to Brent at PC ski boot. Only hold back I’m thinking is maybe it’s not as forgiving as I would like. Kind of in a know thy self situation.

What RS are you in now?

[K1mJ0ngTr1ll]

What RS are you in now?

2025 Lange RS 130

[oetk2]

If you're worried about stiffness of the CS, I didn't find it as stiff as I expected, some on here have said they want it stiffer. The weight, plastic thickness, and fit are the biggest differences, it's a cadillac ride. Probably worth trying one on compared to your RS if you can. New LV boot sounds very interesting!

[GoldenBC]

I just sold a cs 110 to a 4’10” girl who is super light. No race back ground. She was concerned about blowing her ankle up they were so soft.

I haven’t had my hands on any other CS boots but I was blown away at how light and thin they were. Not what I expected.

Is the 130 significantly beefier? I thought I read Onenerdykid skis the 130 lower and 110 cuff.

[K1mJ0ngTr1ll]

If you're worried about stiffness of the CS, I didn't find it as stiff as I expected, some on here have said they want it stiffer. The weight, plastic thickness, and fit are the biggest differences, it's a cadillac ride. Probably worth trying one on compared to your RS if you can. New LV boot sounds very interesting!

That’s great to know!

[oetk2]

CS felt lower volume than the RS140 when I tried them on YMMV

[oetk2]

I just sold a cs 110 to a 4’10” girl who is super light. No race back ground. She was concerned about blowing her ankle up they were so soft.

I haven’t had my hands on any other CS boots but I was blown away at how light and thin they were. Not what I expected.

Is the 130 significantly beefier? I thought I read Onenerdykid skis the 130 lower and 110 cuff.

My 25s with the pro liner are 2350g. I'm 5'10" 175, no race background, they feel perfect for me. I could see how bigger and/or stronger skiers would want to go even stiffer. I think you can add another bolt through the spine, but don't quote me on that. All that said, I've never skied faster more comfortably than in these boots. Hiking...well that's another story

[SnowMachine]

2025 Lange RS 130

If you like the XTD, try the Hawx Ultra RS. I promise you'll like it. It's not quite as damp as the Lange RS, but the fit is spot on with the Ultra XTD. Suspension is a but different between the two boots. I really like that part of the Lange. Something about that thicker plastic. I feel like the Hawx RS is less affected by temp changes. For me, right now, I just like the geometry of the Atomic boot better. Yes, these are very small, picky, personal preferences. The comparison is very apples to apples. Both are absolutely as much boot as I need. I would only go back to a Z or Redster for an even more precise fit, but I don't have the will/time to put into getting that fit dialed right now.

Mine came with one bolt. I'll probably add another when it's warm out. I like the flex right now, but I'm also coming from the softer XTD. Day one it felt much more substantial. By 7 or 8 I don't notice it anymore. Not sure if the CS comes with one bolt or two.

Sylvan, what do you want to know about the Ultra XTD. I have about 75 days in that boot between mid winter and spring last year. A handful of 3-4k touring days.

[K1mJ0ngTr1ll]

If you like the XTD, try the Hawx Ultra RS. I promise you'll like it. It's not quite as damp as the Lange RS, but the fit is spot on with the Ultra XTD. Suspension is a but different between the two boots. I really like that part of the Lange. Something about that thicker plastic. I feel like the Hawx RS is less affected by temp changes. For me, right now, I just like the geometry of the Atomic boot better. Yes, these are very small, picky, personal preferences. The comparison is very apples to apples. Both are absolutely as much boot as I need. I would only go back to a Z or Redster for an even more precise fit, but I don't have the will/time to put into getting that fit dialed right now.

The plastic is exactly why I wanted to try the Lange RS unfortunately it was too easy for me to fit into. You can definitely feel the difference between them, especially in the damping arena. I had the ultra a gen before the current and since I’m a bigger guy would feel like I was blowing through the flex. Causing the throat to bellow and pinching my instep. Hoping the updated plastics have addressed that issue.