I finally got my Salomon XMax 110 boots today. I couldn't be more pleased. I have been looking for boots in a 23.5, that are not too wide and are quite stiff. This is a combination that many of the local shops seem to ignore. They will stock some stiffer boots for women, but one shop said that they only stock the bigger sizes. (Whaaaaa? Short women like stiffer boots, too) Anyway…
I went to Northern Ski Works at Killington and worked with Hal. What a great guy and competent boot fitter. I recommend him.
I had wanted to try on the Salomon X Max 110s but they sold out early last year. 98 last and Salomon 110 stiff. Now was my chance.
In addition to the XMax 110, I tried the Salomon XPro 90, but it was too wide. I have a C width foot, and I have no idea how the B width people can get a good fit in such a wide boot. High volume, to be sure, but the flex was nice.
I also tried the Lange RS 110. What can I say about the Smurf boot that has been around forever? It needed a bit more tweaking for a good fit and the Salomons seemed much better.
I also tried the new Technica Crush. On paper, it looks very promising. Unfortunately, it was too tall for my short legs (big calves), but I predict that this will be a very good option for many women. Try this if you can.
Finally, I tried the K2 Spyre 110. With an Intuition liner and an amazing wraparound shell, this will be a top contender in the next few years as well. It was a little too tight on my instep and caused some forefoot numbness, but I really liked the way it hugged my calf. My foot just fit in the heel pocket, too. A ski patroller had skied the men's version in the Spring and raved about this one. If you can find this boot, try it.
In the end, the Salomon XMax110 was the best for me. Out of the box, they were almost perfect. The toe box is a little short (height, not width), but the overall fit was good. There is a thick layer under the factory footbed. It was easy for Hal to shave off a couple of millimeters for a great fit, even with my custom insoles.
Heating for a custom shell…I felt like I was pronating too much. I asked Hal to cant them a little or to adjust the cuff a bit. He said it can't be done on this boot, but he could put it in the shells in the oven, heat them, and they will fit me perfectly.
Ten minutes later, the shells came out of the oven. They were floppy soft and so hot that Hal handled them with gloves on his hands. He put the liners in the hot shells, helped me put them on, and buckled them. The boots were not so hot as to distort my custom insoles, though. He placed a 3'x3' board under my feet so I had a flat platform to stand on. I stood up with my feet a little less than shoulder width apart (my preferred ski position) for about 10 minutes. The boots molded to my legs and feet. At the end of about 10 minutes or so, the boots were hard enough to hold their shape. No grinding, no punching, no canting - my boots just fit. To let you know, there is some customization to the back of the shell for women with thinner legs, but I don't need it.
There is a heating process to customize the liners as well, but I didn't need that either. It can be heated later, but why mess with something that is working.
When I took my skis down to get the bindings adjusted to the new boot sole length, the tech noted that how perfectly the boots match my 2012 Kenjas and asked me if I bought the boots to match my skis. Sigh. Farthest thing from my mind.
Now, all I need is some snow.
I went to Northern Ski Works at Killington and worked with Hal. What a great guy and competent boot fitter. I recommend him.
I had wanted to try on the Salomon X Max 110s but they sold out early last year. 98 last and Salomon 110 stiff. Now was my chance.
In addition to the XMax 110, I tried the Salomon XPro 90, but it was too wide. I have a C width foot, and I have no idea how the B width people can get a good fit in such a wide boot. High volume, to be sure, but the flex was nice.
I also tried the Lange RS 110. What can I say about the Smurf boot that has been around forever? It needed a bit more tweaking for a good fit and the Salomons seemed much better.
I also tried the new Technica Crush. On paper, it looks very promising. Unfortunately, it was too tall for my short legs (big calves), but I predict that this will be a very good option for many women. Try this if you can.
Finally, I tried the K2 Spyre 110. With an Intuition liner and an amazing wraparound shell, this will be a top contender in the next few years as well. It was a little too tight on my instep and caused some forefoot numbness, but I really liked the way it hugged my calf. My foot just fit in the heel pocket, too. A ski patroller had skied the men's version in the Spring and raved about this one. If you can find this boot, try it.
In the end, the Salomon XMax110 was the best for me. Out of the box, they were almost perfect. The toe box is a little short (height, not width), but the overall fit was good. There is a thick layer under the factory footbed. It was easy for Hal to shave off a couple of millimeters for a great fit, even with my custom insoles.
Heating for a custom shell…I felt like I was pronating too much. I asked Hal to cant them a little or to adjust the cuff a bit. He said it can't be done on this boot, but he could put it in the shells in the oven, heat them, and they will fit me perfectly.
Ten minutes later, the shells came out of the oven. They were floppy soft and so hot that Hal handled them with gloves on his hands. He put the liners in the hot shells, helped me put them on, and buckled them. The boots were not so hot as to distort my custom insoles, though. He placed a 3'x3' board under my feet so I had a flat platform to stand on. I stood up with my feet a little less than shoulder width apart (my preferred ski position) for about 10 minutes. The boots molded to my legs and feet. At the end of about 10 minutes or so, the boots were hard enough to hold their shape. No grinding, no punching, no canting - my boots just fit. To let you know, there is some customization to the back of the shell for women with thinner legs, but I don't need it.
There is a heating process to customize the liners as well, but I didn't need that either. It can be heated later, but why mess with something that is working.
When I took my skis down to get the bindings adjusted to the new boot sole length, the tech noted that how perfectly the boots match my 2012 Kenjas and asked me if I bought the boots to match my skis. Sigh. Farthest thing from my mind.
Now, all I need is some snow.
I ordinarily prefer softer, 80, never more than 90 at my size (and, cough, age). And the open cuff and buckles drills are frequently done in ski school clinics -- but most are pretty happy to buckle up when it's over. 
