Winter Season approaches - will you be ready? - News - SKI AND SPORT - Great range of Ski Wear and ski accessories, Ski Jackets, Ski Helmets, Ski Boots and Bindings

Posted on Monday, 08 August 2011 09:44AM by

Boots are getting clever. They flex when you need it and walk when you do. And they're still made of hard materials which connect you to the snow as closely as they ever did. In alphabetical order, let's kick off with...

...Atomic

Atomic have something new. Again. Three years ago they launched the Hawx, with a flexible area in the front of the boot. The trade started slightly sceptical and now we love it. So for next season here's something we flappy-footed UK skiers will like: flexible panels set into the widest part of the boot to allow for wide feet to be fitted without loads of work. Live Fit gives a 103-108mm fully flexible fit. The range starts with 60 flex at £175 - key boot is expected to be the 90 at £250. We tried a pair on, the stiffest 120 flex model, and watching the panel flex was both pleasing and slightly weird.

There's a new last called the Enduro - it's a 98mm width, making for a performance fit, but has a tad more height above the instep than you might imagine. This last is found across three categories. Fall-Line liked the look of the Tracker 130 Intuition, complete with walk mode, fancy karabiner buckles and a rubber lugged sole for freeriders looking to hike for the odd line. At £450 it's in line with the Scarpa Typhoon and Garmont Adrenaline. Drop the Intuition liner and it's £375. The Renu eco-prodced 110 is also in the range.