A downhill ski boot needs to address two key areas — comfort and performance. The to-be-released Mach1 Collection from Tecnica does both with an inside-out design philosophy.
It uses a “microcell” liner material in place of the usual EVA foam found in most downhill boots. The material is firm but shaped to mirror the anatomy of the foot and ankle.
The result is a close fit, firm connection at the ankle, and a comfortably wide toe box.
I tested one of the Mach1 boots (130 stiffness, $785) for a day at Solitude Mountain Resort this week and was impressed.
Out of the box the boot fit my foot well. This is without any customization — they have a liner that is heat-moldable, grindable, and punchable.
The boot is different because of an asymmetrical toe box to match the curve of the foot as well as a liner pre-shaped for the navicular bone of the ankle.
Tecnica cites the boot shell is shaped to be closer to the arch of the foot. There is a groove for the Achilles tendon.
At Solitude the conditions were not great — hard-pack, ruts, and ice dominated. But right away I was wowed by the boot. It hugged my foot and powered my skis well.
The Mach1 series boots will be available in limited sizes (25.5, 26.5 and 27.5) for $785 in February. The full release is next winter and will include men’s and women’s models of varying stiffness levels.
—Sean McCoy
