Finally found some Hawx Ultra boots at a reasonable cost (they've been sold out on Proform for weeks) and had them fitted by Jeff Bergeron in Breck. These boots are a new design this season and have had excellent reviews (many available online). As I'm 160 lbs., I went with the 110 flex (100, 120 and 130 flexes and women's 90 also available) and I'm glad I did. It seems perfect for me. Unlike most Atomic boots, the Hawx Ultra starts with a relatively narrow 98mm forefoot. The shell is heat moldable and can be expanded. The ankle/heel pockets are very snug and the boot locks the foot in well, The cuff fits narrow- to medium-width calves well. The liner is also heat moldable and is the first stock liner I have not tossed out immediately in favor of a custom-fitted foam liner. It shapes around the foot and leg very well and the comfort/density/firmness seem spot on.
These boots have a number of unique features. First off, they are remarkably light (I'd estimate about 20% less weight than any other boot I've ever owned). This is due to a conscious effort to eliminate material in areas that are not critical to performance, and the shell material not being plastic. It is, rather, a type of nylon (!) called Grilamid. The forward lean of the cuff is adjustable to 13, 15, or 17 degrees and cuff alignment can be adjusted side to side. Replaceable heel and toe grip pads can be replaced with canted ones from .5 to 3 degrees (I shimmed mine 1 degree on the outside edge).
Coming out of a Salomon XMax 120, I noticed an immediate difference in performance. The Salomons have an excellent, heat-moldable fit, but lack the immediate energy transmission of the Atomics. Despite being light and nimble, these boots are a different level of performance. Think "Tip!" and it's, like, "Right now!"
Skied them the past two days in a wind chill of minus 15 (wearing a Boot Glove) and they were at least as warm as my Salomons, i.e., OK for all day on the hill. Some reviewers have found them less warm. Not my experience.
Jeff and I did a few modifications to the shell. I use a Booster Strap and like it wrapped directly over the tongue of the boot, so we trimmed off the top inch and a half of shell material of the front overlap that would prevent this direct connection. We also trimmed the shell material at the back of the boot at the top because the liner cuff is higher than most boots and I didn't like the feeling of pressure of the top of the cuff pushing against my calf. A taller skier might not mind this.
In summary, I love this boot. I've skied it five days now all over the mountain and taught several classes it it. So far, no downsides whatsoever and I love the way it skis. Highly recommended.
These boots have a number of unique features. First off, they are remarkably light (I'd estimate about 20% less weight than any other boot I've ever owned). This is due to a conscious effort to eliminate material in areas that are not critical to performance, and the shell material not being plastic. It is, rather, a type of nylon (!) called Grilamid. The forward lean of the cuff is adjustable to 13, 15, or 17 degrees and cuff alignment can be adjusted side to side. Replaceable heel and toe grip pads can be replaced with canted ones from .5 to 3 degrees (I shimmed mine 1 degree on the outside edge).
Coming out of a Salomon XMax 120, I noticed an immediate difference in performance. The Salomons have an excellent, heat-moldable fit, but lack the immediate energy transmission of the Atomics. Despite being light and nimble, these boots are a different level of performance. Think "Tip!" and it's, like, "Right now!"
Skied them the past two days in a wind chill of minus 15 (wearing a Boot Glove) and they were at least as warm as my Salomons, i.e., OK for all day on the hill. Some reviewers have found them less warm. Not my experience.
Jeff and I did a few modifications to the shell. I use a Booster Strap and like it wrapped directly over the tongue of the boot, so we trimmed off the top inch and a half of shell material of the front overlap that would prevent this direct connection. We also trimmed the shell material at the back of the boot at the top because the liner cuff is higher than most boots and I didn't like the feeling of pressure of the top of the cuff pushing against my calf. A taller skier might not mind this.
In summary, I love this boot. I've skied it five days now all over the mountain and taught several classes it it. So far, no downsides whatsoever and I love the way it skis. Highly recommended.