Nordica Promachine 130 ($849)
Best for听All-Mountain Racing
The Promachine鈥檚 anatomically shaped liner and shell, which seamlessly blends plastics of varying thickness, improve feel without compromising capability. This helps translate the subtlest movements from your feet to the ski, making it our favorite for tight trees.
K2 Recon 120 ($650)
Best for听Gram Counters
Just 3.6 pounds but hardly wimpy, the Recon is one of the lightest inbounds boots on the market. It drops weight by thinning the shell where strength isn鈥檛 crucial, like the sides and toe, but still comes through on steep, committing runs.
Lange RX Superleggera ($950)
Best for听Freeskiing
The 120-flex Superleggera merges Lange鈥檚 race pedigree with an ultralight liner and sturdy Grilamid shell. The result is power made playful: Testers could punctuate their powder turns with jumps and stomp landings without suffering shin bang.
Tecnica Mach1 MV 95 W Heat ($840)
Best for听Women
Science confirms it: most women have colder extremities than men. That鈥檚 why Tecnica put a battery-powered heater in this 95-flex women鈥檚 boot. Advanced skiers gave it high marks, praising its drive and precision in deep snow and on groomers.
Head Nexo Lyt 130 ($800)
Best for听The Fit Obsessed
Foam liners compress with time, resulting in sloppy fit after a few seasons. To combat this, Head built in thin bladders around the Nexo Lyt鈥檚 heel and ankle, which bootfitters can inject with a specially formulated, waxlike liquid that holds the foot firmly in place while boosting comfort.
Atomic Hawx Prime 130 ($850)
Best for听Big Feet
Rippers with double-wide dogs finally get their Shangri-La in the Hawx Prime. The boot鈥檚 100-millimeter last and high-volume interior provide ample real estate for high arches and wide toes.