Atomic enters the tech boot market with the Waymaker, available 2013-14. Image is the Carbon Waymaker 110 with Intuition liners. 'Live Fit' zone is visible on side of lower shell, said to expand a bit if your foot needs a wider last. That sounds iffy for a ski touring fit but we're willing to give it a try. 1779 grams $699.
In the works for a number of years, Atomic enters the freeride beef touring boot market and Salomon re-enters the tech boot market.
Unless you’ve been in a snow cave 24/7 for the past few years, you know that Salomon had problems with their first foray into the tech fitting jungle. We’re figuring this new effort will probably be beefy and functional due to lessons learned. In all, by providing a tech fitting option with their excellent boots, they’re going to be worth considering if you’re shopping. Stay tuned as we’ll be sure to evaluate all tech fittings as they come here in the flesh.
According to the latest by Atomic at ISPO, “In the booming freeride/touring boots category, the revolutionary Waymaker Tour 110 ski boot has been recognized. The judges’ favorite is an ultra-direct performance boot on the downhill and a flexible lightweight boot on the ascent, setting new standards in backcountry touring. Not only is it a winner with the ISPO judges, it’s also a favorite with freeride pro Daron Rahlves.” All Atomic boots feature a 101mm last as well as their “Live Fit” scafo (hip espresso-fueled Italian word for the lower boot shell) which can add significant width to the toe box due to an area that expands a bit if your foot needs more room.
Top left clockwise - Purple Waymaker Carbon 100, 1937 grams $599 - White Waymaker Tour 100, 2087 grams $549 - Green and Black Waymaker Carbon 110, $649 - Yellow Waymaker 90, 2087 grams $499
Each boot in the line (there are 7 that have tech swappable soles!) features 4 degree ramp angle and 35 degree range of cuff motion fore and aft. We’re not clear on exactly how the cuff articulation will compare to the modern crop of fully articulating ski touring shoes, but we’re confident that for beef boots these offerings all have a decent walk mode.
Atomic opted to forge their own tech fittings for 2013/14. Jury is out on how they perform, we'll evaluate ASAP
All boots feature three buckles with an extendable walk/tour extension on the upper buckles. The lower oversized buckle is almost 2 inches wide!
Driven by Atomic athletes Sage, Chris Benchetler, and Daron Rahlves, the Waymaker Carbon PU 130 is the beefiest in the lineup - 2142 grams $699
Salomon also gets back into the tech boot market with the Quest BC 120.
2013/14 Salomon Quest 120, 3 buckle tech boot.
Construction features:
-Pebax
-98mm last
-30 degrees 15 forward 15 back
-1800 grams at 26.5 size
-Features a magnesium backbone.
Like Atomic, Salomon chose to forge their own tech fittings. Note: I was assured these were 10X stronger than their last model a few years back.
The Quest 120 features a magnesium walk mode similar to other freeride tech boot offerings.
The Quest 120 has a swappable Vibram-inspired sole that can be used with Salomon's proprietary WTR binding system.
An Intuition inspired thermomodable liner comes standard with the Quest 120.
Joseph Risi was raised on pasta and meatballs in the “backwoods” of Long Island before seeking higher education in the mountains of Vermont. Always looking for adventure, building treehouses, working too many odd jobs around the world he now lives in the Aspen area of Colorado.
