About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the boots, which I purchased with my own money in November of 2021.

My take

The Tecnica Cochise 120 is an unbelievable boot for an advanced to expert skier who splits time between the resort and backcountry. This boot skis like an alpine boot on the downhill but allows for maximum comfort on the uphill.

About the gear

• Model: 2022 Tecnica Cochise 120
• Size: 25.5

About me

• Height: 5’10”
• Weight: 160 lbs
• Street shoe size: 9.5
• Experience: 20 years skiing

Test conditions

• When I bought these: November 2021
• Days tested: 30 days
• Skis: Atomic Bent Chetler 100
• Bindings: Tyrolia attack 13
• Where I’ve used it: I have used these boots on resort and in the backcountry all over the Northeast.
• Terrain: Resort, backcountry, sidecountry

How they perform

What I was looking for

I was originally in the market for a new set of boots for all-mountain skiing. However, as I began my search, I decided it would be nice to have one boot that could accommodate multiple terrains (resort, uphill, climbing). These boots check all the boxes and truly work as a do-it-all type boot.

Why I chose this gear

I chose this product due to Tecnica’s great reputation in the ski boot world. I knew it would be a quality product and hold up to any terrain/conditions on the mountain.

I did shop some other options, including the Full Tilt Ascendant, Dalbello Lupo, and K2 Mindbender, but I stuck with this boot due to overall comfort and technology.

What I love about them

• Accuracy of Claimed Stiffness: This boot is fairly accurate for a 120 flex boot. Even though it has a walk mode, it still stiffens up well and skis true to a 120 flex.
• Accuracy of Claimed Fit: The fit was surprisingly proper right out of the box. Although this might not be true for everyone, I only had to make very minor modifications for a perfect fit.
• Comfort: These boots are extremely comfortable for an aggressive alpine touring boot. The inner padding is built for performance but has just the right amount of padding and support to be comfortable all day long.
• Flex: The 120 flex is perfect for my weight and ability. Although the 130 would probably work, I appreciated having a bit of extra flex in the boot.
• Weight: The boots would be light for a standard alpine skiing boot. Compared to a touring boot, they would be on the heavy side. With the ability to do both, I found these the perfect in-between for both applications.
• Ease of use: The walk mode is straightforward, using a single lever to allow the extra flex to the boot. The lever contains a lock that keeps it in place during ski mode. I have no complaints with the walk mode.
• Resort: On resort, this boot skied as an alpine downhill boot should. The flex felt right, and I truly felt I could drive my weight into this boot without losing confidence.
• Backcountry: These boots were amazing to take out into the backcountry. It feels like skiing a standard alpine boot while still being comfortable to tour and climb distances.
• Adjustability: The boots have a standard four-buckle and power strap setup that allows for good adjustability and fit various sized feet/legs.
• Walk mode: The walk mode is one of the top reasons I chose these boots. It is fully mechanical, so I can physically see when it's latched versus not latched. I have never had any issues with this function.
• Grip: The boot is outfitted with GripWalk soles, allowing easier walking and grip when climbing. I never had any issues with the grip.
• Durability: After a long season of abuse, the boots still look fresh and feel to have plenty of life. I will be skiing these for a second season.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Park: The park is not the ideal location for the boot as it was not designed for that purpose. The Cochise has a walk mode lever that can get caught up on park features and might also be damaged during some tricks. Also, the buckles, shell, and liner are not meant to be hit and banged into other objects like park boots.

Favorite moment with this gear

My favorite moment with the Tecnica Cochise was the first day I wore them. Generally, breaking in new boots can be uncomfortable and sometimes painful. I can honestly say these boots never gave me an issue throughout the break-in process. In fact, the boots continued to get comfier throughout the day and made for an incredible transition. I was previously skiing in a bigger boot and could not be happier to be in a properly fitting and technically sound boot.

Value for the money vs. other options

Compared to some other boots on the market, I think these fall right in line. Other boots, such as the Dalbello Lupo and K2 Mindbender, have a very similar price point, but I do not believe they are as advanced as this boot. Tecnica has been a leader in the ski boot industry for decades, and I truly think its technology is steps ahead of the competition.

Final verdict

The Tecnica Cochise 120 is the perfect boot for an advanced to expert skier who plans to split their days between the resort and backcountry/sidecountry. It is fully equipped with alpine touring pins but works with any downhill binding to create the perfect one-boot quiver.