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

My take

In my opinion, the Atomic Hawx Prime 130 S Gw Ski Boots are one of the best alpine boots on the market for skiers with average-width feet who want a lighter boot that can be skied aggressively all over the resort.

About the the boots I own

• Model: 2021 Atomic Hawx Prime 130 S Gw Ski Boots
• Size: 26.5

About me

• Height: 6’ 3”
• Weight: 180lbs
• Street shoe size: 10
• Experience: 16 years of skiing

Test conditions

• When I bought these: March 2021
• Days tested: 70
• Skis: Season Nexus, Faction Prodigy 4.0, Atomic Bentchetler 100
• Bindings: Atomic Sth 16 MNC, Tyrolia Attack 16
• Where I’ve used it: Snowbasin, Powder Mountain, Brighton, Snowbird, Timberline, Woodward, Park City
• Terrain: Powder, moguls, groomers, park

How they perform

What I was looking for

After using a 50/50 alpine touring boot for everything, I decided that I wanted to invest in a downhill-only boot to provide a more progressive flex and increased durability for resort-only skiing. I was specifically looking for a boot with a stiff flex for all-mountain use, but that was approachable enough to also be used in the park.

Why I chose this gear

I decided to buy the 2021 Atomic Hawx Prime 130 S Gw Ski Boots because I had a good experience with the fit of other boots in the Hawx line such as the 2021 Atomic Hawx Prime XTD 120. In addition, the platinum mimic liners and professional power strap that came in stock on these boots provided a better fit and power transmission compared to the stock features of boots from other brands.

What I love about it

• Accuracy of Claimed Stiffness: This boot is listed as a 130 flex and is the stiffest-claimed flex in the Hawx line. Flex ratings are not standardized and can be subjective, but I found the flex to be supportive of the kind of aggressive skiing this boot is marketed for.
• Accuracy of Claimed Fit: The Atomic Hawx Prime 130 S Gw Ski Boots have a medium 100mm last. As someone with an average-width foot, this boot fits perfectly.
• Comfort: The stock platinum mimic liner is one of the most comfortable liners I have ever used. Atomic uses high-quality, heat-moldable foam in the liner to customize the fit. In addition, the platinum liner has a more rigid plastic component around the ankle that can be heat molded to increase ankle retention for the specific skier. All of this added up to a comfortable fit that did not sacrifice performance.
• Flex: The boot's flex is stiff but progressive. This combination is perfect for the hard-charging skier who still wants a smooth ride.
• Ease of use: This is a two piece boot that is put on in the typical alpine boot fashion. It was neither easier or harder to get on/off than other alpine boots I have skied.
• Resort: These have been my all-time favorite alpine boots. They are suitable for any kind of terrain.
• Park: As someone who prefers a stiffer boot in the park, these work perfectly. Their lighter weight compared to other stiff alpine boots is a big advantage for playful skiing.
• Durability: I have put over 70 days on this boot and they are still holding up fantastically. They took about seven days to break in. I have not noticed any significant softening of the flex pattern during my time on them.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Weight: For an alpine-only boot, these are on the lighter side of the spectrum. For my personal tastes, a little more weight in the boot would have made the flex a little more progressive. I occasionally feel like the flex of the boot can be a little pingy on abrupt transitions over choppy snow.

Favorite moment with this gear

My home mountain is Snowbasin Ski Resort, Utah. For years, I had been working up the courage to hit a particular cliff. After spending the season putting the Atomic Hawx Prime 130 S Gw Ski Boots through the wringer, I knew I had boots on my feet that I could trust. This spring the conditions lined up, and I was able to stomp the biggest feature of my amateur ski career.

Value for the money vs. other options

The Atomic Hawx Prime 130 S Gw Ski Boots come in on the more expensive side of the spectrum. However, it has one of the best stock boot liners in the industry and a professional-style power strap that make this model stand out in a line of many fantastic alpine boots such as the K2 Recon 130 and Dalbello Panterra 130. They may be an investment, but in my experience, it is one worth making.

Final verdict

Aggressive skiers with average-sized feet that are looking for a versatile boot that they can take anywhere would be hard-pressed to find a better option than the Atomic Hawx Prime 130 S Gw.