About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the ski boots, which I purchased with my own money in December of 2018.

My take

The Salomon Shift Pro 120 AT Ski Boots are for more advanced skiers looking to get into the backcountry, along with those looking for a boot that can excel both in resort and out.

About the boots I own

• Model: 2019 Salomon Shift Pro 120 AT Ski Boots
• Size: 29.5

About me

• Height: 6’2”
• Weight: 200lbs
• Street shoe size: 12
• Experience: 15 years of skiing

Test conditions

• When I bought these: December 2018
• Days tested: 60+
• Skis: Armada ARV JJ 116
• Bindings: Salomon S/Lab shift
• Where I’ve used it: Stowe, Sunday River, Loon, Wildcat, Mt. Snow, Keystone, Eldora, Arapahoe-Basin, Winter Park, Aspen, Beaver Creek, Vail, Copper
• Terrain: Trees, ice, powder, crud, park, groomer, moguls

How they perform

What I was looking for

I liked the Salomon 120 ATs because they are touring boots that are capable of both resort skiing and also light skinning. Also, I wanted something that fit my feet well, and these fit the best out of all the boots I compared.

Why I chose this gear

I chose this gear primarily due to the moldability of the boot with boot fitters. Along with this, I liked that they are a relatively stiff boot, but also extremely comfortable for skinning. Along with this, the boots were highly rated online.

What I love about them

• Accuracy of Claimed Stiffness: The claimed stiffness is highly accurate. However, with the walk mode in the boot there is always going to be a slight compromise in stiffness.
• Accuracy of Claimed Fit: The accuracy of the fit is extremely accurate, but it’s definitely geared towards people with wider feet.
• Comfort: These boots have been the most comfortable pair of boots that I have been in. After a full day of skiing hard, the boots remain extremely comfortable.
• Flex: The flex on these boots is 120, putting it at a stiffer flex rating for the recreational skier. This stiff flex rating definitely helps with being able to push hard in all conditions and terrain.
• Weight: These boots weigh between 1632–1750 grams depending on size, which is a very lightweight boot in the realm of resort skiing. It is not a weight that would be too heavy for occasional touring.
• Resort: These boots excel when skiing in the resort and are definitely geared towards more advanced skiers bombing down runs. With their flex rating, they are extremely good at initiating turns and holding through the turn.
• Backcountry: The backcountry and even more so sidecountry is made extremely accessible with these boots due to their lightness and walk mode.
• Adjustability: I think these are extremely adjustable boots with the ability to change out the base plates for touring baseplates that are meant to be used exclusively with touring bindings.
• Walk mode: I think that the walk mode on these boots is phenomenal. For the most part, they feel like very bulky hiking boots.
• Grip: The touring baseplates are designed to have a significant amount of grip, while the ones for downhill bindings are a bit less grippy; but I have not found this to be an issue.
• Durability: I have been extremely rough on these boots throughout the years and they have held up with no issues besides some peeling of the paint on the metal parts.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Ease of use: There are certainly easier boots to put on. However, the ease of putting on a boot usually compromises its performance aspects.
• Park: These boots are not really designed for the park, so they definitely are not ideal for park skiing, if that's what one is looking for. But if one occasionally goes to the park to have some fun, then they won't have a noticeable hindrance.

Favorite moment with this gear

I think my favorite moment with this gear actually occurred during the start of Covid. While all the resorts shut down, I used these boots to skin to the top of one in New Hampshire. While I was there, the world was essentially on pause.

Value for the money vs. other options

I think while there are many comparable options, these have been the best for me. This comes down primarily to the boots being the most comfortable I have tried on and when on a resort they still have all the performance aspects. Another comparable option is the K2 Mindbender. However, I found the Salomon boots fit my feet more comfortably.

Final verdict

I believe that these boots are able to meet most people's performance criteria, both in resort and backcountry. They are an ideal boot for anyone looking to get into the backcountry, but also not wanting to compromise any downhill performance.