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

My take

The Tecnica Men's Mach1 120 LV Ski Boots have been a blast. They are narrow and stiff, which is exactly what I needed. They hold up well to aggressive skiing but are comfortable and warm enough to ski the whole day. I’ve used them in all sorts of terrain, and they have handled everything I’ve thrown at them.

About the boots I own

• Model: 2021 Tecnica Mach1 LV
• Size: 30.5

About me

• Height: 6’5”
• Weight: 150lbs
• Street shoe size: 12
• Experience: 10 years of skiing

Test conditions

• When I bought these: December 2021
• Days tested: 30
• Skis: 2022 Rossignol Black Ops Holyshred, J Skis Whipit
• Bindings: Tyrolia Attack2 13, Look Pivot 12 GW
• Where I’ve used it: Okemo, Mount Snow, JFBB, Crotched Mountain, Mount Sunapee
• Terrain: Groomers, powder, trees, park, moguls

How they perform

What I was looking for

I wanted a boot that could handle all types of terrain and give me a solid connection to my skis. The most important quality was that it could accompany my narrow feet and legs. I wanted something that could handle high speeds and lots of bumps but also kept me comfortable all day.

Why I chose this gear

I went with the Mach1 because of their 98mm last and the 120 flex. These two qualities sold me on the boot, and it paid off. I had considered some Full Tilt Konflict boots. I liked the style of Full Tilts, but I went with these because I wanted that 120 flex.

What I love about them

• Weight: These are light enough that I don’t feel dragged down but heavy enough that they stay stiff and build a strong connection to my skis.
• Accuracy of Claimed Stiffness: These are claimed at 120 flex, and they are true to that. They are stiffer than the 110 flex boots I previously owned, and they maintain their stiffness throughout the whole boot.
• Adjustability: The buckles are super easy to use, and I can twist them to adjust them to the perfect fit. The buckles are high quality and stay locked in.
• Walk mode: Despite no GripWalk, I found these easy enough to walk in.
• Warmth: Despite being built for performance, these are very warm. I’ve skied in the boots in single-digit temperatures with wool socks, and they lasted the whole day.
• Durability: I’ve put about 30 days on these boots so far, and there are only a few scratches and blemishes on the outer shell, all cosmetic. The only other wear and tear are on the soles, which has also been minimal. I try to minimize their damage by booting up in the lodge rather than the parking lot. The plates on the bottom of the boot are easily replaceable should they ever need it. I don’t expect to have to do that anytime soon.
• Accuracy of Claimed Fit: These boots are low volume, as advertised. My feet don’t move around, and I constantly feel locked in. That said, there could be one more clip for the buckle on the upper cuff, making my calf area a bit snugger.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Any workarounds: I got some shin pads which helped fill out the calf area of the boot more and solved the fit issue for me.
• Ease of use: It sometimes takes some effort to get them in, but I think that bit of struggle is worth it for how much they lock me in.

Favorite moment with this gear

The versatility of these boots really showed last season. I was skiing Butternut in Massachusetts when my buddy and I found an ungroomed trail with about two feet of freshly made snow. We popped off our skis and hiked up a few hundred feet. These boots are by no means built to walk uphill, but I made it up in good time, and my feet were still dry at the top. Nothing was better than the full send through that powder, and the boots gave me the power to absolutely blast through that snow.

Value for the money vs. other options

These boots aren’t cheap, but I think their high quality makes them well worth the investment. I have faith that these boots will last a long time. The materials are clearly high quality, from the buckles to the liner, to the shell itself. They’re much cheaper than the Lange RX 120 LV, which are pretty comparable in terms of performance. While I haven’t tested the Langes, I don’t have any issues with the Mach1 that I think that extra money would solve. Overall, these are definitely worth the money.

Final verdict

The quality of these boots is worth the price tag to me. They are stiff, sturdy, and plenty warm. They are great for people who need a narrow boot and want something stiff but not quite a race boot.