About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the ski boots, which I purchased with my own money in October of 2022.

My take

The Salomon S/Pro 130 GW is a great boot for an advanced to expert-level skier looking for a boot that caters to resort-style skiing. As an MV (medium volume) boot, it can accommodate a lot of different feet, especially with a heat moldable shell that can form to the foot.

About the gear

• Model: 2023 Salomon S/Pro GW 130
• Size: 26.5

About me

• Height: 6’0’’
• Weight: 185lbs
• Street shoe size: 10M
• Experience: 26 years skiing, 16 years ski racing

Test conditions

• When I bought these: October 2022
• Days tested: 15+ days
• Skis: 2021 Salomon Stance 102
• Bindings: 2021 Salomon Warden 13 MNC
• Where I’ve used it: Mt. Bachelor, Mt. Hood, Crystal Mountain
• Terrain: Powder, mixed terrain, powder skiing

How they perform

What I was looking for

I was looking for a new ski boot that wasn’t too stiff but stiff enough to handle some power through some turns and good pressure forward. It was a medium-volume foot that fit my foot nicely right out of the box.

Why I chose this gear

Having fit so well right out of the box, I wanted a boot that felt 90% great without any modification. The stiffness was what I wanted from a boot. I didn’t feel it was too stiff or soft, but it had a good feel. As a boot, it has a great forward lean for what I was looking for. Some other boots I considered were the Rossignol All Speed 130, but the lean profile forward wasn’t as great as the Salomon.

What I love about them

• Accuracy of Claimed Stiffness: Very accurate to a 130. A little stiffer than a traditional 130, but not quite a 130 flex rating.
• Accuracy of Claimed Fit: As a medium volume boot (100mm last), these Salomon S/Pro 130 boots fit true to size. The heel cup is nice and snug, especially since I have a slim foot profile. The toe box is cozy with a little extra room, but with a custom footbed, everything snugs up nicely.
• Comfort: Very comfortable, with a nice snug liner. Very comfortable, with a nice snug liner. After cooking the shell, these ski boots fit with maximum comfort as they mold to my feet.
• Flex: With an already forward-leaning position, these have a nice and easy flex. These boots will allow me to go forward when I want to.
• Ease of use: With the new, improved liner from Salomon, these boots are easy to get on and off. The synthetic fabric makes it easy to wick sweat and moisture, preventing the skier's socks from sticking or becoming saturated.
• Resort: An excellent resort crushing boot to ski all over the front side for skiing.
• Adjustability: With all of the semi-moldable parts of these boots, the S/Pro 130 can adjust to accommodate all sorts of feet.
• Grip: With the addition of the GripWalk, the grip on the boots makes it easier for the skier to walk out of the bindings.
• Durability: The new lightweight plastic on the Salomon boots is surprisingly durable for shedding weight. With the newer plastics from manufacturers, these boots should last a long time and hold their value and flex retention.
• Responsiveness: These boots will move those skis if someone even thinks about getting forward. With a great forward lean profile on the cuff, these boots put a skier in a position to be forward and in control, making skiing easier and more fun.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Weight: Although the weight is lighter than previous models, these are still fairly heavy ski boots. Weight makes skiing more difficult than it needs to be; it makes the athlete use more energy than needed.
• Any workarounds? The shin tongue of the liner has a pretty sharp plastic that, if one doesn’t have a boot fitter adjust it or shave that sharp plastic beaded edge, the boot and liner may be uncomfortable.

Favorite moment with this gear

Getting to ski these on the first day of the Ski Magazine ski test was a blast. I couldn’t stop smiling. Before I got the boots on, many of my ski colleagues told me I was going to like these boots as they put me forward. The Salomon boots make it so easy to make the skis turn.

Value for the money vs. other options

These are very well-priced ski boots and are worth the money. They already have a forward lean position making it easier to get forward and move the ski. Some other boots in the same category include the Atomic Hawx Prime 130, which stands up a little more than the Salomon, or the Rossignol All Track 130, which has more roominess in the boot. The Rossignol and the Atomic are great boots, but I like the feel and fit of the Salomon much more.

Final verdict

The new Salomon S/Pro 130 GW is a great boot. The all-new My Customfit 4D liner boasts a seamless design from tongue to instep to the toe box and a revised sandwich laminate of firm and soft foam layers around the ankles. This one is a seamless, mindless solution for all-mountain performance and fun.