Expert Review: Tecnica Machsport MV 85 Ski Boots Women's · 2022

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

My take

The Tecnica Mach Sport MV 85 is an excellent choice for an intermediate women skier looking for a boot that places equal emphasis on performance and comfort.

About the boots I own

• Model: 2022 Tecnica Mach Sport MC 85
• Size: 24.5

About me

• Height: 5’4”
• Weight: 130lbs
• Street shoe size: 8.5
• Experience: 35 years of skiing

Test conditions

• When I bought these: January 2022
• Days tested: 15
• Skis: Blizzard Black Pearl 88 (2022) and Icelantic Riveter 85 (22/23)
• Bindings: Tyrolia AM 12 (2023)
• Where I’ve used it: Vermont, New Hampshire, Colorado
• Terrain: Blue/black groomers, glades, trees, bumps

How they perform

What I was looking for

I wanted a pair of moderate flex boots to use when skiing with my kids (9 and 13) and taking it relatively easy. In addition, I wanted a pair of boots that would fit snugly without compromising circulation as I have Raynaud’s disease and issues with my feet going numb.

Why I chose this gear

For a moderate flex boot, the Tecnica Mach Sport MV 85 still maintains a performance-oriented “feel” that I appreciate. I considered the Rossignol Pure as well but found them to be too soft and noted that the flex felt much softer than advertised.

What I love about them

• Accuracy of Claimed Stiffness: Perfectly moderate flex, exactly what I would expect at an advertised flex of 85. Smooth and progressive support, but more forgiving when I’m just cruising around with the kiddos and not getting after it too hard. These boots are super responsive despite having a less aggressive flex.
• Accuracy of Claimed Fit: This is a mid-volume advertised fit and is right on the money. I have distinctly average feet from a width/arch perspective, and these fit like a comfortable glove from the get-go.
• Comfort: A super comfortable boot that required minimal break-in time. CAS Cuff Adapt system ensures a good fit around the calf and adjusts to fit the specs of the user. Boot design puts the user in a great stance and helps to maintain balance and control with solid heel hold and a “dialed-in” feel without overwhelming stiffness.
• Flex: As advertised, exactly what I was expecting at 85: a nice and stable boot that is comfort-oriented.
• Weight: Boots are lightweight and easy to transport.
• Ease of use: Very easy to get on and off. Tecnica uses a Double Quick Instep and Lift-Lock buckles. The Tecnica Mach Sport MV 85 Boots were easy to maneuver even when I was getting geared up in parking lots during the first season of use (thanks, COVID).
• Resort: Primary use for resort skiing on groomed blue/black runs with some adventures into the trees and glades. Boots prove to be stable and responsive with nice power transmission.
• Durability: These get put through the wringer on family ski trips and have held up. The buckles and straps are super durable, and the boot liner has not packed out too noticeably. Even the glossy finish is still intact after a couple of seasons of use.
• Other: Easy to get around the resort walking—the first season of use was during the waning days of COVID—so there are lots of traversing parking lots, walkways, and shuttles. No issues with comfort or slipping.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Hot spots: I did need to experiment to get the fit just right across the shins. The boot is not as snug around the calf as other boots I’ve used, so tweaking micro-adjustments and straps was necessary to hit the Goldilocks zone.
• Any workarounds? Trust the adjustability of the boots. If one can’t get it just right, these can also be heat molded.
• Backcountry: Generally would not recommend for backcountry. This is more of a resort/frontside boot, particularly for a more advanced skier. I would level up to something with a stiffer flex for backcountry skiing.

Favorite moment with this gear

I loved taking this boot out West last season. It was the first time we skied Colorado with the kids, and these boots were the perfect choice for some big mountain skiing with beginner/intermediate little ones. Easy going with the kids and capable of charging a little harder when I got some runs to myself.

Value for the money vs. other options

Very nice value for the money with the Tecnica Mach Sport MV 85. It is not an entry-level rental alternative, but for the price paid, one gets phenomenal performance and stability. Comparable options in the same price range and with a similar flex rating would be the Dalbello Panterra and the Rossignol Pure Pro 90. I tried out the Pure Pro when shopping around and preferred the feel of the Mach Sport MV.

Final verdict

The Tecnica Mach Sport MV 85 is an excellent choice for an intermediate woman skier who values comfort and performance equally. This durable boot will hold up under consistent use and keep one on the hill all day.