Video Transcript

My name is Leo. I'm a curated.com Ski Expert and today we're talking about the Tecnica Mach Sport Medium Volume 100 versus the Atomic Hawx Prime 100. I'm a master boot fitter, I take this very seriously, so I don't want to just talk about the product. I want to teach you how to understand boots.

Let's start by breaking down 100, which is talking about the flex rating of this boot. How stiff the cuff is when you push on it, how it pushes back on you, and how it propels you forward. 100 is a very intermediate to advanced flex. On a rental shelf, the boots you're getting are going to be about 70 to an 80 flex. On the expert end of the scale, we're looking at 130 to 120 flex. So, 100 is really nicely in the middle and a lot of people just stay here forever because it's a good mix of comfort and great performance.

Now, medium volume, or MV, what does that mean? We're talking about the last side of the boot, how wide this boot is. So if you scroll down here, we can look at product specs and it's going to tell us that in a little bit more detail. This is 104 foot width, so that's what we call a medium volume fit, the width of your foot across your metatarsals. This is for that average width foot, average leg. If you've been in rental boots and you've had pain in your shins or in your ankles, it's often because the boot is too wide. So, getting into a medium volume fit, bringing it closer to your leg and the sides of your feet, is going to increase your comfort and your control.

Tecnica Mach Sport MV 100 Ski Boots

Now, I love this boot here, the Tecnica Mach Sport Medium Volume 100. I'm actually skiing in this boot myself. It's one of my boots and in addition to just being a really good value, a really good quality boot, it's got a lot of little details that help set it apart. One thing they have is called Lift-Lock buckles. If you've ever been buckling your boots up and that ladder keeps falling back in, it's because that buckle needs a little twist. But what Tecnica does is they actually have a technology that lets that buckle hover above the boot. So if you struggle to put your boots on for whatever reason, that little bit of tech actually makes a big difference.

You'll see CAS printed on the shell here. What it stands for is Cuff Adaptive System. Tecnica has some really specific technologies developed to help your calves fit better in the boot, in addition to all the buckle adjustments you have. On top of this, this boot has Grip Walk. The rockered toe shape makes it easier to walk in, makes it more comfortable, gives you more tread, and really high-quality liners. So there's a lot to love about this boot.

Atomic Hawx Prime 100 GW Ski Boots

A good one to compare to is the Atomic Hawx Prime 100 Grip Walk. By the numbers, it's the same boot: 100 flex, 100 last. So what's the real difference? Quite frankly, not a ton. It comes down to some nuances in the liners and in the plastics that different brands use to create their boots. This boot doesn't have the Lift Lock Buckle technology, but to be fair, a lot of people don't really necessarily need it. Price-wise, they're the same across the board so it could come down to color or brand preference. There's very little nuance in the fit between the two, so quite frankly, it can be hard to decide which one is good for you.

Similarities and Differences

Some of that detail, some of that nuance, is what your expert can help you pick out when talking about your shape and your past experience. We have developed tools like videos that teach you how to go through and measure your foot so we can better see that shape.

All those things and more we can help you do in terms of picking the right boot. So if you're not sure which one is right for you, click on your chat box here. Come chat with me, come chat with your expert, and we will get you dialed in the perfect pair of boots for you and make sure that you absolutely love them.

Comparison Table