Review: Fischer Ranger ONE 120 Ski Boots · 2020
By Ski Expert
Kyle J
Fischer Ranger ONE 120 Ski Boots · 2020
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The Curated Take
3.9/5
The Fischer Ranger One 120 ski boots are ideal for skiers who primarily ski inbounds at resorts but who also engage in alpine touring. They offer a stiff flex profile, suitable for powerful skiers, and ensure good downhill performance. However, they are not the lightest option and have a limited range of motion in walk mode, making them less optimal for dedicated backcountry touring. These boots are a great hybrid choice, offering versatility for both resort skiing and occasional touring, particularly for those who prioritize downhill performance over ultra-lightweight touring gear.
Ideal for
- Hybrid boot for resort / alpine touring
- Great for those getting into touring but who still ski primarily inbounds at resorts
- Stiff flex profile ideal for powerful skiers
Not ideal for
- Not the lightest weight option available
- Limited range of motion in walk mode
Claimed Stiffness Accuracy
I found this boot to be true and accurate to the 120 flex but still approachable and not overly stiff even on cold days. Coming out of 130-150 flex in...Read more
Heel Hold
I unfortunately experienced a loose heel when touring uphill in walk mode, which occasionally caused some gnarly blisters on the inside of my heels from rubbing on the inside of...Read more
Weight
This is quite a heavy boot for one with alpine touring capabilities, but that's the price one pays to have a nice, versatile boot that can do a bit of...Read more
Waterproofing
Only on deep spring days at the resort and in the backcountry did I notice my feet being quite wet before the end of the day. In mid-winter and throughout...Read more
Durability
These things are built like tanks. A really well-constructed boot that can withstand pretty much anything. It's very durable and reliable for walking to and from the lifts, walking around...Read more
Walk Mode
The walk mode for these boots seems to be more designed for an additional range of motion beyond the standard alpine boot walk mode. While they have a "touring" mode,...Read more
Responsiveness
The only other boots that I've owned before that were more responsive than these were race-specific boots. These Fischer Ranger Ones combine responsiveness with comfort, a duo that is sought...Read more
Versatility
These are the perfect option for skiers who ski primarily inbounds, riding the lifts, but also want to use the boot as an alpine touring boot. Very versatile boot. I...Read more
Curated Experts are not sponsored by brands. Their reviews are based on their honest experiences testing products.
Kyle J
About the boots
- Model: Fischer Ranger ONE 120 Ski Boots · 2020
Test conditions
- When I bought these: 2020
- Where I’ve used it: Colorado; Montana; Whistler, BC; Taos, NM
- How many times I've used it: 45
Expert Reviews of the Fischer Ranger ONE 120 Ski Boots
Kyle J The Fischer Ranger One ski boot is a great option for those who ski primarily inbound riding the lifts but also want the option to use the boot as an alpine touring boot.
The progressive flex profile of these boots gives them a nice feel for ripping downhill. They also have a good walk mode for those uphill days in the backcountry. Unfortunately, the heel didn't hold too well for me in walk mode when skinning uphill, which occasionally caused some gnarly blisters from rubbing on the inside of the liners. They are also on the heavier side for a boot used in the backcountry.
That being said, I value a boot's downhill performance over it being ultra lightweight, and thus, I've enjoyed the Fischer Ranger One boots both on the mountain riding lifts and in the backcountry.
Product Specs
| Age Group | Adult |
| Gender | Unisex |
| Model year | 2020 |
| Ski boot type | Alpine touring |
| Walk/tour mode (Y/N) | Yes |
Review Ratings
Claimed Stiffness Accuracy
5/5
Kyle J gave 5 of 5 stars. I found this boot to be true and accurate to the 120 flex but still approachable and not overly stiff even on cold days. Coming out of 130-150 flex in my race days, these boots felt like a daily driver for me being 160lbs and a hard-charging skier and provided me some comfort at an approachable flex.
Heel Hold
2/5
Kyle J gave 2 of 5 stars. I unfortunately experienced a loose heel when touring uphill in walk mode, which occasionally caused some gnarly blisters on the inside of my heels from rubbing on the inside of the liners. While this experience was super unpleasant, I never had an issue when using the boots at the resort or on the downhills, just touring uphill in walk mode.
Weight
3/5
Kyle J gave 3 of 5 stars. This is quite a heavy boot for one with alpine touring capabilities, but that's the price one pays to have a nice, versatile boot that can do a bit of it all. Quite a moderate weight for a resort boot that values versatility over being an extremely lightweight touring setup designed specifically for the backcountry.
Waterproofing
4/5
Kyle J gave 4 of 5 stars. Only on deep spring days at the resort and in the backcountry did I notice my feet being quite wet before the end of the day. In mid-winter and throughout most of the season, however, my feet stayed dry, though I had the occasional need to put my boots by the fire to air out. Fairly waterproof boot but not seal proof.
Durability
5/5
Kyle J gave 5 of 5 stars. These things are built like tanks. A really well-constructed boot that can withstand pretty much anything. It's very durable and reliable for walking to and from the lifts, walking around on rock and ice in the backcountry, and kicking back aprés ski. These would be a solid option for a mid-weight to heavier-weight skier.
Walk Mode
4/5
Kyle J gave 4 of 5 stars. The walk mode for these boots seems to be more designed for an additional range of motion beyond the standard alpine boot walk mode. While they have a "touring" mode, after being in a true AT boot myself, these felt a bit more like a glorified walk-mode boot. Definitely more resort oriented but still AT capable.
Responsiveness
4/5
Kyle J gave 4 of 5 stars. The only other boots that I've owned before that were more responsive than these were race-specific boots. These Fischer Ranger Ones combine responsiveness with comfort, a duo that is sought after in a ski boot and I wasn't sure existed until I first tried these out.
Versatility
4/5
Kyle J gave 4 of 5 stars. These are the perfect option for skiers who ski primarily inbounds, riding the lifts, but also want to use the boot as an alpine touring boot. Very versatile boot. I was drawn to them for that reason and knew that I was sacrificing weight to go for something a little more familiar to me.
FAQs
What do you love about this product?
Kyle J The Fischer Ranger One ski boot is a surprisingly high-performance and comfortable boot that I loved from the minute I tried it on. Having a background in alpine racing, I'm always looking for a stiff flex boot, and these are a perfect combination of stiff/high performance and comfort.
What was your favorite moment with this gear?
Kyle J Whether I'm cutting a fresh skin track going uphill or about to drop into a steep couloir, these boots have been there for me.
- High performance
- Super comfortable
- Functional hybrid resort and alpine touring boot
Why did you choose this product?
Kyle J When looking for a boot that can do it all, it can sometimes be tough to find the right balance of certain features. These boots were just the balance of what I needed with a more traditional-feeling boot with alpine touring capability and super-high performance for the downhill portion of skiing in the backcountry.
What is the value for the money versus other options?
Kyle J This is an excellent value for the features this boot boasts. Compared to other similar boots on the market, these are competitively priced and provide a great solution for someone looking for a resort boot with alpine touring capability.
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