the answer to "WTF is wrong with my boots?"

Are my boots just too soft, or is something else wrong?

Boots: Atomic Hawx Ultra 130 S, 2022 model I think (all black, DIN soles, Mimic liner). They fit pretty well - had to add a shim under the foot bed inside the boot to take up vertical space, a bit of a pressure point on the right foot that needs some attention, but otherwise feels good and tight. Problem is that while skiing, hitting something hard like an unexpected bump, it feels like I'm folding this boot in half. The shells have not been trimmed down or made softer in any way. I did swap over Booster straps right away, because I really like them. Should I try these with the stock non stretchy power straps before giving up?

Or do I just need to go back to my old standard, the Garmont Shaman? I switched to the Atomic this season because they're like a pound lighter per foot, but they feel kind of flimsy.

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Originally Posted by El Chupacabra

Are my boots just too soft, or is something else wrong?

Boots: Atomic Hawx Ultra 130 S, 2022 model I think (all black, DIN soles, Mimic liner). They fit pretty well - had to add a shim under the foot bed inside the boot to take up vertical space, a bit of a pressure point on the right foot that needs some attention, but otherwise feels good and tight. Problem is that while skiing, hitting something hard like an unexpected bump, it feels like I'm folding this boot in half. The shells have not been trimmed down or made softer in any way. I did swap over Booster straps right away, because I really like them. Should I try these with the stock non stretchy power straps before giving up?

Or do I just need to go back to my old standard, the Garmont Shaman? I switched to the Atomic this season because they're like a pound lighter per foot, but they feel kind of flimsy.

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try the same run, in same temp, speed, etc with either boot and see


Alpine boots do change a LOT in flex vs temp (home for me is in a HUGE warming trend, so stuff is getting VERY soft)

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Originally Posted by El Chupacabra

Are my boots just too soft, or is something else wrong?

Boots: Atomic Hawx Ultra 130 S, 2022 model I think (all black, DIN soles, Mimic liner). They fit pretty well - had to add a shim under the foot bed inside the boot to take up vertical space, a bit of a pressure point on the right foot that needs some attention, but otherwise feels good and tight. Problem is that while skiing, hitting something hard like an unexpected bump, it feels like I'm folding this boot in half. The shells have not been trimmed down or made softer in any way. I did swap over Booster straps right away, because I really like them. Should I try these with the stock non stretchy power straps before giving up?

Or do I just need to go back to my old standard, the Garmont Shaman? I switched to the Atomic this season because they're like a pound lighter per foot, but they feel kind of flimsy.

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Obviously listen to mntlion, knows what's up. But if you like boosters and the static strap that comes stock takes the pain away, look into the atomic dual strap (https://www.atomic.com/en-us/shop/pr...ml#color=34828). Basically like skiing with two booster straps (one over shell, one on liner) and you can adjust where the stretching stops (I know you can with boosters too, but you kind of have to tourniquet your leg to do that)

Also check out the gnar bar that replaces the walk mode with a solid piece of metal that stiffens up the boot (obviously only really helps for resort skiing)

Thanks all - I'll try the static power strap first, as that's easy to put back on the boot. Digski - good tip on the Atomic double strap, I'll consider that if the static strap seems like it makes a big difference in a good way.

Mntlion - good idea on the swapping between boots on the same day.

Supermoon - these are the resort boot Hawx Ultra, not the touring XTD, so no walk mode.

Ah whoops. Misread!

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Originally Posted by El Chupacabra

Are my boots just too soft, or is something else wrong?

Boots: Atomic Hawx Ultra 130 S, 2022 model I think (all black, DIN soles, Mimic liner). They fit pretty well - had to add a shim under the foot bed inside the boot to take up vertical space, a bit of a pressure point on the right foot that needs some attention, but otherwise feels good and tight. Problem is that while skiing, hitting something hard like an unexpected bump, it feels like I'm folding this boot in half. The shells have not been trimmed down or made softer in any way. I did swap over Booster straps right away, because I really like them. Should I try these with the stock non stretchy power straps before giving up?

Or do I just need to go back to my old standard, the Garmont Shaman? I switched to the Atomic this season because they're like a pound lighter per foot, but they feel kind of flimsy.

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I have the same boot, with the same issue. It was kinda weird, because they feel sort of firm at first, and then if you hit something at speed and it feels like they fold over. Towards the end of last season I ended up getting used to it. I switched to zipfits to deal with having packed out liners and the problem is almost gone now.

If you switch to the next atomic shell with gw soles it would probably resolve the issue, they stiffened the boot up.

Oh, also I did start out using booster straps, and gave up on them because they took up too much room in the cuff. I think they also exacerbated the softness issue because they're so thick, and so I was cranking down on my third buckle to take up space around my skinny ankle, but then I had to really loosen the top to make room for the booster strap and my slightly larger calves. I switched to the normal powerstrap, over the shell and it make a subtle difference in flex as well.

Thanks Phil - interesting... I probably would not switch to the newer version of the same boot if it means having to use Gripwalk. I have a lot of older DIN only bindings mounted.

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Originally Posted by El Chupacabra

Thanks Phil - interesting... I probably would not switch to the newer version of the same boot if it means having to use Gripwalk. I have a lot of older DIN only bindings mounted.

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Atomic Hawx Ultra alpine boots ship with GripWalk soles but they are screwed on and can be swapped for flat ISO 5355 ones; it is just the XTD models that have glued on soles.

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Originally Posted by phil_dirt

I have the same boot, with the same issue. It was kinda weird, because they feel sort of firm at first, and then if you hit something at speed and it feels like they fold over. Towards the end of last season I ended up getting used to it. I switched to zipfits to deal with having packed out liners and the problem is almost gone now.

If you switch to the next atomic shell with gw soles it would probably resolve the issue, they stiffened the boot up.

Oh, also I did start out using booster straps, and gave up on them because they took up too much room in the cuff. I think they also exacerbated the softness issue because they're so thick, and so I was cranking down on my third buckle to take up space around my skinny ankle, but then I had to really loosen the top to make room for the booster strap and my slightly larger calves. I switched to the normal powerstrap, over the shell and it make a subtle difference in flex as well.

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Booster straps always make a boot feel softer. You are replacing a rigid strap with an elastic strap. But to get around the annoying thickness under the shell, try wearing your strap at the very top of your tongue on the liner. It will be at an angle but it will usually stay there. You can feed it through the tongue loop to hold it up as well. It makes your boot feel taller which usually feels stiffer.

Pulse boot lab makes a very thin, non stretchy replacement strap. $40 CND

Any of you boot gurus have/know of compatibility issues with the new Mindbender walk mode and look pivot heel piece? Guy at work says they don't mesh due to how far the walk mode locking system sticks out.

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Originally Posted by Gnar_Shralp406

Any of you boot gurus have/know of compatibility issues with the new Mindbender walk mode and look pivot heel piece? Guy at work says they don't mesh due to how far the walk mode locking system sticks out.

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I have not seen an issue.

Manager at the shop I work at skies that combo and he seems to break most stuff

Update on Atomic Hawx Ultra 130 flex issues: swapped the original non stretchy straps back onto the boots, and skied them today. Conditions were 2-6" over firm, some ice crust, some deeper, and cold temps - truck said 17* in the parking lot. I can still fold the boot in half, but it's better (more supportive) than with the stretchy Booster straps.

Will give it another couple of days before deciding. These "130 flex" boots are much much softer than my old 130 Garmont Shaman.

For those who can fold their Hawx Ultra 130, did you by chance heat mold the shell? I’m a 10.5 street shoe in a 26.5 and haven’t folded mine yet. Had this issue with the Hawx Ultra 130 XTD in a 27.5 that the shell was heat molded.


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I didn't heat mold the whole shell, just a small punch near metatarsal on left foot.

Ah, nevermind. Same here; I’ve punched the medial malleolus otherwise have left them alone. That said haven’t really been driving big power skis this year so safe to say I haven’t stressed them.


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I cracked my Salmon S Max in the toe box. Bought for the 2020 season and have 110-120 days on them. They are out of warranty and debating if I should get the same boot. It took several visits with a fitter, but very happy with the fit.

Questions: is this typical for a solly boot? I have only cracked one other boot (San Marcos in the 90's) and was expecting/hoping for another 2 seasons. Skied langes for years and never cracked them.

And have the newer models changed much? Think I saw in another thread they had some changes but I can't find it.

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Originally Posted by El Chupacabra

Update on Atomic Hawx Ultra 130 flex issues: swapped the original non stretchy straps back onto the boots, and skied them today. Conditions were 2-6" over firm, some ice crust, some deeper, and cold temps - truck said 17* in the parking lot. I can still fold the boot in half, but it's better (more supportive) than with the stretchy Booster straps.

Will give it another couple of days before deciding. These "130 flex" boots are much much softer than my old 130 Garmont Shaman.

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These Salomon Xmax 130s are much, much softer than the Scott version of the Shaman unless it’s frigidly cold.

Aftermarket liners stiffened the Sollys up quite a bit, especially Zipfits. Then I lost a bunch of weight and now I’m removing the bolts I added and thinking about a booster strap to make it a little more progressive and supple for mid winter conditions 🤷♂️.

Attachment 485631
(Not my actual boots but same model)

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Originally Posted by slcdawg

I cracked my Salmon S Max in the toe box. Bought for the 2020 season and have 110-120 days on them. They are out of warranty and debating if I should get the same boot. It took several visits with a fitter, but very happy with the fit.

Questions: is this typical for a solly boot? I have only cracked one other boot (San Marcos in the 90's) and was expecting/hoping for another 2 seasons. Skied langes for years and never cracked them.

And have the newer models changed much? Think I saw in another thread they had some changes but I can't find it.

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Found cracks in both my boots yesterday after about 40 days (lots of those days are just a few runs on my lunch break). S/Max 130 Carbon. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...6ed750999a.jpg

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That sucks. Mine are the carbon 130s also.

Attachment 485632

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Originally Posted by slcdawg

That sucks. Mine are the carbon 130s also.

Attachment 485632

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I cracked a pair of Dalbello Lupos in the same spot a few years back and then a pair of Krypton 130 I.D where the toe lug meets the clog. I don't know how these things keep breaking. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...1eddc43588.jpg

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gnar_Shralp406

I cracked a pair of Dalbello Lupos in the same spot a few years back and then a pair of Krypton 130 I.D where the toe lug meets the clog. I don't know how these things keep breaking. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...1eddc43588.jpg

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Must be the newer, lighter plastics.

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Originally Posted by slcdawg

Must be the newer, lighter plastics.

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Both are PU boots. Even the Lupos I cracked were a PU clog.

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I’m 5’7’’ ~162lbs and I want to fit a booster strap to give my resort boots a little more forward flex / progression— should I go with the expert or World Cup? Anyone got a set lying around they want to sell? Looking at ~45shipped online for a set.