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I recently purchased a pair of Nordica NXT N4 boots. Why, when I have so many? Well, this boot seems to fulfill my criteria on just about every front.
Specifically, they are light, have heat mouldable liners, canting, a decent sole, micro adjustable buckles, one of those little loops on the top of the tongue to aid putting them on, and seem very well made. But beyond these must haves, they have one huge difference. They have a very very upright stance. Not even the much missed Salomon Performa range were quite so upright. I can stand in reasonable comfort with my knees actually locked. They stance really is quite different to previous boots I have tried, way more comfortable.
So how do they ski? Very well indeed! I didn't have them heat moulded. They fit 90% right straight out of the box. Only the heel cup was a little tight. I prefer to ski boots in rather than moulding them. I always find moulding just sacks out the liner too much. After about an hour of skiing they felt pretty much perfect. Skiing itself was very different. In the first hundred yards I nearly fell twice as I was way too far back on the heels. Fortunately the super tail support on the Blunt XLs held me and saved my ego. Once I figured out the balance everything was fine, but the boots really do ski quite differently from those with conventional lean.
They are a tall boot, so any kind of angulation guarantees great edge response. Because they are so tall, the back has an expander to allow those with large calf muscles to be comfortable. I have never seen this on a boot before.
The liners are light but very well made. There seems to be a suggestion that the sole of the liner is also mouldable, eliminating the need for stupidly overpriced footbeds. The shell is medium width and surprisingly low volume for an intermediate boot, but the toebox is quite roomy so they should be warm. The sole plate under the liner is a little flexible so will help damp shocks from landings etc.
There is a huge amount to like here, not least the price. £170 full retail for a new season boot is brilliant. My guess is that will be $170 outside of rip off Britain.
If you get the chance, try a pair on.
http://www.nordica.com/uk-ireland/products/nxt-n4/
Specifically, they are light, have heat mouldable liners, canting, a decent sole, micro adjustable buckles, one of those little loops on the top of the tongue to aid putting them on, and seem very well made. But beyond these must haves, they have one huge difference. They have a very very upright stance. Not even the much missed Salomon Performa range were quite so upright. I can stand in reasonable comfort with my knees actually locked. They stance really is quite different to previous boots I have tried, way more comfortable.
So how do they ski? Very well indeed! I didn't have them heat moulded. They fit 90% right straight out of the box. Only the heel cup was a little tight. I prefer to ski boots in rather than moulding them. I always find moulding just sacks out the liner too much. After about an hour of skiing they felt pretty much perfect. Skiing itself was very different. In the first hundred yards I nearly fell twice as I was way too far back on the heels. Fortunately the super tail support on the Blunt XLs held me and saved my ego. Once I figured out the balance everything was fine, but the boots really do ski quite differently from those with conventional lean.
They are a tall boot, so any kind of angulation guarantees great edge response. Because they are so tall, the back has an expander to allow those with large calf muscles to be comfortable. I have never seen this on a boot before.
The liners are light but very well made. There seems to be a suggestion that the sole of the liner is also mouldable, eliminating the need for stupidly overpriced footbeds. The shell is medium width and surprisingly low volume for an intermediate boot, but the toebox is quite roomy so they should be warm. The sole plate under the liner is a little flexible so will help damp shocks from landings etc.
There is a huge amount to like here, not least the price. £170 full retail for a new season boot is brilliant. My guess is that will be $170 outside of rip off Britain.
If you get the chance, try a pair on.
http://www.nordica.com/uk-ireland/products/nxt-n4/
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