Ski Press World Inc. - Index

Ski Press World Inc. - SIA Day 3 - Index

top trends/alpine boots
Comp Pro
Banshee Pro
LANGE
A shell redesign at the top is always big news at Lange. The
new Super Comp and Comp Pro have a decidedly lower
profi le. The foot is positioned closer to the medial side and
the hinge point moved rearward to generate more powerful
energy transmission. The sole is solid for maximum
stiffness. The Super Comp has a fl ex of 140 and is available
in foot-hugging 92 mm or 97 mm last. It also has a full
lace-up liner. The Comp Pro is a bit softer at a 130 fl ex; it’s
available only in the 97 mm last. The Freeride collection
has received a major overhaul and now carries the Banshee
name throughout. The shell is unchanged but the liners are
all new with shock-absorbing toe boxes and gel tongues.
Vibram soles give it backcountry utility as well, while all
Exclusive models have new liners and cuffs next season.
NORDICA
The company continues to refi ne its high-performance Sportmachine
series. The 2008-09 Sportmachines are engineered
to put the foot in an abducted position. Simply put, what
Nordica calls Natural Foot Stance (NFS) veers the foot
toward the outside edge to provide faster turn initiation and
strengthen edge grip. Unlike the Fischer Soma technology,
which pivots the foot under the arch, Nordica maintains a
stable heel position and tilts the entire foot outward. All Sportmachines
have Booster Energy Driver straps for improved
fl exibility and elastic response. The innovative Gransport line,
new last year, returns unchanged. The popular hybrid uses
a unique ski/walk mechanism and entry system to combine
traditional overlap response with rear entry ease.
Zenith 110 Sensor³
B-Squad 110
Sensor³
Sportmachine 14
Speedmachine 14
ROSSIGNOL
A wave of high-tech computer scanning and mapping
devices were employed to develop Rossignol’s innovative
new headliner series, the Sensor 3 . The Bond-like gear
dramatically sped up the prototyping stage and helped
refi ne the last shape with pinpoint precision. A pricey 3-D
parts replicator made one-off working mechanisms that
let designers experiment with a wider number of designs
while fi nalizing specs. The Sensor 3 cleverly focuses on the
foot balance tripod philosophy, concentrating foot to
shell contact at the 1 st and 5 th met-heads and heel. A slim
zeppa teams with stiff poly-carbonate inserts strategically
positioned under the forefoot to accurately capture and
transfer skier input.