Probably one of the hottest-looking boots of the year, the Salomon Shift Alpha Boa 130 ski boots have a lot of potential for both uphill and downhill skiers looking for adventure and performance.

Why we like it:

What’s not to like! We get a purple boot with a walk mode, tech fittings, a 130-flex rating, and a BOA closure system—this boot literally has it all and does it at a lighter weight.

Who it's for:

The Touring mode and tech fittings put it more in line with backcountry skiers and those who hike for their turns. This boot is built for adventure, so adventurous skiers are certainly the target market here.

Highlights:

There are a lot of highlights here. We get a narrow fit with a 98 mm last for precision and quickness, a TwinLock system with 55-degrees of mobility for easy skinning, a BOA closure system with Exobelt to fully adhere the BOA system to the ankle joint in the boot, and grippy soles and tech fittings for the ultimate in out of bounds performance. The shell is also heat moldable and the liner has a lot of customization as well, so there’s no shortage of features from cuff to sole.

Things to consider:

Due to the light weight and versatile nature of this boot, as well as the narrow last, it’s a bit more specific than a general all-mountain boot.