Women who ski big terrain and don't want to choose between a touring boot and a freeride boot finally have a real answer in the all-new Tecnica Zero G Decoy 115 W GW. Tecnica's new Decoy hybrid line pairs a polyurethane shell, a 99mm last, a 115 flex, and a 65-degree walk mode with Vibram GripWalk soles that have tech inserts molded in. Strong women skiers get a boot that holds its own on a big descent and still works for a real uphill.

Why we like it:

115 flex with a 65-degree walk mode is a rare combination in a women's boot. Most women's options force a choice between stiffness for the downhill or motion for the uphill, and this one refuses to make that trade.

Who it's for:

Advanced and expert women freeride skiers who want a hybrid alpine-touring boot that can actually drive a wide ski on the way down. Skiers who do longer side-country tours or short skins and need one boot that legitimately handles both ends of the day.

Highlights:

The construction pairs a high-performance polyurethane shell with a polyurethane cuff, simpler than the men's Decoy Pro Grilamid-fiberglass setup but better suited to a women's 115 flex. The 99mm last fits medium-volume women's feet. Walk mode opens up 65 degrees of cuff motion, which is genuine touring boot range, and the boot's GripWalk soles include tech (pin) inserts for use with lightweight touring bindings. Inside, the Ecodesign Performance C.A.S. liner with floating tongue handles fit, with heat-moldable C.A.S. construction throughout. Four micro-adjustable aluminum buckles and a 45mm Power Lock strap keep things buttoned up for descents. The Power Frame shell construction gives more downhill stability than a typical touring boot delivers.

Things to consider:

This is a hybrid, not a pure touring boot or a pure resort boot. Women skiers doing big uphill days where every gram matters will be better served by the Zero G Tour Scout W or similar. Resort-only skiers who never tour will get more downhill bang from a Cochise W. A 115 flex is also genuinely stiff for a women's boot, so newer skiers should look at softer options.

Fit & sizing considerations:

Standard mondopoint sizing. The 99mm last is medium-volume for a women's foot. C.A.S. shell and liner are fully heat-moldable, and given the boot's walk mode and freeride performance level, a bootfitting session is worth the investment to set everything up correctly before you commit to bigger lines.