Nordica: Sport Machine 12 Ski Boot

If you had to categorize Nordica's new SportMachine 12 ski boot into a type of terrain like everyone else in the ski press, it would probably be all-mountain, but the classification doesn't do this great fitting boot justice. The SportMachine 12 is one of the first ski boots to utilize a Natural Foot Stance (NFS) technology that puts your foot in a natural, abducted position while using the heel as a central point of reference. By modifying the foot position inside the SportMachine 12 ski boot, Nordica gave the rest of us faster turn initiation, improved control through turns and stronger edge grip (provided that you did actually tune your skis this year). The SportMachine 12 borrows a lot of the top-end refinements like buckles, ratchet cuff closures, flex adjusters and hands-free HP Slide-in, but the NFS design steals the show with better comfort and power transmission. If you wanted to trick out this boot further, the Nordica PFP liner accommodates most boot heating systems on the market and features a small wire port located in the heel of the liner. Most of use won't need the extra warmth because all sizes of the SportMachine 12 ski boot have a plush fleece fabric lining that keep toes and ankles warm and nimble throughout the season.

• Polyolefin shell and cuff material
• Nordica flex index rating: 75-85 (maximum for Nordica is 130)
• New Natural Foot Stance last with a medium-wide width
• Four micro adjustable Sport Aluminum buckles featuring two Servolock closures on the cuff
• 35-mm. Velcro® strap closure
• Easy adjust upper macro cuff ratchet closure (lower closure has seven settings)
• Flex adjuster with Hard/Soft settings
• Plush fleece fabric lining
• Hands-free HP Slide-in entry with dual density plastic for easy entry and exit at any temperature (also accommodates feet with high insteps)
• PFP Precision Fit heat ready liner with Precision Fit foot bed
• Performance rear spoiler
• Single canting adjustment