Nordica Promachine 115 - Women's Review

Testing new ski boots can be painful work and often comes at the cost of numb toes, pinched calves, and several outbursts of rage and frustration. The Nordica Promachine, however, generated nothing but glee and, dare we say, enlightenment. The boot excelled in all types of terrain and conditions we encountered and had an unexpectedly comfortable out-of-the-box fit. While this isn't the lightest product in the lineup nor the cheapest, it checks nearly all the boxes for an advanced skier who seeks a stiff yet energetic boot that charges hard no matter what the day brings.

Performance Comparison

Performance

The Nordica Promachine proved to be a lively and reliable alpine boot across the board. Nordica hit the nail on the head with the Promachine line, living up to its claim of pairing the comfort of the higher-volume Speedmachine with the downhill capabilities of their race boot, the Dobberman. A stiff and sturdy 3D Cork liner supports the boot's flex rating of 115 while providing a surprising amount of energy and responsiveness. The stiff yet forgiving shell construction allowed far more torsional movement than any other boot in the lineup of this flex rating. Unlike the stiffer boots we tested, this boot works with you, not against you.

The Nordica Promachine made the biggest impression when crossing through a variety of snow conditions. Where most boots stood out in a particular discipline, this boot seamlessly transferred from packed groomers to chopped powder fields providing consistent power transmission. The true race-style boots failed to shine in playfulness and maneuverability, while the Nordica Promachine proved to be the top contender in all-around freedom of movement. The torsional abilities of the ankle region accentuated the ease of transfer from one movement to the next, making bumps and tight turns a breeze.

The cuff height on the Nordica Promachine felt just right, hitting a sweet spot on the shin. Paired with an approachable forward lean and ramp angle, the boot allowed us to maintain an aggressive knee-over-toe stance. A stiffer flex ultimately aided in a snappy, energetic feel. We were surprised at how responsive yet damp the boot felt across all conditions. We could feel every vibration in some boots, but the Promachine provided the perfect amount of response to changes in movement and conditions underfoot. For the racers or ultra-aggressive skiers, this boot may not live up to the rigidity of other high flex, low volume options. You may prefer a higher cuff and a stiffer plastic on the instep and spine to access the same transfer of power.

Nordica's Tri-Force Shell construction was designed to optimize energy transmission and control. During our testing period, we felt the boot was assertive and playful yet remained damp in the optimal snow conditions. The 45-millimeter power strap with Powerdriver plastic reinforcement kept a tight hold on the cuff. For the most part, the strap maintained tension throughout the day and suffered the least amount of loosening compared to the competition.

Comfort

The Nordica Promachine truly surprised us in the comfort category. We feel the boot could accommodate a wide range of skier types thanks to its high score in the fit and comfort metrics. For those looking to dabble in steeper terrain, this low-volume boot offers an approachable, confidence-building design that satisfies the need for all-day comfort and all-mountain performance.

A wider cuff serves wider calves to eliminate pinch points while maintaining a snug fit. The plush Primaloft insulated liner supported by Isotherm technology keeps the feet warm and dry. The liner kept us warm on the coldest test days and arguably a bit too warm during our spring slush trials. While the boot appears bulkier than other products in the lineup, it is surprisingly lightweight and easy to maneuver.

Michelin GripWalk soles provide a rockered surface for easy walking. A softer plastic over the arch increases ease of entry and exit, making cold morning changeovers in the parking lot a bit more bearable. All in all, we experienced very little discomfort and enjoyed spending time in this boot on and off the snow.

Fit

The beauty of the Nordica Promachine is that it provides the performance capabilities of a race-style boot without compromising on comfort. The stiff polyurethane spine in the Tri-Force shell supports softer plastic around the instep to generate smooth yet powerful responsiveness and allow for more torsional movement than any other race-inspired boot in the lineup. Where we found other boots to feel slightly suffocating or too spacious, the Nordica Promachine was particularly snug yet forgiving in the arch, instep, calf, and shin.

The 3D Custom Cork Liner sets the stage for fit and customization. A cork and 3D laminate layer surrounding the ankle and heel region supports lateral energy transmission, while a Primaloft layer provides a soft and supportive surface and maintains warmth. The out of the box fit was one of the best of the bunch, though the performance of the boot excelled after molding alterations were made with a boot fitter. Other boots in the lineup had too-tight or too-slim cuff regions prior to molding.

The Nordica Promachine seems to have a more contoured tulip shape that suits our testers' calf profiles. One grapple we had with fit is that the heel pocket felt a bit too roomy. Paired with a medium cuff height, we may have felt even more confident with a heel wedge, though we didn't need it. All in all, the Promachine felt tapered, supportive, and comfortable.

Features & Customization

The Nordica Promachine is fully customizable. The Tri-Force shell construction and cork liner use Infrared technology to better shape the boot to your most sensitive areas. Cork liners generally have better molding properties than foam and often maintain a longer lifetime depending on usage and care.

The buckles are micro-adjustable and the power strap is replaceable for those that can't live without their Booster strap. The Micheline Gripwalk soles are interchangeable for those that need to accommodate an alpine binding. Nordica actually provides a second pair of ISO5255 alpine soles. Just about every piece of this boot is removable aside from the shell itself, which makes for easy fixes and replacement of parts.

Value

We would consider the value of the Nordica Promachine package to be unbeatable. The boot sits on the medium to high range in pricing compared to the rest of the lineup, with some models being significantly pricier. The level of performance, fit, and comfort you receive from the Nordica Promachine makes it a great value.

Conclusion

The Nordica Promachine scored an A+ in our book thanks to its all-around fit, form, and function. Nordica delivered on its claims of comfort and performance while designing a boot that can cater to intermediate and advanced skiers. We loved the boot's energy and torsional capabilities and felt that it maintained a truly stiff yet responsive construction. The Promachine will boost your power and confidence no matter the conditions or the terrain.