Tecnica Mach1 MV 115 W Review

This is a boot that expert skiers will love and intermediates can grow into. Although I tested the objectively stiff 115-flex version, the flex profile is smooth and progressive, poppy and playful. It's also available in a more approachable 105 flex, as well as an even more forgiving 95 flex. The women's specific fit is accommodating, especially around your calves, without sacrificing a snug fit in the ankle pocket. I tested the medium-volume (MV) version, with a 100 mm last, but if you have more petite feet, it's also available in a low-volume (LV) version with a narrower, 98 mm last.

Performance

The Mach1 is a powerhouse of a boot, with maximum control and power transfer at the forefront of its design. Just as Tecnica suggests, this boot allows you to express yourself freely at top speed, anywhere on the mountain. These marketing claims certainly played out for our testing team – it received nearly perfect performance scores across the board. And I couldn't help but have a grin on my face at the bottom of every run while testing the Mach1.

One component that sets the Mach1 115 apart is Tecnica's T-Drive Technology, a carbon-reinforced connector that links the cuff and lower shell. This piece stiffens the boot laterally and eliminates flex inconsistencies between the upper and lower shell. Compared to other direct competitors, I noticed that the Mach1 has a smoother, more progressive flex pattern, especially on particularly cold days. And that responsiveness was consistent, no matter if I was railing turns on hardpack or charging through choppy snow. The asymmetrical power transmission also helped me feel my inside edge better, thanks to a thicker medial wall on the shell. This was particularly noticeable when holding a turn, especially at higher speeds.

I couldn't find any terrain where this boot didn't excel – it was fun to ski in steep terrain on the upper mountain, between tight trees, in deep powder, and through endless mogul fields. True to its name, the Mach1 truly shines in its ability to make quick turns on hardpack and freshly groomed runs. Whether you're into making massive GS arcs or tight, slalom-style turns, the Mach1 has the power and precision to lock you into the turn and playfully pop you into the next one.

Comfort & Fit

Tecnica's fit philosophy centers around precision and personalization. Options for a low-volume (LV), 98 mm last or a medium-volume (MV), 100 mm last let you choose the right width, and the liner and shell are designed with Tecnica's C.A.S. (Custom Adaptive Shape) technology. The C.A.S. liner uses multi-density microcell foam and is anatomically pre-shaped to combat common pressure points. The shell is dimpled in common problem areas so that it can be customized by heat molding or punching. Both designs make it easier for bootfitters to fine-tune your new boot to achieve an ideal fit.

The Thermoforming Collar is unique to the women's Mach1. This part of the C.A.S. system better accommodates varying calf shapes, and a floating tongue reduces shin pressure, which, combined, makes this boot more comfortable to flex. A softer plastic over the instep makes it significantly easier to slip this boot on and off, which I particularly appreciated on a cold morning and after a long ski day.

Unlike other high-performance boots, nothing about wearing the Mach1 feels like a punishment. Based on years of shoving my feet into similarly aggressive boots, I expected that these would kill my feet. So I was quite impressed by just how comfortable they were to slip on right out of the box, and once I dialed in the fit, these were one of the most comfortable boots I tested. The heel hold is excellent, and unlike some race boots that feel like cement blocks, I could engage my forefoot in the Mach1 for enhanced responsiveness.

Features

Tecnica has continued to improve the fit and feel of the Mach1 throughout the years, and the thoughtful features included in the newest version made it obvious that these boots were clearly built with serious female skiers in mind. Tecnica paid close attention to the ergonomics of a women-specific design – the C.A.S. technology I discussed above is a major feature of the Mach1, directly impacting its comfort and performance.

Of course, the Mach1 also includes all of the features one expects to find in a top-quality, all-mountain boot, including GripWalk soles, a camming power strap, and micro-adjustable buckles. It also includes a spoiler so that you can customize the angle of forward lean, or if necessary, take up extra space around your calf. The forward lean is set at 12.5 degrees for the LV model and 13.3 degrees for the MV model, promoting an aggressive stance ideal for hard-charging skiers.

Warmth

I was pleased, and pleasantly surprised by how warm my feet were on cold days – and there were plenty of days this season when temperatures dropped well below 0°F at Telluride. Certainly, part of this was that I was able to ski harder to keep warm, but even so, the Mach1 felt a notch cozier than other boots of a similar caliber I've tested previously.

But this warmth is by design – the liner in the Mach1 includes Celliant, a proprietary insulation material wherein superfine mineral powders are combined with fibers in the foam. These minerals convert your body heat into infrared energy, which is reflected back into the foot to increase circulation. It sounds like a space-age, or perhaps a new-age technology, but it pays noticeable dividends back in warmth.

Should You Buy the Tecnica Mach1 115 W?

If you're a hard-charging, expert skier, the Mach1 is the perfect all-mountain boot. But don't be intimidated if you're an advanced-intermediate skier with a lot of passion and drive – this boot could help you progress into skiing bigger terrain and at higher speeds. While advanced-intermediate skiers might appreciate the room for growth afforded by the Mach1, this is decidedly not a beginner boot.

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