REASONS TO BUY
Customizable fit
Loves carving
Warm
REASONS TO AVOID
Wimpy power strap
Too rigid in some conditions
Tecnica Mach1 105 LV - Women's Review
One of the burliest boots tested, the Mach1 is a rigid boot that loves high speeds and demands an aggressive skier to steer the ship
Credit: Tecnica
RELATED: Best Ski Boots for Women
Our Verdict
The Mach1 105 is evidence that Tecnica is leading the charge away from the shrink it and pink it approach to women's specific designs. The Mach1 is one of the burliest and stiffest boots that we tested, but the flex isn't as progressive as other models that are more forgiving. These boots require a heavier, stronger, or more aggressive skier who's okay with a rougher ride on the chop. As much as we loved charging this boot down groomers, we didn't feel like it stood out in overall form and function.
Editor's Note: The 2023 version of this boot is pictured above, and we're now linking to that version in our review as of September 23, 2022.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Tecnica Mach1 105 LV - Women's | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Women's Ski Boot |  Great Value for All-Day Comfort | Great Balance of Comfort and All-Around Performance | ||
| Price | $341.05 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $519.95 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $199.93 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $800 List | $699.95 at REI Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A highly rigid boot that loves high speeds and long GS turns but is less forgiving in choppy conditions | The Promachine boasts a friendly fit with a race-inspired construction that excels in all types of terrain and conditions | A surprisingly comfortable and versatile boot that held its own on groomers but may be too soft for more advanced, off-piste shredders | An approachable race-inspired boot with a softer flex and a comfortable liner, that is responsive across a variety of terrain and conditions | A lightweight, comfortable, powerful freeride boot for skiers in need of a tapered last and narrow fit |
| Rating Categories | Tecnica Mach1 105... | Nordica Promachine... | Rossignol Pure Pro... | Lange RX 110 LV - W... | Atomic Hawx Ultra 1... |
| Performance (35%) | |||||
| Comfort (35%) | |||||
| Fit (15%) | |||||
| Features & Customization (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Tecnica Mach1 105... | Nordica Promachine... | Rossignol Pure Pro... | Lange RX 110 LV - W... | Atomic Hawx Ultra 1... |
| Available Widths | Mach1 LV (98mm) Mach1 MV (100mm) Mach1 HV (103mm) |
Promachine (98mm) Speedmachine (100mm) Sportmachine (102mm) |
Pure Elite (98mm) Pure Pro (100mm) Pure (102mm) Pure Comfort (104mm) |
RX LV (97mm) RX (100mm) |
Ultra (98mm) Prime (100mm) Magna (102mm) |
| Available Flexes | 95, 105, 115 | 85, 95, 105, 115 | 70, 80, 90, 100, Adjustable | 80, 90, 110 | 85, 95, 115 |
| What We Tested | Mach1 LV (98mm) 105 flex |
Promachine (98mm) 115 flex |
Pure Pro Heat (100mm) Adjustable Flex |
RX LV (97mm) 110 flex |
Hawx Ultra (97mm) 115 flex |
| Number of Buckles | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Buckles Microadjustable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Walk Mode | No | No | No | No | No |
| Weight (Per Boot) | 4 lbs 3 oz (size 24.5) | 4 lbs 1 oz | 4 lbs 6 oz (size 24.5) | 4 lbs 6 oz (size 24.5) | 3 lbs 5 oz |
| Thermo-Moldable Liner | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Liner Material | Women's C.A.S. UltraFit with Lambswool and Celliant | 3D Custom Cork Liner | Merino wool + Thermic System | Thinsulate Dual 3D Pro | Mimic Platinum Liner |
| Shell Technology | Polyurethane | Tri Force Shell | Polyurethane | Dual Core Shell | Prolite Shell |
| Binding Compatibility | Alpine | GripWalk + ISO 9523 | Alpine, Gripwalk | Alpine | Alpine, Gripwalk |
| Size Range | 22.5 - 27.5 | 22-27.5 | 22 - 27.5 | 22 - 27.5 | 22.5-27.5 |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The Tecnica Mach1 rips, but gone are the days of high-performance boots being a struggle to step into. This boot is plenty stiff, but we had no problem sliding our feet into the comfortable chassis of this beautiful little number.
Performance Comparison
The Mach1 loves putting a ski on its edge!
Credit: Scott Rokis
Performance
The Mach1 lives for long, fast, hard-charging turns on blue runs. Torsionally quite stiff, this boot is in love with high speed, high edge angle turns. The Mach1 is a stiff boot, but the flex has a very short range of motion compared to other more balanced opponents. The Mach1 reacts as if it has an early stopping point and doesn't give equal pushback when flexed forward. This is great for skiing groomers like you're driving a race car, but not ideal if you want to take the same ride off-road.
We found the Mach1 problematic when charging hard in variable snow conditions. Ironically, it has one of the lower flexes in the lineup, yet it still felt a little too rigid for us to control. This boot feels like it has a more linear flex, and it doesn't want to steer back under the body in between turns. This is likely due to Tecnica's T-Drive technology, a carbon connector on the spine that is longer than traditional constructions. It is supposed to increase lateral power and stability. It did help with power and stability, but maybe a bit too much. We started to get bucked around off-piste when we picked up speed. If your ski style finds you often pushing snow away from the ski at the bottom of the turn, this boot likes that type of skiing.
While the Mach1 itself is strong, its measly 35-millimeter power strap is just the opposite. It's installed in two parts, and the bolts that connect both straps to the boot are plastic. We balk at the skinny power strap with this burly boot and recommend adding an aftermarket Booster strap to this model.
For the best fit, the power strap should be the tightest fitting part of your boot. You want the tongue of your boot to HUG your shin. This is the best way to ensure quick power transfer AND avoid the dreaded “shin bang”.
Credit: Scott Rokis
Comfort
The Celliant Insulation in the liner caught our attention in regards to the warmth department. The insulation uses 13 thermo-reactive minerals in the lining material that converts body heat into infrared energy, which then penetrates tissue in the feet and lower legs to increase circulation, oxygen, and blood flow. Did we feel circulated? Sure. We don't know much about all that scientific jargon, but our feet stayed comfortable and warm on more than one exceptionally cold day.
Though not the warmest boot in the group, it kept us satisfied in all temperatures. It was also very easy to slip on and off. Tecnica's solution to the hassles of getting in and out of a stiff boot is a Quick Instep panel — a flexible piece of plastic located at the overlap to make sure putting your boot on isn't as dreaded as going to the dentist.
Helpful hint: We found it useful to buckle these boots a little tighter on cold days a little looser on warmer ones. It should always feel like a firm handshake, not like your foot is in a vice.
Credit: Scott Rokis
Fit
Tecnica spent a lot of time and energy developing this comfortable, high-performance boot. While we fancied the overall fit, the Mach1 was just too rigid for our liking. What we did like was an anatomically shaped C.A.S. liner that had great heel hold and a generous amount of room in the forefoot. The adjustable floating tongue held a natural shape around our shins, limiting tightness or pressure from an otherwise rigid boot.
The stance is set up at 12 degrees of forward lean and a 3-degree ramp. This is considered the “Women's Natural Stance,” but for those who don't love it, the forward lean can be altered through adjustable screws on the spine.
This beautiful boot is not lacking in features!
Credit: Meagan Jones
Features & Customization
The Mach1 features Custom Adaptive Shape (C.A.S.) technology throughout, which is Tecnica's way of saying this boot was made to be customized where needed. The plastic shell is thick enough for a boot fitter to shave or grind down any hot spots or problem areas you may encounter. The fancy lambswool liner is entirely heat-moldable. We also noticed the grippy bi-material sole on the heel and toe pieces. They minimize the likelihood of eating it in the parking lot on the way to the lifts. The spine features screws to adjust forward lean, which we always appreciate. Overall, solid level of customization, but unfortunately, like many in the lineup, there is no walk mode for such a rigid design.
We are perplexed by the two-piece power strap design and the plastic attachment. This seems less durable than the traditional continuous nylon strap we're accustomed to.
Credit: Meagan Jones
Value
This boot has an average list price compared to the rest of our lineup and solid all-around performance. If the stiff, powerful design suits your skiing abilities, then this would make a great value.
Conclusion
We wouldn't drive a Ferrari off-road, and we sometimes felt that this was what was happening with our Mach1. You can go anywhere in this boot, but it prefers to tear apart groomers above all else. In terms of value, the boot's overall performance and fit are well worth the price, but its lack of applicability across various terrain and conditions lessened its appeal. Sitting solidly in the advanced skier category, this boot is not to be underestimated.
—
Liz Chamberlain & Meagan Jones
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