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Since the Technica Mach 1 came on to the scene last year we've noticed a lot of ripper ladies sporting this high performing boot. The Mach 1 is back on the scene and updated for 2018. We were able to take them for a test drive and they've still got it. They are the most responsive boot in this review and we could feel the instant energy transfer to our skis driving this boot around. This warm, comfortable boot is super responsive and handles well in all conditions.
The Mach 1 is fully customizable and we noticed even more so this year the need for a boot fitter. We tried out the “MV” (Medium Volume) version and our testers with traditionally medium volume feet felt the need for footbeds as their feet swam round in these boots. It also comes in a Low Volume (LV) version, so consider reading that review.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Mach 1 by Tecnica can take us where we want to go anywhere on the mountain. This super responsive, stiff boot has excellent progressive flex and is quite comfortable. Ladies with bigger calves will need to be conscious about how they buckle up the top of this boot.
Performance Comparison
Our expert skier testers loved the responsiveness of this boot.
Credit: Scott Rokis
Comfort and Fit
Tecnica's Women to Women Project (W2W) focused on making these boots better for women skiers. This means this boot was designed by women, for women. The medium volume version of the Mach 1 has a roomy 100mm last and felt like plenty of room for our tester's average forefoot and unfortunately, our heels were swimming a bit. We felt the strong need for a footbed in this boot. Surprisingly, when we first put them on we noticed that our toes touched the end, which is not bad, but they feel slightly shorter than the Lange RX 110 LV - Women's.
Once we tapped our heels back, it was not an issue. The Mach 1 feel like they are made for people with skinnier calves. It felt like the boot fit tight around our low calf muscle and was loose around the ankle — opposite of what we like.
We had to play with the buckles and power strap to get the right fit, and we think this situation can be remedied with a footbed and a good boot fitter. Otherwise, the tongue is cushy, and we did not experience any shin bang. We tested these boots in the MV or medium volume version, but they also come in a low volume model for those with narrower feet. The Lange RX 110 also come in a low volume model. If you're looking for a super comfortable, albeit less aggressive ride, the Head Dream 100 Women's is a good choice.
Testing and adjusting the buckles and power strap to get the right fit.
Credit: Scott Rokis
Surprisingly, despite the less desirable fit for some of our testers, they all thought the boots performed like a dream.
Downhill Ski Performance
This is where the Mach 1s get to business. All of our testers enjoyed skiing this boot.
They are quite responsive on hardpack; you just need to move your legs slightly, and they will put the ski on edge. The Mach 1s feel stiffer and not as forgiving as the Lange RX 110; even though the Mach 1's flex is rated to a 105, we'd rate them slightly stiffer. The Nordica Speed Machines are also calculated at a 105 flex, but the Mach 1 is stiffer.
Testing the limits of the Mach1 on hardpack.
Credit: Scott Rokis
This boot feels like a hard-charging boot for an expert skier lady. The Mach 1 took the off-piste soft crud well and we could make quick snappy turns while staying on top of the ski. Our testers who are used to a more race-inclined boot commented on how upright this boot feels. This is a trend for all mountain boots; because we're riding skis that are more and more rockered, we don't need to be quite as forward in our boot.
All of the boots in this review are relatively upright compared to a race style boot and drive rockered skis well. This boot didn't fit our testers' feet as well as they would like, feeling like there was lots of room around the heel and tightness around the calf. However, they didn't feel that their heel was lifting in the steeps, which is pretty remarkable. We could ski this boot with confidence in all terrain. They have a great progressive flex with no pushback, remaining stout but willing.
You can get rad in all kinds of terrain in the Mach 1's!
Credit: Scott Rokis
Features
The buckles feel more ergonomic and modern than the Lange RX 110. Tecnica claims that one reason these boots are so responsive is that the liner is fit perfectly to the shell and makes contact with all the nooks and crannies to create a more instant power transfer, and we're inclined to believe it. New for this year the Mach 1's have Lambswool in the forefoot liner, supposedly for added warmth. We're wondering if this will help with suppressing the smelly boot problem as well!
The shells and liners also have all the usual customization you would expect in a high-end, performance, all-mountain boot for your boot fitter to make them fit like a glove. They don't have many features you can adjust yourself, like a flex adjustment like on the Head Dream - Women's or Dalbello Kyra 95 ID, but we don't think they need that.
We like the Tecnica Mach 1s low profile buckles.
Credit: Scott Rokis
The Mach 1's soles are not particularly grippy, and we noticed that our testers fell on their butts embarrassingly in the parking lot more often than with any other boot.
Durability
We did not notice any durability issues with this boot. They seem like a stout, burly boot that will last you a long time. They weigh a hefty 8lbs, 10oz. The lightest boots we tested are the Atomic Hawx Ultra 110s, which also feel more brittle and delicate than the Mach 1.
We like the broad, easy to use buckles and they seem to be lower profile than the Lange RX 110 and Head Dream models which makes them less likely to snag on something and break while walking. The Mach 1s do have a white microfleece liner that will tend to show dirt and wear more than a black liner like in the Lange RX 110's.
Warmth
A new fiber called Celliant is now being used in these boot liners. This technology uses minerals which transfer body heat into infrared energy, which is said to reflect back onto the foot, keeping your toes toastier.
We think the Mach 1 is on the warmer end of the spectrum, along with the Salomon XPro 100 Women's and the Dalbello Kyra. These award-winning boots have a cozy thick liner and a roomy fit, allowing for plenty of circulation for your feet, unlike some other models like the Atomic Hawx. The Mach 1s we tested were the MV or medium volume model, meaning it has a 100mm last, meant to be for an average woman's foot size. We think the Mach 1's last feels on the wider side when compared with some 100mm last widths, like the Nordica Speed Machine 105, and it allows for greater circulation and warmth. Our testers noticed their feet going numb far less than in a low volume boot like the RX 110 or the Atomic Hawx. Their Custom Adaptive Shape liners, if fit to your foot properly, will keep your toes warm all day riding the lifts - and apparently pack out less over time.
The Tecnica Mach 1 105's feel shorter in length than other boots in this review and our toes touch the end when we put them on.
Credit: Scott Rokis
Best Application
The Tecnica Mach 1, as their name may suggest, are for charging at high speeds and on steeps, on and off-piste. This is a great choice for an expert lady skier — super responsive and inspiring of confidence in difficult terrain. You know they are going to turn when you ask them to without any backtalk or hesitation. Plan on investing in a professional boot fitter.
Value
Retailing for $600, the Tecnica Mach 1 is right in the middle of the pack for its price, therefore making this pair of ski boots a great value, especially considering their superior performance. The Lange RX 110 retail for $100 more and have lost their competitive edge over other boots because of this. Both of these boots are great high performers, but we'd reach for the Mach 1s first simply because of the price.
The Mach1's race car feel of the means it also performs its best with a carving ski.
Credit: Scott Rokis
Conclusion
If you're looking for a new boot to up your ante on the slopes, on and off-piste, the Mach 1 could be for you. Our testers with bigger/lower calves needed to keep the power straps and top buckles loose for a better fit, but this can be worked out by your boot fitter. The instant power transfer and fun, snappy responsiveness of this boot wins it our Editors' Choice Award. Our expert level skiers loved skiing this boot in all conditions, and they kept our feet nice and warm. It may have a bit of an upright feel if you're coming from a racing background, but so will all the all-mountain category boots. The Technica Mach 1 is a great value for a high-performance product.
