Tecnica Cochise 130 DYN GW Review

The Tecnica Cochise 130 is one of our favorite all-around boots for its comfort, performance, and versatility. It doesn't win out in every category, but it shines as the premier hybrid resort and backcountry boot, earning a Top Pick Award. The performance and comfort of this boot blew us away with its duality of shredding in the front and backcountry with grace and precision. Stiff flexion and a fully moldable liner and shell make this boot comfortable and customizable to many foot shapes.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

With a 99-millimeter last that feels more like 101 millimeters, the Tecnica Cochise holds the foot snug with no jostling or wiggling in the boot. Tecnica's touted anatomical design feels great right out the box. The heat-moldable liner and polyurethane shell can be molded for further comfort or hot spots. The extending cuff buckles allow for extra cuff room while hiking. The removable tongue can be adjusted with velcro. Micro-adjust buckles let you fine-tune the fit further.

We were skeptical that an advertised 99-millimeter last width belonged with our medium volume lineup, but we were proven wrong. The fit fell in the middle of our test pool for the last width feel. The CAS dual-density liner is our favorite liner as well. Firm yet supple and not compromising when we drive through the boot. It is also able to be molded and ground for the perfect fit.

Performance

We were stunned by the reliability of the flex and control of the Cochise high speed. The consistent flex and cam buckle power strap makes the boot feel like an extension of your own body. Granted, these are stiffer than most touring boots, but the niche these fill is a cross-over boot that is as at home on-piste as off. These are built with the strength of an alpine boot that happens to have tech inserts. They carve, hop, and pivot with precise control.

The polypropylene carbon injected cuff adds excellent control by increasing the moment arm of your lower leg. It also decreases lateral flexion making for sharp edge-to-edge transitions. Tecnica also offers a kit of preshaped pieces for reducing volume for those with lower volume feet since there is only one shell size. The 50-degree range in walk mode makes the skin track a pleasant glide.

Materials & Durability

The Cochise offers the same dimpled work zones in the PU lower that Tecnica provides in its alpine boots. The power lock cam buckle on the power strap is beefy, but we love it. It cinches tight and does not let go throughout full days of testing. Overall, this is a sturdy touring boot, or you can look at it as a slightly less buff alpine boot. It held up well to a few months of our abuse while we tested it and continually became our boot of choice while skiing in our free time.

The trade-off for all that stiffness and polyurethane (PU) construction is a boot that is on the heavy side for a touring boot. The PU is an uncommon material for a full-time touring boot, but the polypropylene upper and light buckles help cut some weight. This boot is not created for a long or multi-day tour in mind weighing in at 4 pounds, 2 ounces. The liner is Tecnica's CAS dual-density foam and provides excellent warmth and comfort. This material is not only heat moldable but can also be ground to provide a custom fit.

Warmth

The anatomical fit and out-of-the-box comfort make the Cochise one of the warmer boots we tested. On sub-zero days it performed well with a roomy toe box and a snug dense CAS liner. We were sad that the Celliant technology was not included in this Tecnica model, but weight must be cut somewhere.

On the uphill, the boot can get a little warm. This can be remedied by opening the buckles into a hiking position, the extendable cleat on the cuff buckles that allow for the full range of motion and swelling. Since this boot is a little more resort with some backcountry tendencies, we don't mark it down for being on the warmer side.

Features

Of course, as a back and side country ready boot, the Cochise has a manually operated walk mode on the spine of the boot. Tecnica has added the extra feature of a lock so that when you are tearing it up, you don't have to worry about the boot suddenly unclicking into walk mode because the mechanism is jammed with ice. The extendable hiking mode cleats are nice, as mentioned above, so your buckles aren't flapping about on the uphill. We love the Power Lock cam buckle on the power strap that holds the cuff snug against your calve.

A couple of minor complaints: the little key that comes to lock and unlock the walk mode is easy to lose, and the locking mechanism is hard to turn with a gloved hand. The walk mode operates just fine without being locked, so it is unnecessary to use it, but we didn't mind taking a glove off for the added sense of security and safety. The Grip Walk soles hike wonderfully on ski tours and through the lodge. Grip Walk is becoming more standard on a boot of this capacity and price point. The Recco tag in the rear of the cuff is also a nice touch should you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of a burial.

Value

If you are looking for one boot that can do it all, the Cochise offers the supreme performance of a top-of-the-line alpine boot with the capability to tour. Although the price tag is high, this functions as two boots for the price of one. For the quality of the materials and extra features, we feel like this boot is a steal. The performance and comfort alone make this a contender with any boot in this category.

Conclusion

We didn't have much to complain about with the Tecnica Cochise and a lot to praise. This boot is perfect for heavier or advanced skiers who want a high-performance boot that can also tour. While it is heavy for any multi-day or long tours, on the roadside or shorter tours, the control and precision are worth its weight in gold. If you have the budget or are looking to step up your skill, consider this boot like the one that can do it all and do it well. Tecnica offers a women's version, too, and is available in 110 and 120 flexes for less aggressive or lighter skiers. With a broadening range of flexes and gender-centered styles, there is a Cochise boot for almost everyone.