Nordica HF Pro vs. Salomon SX92

My surprisingly high level of satisfaction about the new Nordica HF Pro is is changing my biased view on rear-entry boots. To illustrate this point, I'm comparing that new product to the Salomon SX92 that came up on the market 35 years ago. 

In what follows I’m attempting to show a fair comparison between the two products. Even though both boot designs share the rear-entry concept, they have very little in common in terms of skiability, comfort, and construction.

For its part, the Nordica HF Pro, if sized correctly, might not be as easy to get in and out as its Salomon counterpart, but still better than a conventional 4-buckle boot, especially if its shell is stiff, temperatures are low and the user is old. The Nordica uses a thicker, cork heat-moldable liner that provides even support, without pressure points. 

The Salomon had much thinner liners, a cable tightening system over the instep that could be felt and a rigid tongue offering the comfort skiers still accepted in the 1990s, with a last often too wide and a flex too stiff, depending on the foot and also with much less precision and support. 

In terms of skiability, the Nordica HF Pro (flex 110 or120) features a laterally stiffer shell providing plenty of energy transmission for recreational to performance-oriented use, in a smooth, progressive and predictable behavior. Perhaps not a boot quite fit for competitive racing but that could easily be modified and adapted towards that use. 

In contrast, the Salomon was stiff in the front but lacked lateral rigidity, offered limited energy transmission, especially on modern carving skis with a notable lack of progressiveness, exhibiting sometimes an "on/off" behavior. 

One of the shining features of the Nordica is its remarkable heel-hold that comes from its “high-sill” in the back, making entry somewhat difficult if the boot has been sized right and renders liner removal almost impossible. The Nordica’s support is found in the shell material selected, like PU or Grilamid depending on the version. 

Its weight is reasonable and, being a new product, its durability remains to be seen. The bottom line is that the Nordica HF Pro may look like a "modern SX," but is infinitely better, taking all the brilliant benefits of ​​rear entry, but correcting most of its flaws. 

That’s probably why I’m enchanted with the product after using it just 15 times.