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gear reviews

Gear reviews | Atomic Hawx Ultra 130

Ultralight, high-performance ski boot for the 16/17 season

by Lorenzo Rieg 03/13/2016
While there has been one innovation after another in the ski touring boot segment (and freeride boots with ascent function) in recent years, things have been relatively quiet in the alpine boot segment. Those who need or want the ultimate performance still reach for a racing boot, which is fitted by a boot fitter and where comfort is usually sacrificed in favor of power transmission and ski feel. All other skiers, whether on the piste or off-piste, use a more or less sporty "normal" ski boot.

At the start of the next season, Atomic is set to change that with the Hawx Ultra. The boot is designed to offer maximum downhill performance without compromising on comfort. Although the Hawx Ultra is based on the successful models in the Hawx series, its narrow fit and the use of different synthetic materials make it a slightly different caliber. The boot is also record-breakingly light. We were able to test the Hawx Ultra 130 in advance.

Tester & test conditions

I am 183cm tall and weigh around 75kg. I stand on skis quite a lot (and reasonably decently), but I mainly go ski touring. However, I'm also out and about in the ski area, both freeriding and piste skiing. My feet are rather narrow and otherwise quite uncomplicated (i.e. without overlegs or other deformities), apart from the Hawx Ultra I use the Full Tilt Seth Morrison Pro and a slightly older Fischer Progressor 130 as boots in the ski area, and the Scarpa Maestrale RS on ski tours.
I wear the Atomic Hawx Ultra 130 in size 28, although it should be noted that 28 and 28.5 share a shell size. I've been using the boot since the beginning of February and have worn it on all my days in the ski area since then.

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First impression

"Wow, it's light" is the first thing that goes through your mind when you touch the Hawx Ultra. In terms of weight, the boot is more reminiscent of my touring boots than my (already light for alpine boots) Full Tilts. There's no need to compare it with other alpine boots...
The interesting thing about the weight is that a normal, thermoformable Memoryfit liner is used, not a particularly light model. The weight saving is therefore entirely in the shell. Atomic has based the material and thickness of the shell on the successful touring models in the Backland series. The majority of the shell is made of very thin Grilamid (a polyamide, conventional ski boot shells are usually made of polyurethane), but thicker PU is used in the areas that are important for power transmission and flex. This combination is intended to allow light weight without affecting the skiing characteristics.
As you would expect from a new top model, the Hawx Ultra is impeccably finished. There are no burrs on the plastic or the easy-to-operate metal buckles and, of course, nothing wobbles. In addition to the four buckles, the boot has a massive power strap (which could easily be replaced by a booster strap, for example). The inner boot is comfortable and warm, the sole has a few contours to increase grip, but of course it is an alpine sole, so those who like to dance on ice slabs will be happier with a touring sole.

Customization options

A clear advantage of the Hawx Ultra is the numerous possibilities to customize it to your own feet. Not only can the shell be adapted to the foot thanks to Atomic's "Memory-Fit", the inner boot is also thermoformable. Naturally, the buckles have a fine adjustment with a thread and at the back of the shaft the template can be adjusted in 3 positions, the lateral angle of the shaft is also adjustable. Atomic has also come up with something clever for adjusting the canting. Since the sole plates of the Hawx Ultra can be unscrewed, corresponding angled adapter plates can be installed underneath them, which allows for adjustable canting without grinding the soles.

For me, no adjustment of the shell was necessary, only the thermoformable liner was adjusted.

Test report

As soon as you slip into the boot for the first time, you realize that this is a tougher model. Especially in the freeride sector, it feels like there is hardly a shoe with walk mode that doesn't advertise a model with Flex130. You can get used to it, but it's only when you're standing in a proper alpine boot again that you remember what it actually means. Compared to the Hawx Ultra, my Full Tilts can also be described as "comfortable". The boot fits me very tightly but well. The good heel hold is particularly noteworthy, even with full forward pressure the heel stays where it belongs.

When skiing, you notice the good and direct power transmission that the Hawx Ultra enables. Of course, this is particularly noticeable on the piste or in hard snow. I had to adjust to the boot briefly at first, but quickly learned to appreciate it. Of course, the ski boot also works wonderfully when freeriding, although maximum power transmission is of course not as crucial in powder as in harder types of snow. The Hawx still cuts a fine figure, the low weight is not immediately noticeable, but it doesn't detract from the agility. Personally, I was initially a little irritated by the supposedly straight position of the foot, but once I had adjusted the shaft to the position with the strongest forward lean, this immediately disappeared. The flex is nice and progressive, which makes the shoe stable when landing jumps.
It should also be noted that the shoe hardly reacts to different temperatures, the flex remains practically the same in warm weather as in low temperatures. Speaking of temperatures, unlike the racing models with thin leather liners, feet stay warm in the Hawx Ultra 130 even at low temperatures.

Conclusion

The model between the real racing shoes and the more comfort-oriented models is a success, the shoe can do something. In addition to the great power transmission, the numerous options for adapting it to your own feet are particularly impressive. The low weight is also an advantage, although of course it doesn't have too much of an effect on lift-assisted skiing. An interesting alternative on the ski boot market for sporty and aggressive skiers with rather narrow feet!

Advantages & Cons

+Great power transmission
+Very adaptable and adjustable
+Very light

Details

RRP €559.95

Memory Fit for fully customized shells
Memory Fit 3D liner with thermally adaptable heel and ankle areas
Progressive Shell, a revolutionary shell construction with 25% less weight for more agility and a more precise feel with the best stability and power transmission
Energy Backbone, an asymmetrically reinforced back for additional stability

In addition to the tested version with 130 flex, the Hawx Ultra will also be available in versions with 120, 110 and 100 flex (at correspondingly lower prices). Atomic hasn't forgotten the ladies either, with the Hawx Ultra available in 110w, 90w and 80w.

This product was provided to PG free of charge by the manufacturer for testing purposes.

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