Bootfitter's Notes: Head Raptor 130 RS

I am pleased to say our clientele is, by-and-large, quite well educated about the ski products they are shopping for. As a boot fitter, as often as not the client will state their ability level followed quickly by a short list of boots their interested in trying on, and that list is made up of all the major models from major brands you’d expect, and then they will ask for a recommendation; “and anything else you think I should try on.”

When the client has a narrow foot and is an expert skier my reply is always, “Well you should definitely try on the Head Raptor 130 RS.”

Head as a brand has carved out a large niche in the race market in both skis and boots. They haven’t made the flashiest powder skis, nor best-selling all mountain skis. Instead, they’ve stuck to making the finest hard snow and race skis available, and the same goes for their boots.

We’ve been raving about the Head Raptor since it came out, as has the rest of the universe, and you may be asking, what is so good about it? In short, everything really.

I have a narrow foot, and the fit of the Raptor 130 is second to none.  It is snugger than other boots in the narrow category. It measure 96mm in the 26.5 size making it a millimeter or two narrower than other boots it is tried on against, and usually people notice it.

The Raptor 130 is a race boot for the masses. It is no-nonsense, no-BS flawless piste-ripping machine. The fit is tight, so unless you truly have a narrow foot, the fit may cause your voice to raise a few octaves. The heel pocket is super secure, and the instep is snug. The navicular area is also snug; on my c-width foot I was making contact with the boot all the way around, if you downsize the boot as I like to do expect pins and needles ns the first few times out.

The skiing performance of the Raptor 130 is absolutely unparalleled. It moves with every nuance of the leg and foot. The plastic Head uses performs extraordinarily well, providing dynamic flex and the correct amount of resistance to the shin, (again for my weight and ability).

I had an easy time pressuring the tip of the ski, staying there, and driving into the next turn. I loved this boot, it scored perfect tens on my score card at the America’s Best Bootfitter’s boot test in Bachelor Oregon which fuels the boot reviews for Ski Magazine and Skiing Magazine.

Head has created an interesting liner that does a great job of holding the foot while not packing out as fast as some more mediocre liners on the market. The liner is precise and minimalist that lends itself to a high-end boot.

To sum up: the fit is snug, and the skiing performance is off the charts, if you’re looking for an aggressive snug boot do, not miss the Raptor 130.