Bootfitter's Notes: Lange SX 120 Review

Lange deserves accolades on many fronts in their history as a ski boot manufacturer.

Throughout their history, performance has been their highest value. While so many companies have gone off on wild goose chases in the ski boot world, (see rear entry boots) Lange by and large has stayed true to its core values with their elite racing heritage and building ski boots that perform well, no matter who you are or what your foot shape.

Boot fitting for the better part of the last decade, I have always counted my lucky stars that I have a narrow foot. Of all people who got the short end of the stick in the ski world, people with wide feet have by far the roughest go in the ski boot world.

Why?

Wide boots historically have been way too wide. Performance suffers greatly as a result of this. Usually the biggest culprit is a cavernous heel pocket and instep roof.  Without a secure heel hold it is enormously difficult make the ski behave the way you want it to if the foot is being held properly.

Finally breaking the mold, Lange launched the SX 120 at 102mm width last year, and it may be the finest “wide” boot we’ve ever skied, period. The SX will get some competition this year from guys like K2 and a wider boot from Nordica, but we still love how the Lange SX 120 skis and feels.

The only regret is that we wish it came in a 130 flex. Having said that, I thought the flex was plenty stiff for me; however often those with wide feet can be big stocky folks who are generally looking for a stiff boot. I think Lange will lose a few sales to those who are convinced they need ultra stiff boots, whether that shopper is right or wrong.

The only other knock is that for those with VERY wide or high volume feet the SX 120 may give a bit more pinch than some of the competition, but remember this is why we think it skis so well, it off great support and foot retention.

For the man or woman who has bounced between a “mid width” boot that damn near brought them to tears or a “wide boot” that skied more like a sorrel than a performance boot, the SX 120 may very well be a God send, and in my estimation is a must try-on if you’re shopping wide ski boots.