“Fur” liner, yes. Lipstick, no. Nordica shows women a lot of respect with this model, which will be popular with the most aggressive of them. It’s a toned-down race boot—a Spitfire 120 (see Men’s Speed) with a softer flex, some freeride-appropriate shock absorption, a lower cuff and, yes, a warm fur liner. The snug fit and sturdy construction made it a favorite among testers.

Testers loved its heel-hold, lightness and adjustability. Dalbello’s three-buckle, three-piece design—cuff, lower shell and shell tongue—is soft-flexing at low speeds, but stiffer as you ramp it up, with positive heel-hold for good leverage over the edge. It’s highly adjustable for flex, forward lean and fit, so it suits a variety of foot shapes and skier styles with all-day comfort.

Up against stouter constructions in the category, the Instinct, with its compact fit, women-friendly cuff and 90 flex, held its own. Slender feet will find the 98-mm forefoot width plenty quick. For wider feet, the Custom Shell feature—expandable panels along the outside of the foot—allows the shop to add up to 6 mm more forefoot room. It’s a satisfyingly responsive performer.

The Mission offers generous volume and a thickly padded liner with just enough fit tension to keep an advanced intermediate happy. Its moisture wicking liner helps keep your foot dry and warm. The toe and heel pads are replaceable in case of wear. Heavier or more aggressive men with wide feet will be better served by the RS 12 ($565), with its 120 flex.