Skiers went decades without any real breakthroughs in ski boot design. But over the last 15 years, the category has seen a steady stream of meaningful innovations. GripWalk soles, walk-mode mechanisms, cabrio constructions, and BOA dials have all improved the comfort, convenience, and performance of alpine ski boots. Now, Salomon is adding another entry to that list: an all-new overlap shell design built around a single ankle pivot point.
Today, Salomon launched the S/Pro Alpha C BOA, a fully redesigned version of the S/Pro Alpha, its narrow-lasted, high-performance alpine ski boot. The biggest change is in the shell itself: Instead of the traditional two ankle pivots connecting the upper and lower shell, this boot uses just one.
ExoDrive, BOA, and Liner: What’s New on the S/Pro Alpha C
Look at the inside (medial) ankle of the boot and it almost appears bald. It’s a completely clean, mono-injected plastic wall that extends all the way down to the boot sole. On the outside (lateral side), a traditional ankle pivot point connects the upper shell to the lower shell; but on the medial side, the cuff attaches to the lower shell near the boot sole via Salomon’s new “Powerlink” screws. This new third-cuff overlap design—which Salomon is calling ExoDrive—is meant to improve heel retention and optimize energy transfer to the ski.
“The evolution of the S/Pro Alpha C BOA is all about giving aggressive skiers more power and control without sacrificing comfort,” said Lauren Samuels, Salomon’s North American Alpine Category Manager. “We reworked this boot from the inside out to deliver a high-performance design that responds instinctively on snow.”
Beyond the new shell design, the new Salomon S/Pro Alpha C gets a few other notable updates: a BOA dial on the upper cuff to replace the two traditional upper buckles, and a reworked liner with an edgeless tongue for better fit and comfort.
A Bootfitter’s Take on Salomon’s New Design
We haven’t skied the boot yet, so it’s still too early to say whether Salomon’s new shell design delivers on its performance promises. But after trying it on at a recent trade show, our boot expert, Mark Elling, is intrigued. While Salomon is focused on the performance gains, Elling is especially impressed by the fit and comfort improvements.
The previous Salomon S/Pro Alpha consistently scored high for on-snow performance in the America’s Best Bootfitters test, but it was one of the hardest boots in the test to get on. But Salomon’s new ExoDrive shell construction features a unique cut-out at the interior ankle pocket that’s covered with a waterproof, gusseted fabric. This helps eliminate a common hot spot for many skiers and makes the boot noticeably easier to slide into.
“The feel of the ankle pocket is killer right out of the box, and I have a problematically prominent inside ankle bone that typically needs a punch,” said Elling.
That said, if a skier does need to modify that area, the new design could pose some challenges. “The interior of the boot in this zone is a bit complex, and doing stretches or grinds in this area may prove dicey,” Elling added.
The Big Question: How Will It Flex on Snow?
As for the on-snow performance implications of the one-pivot ExoDrive shell, Elling is cautiously optimistic. In theory, eliminating a hinge point should improve energy transmission from skier to ski. What remains unclear is how removing the medial ankle pivot will affect the boot’s flex pattern.
“When a boot’s cuff doesn’t flex straight down the centerline of the lower boot, but instead toward the bow-legged or knock-kneed side, edge angles can change during flexion—either increasing them (making the ski feel hooky) or decreasing them (leading to wash-out),” Elling explained. “That’s what I’ll be watching for once I get this boot on snow. Indoors, the flex felt nice and neutral.”
The new Salomon S/Pro Alpha C will be available in four flex options for men (130, 120, 110, 100) and women (115, 105, 95, 85) this fall. For experts chomping at the bit to get their hands on a pair, the S/Pro Alpha C 130 and 115 W just dropped at select retailers and at Salomon.com.
Mark Elling contributed to the reporting for this story. Elling has worked full-time in the ski industry for over 35 years as a level 3 PSIA certified instructor, a snowcat skiing guide, and as a professional bootfitter. Elling coordinates Masterfit’s annual boot test and is SKI’s lead ski boot tester. He is formerly a board-certified pedorthist and is the author of The All-Mountain Skier: The Way to Expert Skiing.
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