A Very Deep Dive on Ski Boots, Part 4: Liners, Ramp Angle, & Forward Lean

A Very Deep Dive on Ski Boots, Part 4: Liners, Ramp Angle, & Forward Lean

Author: BLISTER February 21, 2020 Duration: 1:35:28

Ski boot liners are probably the most overlooked and least appreciated piece of ski gear out there, but they are a critical piece of equipment. So Matt Manser, the product manager of Atomic Ski Boots, is back on GEAR:30 for Part 4 of our “Very Deep Dive on Ski Boots” series, and this time, we’re demystifying the extremely complex, very expensive, and poorly understood category of ski boot liners.

We kick off the conversation by brushing up a bit on plastics (specifically, the not-so-straightforward label, “Grilamid”); then we discuss forward lean and ramp angles; and then we jump down the rabbit hole on ski boot liners, and talk about the different types of liners and their pros and cons; the “30 seconds” test and why Atomic views it as so critical; whether it’s smart to shove an aftermarket liner into a high-performance shell; and then Matt talks about a brand new liner from Atomic that incorporates their “Mimic” technology. In the process, we also talk about next year’s Hawx Ultra 130 S alpine boot, and the also-new-for-next-year Hawx Prime XTD.

TOPICS & TIMES:

  • Grilamid; Polyamide (PA); Polypropylene (PP) (6:18)
  • Forward Lean (14:06)
  • Ramp Angles (24:33)
  • World Cup ski racers are weird (28:06)
  • Forward Lean: what should skiers look for? (31:58)
  • The 20/21 Hawx Ultra “S” (38:00)
  • Ski Boot Liners (42:38)
  • The “First Fit” Battle (46:13)
  • Comfort vs Performance (48:13)
  • Foam-injected Liners (57:45)
  • EVA (“Layered Foam”) Liners (1:06:04)
  • 3D Liners (1:08:02)
  • Atomic’s “Mimic” liner technology (1:09:14)
  • How often can Mimic liners be reshaped? (1:17:14)
  • Aftermarket Liners? (1:19:47)
  • The new Hawx Prime XTD boot (1:27:03)

OTHER EPISODES IN THIS SERIES:


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


For anyone who has ever stood in a shop debating the merits of a new jacket or stared at a trail map while thinking about their skis, GEAR:30 is that conversation. This BLISTER podcast goes far beyond basic specs and marketing claims, offering a nuanced, often technical look at the equipment that defines our time outside. The discussion is driven by the people who live with these products: our own reviewers who are putting gear through its paces in real conditions, the designers who obsess over materials and intent, and the athletes whose livelihoods depend on performance. We also check in with the seasoned folks from our network of recommended shops, who see what works and what doesn’t after a season of hard use. Episodes dig into specific items, broader trends in innovation, and the sometimes-surprising realities of long-term testing. It’s a deep, authentic resource for anyone who appreciates the intersection of sports, design, and technology, and who believes the right tool can transform an experience. Tune in for honest, detailed talk that treats outdoor gear with the seriousness and curiosity it deserves.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 391

GEAR:30
Podcast Episodes
Outdoor Photography: Tips, Tricks, & Gear with Taylor Ahearn [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:17
Taylor Ahearn has been photographing skiing, snowboarding, biking, and day-to-day life in the Gunnison / Crested Butte Valley for many years now, and in this conversation, Luke Koppa chats with him about how he turned th…
Reviewer Reports: Travel Gear, Dinosaurs, & Camcorders [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:57
For this episode, Luke Koppa sat down with Kristin Sinnott to go over some of the products they’ve found useful, surprising, or otherwise noteworthy while on the road or hurtling through the sky. They also discuss extrem…
Alaska’s Epic El Niño Season, Ski Bindings, & More with Powder Hound [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:48
We’re back with Eric Helmbrecht, co-owner of Powder Hound in Girdwood, AK, to discuss Alaska’s banner El Niño season; the gear he enjoyed most; the gear Kara Williard brought to Girdwood; what’s changed at Alyeska Resort…
Whiskey, Murder, and a Bunch of New Skis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:28
Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss some of the new skis they’ve been testing this springRELATED LINKS:Blister Rec Shop: Powder HoundGet Yourself Covered: BLISTER+TOPICS & TIMES:Intro & Updates (2:36)Blizzard Anoma…
New Tech to Simplify Decision Making in the Backcountry [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:03
After years in the backcountry and a near-death experience, IFMGA Guide, Jeff Banks, wanted to build a tool that could simplify and improve the decision-making of any backcountry user. The result is Aspect Avy. Kara Will…
Icelantic & Moment Skis on Ski Design & U.S. Ski Manufacturing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:51
What’s in and what’s out in ski design? And how have U.S. ski companies been doing over the past few years? At Blister Summit 2024, we discussed this and much more with Moment Skis CEO, Luke Jacobson, and Icelantic Skis…