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Question about Atomic boot flex

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pastysmasher
Posts: 780 - Karma: 664
So the local boot shop fucked up my boot fit. I complained and they're going to replace my boot. The original boot was an Atomic Hawx Ultra 130. One of them feels great and I'm certain that with the right fitting they're the perfect boots for me.
Only problem is, is that the shop and supplier have run out of 130's. I'm in Japan so it would probably take a while to get a pair of 130's in. They've offered me the 120 but I'm unsure if it will be stiff enough. Would a stiff booster strap make if feel like a 130? I ski aggressively on all terrain and weigh 71 kg's so am pretty doubtful the 120 will give me what I need. This is the first 2 piece boot I've had in years so I don't have much reference of flex differences. Before was wearing the full tilt Seth which is stiffer and more supportive than people tend to think. Any help is much appreciated!
Feb 9 2019 3:09AM
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LineSkier
Posts: 243 - Karma: 446
Absolutely don't settle for the 120. I made that mistake last season and it cost me a lot of time and money. I guarantee you'll end up consigning or selling them and looking for the 130.
Feb 9 2019 4:50AM
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Greg_K
Posts: 947 - Karma: 2,718
pastysmasherSo the local boot shop fucked up my boot fit. I complained and they're going to replace my boot. The original boot was an Atomic Hawx Ultra 130. One of them feels great and I'm certain that with the right fitting they're the perfect boots for me.
Only problem is, is that the shop and supplier have run out of 130's. I'm in Japan so it would probably take a while to get a pair of 130's in. They've offered me the 120 but I'm unsure if it will be stiff enough. Would a stiff booster strap make if feel like a 130? I ski aggressively on all terrain and weigh 71 kg's so am pretty doubtful the 120 will give me what I need. This is the first 2 piece boot I've had in years so I don't have much reference of flex differences. Before was wearing the full tilt Seth which is stiffer and more supportive than people tend to think. Any help is much appreciated!


The flex of the 120 can be adjusted to 130 easily by adding the 2nd screw on the back spine of the boot. The 130 has 2 installed from the factory but you can remove the top one to reduce to 120 flex. The shop should have the extra screw to add to the 120 and they just need to drill the new hole to install it.

The 130 used to be the only one with the True Flex that doesn’t change flex in different temps but I think the 120 has that now. Not sure what difference there are now besides flex and that can be changed easily.
Feb 9 2019 10:52AM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7099 - Karma: 17,043
Greg_KThe flex of the 120 can be adjusted to 130 easily by adding the 2nd screw on the back spine of the boot. The 130 has 2 installed from the factory but you can remove the top one to reduce to 120 flex. The shop should have the extra screw to add to the 120 and they just need to drill the new hole to install it.

The 130 used to be the only one with the True Flex that doesn’t change flex in different temps but I think the 120 has that now. Not sure what difference there are now besides flex and that can be changed easily.


Yeah basically this. The 120 can be stiffened up to the same as the 130 anyway. If you need boots now go for it.
Feb 9 2019 11:35AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6638 - Karma: 10,532
Greg_KThe flex of the 120 can be adjusted to 130 easily by adding the 2nd screw on the back spine of the boot. The 130 has 2 installed from the factory but you can remove the top one to reduce to 120 flex. The shop should have the extra screw to add to the 120 and they just need to drill the new hole to install it.

The 130 used to be the only one with the True Flex that doesn’t change flex in different temps but I think the 120 has that now. Not sure what difference there are now besides flex and that can be changed easily.


Few points to consider:
- the 120 boot and the 130 are very similar: same liner, same power strap, both use TrueFlex PU in the lower shell (all Ultra boots do actually, which is sick). They are almost the same boot, except... see point below

- yes, adding the second screw to the back of the boot will increase the forward flex of the boot, but the 130 uses a stiffer lower shell than the 120. Even if you add the second screw, the lower shell of the 120 will not be as stable or powerful as the 130.

Hope your shop can get you what you want!
Feb 9 2019 1:08PM
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Rum_Ham
Posts: 1449 - Karma: 4,481
I had the exact situation you do and settled for the 120. I crush the lowers pretty easily. Definitely wait for the 130 if you need the 130
Feb 9 2019 9:47PM
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Chunderface
Posts: 2438 - Karma: 9,569
I feel like an Atomic 130 is a little soft for 130's, too.
Feb 10 2019 6:40PM
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Chunderface
Posts: 2438 - Karma: 9,569
I feel like an Atomic 130 is a little soft for 130's, too, at least in the Hawx Ultra.

**This post was edited on Feb 11th 2019 at 12:17:26am
Feb 10 2019 6:41PM
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pastysmasher
Posts: 780 - Karma: 664
Thanks for the input everybody! Some super useful stuff here!
Feb 11 2019 8:49AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6638 - Karma: 10,532
TubeBroI feel like an Atomic 130 is a little soft for 130's, too, at least in the Hawx Ultra.

**This post was edited on Feb 11th 2019 at 12:17:26am


We try to shoot for the middle of the "130" range, if that means anything. We line up all of the relevant 130s in the same category, compare them side by side at room temp, side by side while skiing, and then put them into our robot that flex tests them all in the same way and we can see their actual flex pattern.

We aren't going to be the stiffest in the category, but definitely not the softest either. Try it on next to a Lange RX 130 and you will see that we are stiffer than them, for example.
Feb 11 2019 11:07AM
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