2019-2020 Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 130

51 comments on “2019-2020 Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 130”

1. HI Luke,

   thanks for the review. Looks like a nice update of the Hawx XTD line.
   Do you know if the new buckles will be available as an after market package to upgrade your existing Hawx XTD boots?

   • Atomic says spare buckles are always available through select Atomic dealers, so the new buckles should be available through them next year. It doesn’t sound like Atomic will be selling a “package” of the new buckles, but you should be able to get them through an Atomic dealer.

2. If you were getting ready to buy this boot, price aside, would you wait for the new one instead? (I have other boots for now.)

3. Hi Luke,

   How do you anticipate the updates’ effect on the beginning of the flex? I really like the progressive flex of the current Hawx, but I feel that the resistance begins a bit too late for my taste, and that my shin is already flexed forward quite a bit before I begin to feel much support.

   Thanks!

4. Hi Luke, I agree with your assessment of the 18/19 liner. Do you know if the new Liner will be available separately ? If not do you have a recommendation for another liner for this type of boot?

   Thank You

   • Hi Brick, maybe it is late but it might help some. I’ve been riding the original XTD 130 for 2 season and starting my third one. Mind you I also have a pair of Dalbello DRS WC M so it is not my only shoe. From the shop I could go with the original liner which was too flimsy and the shoe was feeling too soft. What made me go with the shoe was to replace the liner with a Salomon X-Max race liner. This reduces a little bit your ROM when climbing but allows for a stiffer flex from the start and overall tighter fit. First 1 or 2 touring sessions are a bit tight but my shells are fitted the way I fit my race shoes (size eu42.5, shell size +/-315mm). I hope this can help.

     Also I love the new buckles, my GF got a pair a the women version this winter and seeing those buckles made me jealous right away, the old system is far from great. I’ll see if I can update that on mine.

5. Any word on 2019-2020 model updates to the non-XTD model (Hawx Ultra 130 S)?

6. Any reasons for not making exchangeable soles (compatible with normal alpine bindings) such as Lange does?

7. Lots of people complained that the last iteration of the XTD had issues with leaking. Other than the updates to the liner, it doesn’t seem like Atomic has done much to address that issue. Can you comment on that at all? Thanks

   • As far as we know, no changes were made to the boot that would affect waterproofing / potential leaking issues.

   • Interesting. I was in the 18/19 XTD about 40 days this season and didn’t get any leaks — fair amount of backcountry and hiking too. But, I good just be lucky.

     • @ontilt, could it be that you have a low volume foot? I think the problem occurs because the water dam over the instep fails to seal. It might also be a related to heat molding the boot and warping the dam.

       • I’m wedged in pretty tight, but it’s very possible. Would definitely be frustrating to me if I experienced this.

8. Hi Luke,
   I am wondering whether those changes make XTD a BETTER boot than the Zero G Tour Pro?
   Thanks a lot.

9. This is the boot! thats was my first feeling after the first run on them. For some years I´ve been looking for the perfect boot for my needs, and this is the one! Super lightweight and great range of movement to skin up, which is something that I don’t care that much as I live for the downhill. So here is when the love comes in. Wow, this is so light and dangerous on the first natural jumps I did, I could kick it so far that was scary… due to the weight on this boots you can’t feel them open when charging but they are so stable when you need that absorption on sketchy landings and specially when skiing fast and you need this response. I was used to freeride and freestyle on 130s with enough weight on them to feel the stability I needed and trusting them your life basically.. same on the Hawks, but so freaking light. I just loved them. I tried them at the on-snow demo show this past march at Copper mtn. Im riding them now in Chile, Southern Patagonia to get the first tracks down here and this is love, this is love, this is love…!!

10. Interesting regarding your comments on the fit. The review of the XTD 120 seemed to suggest that the fit was great for a high instep and medium-wide foot. Are the lasts different between these two models? Or is the difference in review just a factor of one going through the shell molding process?

    • They share the same exact last, so the out-of-the-box fit will be nearly identical. Looking at Cy’s review of the 120, he said it felt very tight and his instep felt like it was getting crushed *before* he heat molded it, but he got a pretty good fit after the heat-molding process. We’ve been impressed by the amount of customization you can get from Atomic’s heat-molding process, but in terms of their out-of-the-box fit, the Hawx Ultra XTD boots are pretty low-volume (particularly in the toe box).

      • Hey Luke, thanks for the clarification. It seems like these would be a viable fit for me due to the heat moldable shell and the boot board that could be modified a bit to allow for some more room above the arch and at the instep. I just tried the Hoji Free which felt pretty uncomfortable in those areas, even compared to the Salomon MTN (without being molded). Thanks again for the great reviews, cheers.

11. Of all the boots like these, which would you choose if you really only toured 5 or 6 times a winter? I’d like to have one boot for all my skis, really like having a light weight boot, but don’t want to sacrifice the downhill performance. What would be the spiritual successor to the Atomic Waymaker Carbon 130? It had just enough walk mode to do little tours, but otherwise felt like a proper alpine boot. I want that, but no so freaking heavy….

    • If you’re touring 5-6 times a year, I think it’d make sense to go with a heavier boot than the XTD 130. The XTD skis really well for how light it is, but it’s important to keep in mind just how light it is. Slightly heavier boots like the Tecnica Cochise, Lange XT Free, Nordica Strider, Rossignol Alltrack Elite, and Dalbello Lupo Pro HD all walk well enough that I’d be fine using them for a few tours a year, but they feel much more “plush” and less harsh when skiing fast in rough conditions vs. the XTD 130 or other similarly light boots. If I was only touring a handful of times a year and was using one boot for everything, I’d definitely opt for a heavier boot like the Cochise, Strider, Lupo Pro, XT Free, Alltrack Elite, etc.

      • Where would you put the Salomon S/Lab MTN in this list when thinking about weight/touring ability vs. downhill/plushness?

        • I’d say the S/Lab MTN falls somewhere in the middle. It tours better than the “50/50” boots but doesn’t walk quite as well and is heavier than touring boots like the XTD 130. And the S/Lab MTN feels a bit more “plush” than the XTD 130, but not as plush as the heavier 50/50 boots.

          • Thanks, Luke! Would you say the XTD 120 is comparable with the S/Lab MTN?

            • We haven’t had anyone who’s used both, but simply based on their respective weights, I’d imagine that those two boots would feel pretty similar in terms of “plushness.”

      • Hi Luke,

        I already own a pair of Hawx Ultra 130 alpine boots and really like them. The fit out of the box was perfect and their performance impressed so far.

        For the upcoming season I want to puchase a 50/50 touring setup (new Bent Chetler 120 with Shift bindings). Now, I’m thinking of the XTD130 as my touring boot to use with this setup.

        Do you think this would be a good choice for me, or should I take a closer look on other boots?

        • If the Hawx Ultra 130 works with your feet, then the XTD 130 is a great choice. Main thing to keep in mind is that the XTD 130 does not feel as “plush” on rough snow (transmits more feedback to your feet and shins vs. the Ultra 130). So if you want a closer feel to your Ultra 130’s, the XTD 120 would actually be a better call as it has a thicker, more substantial liner than the XTD 130. Or you could go with the XTD 130 and get a more substantial aftermarket liner.

      • Well shoot….. Those boots are only marginally lighter than what I have now… If I was going to invest in new fancy boots, I was going to go for the crazy light style… I tried the Zero Guide Pro for one run last year borrowing from a friend… they fit terribly (2 sizes too small???), but the lack of mass was kinda amazing….

        Soo the S/LAB MTN could be a contender?
        Or Atomic in the 120 flex?
        Or The Atomic with an intuition liner??
        It sucks you can’t demo boots easier..

        • Hmm, yeah that’s tough. Just based on the stated weights I’ve seen for the Waymaker Carbon, I do think a boot like the Tecnica Cochise, Rossi Alltrack Elite LT, or Lange XT Free would feel noticeably lighter. And they’re the best boots we’ve used when it comes to feeling like an alpine boot on the downhill. But if you do want to go lighter, I think the Hawx XTD 120 or 130 w/ a beefier liner could work, or the S/Lab MTN, or maybe the Scarpa Maestrale RS or XT. For any of those boots, it might be worth trying some burlier liners, since none of their liners are super plush compared to most alpine boots. Lastly, while we haven’t had major issues with any of those light boots, heavier boots tend to last longer, particularly when you’re using them frequently in the resort.

12. Hey Luke I know this has been mentioned several times in the comments above but I have a pair of the Atomic XTD 130s and haven’t used them yet this season but i really like how light they are and fit pretty well. I would say I ski in the resort around 80-20 compared to downhill but would like a lighter boot with a high flex. I was going to buy a intuition liner for this boot to more of a beefier liner. Do you think this would work well? Change the liners out if I do a longer tour?

13. Hey Luke, which more substantial after market liner would you recommend for the XTD 130 .
    Thank you.

    • We’re actually testing a few options this season from Intuition, and right now, the Intuition Tour Wrap seems like it could be a good option. We’ll be reporting back in this review and a separate Intuition review with our thoughts on what liners might work best.

      • Hey, just wondering if you have tried the Intuition Tour Wrap in this boot yet? I have tried the boot on but the liner feels like garbage…if the Tour Wrap works it could be a great option.

        • It’s proven to be a bit tricky so far. Since Intuition only offers the Tour Wrap in their “MV” fit, it’s a very tight fit in the Hawx Ultra XTD. I think it’ll work for some people, particularly if you mold both the shell and liner, but it hasn’t worked with my wide midfoot. That said, I have been skiing the Tour Wrap in other boots and I am very confident that it would make for a much more comfortable and powerful skiing performance than the 19/20 XTD’s stock liner. The Tour Wrap does inhibit some range of motion while walking (especially vs. the flexible stock XTD liner), but I think the bump in skiing performance will be worth it for some people. And then Atomic is releasing the XTD boots with a new, much beefier and more substantial liner for 20/21, that you’ll reportedly be able to purchase separately: https://blisterreview.com/podcasts/a-very-deep-dive-on-ski-boots-part-4-liners-ramp-angle-forward-lean-ep-88

14. Hey Luke.

    I’ve got Ultra 130s (30MP) and I am very happy with them. Any chance Atomic will start making XTD version bigger than 29,5MP? Thanks

    • Unfortunately, from what we’ve heard, Atomic is not planning on offering the XTD 130 in a larger size than 29.5 in the near future.

15. Hi Luke:

    I just bought a pair of the Hawx XTD 130s…but prefer a more upright stance than the 15° forward lean. You state that if you’d like less than that, you can contact an Atomic dealer to have them order an alternative flip chip that lets you switch between 13° and 19° forward lean. I’ve contacted 2 of my local shops in Calgary Canada and neither seam to understand that this is an option? just wondering I can contact Atomic directly for the part as it’s not listed on their web sites…also have you tested the boots with the Intuition Tour Wrap liner yet…this is an option I’m seriously thinking about but would a little more before I try it.

    • Hmm, that’s odd. Might be worth contacting Atomic directly. Atomic’s Matt Manser (head of ski boots) told us that was an option that dealers could purchase for customers.

      And we haven’t tried the Tour Wrap in the XTD yet, but we did get a pair (and a Pro Tour) that we’ll be writing about after we spend more time in them. My initial thoughts based on using it in other boots: the Tour Wrap is much more substantial and better than the XTD 130’s stock liner on the downhill, I just still need to see how much it compromises on the downhill.

16. I bought the 2018 version of the XTD130 and ordered the 13 degree flip chip from my local retailer. It made a world of difference to me as i was accustomed to a more upright stance from my Rossi race boots and felt the 15 degree not only tired my knees out, but forced me to go so far into the flex to pressure the ski that i lost support. I wish they made an 11 degree chip, but the 13 is noticeably better than 15 for me. I should note, it took the dealer most of the summer and repeated attempts to get the chip from Atomic. The dealer (Allspeed in Portland, Maine) did order several extras so you may be able to get them there.

17. Hi Luke,
    Couple questions please.
    How does it ski vs Lange XT Freetour 130?
    Any downsides to the mouldable shell? Performance? Durability, etc?
    Can they be moulded multiple times? Mostly wondering if a retailer might I willing to mould the shells before committing to purchase.

    • *Edit: more specifically, how does it ski vs XT Freetour (my current touring boot), in powder? I get that it’s going to feel more harsh at speed in rough conditions. I’m more concerned with how it’ll perform in good conditions. Also, same question compared to the Zero G Tour Pro 130. I’m looking to lighten things up from my Lange’s (and the Hoji’s don’t fit very well).
      Looking forward to your thoughts,
      Thank you.

    • In powder, I’d say they’re very similar. In soft, forgiving conditions like untracked pow, the differences in terms of damping / suspension / energy absorption are much less noticeable (just as with skis and bindings). The Zero G Tour Pro is slightly softer than the XT Free 130 and XTD 130, but in powder, I don’t think you’d notice a massive difference (mostly, the Zero G’s flex is easier to initiate, and it feels pretty similar when you get deeper into the flex). As for heat molding, I’m not 100% sure if Atomic has a stance on this (I’ll ask Matt Manser), but I know we’ve had folks mold the XTD at least twice with no issues. And we haven’t had any durability issues with the XTD boots we’ve used. The right boot will obviously depend on fit, but I think the XTD 130 or Zero G Tour Pro could work for you if you want a lighter, better-walking alternative to the XT Free that’s still powerful enough for skiing fast in good snow. Last note: Atomic is updating the liners in the XTD boots for 20/21, and the new liners feel much more substantial than the old ones so I think the 20/21 XTD 130 will narrow the gap a bit when it comes to comfort and suspension in rough snow vs. the XT Free.

      • Great, thanks Luke.
        Any idea how much heavier the Hawk’s new liner might be?

        • A pair just showed up in HQ, so we’ll have that answer quite soon. Keep an eye out for a First Look, and an upcoming podcast with Matt Manser where he covers the new liner and more (he’s very excited about Atomic’s new “Mimic” liners, which makes me very excited…)

          • Hey again Luke,
            Just wondering if you might have a weight on the new mimic liner yet.
            Hate to pester you, but since I’m looking to lighten up my boots, if it comes in too heavy, I might want to grab the 19/20 XTD before they’re gone.
            Thanks again.

            • Sorry for the delay — right now we’ve only weighed the Hawx Prime XTD 130’s liners, which came in at an average weight of 409 grams per liner for a size 26.5. For reference, the shell + liner weight of our pair of the Prime XTD 130 is about 1655 grams per boot. I’ll get the weights of the 20/21 Hawx Ultra XTD 130 ASAP.

18. @BK Contemplating the Mimic liners too. Matt Manser answered on another forum.
    “The weight of the new version with Mimic liner is 1530g / 26.5 – real time weight. It’s around 120-130g heavier than the 19/20, but still one of the lightest boots in this category.”

19. How are gripwalk soles with regard to grip when bootpacking in sketchier lines in the backcountry? Coming from an old Scarpa Maestrale RS with full rockered touring soles but am worried that the bootpacking sacrifice with regard to walking comfort/security will be something I regret. Any thoughts?

20. Great review, thanks Luke.

    How are the size on Hawx Ultra XTD compare to my Lange RX 130 LV in 25,5? (no bootfitting)
    My foot is 260mm and 95mm wide. Do you think I can get my foot into a 25,5 Hawx Ultra XTD 130 2020-2021?

21. Do you know how to obtain the flip chip to change XTD boot from 15 degree to 13 degree forward lean? I emailed Atomic to get a part number, and their customer service said there is no flip chip available??

22. Hey Luke,
    Any chance you or anyone else at blister has skied both the hawk ultra 130 xtd and the 130s, and can comment on any differences in terms of downhill performance?

23. Are these gripwalk soles replaceable or is it one go, wear down and they’re done?