Boot: 2023-2024 Kastle K130P LV
Stated Flex: 130
Available Sizes: 24.0-30.5
Stated Last (size 26.5): 97 mm
Size Tested: 26.5
Stated Boot Sole Length (size 26.5): 303 mm
Blister’s Measured Weight (size 26.5):
- Shells, no Liners (left & right): 1635 & 1635 g
- Liners, no Footbeds: 361 & 368 g
- Shells + Liners = 1996 & 2003 g
- Stock Insoles: 15 & 15 g
- Removable Spoilers: 34 & 34 g
Buckles: “K_Release” micro-adjustable buckles (easy-opening trigger on lower buckles)
Power Strap: 50 mm cam-style
Shell Material:
- Cuff: Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU)
- Lower Shell / Shoe: K_Blend (Kastle’s proprietary plastic mix)
Liner: “Performance+” Liner w/ laces and attachable EVA pads for ankle fitting
Soles: Alpine w/ removable lifter plates (GripWalk soles available aftermarket)
Binding Compatibility: Alpine (ISO 5355), GripWalk, MN
[Editor’s Note: In the interest of getting you information sooner on some of the products we’re reviewing, we’re posting here some of our measured specs and manufacturer details, and will update in the future. Take a look, and let us know in the Comments Section below what questions you’d like us to answer.]
Intro
A longstanding ski brand rarely breaks into the ski-boot market, but that’s precisely what Kästle did in 2022, when they announced a full lineup of alpine ski boots to be released in the 22/23 season. For all the details on this announcement and more details on Kästle’s boot technology, check out the initial announcement.
We also spoke to Kästle’s global ski boot engineer, Alessandro Speranzoni, on our GEAR:30 podcast; if you want a full overview of what their design process and approach looked like, be sure to listen to that episode.
Most recently, we received the 23/24 Kastle K130P LV for long-term testing — for now, we’ll discuss the design details of this boot:
What Kästle is saying about their K_BOOTS
“Focusing on top-performance is deeply rooted in our history. Forward, out of the box thinking, striving for innovation, cutting-edge technology and attention to detail are at the heart of Kästle. It empowers us to continue the story and rethink our product’s most crucial components. The Kästle race and performance ski boot family. For ambitious and passionate skiers. For those without limits. For the focused ones, who are always looking for the perfect turn. For those, who want to be #FastAsEver.”
The Kästle Boot Lineup
Kästle’s boot lineup is split into two major series, their “R” boots and their “P” boots. The “R” boots feature race-derived lasts.
Kästle’s “P” boots are available in two lasts: 97 mm (“low volume”) and 100 mm (“standard”). While their boot lineup is labeled as “unisex,” the available sizes vary between models, which you can see below:
Race “R” Boots – 91.5 mm last
- K150R (available in 22.5-28.5)
- K130R (available in 22.5-28.5)
Performance “P” Boots – 100 & 97 mm last
- K130P & K130P LV (available in 24-30.5)
- K120P & K120P LV (available in 22-26.5)
- K110P & K110P LV (available in 24-30.5)
- K100P & K100 LV (available in 22-26.5)
Weight & Comparisons
When it comes to fixed-cuff alpine boots, the K130P LV’s weight is pretty average. Several comparable boots in the “all-mountain,” 130-flex, low-volume category come in just a bit heavier, but there are also several that come in lighter, such as the Tecnica Mach1 LV 130, Lange Shadow 130 LV, and Atomic Hawx Ultra 130.
For reference, here are a number of our measured weights for some comparable boots. For our measured weights, we list the weights of each shell + the weights of each liner, then the total weights of the shells + liners. You can click on the link for each boot to see which model-year(s) it refers to.
K2 Recon 130 LV (26.5): 1276 & 1277 + 369 & 374 = 1645 & 1651 g
Atomic Hawx Ultra 130 S GW (26.5): 1375 & 1376 + 410 & 413 = 1785 & 1789 g
Salomon S/Pro Alpha (26.5): 1408 & 1417 + 399 & 400 = 1807 & 1817 g
Nordica Promachine 130 (26.5): 1428 & 1428 + 444 & 445 = 1890 & 1891 g
Atomic Hawx Ultra 130 Professional GW (26.5): 1411 & 1415 + 548 & 546 = 1948 & 1961 g
Tecnica Mach1 LV 130 TD (26.5): 1518 & 1518 + 447 & 450 = 1965 & 1968
Lange Shadow 130 LV (26.5): 1560 & 1560 + 415 & 419 = 1975 & 1979 g
Kästle K130 P LV (26.5) 1635 & 1635 + 361 & 368 = 1996 & 2003 g
Fischer RC4 Pro LV GW ZF CFC (26.5): 1438 & 1440 + 586 & 586 = 2024 & 2026
Head Formula 130 (26.5): 1557 & 1558 + 468 & 470 = 2027 g & 2029 g
Tecnica Mach1 MV 130 TD (26.5): 1541 & 1539 + 491 & 501 = 2032 g & 2040 g
Head Formula RS 130 (26.5): 1587 & 1588 + 466 & 466 = 2052 g & 2053 g
Rossignol Hi-Speed Elite 130 (26.5): 1610 & 1607 + 442 & 446 = 2052 & 2053 g
Lange RX 130 LV (26.5): 1676 & 1678 + 430 & 430 = 2106 & 2108 g
Lange RS 130 LV (26.5): 1634 & 1634 + 481 & 489 = 2115 & 2123 g
Fischer RC4 Pro MV GW BOA ZF CFC (26.5): 1554 & 1555 + 605 & 603 = 2170 & 2170
Atomic Redster CS 130 (26.5): 1773 & 1778 + 435 & 434 = 2208 & 2212 g
Nordica Dobermann 5 S (26.5) 1811 & 1816 + 491 & 490 = 2302 & 2306
Head Raptor WCR 140S (26.5): 1852 & 1849 + 507 & 511 = 2359 & 2360 g
Things We’re Curious About
(1) Given Kästle’s recent arrival to the boot market, how does the K130P LV compare in terms of ski performance to some of the much more established boots in the category?
(2) How does the fit of the K130P LV distinguish itself from similar boots in the category?
(3) Kästle’s been pretty tight-lipped about some of their proprietary plastic blends, but how do they translate to ski performance in terms of damping, rebound, flex pattern, support, etc.?
Stay Tuned
We have a few reviewers spending time in the Kästle K130P LV, so stay tuned for our initial thoughts on its ski performance, features, fit, and how it slots into the market.
Having spent the last 2 seasons in the Nordica Promachine 130, and now 15 days in the Kastle, I found the flex profile to be much easier to engage early on but found a nice rebound point about half way through before “hitting a wall”. Temps have been pretty warm so far this season so I can’t comment much about how the flex profile changes in extreme cold but in mild winter temps (ie. -7C – 2C) its been very consistent. With being a heavier boot than the Promachine, it muted out the rough snow conditions a bit more and with a bit softer flex off the top it deals with rougher snow conditions really well. Input on groomers is quite immediate and impressive considering its not a full blown race boot. I can’t comment yet on how they deal with drops and landings because conditions are not good enough for that yet, lots of rain at the top of Whistler this season :( . That’s all I can contribute at this point!
Cheers all!
you guys should do a review on a real deal world cup boot like a redster ti, fischer rc4 rd podium etc (i.e 91 to 95 last boot)
Including all the fitting necessary, I think a lot of people would be interested on your thoughts