Boot: 2022-2023 Rossignol Hi-Speed Elite 130 Carbon LV GW
Stated Flex: 130 (+/- 5 adjustment)
Available Sizes: Mondo 24.0-31.5
Stated Last (size 26.5): 98 mm
Stated Forward Lean: 10.6° (adjustable to 12.5°)
Size Tested: 26.5
Stated Boot Sole Length (size 26.5): 305 mm
Blister’s Measured Weight (size 26.5):
- Shells, no Liners (left & right): 1610 & 1607 g
- Liners, no Footbeds: 442 & 446 g
- Shells + Liners = 2052 & 2053 g
- Stock Insoles: 44.5 & 44.5 g
Buckles: 4 micro-adjustable aluminum
Power Strap: 50 mm camming non-elastic strap
Shell Material:
- Cuff: polyether
- Lower Shell / Shoe: polyether / carbon
Liner: 5-Zone Preshaped heat-moldable Liner
Soles: interchangeable Griwalk or alpine soles
Binding Compatibility: alpine (ISO 5355), MNC, Gripwalk (ISO 23223)
[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
For the 2022-2023 season, Rossignol released their new Hi-Speed and Pure boots. These boots are more race-inspired than their predecessors, but are generally targeted at resort freeskiers. They come in a variety of lasts and flex ratings, which makes them potentially applicable to a wide range of foot shapes and skill sets.
The Hi-Speed “Elite” subset refers to the boots with the lowest-volume ~98 mm lasts, with the Hi-Speed Elite 130 Carbon serving as the stiffest boot in that series. One of the most notable design features in the Hi-Speed Elite 130 Carbon LV is Rossignol’s use of “Dual Core” construction in the shells (similar to what Lange has been using in their boots). Essentially, the Dual Core method means softer or stiffer materials, like carbon in this case, can be selectively used in different zones of the boot for the sake of optimizing different performance traits, like power transfer efficiency, suspension, rigidity, and/or “bloatation” (see the video below for more on that). The Hi-Speed Elite 130 Carbon (and HI-SPEED Pro 130) also employ carbon fiber in the heel cup and medial midfoot.
The next update to the Hi-Speed Elite 130 Carbon LV is an adjusted placement of the pivot points, which are now higher and further forward than they were in Rossignol’s previous all-mountain boots. Rossignol claims the new location of the hinge rivets will better utilize the effective range of motion of the ankle joint, enhance the skier’s ability to leverage and steer the boot, and increase stability throughout a turn.
Rossignol also emphasizes the customizability and comfort features of this lineup. The flex can be tuned +/- 5 from 130, the forward lean is adjustable, and tweaked cuff alignment is also possible.
Rossignol’s new 5-Zone anatomically preshaped liner now competes more strongly with many other brands’ pre-shaped moldable liners. It uses anatomically contoured areas (in places that often cause people discomfort) in conjunction with heat-moldable material. They have also moved to a seamless toebox, in an effort to prevent heat loss and increase comfort.
For the full background on the new Hi-Speed and Pure boots, check out our Blister Summit Brand Lineup video with Rossignol:
What Rossignol says about the Hi-Speed Elite 130 Carbon LV
“Race-inspired control meets unparalleled fit and comfort. The Rossignol Hi-Speed Elite 130 Carbon LV ski boots pair cutting-edge shell design with an unmatched out-of-the-box fit for skiers who prefer a low-volume fit. Using generative design and carbon-infused materials, we’ve engineered the boot shell for maximum energy transfer and high-speed control through every carve. Adjustable flex, forward lean and canting let you personalize the feel and response to match your skiing. Our five-zone preshaped liner maximizes comfort with a thermoformable design that includes five key areas that adapt to your foot, while structured zones maintain precise power transmission. Buckle into the Elite 130 for exceptional control with all-day comfort.”
The Hi-Speed Series
The Hi-Speed series comes in an impressive range of flex ratings and widths. Rossignol breaks the lineup into “Elite” (98 mm last, LV), “Pro” (100 mm last, MV), and the 102mm-lasted HV Hi-Speed. The Elite width has boots ranging from 130 to 110 flex, the Pro 130 to 100 (including a boot with a heated liner), and the Hi-Speed HV with 130 to 80-flex boots.
The Hi-Speed Elite 130 Carbon LV is the only model that comes with a camming power strap, and one of two models that uses carbon. Below is the full lineup:
Hi-Speed Elite (98 mm last):
- 130 Carbon LV GW: $849.95
- 120 LV GW: $749.95
- 110 LV GW: $649.95
Hi-Speed Pro (100 mm last);
- 130 Carbon MV GW: $849.95
- 120 MV GW: $749.95
- 110 Heat MV: $749.95
- 110 MV GW: $649.95
- 100 MV: $529.95
Hi-Speed (102 mm last)
- 130 HV GW: $749.95
- 120 HW GW $649.95
- 100 HV: $429.95
- 80 HV: $379.95
Weight & Comparisons
The Hi-Speed Elite 130 Carbon LV is situated pretty squarely in the middle of our list of 130+ flex fixed-cuff boots. This suggests that perhaps Rossignol isn’t using carbon solely to keep the weight of the boot down, but perhaps more so for the sake of rigidity and power transfer. Also notable of the list is the similarity of liner weights among all the boots, while the shell weights fluctuate much more.
Below is listed a number of our measured weights of some comparable boots. We list the weights of each shell + the weights of each liner, then the total weights of the shells + liners.
K2 Recon Pro (26.5): 1334 & 1328 + 426 & 434 = 1760 & 1762 g
Atomic Hawx Ultra 130 S GW (26.5): 1375 & 1376 + 410 & 413 = 1785 & 1789 g
Salomon S/Pro Alpha 130 (26.5): 1408 & 1417 + 399 & 400 = 1807 & 1817 g
Nordica Promachine 130 (26.5): 1428 & 1428 + 444 & 445 = 1872 & 1873 g
Tecnica Mach1 LV 130 TD (26.5): 1518 & 1518 + 447 & 450 = 1965 & 1968 g
Rossignol Hi-Speed Elite 130 Carbon LV (26.5): 1610 & 1607 + 442 & 446 = 2052 & 2053 g
Head Formula RS 130 (26.5): 1587 & 1588 + 466 & 466 = 2052 & 2053 g
Lange RS 130 LV (26.5): 1634 & 1634 + 490 & 481 = 2123 & 2115 g
Atomic Redster CS 130 (26.5): 1773 & 1778 + 434 & 434 = 2208 & 2212 g
Head Raptor 140 RS (26.5): 1892 & 1899 + 547 & 548 = 2439 & 2447 g
Things We’re Curious About
As always, we are most curious about how the Hi-Speed Elite 130 Carbon LV compares to the competition in terms of both fit and skiing performance. More specifically:
(1) Will we notice any significant differences in suspension and power transfer between the carbon-laden Dual Core Hi-Speed Elite 130 Carbon LV and similar boots with more standard shell constructions?
(2) Similar story with its Dual Core construction — does the asymmetric application of different plastics affect the overall performance of the boot?
(3) Where can we place this boot’s 130 flex rating among other 130-rated boots, and how temperature sensitive is it?
(4) What type of skier should consider this boot — a skier who skis mostly groomers, a park skier, a mogul skier, etc?
Stay Tuned
We have had the chance to spend a little bit of time in the Hi-Speed Elite 130 Carbon LV so far, and are excited to start putting more time in it as soon as the early season groomers are open. Until then, let us know of any questions or thoughts you have about this boot in the comments section below.
How do you adjust the forward lean?
I have the same question..
I have found this instruction on a retail site. Loosen the screw of the power strap on the back of the cuff that fixes also the rear spoiler and move the rear spoiler upward by 6 mm. You may need to loosen the upper screw in the power bar also to be able to move the spoiler.
These fit amazing…very RX 130ish but slightly better for whatever reason out where your styloid or 5th metatarsal live. Liner and tongue are fabulous. Flex is smooth and more progressive statically than the Shadow imo. The Shadow hits a bit of an abrupt stop and kicks back like a very short stroke or flex for me. Jeff over at Ski Essentials had an interesting couple of tweaks he did on the Shadow that made it way better … for him. I digress though With the Hi-Speed Carbon you can gain a little more of the range of flex or drive a bit deeper and without collapsing or hitting a wall. Is it better than all my RX’s I’ve owned over the years? Well I like this boot a lot. Its not pretty so had to suck it up on the drab looks that some consider stealthy kind of like my first pair of OG Black Ops 118’s. I would not over look this boot or at least try it on vs the Shadow.