Salomon Quest Max BC 120

Fit

The Salomon website states that the last of this boot as “98-104mm,” which is consistent with boots in their line that feature their “Custom Shell.” But the Quest Max BC 120 has a Pebax lower and is not “Custom Shell” (i.e., “heat”) moldable.

The Quest Max BC 120 feels similar in width and volume to the 98mm last of the Tecnica Cochise Pro 130 and Tecnica Bodacious, and all three of those boots are higher volume than my old 98mm-lasted Nordica Jah Love.

It should also be noted that the internal shell length of the Quest Max BC 120 is slightly shorter for a given shell size than the Tecnica Cochise Pro and Bodacious. For example, the size 27.5 BC 120 feels similar in volume and width to the 27.5 Tecnica, but it has a Boot Sole Length of 315mm, and gave me at least 3-4mm less room behind the heel when shell-fitting. This is also reflected in the boots’ respective BSLs, with the Salomon being 5mm shorter than the Tecnica in the same shell size (27.5 Quest Max BC 120 = 315mm; 27.5 Tecnica Cochise Pro and Bodacious = 320mm).

I have a relatively high instep, and with the Intuition Powerwrap Plug, I feel like I have sufficient room over the instep to ski comfortably all day, only unbuckling when getting back on the lift.  The adjustable position of the instep buckle helps relieve uncomfortable pressure over the instep, and is a great feature that I wish more boots had.

The heel pocket of the BC 120 is not as deep and is slightly wider than my old Nordica Jah Loves, but it is well shaped and comfortable. I have no discernible heel movement in these boots while skiing with buckles fastened since I’ve added the Intuition liner. Lengthwise, I have a 10-12mm shell-fit for my 280mm/278mm feet.

Skiing Performance

I’ve been in these boots for two weeks and have skied a variety of conditions, from soft, late-season snow, spring slush, heavy crud, refrozen crud and crust, and wind-affected powder. I’ve skied on the 194cm 4FRNT Devastator, the 184cm Kingswood Archetype, the 190cm Moment Exit World, the 186cm Line Sick Day 110, and the 186cm ON3P Billy Goat. I have not toured on the boots at all yet.

Overall, the Quest Max BC 120 skis like a traditional alpine boot. Forward flex was adequate to drive the Devastator at high speeds in variable snow. The addition of the powerwrap liner did help significantly in this regard, but I believe that the shell is supportive enough for strong skiers to drive big skis in just about any conditions.

The forward flex is smooth and progressive. The last two boots I’ve skied are the Dynafit Vulcan (with Intuition Powerwrap Plug liner, booster strap) and the Tecnica Bodacious (with Intuition Dreamliner MD, booster strap). The BC 120 is closer in flex pattern to the Bodacious, although I noticed that the BC 120 felt maybe 10-15% softer when flexed side by side and clicked into skis on my living room floor with ambient temps in the mid 60’s.

I need to ski them back to back a few times this winter to really discern on-snow differences in flex, but based on two weeks of skiing the BC 120s in New Zealand, I wouldn’t hesitate to ski these boots inbounds at Alyeska, or sled skiing, or while wearing a heavy guide pack at Chugach Powder Guides this winter.

The lateral stiffness of the BC 120 was good enough to hold a strong edge on icy crust with the 118mm-underfoot Moment Exit World. Overall, I tend to prefer stiff boots (favorites include Nordica Jah Love, Tecnica Bodacious, Tecnica Cochise Pro 130, and Dynafit Vulcan), and the BC 120 has a stiff enough flex that I have not found myself wishing for more support. The lateral stiffness isn’t quite equal to that of the Jah Love, but it doesn’t seem far off from the Bodacious or Cochise Pro 130. Since my time on the Vulcan has been almost exclusively on >120mm powder skis in soft snow, I don’t think I can make a useful comparison yet to the BC 120.

In short, I believe that the Quest Max BC 120 will suit any strong, technically solid skier on just about any ski or any conditions.

Salomon Quest Max BC AT boot, Blister Gear Review.
Paul in the Salomon Quest Max BC AT Boot

Miscellany: Forward Lean, Instep Buckle, Weight

A few other points I should mention: The forward lean is not adjustable except with the addition of a spoiler (not included in my pair). Out of the box, the forward lean feels similar to other modern boots I’ve used such as the Lange Rx series, but it’s more subtly upright than the Tecnica Bodacious.

I want to again mention how much I appreciate the adjustable position of the instep buckle. While it may add a few grams, this is a great idea and demonstrates Salomon’s understanding that different feet benefit from different positions of this buckle for both comfort and performance.

The weight of the Quest BC 120 (~1990g with stock liners), is competitive for a boot in this class, and similar to its primary competitor, the Tecnica Cochise 120 and Pro 130.

Bottom Line

The Quest BC 120 seems like it could be a great do-it-all boot for those who want a solid alpine boot that does well touring.

So far, I’ve found that this is the first boot I can envision serving as a one-boot quiver for my purposes. It has enough support and a stiff enough flex to ski either inbounds or in the backcountry with a heavy pack, but it’s also light and comfortable and has an ample walk mode to be an acceptable backcountry boot.

I look forward to spending some time skinning on them in the near future.

28 comments on “Salomon Quest Max BC 120”

    • Hi Rod, I’ve not skied either of those boots. I am particularly interested in how the BC 120 compares to the Factor MX and am hoping to try a pair this winter.

      Personally, I’m more interested in whether a boot skis well for my skis, foot specifics, ability and conditions than how the flex compares to other boots but will try to provide the best comparisons I can.

  1. Trying to figure out my one-boot, one-ski quiver for this coming season. Demands aggressive resort skiing and up to 7-day skinning trips. Do you think this boot will cut the mustard? How about compared to something like the Scarpa Freedom SL (also a peebex shell)? [Generally accepted principle that fit is the most important attributed applies, obviously.]

    As for skis, lusting after the 184 Exit Worlds with a SI&I setup. So, same question for these. In your mind, is this an ideal setup, or are there notable shortcomings? What would you go with for a boot, bindings, ski setup that charges and tours?

    • Hi Aaron, Thanks for you comments. If you have to do all of that on one boot I think this is a great choice. Personally, I prefer to ski alpine bindings with DIN certified soles which limits your choices of touring boots, and counts out the Tracker. One way to get around that might be the WTR system. If you opt to use a binding like the STH2 on your SI&I system you would be able to use the BC120 all the time with the touring soles and I think could work well.

      The BC 120 is the boot I’ve used so far that has the option to use tech bindings but will still work safely in any alpine binding and it would be at the top of my list. Personally, I prefer to use a dedicated touring boot like the Vulcan for touring because of it’s lighter weight and short rockered sole. If I was going to be traveling and could only bring one boot for touring on tech bindings and skiing on alpine bindings the BC 120 is the best I’ve come across. Once I added the Powerwrap the flex was sufficient for me. (and I saved a bit of weight).

      For a 7 day tour this boot will be fine as long as you have a good fit and you won’t be chasing friends on superlight rando gear. I’ve never used the SI&I but it does seem like a good choice for what you’re looking to do. I love tech bindings and rarely see the need for a burlier rig while touring but if you want one set-up for everything, all season, your idea sounds pretty sweet.

      The only other thing I’d say is, depending on your body size and boot flex preferences you could take a look at the Quest Max 130 which is supposed to be a bit stiffer but also heavier as it swaps out the lighter pebax for a heavier PU lower shell. I have not skied it yet.

      See my review of the Exit World for details on that. I have not skied the Freedom yet but would love to try it. To me, the primary boots in this category of reasonably light and have swappable soles are the BC120, Factor MX 130, Freedom, and the Cochise line. I think the Salomon is the only one that would work, unmodified, in an alpine binding with the tech soles installed. As you said, fit should be your most important determinant.

  2. Hi Paul
    no cuff play in ski mode also in case of Atomic Tracker 130… Although it’s a different functionality (climb, not tour) the Tracker does it all well.
    Since Amer owns both Salomon and Atomic, I wouldn’t wonder to find in Q-Max BC a kind of an upgrade system of ski-walk used by the Tracker… Did you get the chance to compare on them?

    • Hi Mario, I’ve not skied the Trackers but have flexed them in the shop and I agree with you that the walk mode feels solid. I do not know the details of how the internal mechanism differs but it’s a good question. Personally, I’m only interested in a boot with a walk mode if it has the capacity to be skied with tech bindings. I saw the new Atomic Waymaker boots at Gnomes Ski Shop in New Zealand this summer and they look to have a solid walk mode that is also similar, from the outside, to the BC120.

    • Hi Ian, I believe that to be the case. I played with a pair last year but have not skied them. The website also indicates that the 130 has the Custom Shell 360 feature.

  3. Nice review! Going to see PJ @ Monods in Bann next week to get a pair of these bad boys fitted. Should pair well with my Rocker2 115’s & Guardians. Perfect side country setup! Stoked!!! Bonzo

  4. Great review. Seriously considering getting these boots. A couple q’s:
    -How do they compare to the Lange XT130?
    -I have a very narrow foot and like a tight fit. Could I get away with downsizing and punching the toes on these boots?
    -Or am I better off getting a tight fitting pair of XMAX120s plus a sloppy pair of Dynafits for touring?

  5. Hey Dave,
    1) I haven’t used the XT130. I’d be speculating if I tried to compare them. I have had the RX 130 on my foot and would say that the Salomon fit is a bit higher volume throughout with a less contoured heel pocket but that’s based on minimal experience.

    2) You might be able to punch a smaller size and have great luck with it. My personal experience in doing that with other boots (Titan and Cochise) is that they ski well but are too tight for all day touring. I also had problems with the walk modes hitting my achilles when striding in downsized touring boots. Check that out in the store if you can before you commit.

    3) In my opinion this is THE question regarding boots. If you tour a lot but also ski lifts frequently, you can try the single boot approach with a boot like the Quest Max BC 120 and compromise a little on both aspects of skiing. The benefits are that you’ll always be in a boot that you’re used to, it’s cheaper, and it makes traveling easier and less bulky.

    Personally, I prefer to have dedicated touring boot and a dedicated boot for mechanized skiing. I get a lighter boot for touring with shorter, rockered sole and a liner and fit that works well for me for long days and climbs. I guess it depends on where you are and what you ski, but many of the best skiers I know have found that, with a good fit, they’re able to ski hard in big terrain on surprisingly light boots while touring.
    Then, when I’m skiing lifts/sleds/heli/cat I pull out performance alpine boots with a tighter fit and get the best performing boot possible when I want to go hard in DIN bindings, especially if charging through tracked out snow at the ski hill.
    Best of luck with the boot quandry!

  6. When we think of the BC 120 a few things come to mind. Super light, comfortable, and downhill performance. The BC 120 is a great boot for the customer that you described. One that wants one boot for on and off piste exploring with max performance. With the addition of the WTR tech soles these boots are hard to beat. The only con that we have noticed with this boot and many other Salomon AT boots is the flex not being quite as stiff as it says it should be. With that being said, the Twin PowerFrame tech in the BC 120 makes it a bit more stiff than say the traditional Quest 120, but we feel it deserves to be addressed none the less. Overall, it is a great boot that will decrease energy exertion on the way up without compromising downhill performance. We recommend them!

  7. was the owner of a quest MAX 130 2014.
    only one day of ski on very heavy powder with salomon rocker (one)
    with sth16.
    ideal combo to see the gust of a beast: do the job very well but a little step a rs130 (lange), perhaps a challenger to cochise 130 pro, but heavy (4.9kg for 28).
    compared on carpet to the BC 120, the 130 is stiffer, really.

    perhaps on snow pebax became stiffer…

  8. Hi
    Great review. Your wrote: “So far, I’ve found that this is the first boot I can envision serving as a one-boot quiver for my purposes. It has enough support and a stiff enough flex to ski either inbounds or in the backcountry with a heavy pack, but it’s also light and comfortable and has an ample walk mode to be an acceptable backcountry boot.”

    You also skied the dynafit Vulcan. what was the problem there that it is not a one-boot quiver?

    Max

    • The vulcan is not DIN sole compatible. Thus far, I much prefer skiing 916’s or Pivots if I’m not earning my turns under my own power. This could change as bindings like the Beast become more prevalent. Moreover the Vulcan does not have the progressive and more supportive flex that I enjoy in true alpine boots. That said, if I wanted to have just one pair of boots and spent more time touring than mechanized skiing, I’d probably choose the Vulcan.

      • Excellent, thanks! After skiing on beast binding for a season I actually came to the point where I prefer them over alpine bindings. I trust them 100%. So for me it comes down to the progressive flex which I felt was non-existent when I tried them in the shop. But It’s hard to make any conclusions by just trying them in the shop.

  9. Hi Paul

    I am in a new pair of Salomon Quest Max BC 120s and the fit feels pretty snug and good (after heat moulding) as does the flex, but I have a big problem with shin bite. When I flex the boot forward, my shins (particularly my left one) hurts to the point that on hard bumpy terrain, my shins are so sore that I struggle to ski at all. At the end of the skiing day, the lower part of my shins are red and sore.

    I did not have this problem with my previous boots, the Lange RS 120 so I don’t think stiffness is an issue. My shell size is largely unchanged (285mm on the Salomons vs 286mm on the Lange).

    At the suggestion of the boot fitter, I have tried the Eliminator tongue in my boots and it improved things somewhat in my right boot but did not help very much with my left. It almost feels like there is a hinge point in the tongue such that when I flex the boot beyond a certain point, it starts hurting which eases off as soon as I take the pressure off it.

    I am wondering if I should swap in my old Lange liners instead as I find the Quest Max BC 120 liner tongue to be pretty stiff. It’s would be a shame because as you say, the liner looks like a really high quality liner.

    Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

    thank you
    Ian

    • Update on my experience with this boot. Could not fix the shin bang issues with the stock liners so decided to try a pair of Intuition Luxury liners and lo and behold, shin bang disappeared. The intuition liners also gave an even snugger fit which is an added bonus. I had no issues with only 3 buckles but decided to add a booster strap as the Intuition liner is slightly taller than the stock liner. Works a treat and now I can’t imagine not skiing without a booster strap.

      With these modifications, the boot feels great.

  10. A few comments about my 15 days on the Quest Max BC 130, 28.5:
    -Me: 6’5″, 215 pounds; fairly aggressive skier for a 46-year-old, but not a hucker; street shoe size: US 14; prominent 6th toe; a bit knock-kneed
    -Heat molding: Worked like a dream. Was able to size way down. Snuggest fit I’ve ever had.
    -Dropping down in size gave me incredibly consistent pressure from instep to shin-top. Never experienced that before. I am in love with this feeling.
    -Flex: Been using this with a 196 Bodacious and a 192 Atlas. They’re stiff enough to drive the skis, but there’s a definite limit. The few times when I’ve been caught off guard and hit a mogul trough too hard, the boot got completely overwhelmed, warped off to the side, and I thought I was going to break my ankle. As long as I’m aware of this limitation, though, they’re wonderful. I might try a Booster Strap to see if I can get a little more stiffness out of them.

    • Update after four more days on these: Overpowering the boot seems to have been a fluke (probably me being somewhat less than graceful). These things are great.

      • Great info from your personal experience. I’m on the fence about these vs the X-Pro 120 and honestly what it’s now boiled down to is cuff buckles. Silly, I know but from someone whose never skied a boot with less than 4, it’s causing hesitation. Appreciate your comments and experience.

        • Hi Jeff. Just saw this. Having one buckle up-top hasn’t been a problem at all. Feels snug, and the cuff is supportive and responsive.

      • I’ve put 65 days on these now — Overpowering these boots can be a bit of a problem. When I hit an unexpected bump when going too fast or skiing with limited visibility, they transfer too much force to my talus bone — really painful, and I’m worried I’m going to break my ankles in these. I’m not sure if this is a common complaint for too-soft boots, or if it’s a problem that’s specific to this design. Considering using ZipFits to boost the stiffness.

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