Boot: 2023-2024 Nordica Dobermann 5 S
Stated Flex: 140 (adjustable down to 130 or 120)
Available Sizes: 22.5-29.5
Stated Last (size 26.5): 96 mm
Stated Forward Lean: 13°
Stated Ramp Angle: 3.7° (adjustable via included wedges)
Size Tested: 26.5
Stated Boot Sole Length (size 26.5): 300 mm
Blister’s Measured Weight (size 26.5):
- Shells, no Liners (left & right): 1816 & 1811 g
Liners, no Footbeds: 490 g & 491 g - Shells + Liners = 2306 & 2302 g
- Stock Insoles: 24 & 24 g
- Removable Spoilers: 27 & 27
Buckles: 4 micro-adjustable
Power Strap: “Dynamic Booster Medium”
Shell Material:
- Cuff: Bi-injected dual-density Polyurethane
- Lower Shell / Shoe: Polyurethane
Liner: “Dobermann 5 Race Laced “
Soles: Solid / fixed sole, ISO 5355 standard
Binding Compatibility: Alpine / ISO 5355 stamped bindings, MN stamped bindings
[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
In its various forms over the years, the Dobermann has become a legacy boot in Nordica’s racing and high-performance lineup. For the 23/24 season, Nordica has revamped the entire Dobermann lineup, including redesigning two lasts and adjusting the fit and features.
The new Dobermann 5 collection is — you guessed it — the 5th iteration, and some of the more notable updates include:
- Reduced volume in both lasts, especially in the midfoot and heel
- New cuff design comprised of bi-injected plastics of two different densities
- Nordica’s recently patented “Heel Link Lace Race Fit liner,” which has a band stitched at the back of the liner’s heel connected directly to the lacing system, with the goal of pulling the heel back and into the heel pocket.
- Customized forward lean adjustment with a two-piece spoiler integrated into the liner
- New 23 mm and 25 mm internal wedges for adjustable ramp angle
Shorter sole length across all sizes; shortened by 5 mm across the board. - The solid soles built to ISO 5355 standard with new 3 mm, 4 mm, and 5 mm lifters kits available.
What Nordica Says about the Dobermann Boot Collection:
“Nordica’s Dobermann race boots are known for bringing racing success to the feet of World Cup athletes such as Dominik Paris, Andreja Slokar, Julia Toiviainen and Turo Torvinen, as well as to athletes all over the world. For the 2024 race season, Nordica launches the fifth generation of its legendary Dobermann race boots. The new boots feature slimmer anatomical profiles inside and out, Bi-injected cuffs, an entirely new sole design, new liners using Heel Link, and several customization features to dial in fit and stance.
The eight-boot Dobermann line consists of two different collections—four models, designated with “RD” in the model names built around a 93mm last, and four models using a 96mm last. Both collections use the same exact shell designs and technologies and feature two new liners. MSRP for the collection ranges from $799 to $899.”
The Dobermann 5 Series
As noted in their copy, the 23/24 Dobermann 5 series consists of two lasts and various flex ratings and cuff heights. The shorter cuff heights are denoted by “LC.” The Race models are built on a 93 mm last (size 26.5) and are denoted by “RD” in their names; there are four RD models with flex ratings ranging from 90 to 150. The more recreational but still race-inspired boots are built on a 96 mm last (size 26.5) and include four models with flex ratings ranging from 90 to 140.
The Dobermann boot names also include acronyms related to stiffness — here’s a key:
- ES = Extra Stiff
- S = Stiff
- M = Medium Flex
- Soft = Soft (this one just gets spelled out)
All the 23/24 Dobermann boots allow you to tweak their flex patterns via the bolts on their spines. Nordica equates the removal of one bolt to a 10-point drop in flex rating. E.g., the Dobermann 5 S we have ships with both bolts installed and a stated flex rating of 140; removing one bolt reportedly drops that to 130, and removing both softens it further, to 120.
Dobermann 5 RD (93 mm last):
- Dobermann 5 RD ES (Flex: 130-150) | MSRP: $799.99
- Dobermann 5 RD S (Flex: 120-140) | MSRP: $799.99
- Dobermann 5 RD M (Flex: 100-120) | MSRP: $799.99
- Dobermann 5 RD Soft LC (Flex: 90-110) | MSRP: $799.99
Dobermann 5 (96 mm last):
- Dobermann 5 S (Flex: 120-140) | MSRP: $899.99
- Dobermann 5 M (Flex: 100-120) | MSRP: $899.99
- Dobermann 5 M LC (Flex: 90-110) | MSRP: $899.99
- Dobermann 5 Soft LC (Flex: 70-90) | MSRP: $899.99
Weight & Comparisons
As you’d expect from a high-performance, race-inspired, piste-oriented boot, the Dobermann 5 S is quite heavy, particularly compared to more generalist “all-mountain” models. However, it’s right in line with other boots in the “race-inspired” or “recreational race” category, such as the Head Raptor WCR 140S and Atomic Redster CS 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
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) How does the Nordica Dobermann 5 S compare to other recreational race-inspired boots, such as the Atomic Redster CS 130, Lange RS 130 LV, and Head Raptor WCR 140S?
(2) How does Nordica’s bi-injected cuff translate to the boots’ flex pattern? Are there any perceivable benefits or differences, specifically with the utilization of denser, stiffer plastics in the spine? How does the Dobermann compare to other bi-injected boots such as the Lange RS 130 LV?
(3) Fit-wise, how does the Dobermann 5 S’ 96 mm last compare to other boots with similar stated lasts, as well as the numerous boots that are a bit roomier?
(4) Given its substantial construction, how does the Dobermann 5 S compare to similarly heavy boots and lighter alternatives when it comes to its suspension and ride quality, particularly on very firm snow?
Stay Tuned
We’ll have more to say about the Nordica Dobermann 5 S’ on-snow performance next season, so keep an eye out for more info. In the meantime, we will share some preliminary thoughts in our upcoming 23/24 Winter Buyer’s Guide.