2024 Kastle K130P Ski Boot Review with SkiEssentials.com 

Very well put together. It's like they've been making boots for decades.

Thank you Martin, it's a full-confidence boot for sure.

Ha! My kids make me fast-forward to 13:40 when the skiing starts. Thanks for the feedback!

I put about 5 days on the MV this season and thought it was very interesting. The power band starts a lot sooner in the turn, so initiation is very precise and early. Will certainly give it more of a run through next season.

Not 100% sure when, but definitely at some point before next season. Bob skied in that a bunch too and it's a very interesting tech conversation.

It didn't take long to settle into these boots this year for sure!

Definitely a conversation starter in the lift lines!

I hear you! I skied them with the Montero AR's a few days this year and while they didn't match perfectly like the AX's, I still felt on the upper-class side of the spectrum. Accidental matching is way better than purposeful coordination.

The minimalistic liner with the tongue adjustment should be okay for high insteps--it works well for me, and I cannot say that about a lot of boots.

The Tecnica is more of a polished product from a consumer standpoint while the Kastle is more raw. Mach1's have multi-injections of plastics, softer in the instep, rigid in the spine, thinner in normal trouble zones, as well as a carbon arm in the rear of the cuff, so there's more "things" going on with the Tecnica. The Kastle skis more like a true race boot and is a stiffer 130 for sure.

Truth.

I'd keep this boot on the short list to try. Tecnica makes the Firebird 130, but that comes in a 96 mm last so would likely require some work. Nordica's Dobermann GP 130 also falls into the LV realm, but is a real-deal boot for aggressive skiing.

It is difficult to say. This one specifically has such thick plastic in the cuff that it's difficult to tighten. The power strap cinches up nicely against the shin. Most low-volume boots also have narrower "throats" so if you're looking for a boot that fits snug up top, I'd suggest trying on some LV boots to see if they fit.

The ZX 100 is one of my favorites. The new 92 on the wall behind takes that quickness and swively nature to the next level. As far as fit is concerned, since it fits my high feet, I'd say there will be some room on top of your foot. That said, there are fit aids and shims that can help take up some volume. Aside from being in the right sized shell, it's still super-important to have a well-constructed custom foot bed for any boots. Some skiers who have unsupported flat feet find that they actually have an arch that needs to be propped up, and that the bone structure is just looser than others. Feet are very strange outside of ski boots, and when you put them in a cold plastic vice, things get even weirder.

Now a 92??!! I can't afford anymore Kastles!!😂😂 I've purchased 5pairs in 5 years!!!! ( Plus at least 8 other skis also) And you guys aren't helping the situation..😂😂 Can't wait for that 92 review. Long format review hopefully..🙏

Not a lot of room, but I also added the rear spoiler to increase the forward lean, and that takes up some volume.

Certainly the same category, and if I were building a boot wall for a retail store, they'd go right next to each other. The Tecnica has more "things" going on with it, including multi-injections of different stiffness in the plastics (softer over the instep and stiffer in the spine), pre-set punch/grind zones in both shell and liner, and a heat-moldable and grindable liner. These "things" take it a bit further away from the rugged plastic feel of the Kastle.

Definitely, definitely please see a boot fitter to get properly sized, evaluated, and try on boots.

Basically a World Cup race boot with very thick plastic and a very narrow fit. They come with minimalistic lace-up liners and aren't even ready to ski out of the box because the toe and heel lugs aren't DIN certified so they won't just click into a binding. The goal here is for racers or skiers with extraordinarily narrow feet to get the plastic as close to the foot as possible by removing plastic from the inside of the shell.

As long as your boots fit and you're happy, then we're happy!