I don't often write reviews but I'm pretty happy with this boot and I hope that it's successful for K2 because I want it to be around for a while. So I thought I'd share my thoughts.

I'm glad to see at least one manufacturer providing tech toes on a standard/non-walk mode boot. I've tried a few hybrid boots and they just aren't for me. Prior to the Recon Team, I needed to send my boots in and have tech inserts installed which isn't free. It's nice to buy a boot off the shelf that way. That's the main reason I decided to try these boots and am happy I did. It's my first pair of k2 boots. And no one locally stocks this model so I bought them sight unseen directly from K2.

Aside from flex and durability (and marketing gimmicks), a boot is all about fit. I find that as long as I'm in a low volume shell, they all fit about the same with a properly fit liner. I use a zipfit liner and get about 5-6 seasons on the liner and generally about 2 seasons out of shells. I obviously can't speak to how this boot is going to fit you. I can only give you my impressions on the construction and flex.

For reference - I am 48, have been skiing my whole life, 6'2", 180 lbs. I work with a mogul ski team and spend about 80+ days a year in my boots between winter skiing and summer camp. I have a hard heel to fit and as a result have been in zipfit liners for probably 20 years. With that perspective these are my thoughts on the boot:

Pro's

1. I appreciate the thinner plastic instep. I put my liner on first and then step into the shell. The thinner instep helps with that to a surprising degree. I thought it might just be a gimmick but I like it a lot.

2. As already mentioned - pre-installed tech toe fittings.

3. The rivet-less cuff - in previous boots, my liners and boot heater cables take excessive abuse from the rivets on the inside of the cuff. I have tried ways to minimize this but not having a rivet in the first place is a much better solution than any duct tape hacks I could come up with.

4. Flex - the flex is very linear and consistent - in fact surprisingly so. It is not a 140 though. At least compared to previous boots I've had. I would say it's barely a 130 with my liner that I presume is stiffer than the stock liner. Not a bad thing for me. I like a stiff boot but don't want anything stiffer than 130 any more. If you want a true 140 this may fall into the con category for you.

Cons:
1. Maybe durability? I don't know as I only have a couple of days them. I usually get 2 seasons out of a shell. Not sure I'll get that out of these but I sure hope so.

Not that this is necessarily a comment for this boot in particular but I did order them with a set of standard DIN soles. I haven't had gripwalk before and I am slow to convert to new technology. I would say that I felt like gripwalk was just another solution looking for a problem. I never saw the need to move from the standard DIN sole. But, I will say that I actually like the gripwalk and I plan to keep them setup that way. I don't think the gripwalk is "great" enough to deal with the binding compatibility issues it creates, but if that's not an issue for you then I say gripwalk is an improvement. Just my 2 cents in case that's something you're considering like I was.

Also - K2, if you're listening, please consider selling shells and liners separately. With as unique as feet are, liners make an enormous impact on the fit. I've always felt it a shame to take an $800 boot and throw the liner away first thing. It's not that the liners are bad, but different feet need different liners. Just the way it is. Surely there's a marketing angle you can take advantage of here and come up with a win-win.

All in all, I am very happy. Thanks K2!

But; even though you guys say they are 140s, they still feel too soft for me. They feel like 120s or even 110s. Please start making your boots stiffer. At least make 1 model a real 130 or a real 140. Just like many years ago, the pinnacle 130pro, those were stiff enough.

They are comfy and stiff I like them would recommend