Good for Big Mountain
If we had a Gear of the Year award for boots, the Factor would win it. Constructed with an alpine-like overlap-shell design and progressive forward flex, the Factor was easily this year's most comfortable and best-performing downhill boot. Testers especially liked the liner's Boa closure system—wires that ratchet down tightly and make for friction-free skinning or hiking. The Factor comes with a standard alpine-boot-like DIN sole; more hiking-friendly AT sole blocks (with Dynafit-compatible tech fittings) are sold separately ($40). 9.1 lbs;
